David Linley Invitation  to his Gallery in Pimlico Road, Chelsea, London.  In celebration of British Design, Craftmanship, Engineering & Innovation.   This “Arcimboldo esque” invitation heralds  a marvellous exhibition of some of the UK’s most iconic names. Including JCB Digger. Bamford. Purdey. Bremont Watches. Hardy Fishing. Rolls Royce Aerospace engines.Hornby.GlobeTrotter Luggage. & a bright red  Mclaren Automotive roadster that was manoeuvred into the Gallery with great precision, on a busy saturday lunchtime, in London.

Mclaren Roadster at the David Linley Gallery London

Mclaren Roadster at the David Linley Gallery London

Moscou nites. Pop art metallic balls & coloured glass baubles,   shimmer and lite up. For an eye catching sculpture made from recuperative pieces from the local markets, inserted on to steel tubes.. Artist  Choi Jeong is a Korean artist born in 1961.Presented by Pearl Lam, with  Galleries, in Hong Kong, Shanghai & a recently opened Gallery in Singapore.

Luscious flowers paintings by Gordon Cheung, a Chinese artist who was presented by the Edel Assanti Gallery, 272 Vauxhall Bridge Road SW1.

With Galeries in Berlin & Beijing,  Alexander Ochs was present at ART14 Olympia.We were intrigued by Heribert C. Ottersbach’s  monochromatic portrait of the celebrated, German, Couture Fashion Designer for CHANEL,  Karl Lagerfeld, which was arresting. Heribert C. Ottersbach born Cologne 1960.

Primo Marella Gallery in Milan specialises in contemporary art by artists from the Far East.Showing also at her Beijing Gallery.  Stunning, illuminated  presentation of Vietnamese artist La Huy. The glowing wax images, as translucent as ancient marble, of draped Buddhist togas,  have a contemporary resonance. Cultural memory is a theme for La Huy. We were happy to see Elena Micheletti, again,  the beautiful Milanese lady who has her Primo Marella Gallery at U.N.O. Viale Stelvio,66. Entrance to Gallery on Via Valtellina.Milan Italy. 

Entang Wiharso, presented by the Primo Marella Gallery.  A Milanese Gallery specialised in presenting CONTEMPORARY ASIAN ARTISTS . Entang Wiharso is a celebrated Indonesian Contemporary artist who has just exhibited at the Venice Biennale, contributing to the prestigious Indonesian Pavillion.   Primo Marella  Galleries in Milan Italy & Beijing China.

Venice Biennale 2013. Indonesian Pavilion. Entang Wiharso, whose works are featured in several Museums participated in the Biennale exhibition. Galerie Primo Marella in Milan specialises in Contemporary art from Asia. Galerie Primo Marella has an outlet in Beijing. Foto Venice Mack Mcfarland.

Reza Derakshani. Memories of Persia, inspired by the iconic Persian Miniatures traditions. Persia a turquoise jewel hidden away in the our brains,glittered in pink, as the house parties hide away from the Authorities. Reza Derakshani presented by Kashya Hildebrand,22 Eastcatle street, London.W1. ART14 OLYMPIA 28/02–2/03/14

ART14.LONDON Dong Yuan’s wistful ambiance recreates the happy memories being raised by a loving Grandmother. As the old traditional houses are being destroyed in Peking. Dong Yuan’s 3 dimensional collage  remembers their typical old Chinese interiors, & dedicates offerings to the Gods, the Ancestors, & the Kitchen. With a separate table that celebrates the Chinese New Year table of plenty, prepared by the adored Grandmother. A thought provoking presentation that evokes the sadness of memory as the Artist tries to recapture happiness. Gallery Yang, Beijing. www.galleryyang.com

Venice Carnaval time from Mardi Gras till 4th March 2014. A few images courtesy Vivastyle mag.universalweather.Telegraph.co.uk.Veneticatours.hotelvivit.blogspot.

Dolce & Gabbana Milan Fashion week strong runway shot for Autumn / Winter 2014/15. Lurex, Guipures, Broderies, Jet beading for  a Guinevere meets Harley Davidson show. Stefano Gabbana is quoted as saying back stage pre show, in Milan, that  their show was an enchanted garden & every girl a fairy, the clothes showed exquisite handcraft talents. Courtesy images. Guiseppe  Aresu/ AP.Venturelli/ Wireimage. Getty Images.

