Reconfiguration

The Everson Museum of Art is open! I mean, it’s been open – I just didn’t know it. I was able to catch the tail end of the Lacey McKinney show, Reconfiguration. The Everson Bulletin states the show’s run ended on the 24th so…lucky me and my friend Penny.

*The show has now been extended to February 28, 2021 so…lucky you!

I love the discourse between Penny Santy and me when we see exhibitions together. We don’t always like the same pieces but we understand each other’s point of view.

McKinney’s paintings are oil and acrylic. I suspect the acrylic was either a means to create texture or the underlying Frankenthaler-esque washes in some of the female populated landscapes.

Penny loved these new-technique-for-the-artist “cyanotypes” (above) but they reminded me of a crafty high school art project – female body parts minus vagina, lol, that is too mean, sorry Lacey, but, I felt like these were a bit too safe and they read more like studies than finished pieces. I did admire the size relationships though. And in person, the blue hues are lovely and more nuanced than the photograph suggests.

The larger portrait/landscape mash-ups were far more interesting to me. They offered visual collage in a successful way – female as mountain, eyes averted so as not to become a focal point – they had an ethereal beauty to them. She is quite proficient in the rendering of the subject matter, as well as holding a cerebral allocation of the structure of her iconography.

These two (above) were my favorites. I loved the softness of the colorations and the rhythm in the compositions. They whisper emotion in a powerful feminine way with subtle colorations of glaze-infused shadow. Perfection!

This piece (above) reminded me of Marilyn Monroe, but that may be because I had just watched a documentary on Arthur Miller, ex-husband of MM, and one on the fashion designer Dries Van Noten, Belgium fashion designer who created a line of menswear with a variety of images of MM silk-screened on jackets and shirts.

The literature states that the artist selected images from magazines and reconfigured them stealing fragments of different women juxtaposed as either friend or foe. So, maybe?

This collection is on view in the Robineau gallery on the first floor of the museum. I believe there were only about five other people in the entire museum today when we visited. Plenty of social distancing room to ruminate on this new work. Call (315) 474-6064 for more information.

EVERSON MUSEUM OF ART HOURS:

SUNDAY 12-5
MONDAY CLOSED
TUESDAY CLOSED
WEDNESDAY CLOSED
THURSDAY 12-5 (12-8 EVERY 3RD THURS)
FRIDAY 12-5
SATURDAY 10-5

The Roaring Twenties

#rachelzoe #joesjeans #marcjacobs

This is how I began the Roaring Twenties. Shimmer-shammer in the form of this magnificent Rachel Zoe top, silver leather Marc Jacobs sandals with rhinestone heels (!) and lamb leather jeans (possibly my favorite item in my closet, as I keep them in heavy rotation and they go with EVERYTHING)!

The theme for this decade is sparkle, shine and animal prints/hides. I am really not keen on the safari look, although that cheetah thing was huge in Wonder Woman 1984. Those pumps look amazing on Gal Gadot (but what doesn’t?)

On second thought, maybe I will add some WW flair (and all it encompasses) to my 2021 wardrobe. <3

Colorburst

#amicale #kesnyc #theory #coach #ragandbone
Karen Tashkovski, Princess, 2017, encaustic on masonite, 8″ x 10″ (mounted on chalkboard), $111
#kesnyc #tashkovski #allsaints #joesjeans #ragandbone

Although I was in all black yesterday (above), I’m making a conscious decision to add color to my wardrobe. Color looks better in #ootd pictures. Color is just fun. I color coordinate my walk-in closet – this makes it easier to notice items bought separately and even years apart that end up looking amazing together.

#kesnyc #blackbrown1826 #vince #tashkovski #ragandbone

This Black Brown 1826 cashmere sweater (above) is something I often wear around the house over my pajamas. It is a thick 4-ply cashmere – very cozy and soft. The sleeves had frayed but I loved it so much, I didn’t want to get rid of it. I brought it to DeWitt Cleaners, recently, because I spilled yogurt on it and when I picked it up, it was not only pristine, but someone had magically mended it as well! The yarns of the sleeves were somehow stitched together (crochet hook?) and now it looks great with the most expensive skirt in my wardrobe!

$75 – ITALIAN
#kesnyc #theory #tashkovski #360cashmere #bcbgmaxazria #marcjacobs

This outfit (above) was inspired by one of my encaustic angel paintings, currently located on my bedroom dresser. I have had these silk velvet pants for a while. Paired with Marc Jacobs combat-style boots and the double sweater look, it felt super comfy on that cold day. We are in school on Wednesdays while the students are at home. #officehours

Confidante, 2017, encaustic on masonite, 8″ x 10″ (mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard), $111
#amicale #kesnyc #warnerbros #anntaylor #coach #ragandbone

I rarely wear red – then this Coach leather skirt came along and now I’m singing red’s praises! Absolutely in love with the length. I paired it with an old Ann Taylor cashmere sweater from when the Ann Taylor store was on the second floor of the mall. (Does that store still exist? – IDK)

Royal Gamer, 18″ x 15″, 2012, encaustic, $125
#kesnyc #bcbgmaxazria #sorel
Karen Tashkovski, “Geisha”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250
#kesnyc #tashkovski #saksfifthavenue #rebeccataylor #frame #rebeccaminkoff

The monochromatic look was the rage at the 2021 Inauguration. It looked a bit like a circa 1980s rainbow wedding to me but fashion instagrammers didn’t agree. They loved that parade. I am not a purple head-to-toe fan either, lol. But blue? Yes!

