steve mckenzie fine art Archives – McKenzie Interior Design

Love spotting Steve’s art in their Instagram feed Zenith II by Steve McKenzie Parallel by Steve McKenzie

A LOT. That’s what! Early 2017 is shaping up to be a very busy season for our namesake, and we know Steve would love to see you out and about at the many industry events lined up in and around Atlanta in the coming weeks… So, we thought we’d give you all a little rundown of what Steve will be up to in hopes for a happy meet up with any of you!

First on the agenda is an event at AmericasMart, “Home for the Holidays: Setting the Trends in Tabletop & Seasonal Decor.” Steve is speaking alongside some topnotch industry tastemakers, including Julia Reed, Bonnie Mackay and our great friend, Annette Joseph – not to mention the presentation will be moderated by Eugenia Santiesteban Soto, Senior Style Editor of Better Homes & Gardens. This is a not-to-be-missed event is taking place THIS Thursday. And keep in mind, it’s never to early to start planning for your next spectacular holiday season!

Next up is the ADAC January Tour, “Interior Perspectives: A Tour of Palettes to Pillows with Cindy Bargainer,” in which Steve will be a featured artist in the Martin Nash showroom. As Cindy leads the tour, she’ll be introducing designer/artists in a number of showrooms where they’ll have an opportunity to share their creative process and how their artworks translate to wall coverings, textiles and the like. This event will take place on January 26th from 10am-noon and it’s sure to leave you inspired!

In the midst of these exhibits and presentations Steve is also painting a bathtub. Yes, a bathtub. The Kohler Signature Store of Atlanta, in partnership with Kallista, is holding the Circe Artist Event CEU and a raffle for a Kallista Circe freestanding tub! This tub is to be painted by our very own Steve McKenzie and proceeds from the auction and event will go to the United Way of Greater Atlanta charity! Phew – talk about the pressure. It’s on… So keep an eye out for this fine piece of art for your bathroom!!

Finally, early February brings on one of our every favorite events of the year, The Southern C Summit!! This year’s Summit is taking place on Sea Island (swoon!) and together, Steve and Jill will be presenting a seminar titled, “Plan B: Reinvention and Multiple Revenue Streams.” You may remember first learning about The Southern C when we introduced you to founders, Cheri Leavy and Whitney Long, in a Tastemaker post from this past year. Needless to say, we’re tickled to have an opportunity to participate in this year’s Summit!

Okay – so, where will we be seeing you over the next month?!? We’re looking forward to the networking, inspiration and fabulous times these events are sure to bring!

Today, we’re reaching back out to steve mckenzie’s team member, Xavier Neuner, for his selection of another book from our library for this week’s Library Friday post…

Xavier Neuner

We’re especially excited for this selection, and how he compares the work of this great artist to Steve’s own works, and how it seems to have served as inspiration for him. Read below for Xavier’s latest Library Friday pick:

Today, I decided to discuss the Washington, D.C. based artist, Morris Louis. 

Morris Louis

He is known for experimenting with Color Field painting, a style of abstract expressionism, characterized by large simplified compositions in which the use of color is independent of line and figuration. 

Morris Louis Alpha-Pi (67.232)

This art movement was a popular choice among the New York painters during the 1940’s -1950’s, but Louis separated himself from the New York group and kept to himself in D.C. with his work. He would dilute an oil-based acrylic, which was created for him, and brush it into an unprimed canvas.

Morris Lewis, Point of Tranquility

Eventually, Louis stopped using a paintbrush in order to get a more even and clean surface. I see resemblance with Steve’s walnut studies, which look watercolor-like.  It is obvious why Steve has this book in his library.  Inspiration can appear from the past or the present as we move forward in art and design.

Exactly our sentiment, Xavier – great selection! How do you feel about these abstract, colorful watercolor works? How do they speak to you??