One color works best when it is a blend of textures while allowing the hues to vary. Here (above) a new cashmere sweater with my tissue thin Rebecca Taylor summer denim dress, a navy silk mask and Frame cropped jeans. Boots, kind of, match my hair.

NFS . – MONKEES #2
#kesnyc #rebeccataylor #karllagerfeldparis

Sometimes I throw on my hat or earmuffs for the #ootd picture and sometimes I wear them most of the day when I am not in the classrooms. There is a lot less moving around these days due to all the Covid restrictions and such, and it just feels a lot colder at work. Hence the double sweater business too.

“SECRET”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
#aquacashmere #talithacollection #tashkovski #joesjeans #rebeccaminkoff

The fist time I wore this silk Talitha Collection top (above), I was at the Doobie Brothers/Steely Dan concert at the Ampitheater. It was something like ninety degrees in the shade that July day! For a January school day, I threw it on over a thick cashmere turtleneck.

And, P.S., every color in the rainbow looks great paired with these lambskin leather jeans (Joe’s Jeans!)

Karen Tashkovski, “Shibori”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250
#kesnyc #joie #bcbgmaxazria #joesjeans #rebeccaminkoff

Finally and full circle, dresses over pants is a fun look – the dresses become tunics/jackets and I get to wear them through the winter and still manage to stay warm. Thank you, Joie and AllSaints, for the leathaaaaaaaa! <3

#kesnyc #tashkovski #allsaints #joesjeans #ragandbone

The Aphrodisiac

“$ EVER”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“LUXE”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“FIND”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″

I created this series of twenty-four paintings, Talisman, in 2008. It is a love story: layered, filled with treasure, sparkle within dust, games and prizes, secrets and lies.

I experimented with varnish for the first time. Experimented with the permanence as well. The chalk was meant to fade with the years. It’s been thirteen years now and I admire the patina of these old friends. Yesterday I did an internet search for a solution to save that dust from settling further and the win-win came in the form of Pantene hair spray, believe it or not. So now, these paintings are fixed in time.

And the funny thing is, upon reflection, they bring me back to a place where I thought I had nothing, but in fact, I had it all. All the answers to all of my questions. I just did not know it then, which made life seem so confusing.

This game of life is a puzzle but if you take the time to look, listen and feel with your heart, you will resonate with all of it.

“CHARM”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“MAGIC”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″

The paintings are 18″ x 24″. Oil paint and chalkboard paint. Found objects, games pieces, fabric.

They work best on a wall in multiples. That’s usually the way it goes with my artwork. If you like it, you really can’t get enough and you just want more.

They hold the narrative and that is a powerful aphrodisiac. <3

“TIC TOK”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“SHADOW”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“SHIELD”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“THYME”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“COIN”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“DOMINO”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“PRIZE”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“SECRET”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“LUCK”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“XOXO”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“LIBERTY”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“PRESTO”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“HEART”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“NINE GIFTS”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“VOW”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“PERFECT FIT”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“WIN-WIN”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“CREST”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″

Skirts with Boots

#kesnyc #theory #bcbgmaxazria #ragandbone #tashkovski
#kesnyc #theory #saksfifthavenue #frame #rebeccaminkoff
#kesnyc #freepeople #rachelzoe #tashkovski #ragandbone

2021 is about skirt length. The maxi for day is popular with the teacher crowd. Instagram fans seem to prefer the mini on me. The midi is the most comfortable for sitting during Zoom meetings. And my new Coach leather skirt, knee length, is my favorite go-to. It is perfection!

#kesnyc #bcbgmaxazria #360cashmere #sorel
#amicale #kesnyc #warnerbros #anntaylor #coach #ragandbone

I love the new proportion. Boots with skirts is my look. And I am loving Rag & Bone right now. Their lug sole is genius. I am truly a fan of the almond toe.

#kesnyc #rachelzoe #saksfifthavenue #tashkovski #rebeccaminkoff
#bcbgmaxazria #equipment #tashkovski #rebeccaminkoff
#kesnyc #rebeccataylor #karllagerfeldparis
#kesnyc #360cashmere #freepeople #ragandbone
#kesnyc #theory #frame #rebeccaminkoff

Soflea Sophie

My sister owns two businesses: Syracuse Yoga (6181 Thompson Road, Suite 803, Syracuse, New York 13206) and Soflea, a small store operating in the basement of Wildflowers (217 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York 13203).

Sophia Tashkovski is part of the McCarthy Mercantile. Her collection of flea-market finds and antiques includes her signature horseshoes, brass trays, statuettes and wicker baskets, as well as furniture and rugs.

Items are one-of-a-kind gems and so, there are always new finds to covet, which always makes the shopping experience a fun adventure.

Hours of operation: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday. It’s open today!!! (you’re welcome <3) Enter Wildflowers then head to the basement where the collective of shoppes is housed.