Dolce & Gabbana A/W 2014/2015

Dolce & Gabbana A/W 2014/2015

Dolce & Gabbana A/W 2014/2015

Dolce & Gabbana A/W 2014/2015

Merci Maman. Duchess of Cambridge has been spotted out shopping, informally,  at Zara, it has been reported, wearing this sweet charm necklace. A charm necklace  for baby  Prince George. It seems that the makers Merci Maman sent the gift to Pippa Middleton,  hoping that it would be shown to the Duchess of Cambridge. Merci Maman make charm bracelets & necklaces to order at very purse friendly prices.

Roberto Cavalli blew away the cobwebs with a typically extravagant meister show. A  dramatic rink of fire rimmed a fountain & cascades a dazzling display of leather, tinted furs & studded fringes. Wild West goes to Hollywood…Designs for the rich Oligarch jet setters.  For whom low key is of no interest. With plenty of brilliant winter white,fiery reds, black, grey, silver, & diamante…..Milan A/W14 Fashion Week drew the Fashionistas for the popular Italian designers so essential to Italy’s economy.

Camille Hilaire Pesage. So reminiscent of the beautiful green race courses in Deauville. Camille Hilaire French painter from Metz in Eastern France. Professeur of Beaux Arts in Nancy & Paris.Courtesy Expertissim.

Camille Hilaire, Races at Deauville. French painter, born in Metz, 1916-2004. Well known for his powerful use of colours. Exhibited in Geneva, Cannes & Deauville. Courtesy of Christies, Impressionist Auction 29/04/09.

Horses preparing for a gymkhana, by French painter, Camille Hilaire.(1916-2004)       During a walk  on a rainy saturday in London, this vibrant picture captured our imagination.  Seen in the window of Julian Simon’s Gallery 70 Pimlico road in London’s Chelsea. BADA member

Elizabeth & Francois Doumen  joyfully leading in one of their winning race horses. Amongst a clutch of top European horse breeders & trainers Francois  Doumen & his wife Elizabeth   stand out in a  World of glamour and chic. Their Haras, Stud Farms,  consistently   produce top race horses. Francois Doumen was a Trainer for her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.           Images courtesy Francois Doumen Racing.

Prado Museum Madrid. Exhibited for the 1st time @ The Prado. Jean Fouquet’s The Virgin and Child with Angels. The right hand panel of a Diptych  that was painted by the French Renaissance painter, circa 1450, & loaned by Antwerps Royal Museum of Fine Arts. Photo Hugo Ortuno. Exquisite Art with History, part of Europe’s Cultural Heritage.

Thomas Frieden Creative Design Top Kollektion. Serpent earring drops. White gold, diamonds & yellow sapphires.In Switzerland the Basel World Watch & Jewellery Fair March 27 – April 3rd 2014.Thomas Frieden Swiss jeweller founded in 1898.

Pink is her a favourite colour for a modern day Milanese Renaissance girl. Chiara Spagnoli Italian  film critic & cultural reporter is currently working in New York. However a recent International  art exhibition in Oxford was very successful 8th February 2014. With a Masters in Film Writing Chiara has film projects up for discussion. A creative spirit & one of our favourite people.                                  Photo Federico Ferrantini.

Claridges Hotel Mayfair London. What a lovely way to spend St Valentines. Indulge in a super treat Claridges Tea time. Or  have a romantic cocktail in one of Claridges Bars, why not here where the piano plays in the background. Claridges discreet Hotel is one of the Capital’s major attractions for visiting Royalty.

Claridges Hotel Mayfair,London

Claridges Hotel Mayfair London

Indulge in a romantic week end in London, where Claridges offers such indulgent accommodation & ambiance

Gerhardt Richter Abstraktates Bild 776-1. Painted in 1992. Sold for £1.930.000. At the Phillips Contemporary Evening  Auction 10th February 2014.

Andy Warhol portrait of Marilyn. (reversal) 1979/86. Sold for £1.082.500.Phillips Auction House London.

Nordic Noir,  Scandi Crime weekend heralded in a rainy February 2014 as masses of Fans queued round the block on a cold saturday morning from before 9am, at a venue off Brick Lane in London. The devoted fans of the Scandinavian  Cult TV Thriller series  The Bridge, Borgen, The Killing, Wallender, etc. were not disappointed. Teams from the series came & in a good natured manner  participated in a series of Panel discussions.  Several Scandinavian  Stars,  writers, composers, production people all speaking brilliant English.  Including, Sofia Helin, Kim Bodnia, Adam Price,  Pilou Asbaek, & ,Sidse Babett Knudsen, Halfden E, amongst others. The series are riveting, gripping, sophisticated story telling, quirky personalities & brilliant original filming,muted bluey grey colours. Not since the groundbreaking American series “Murder One” has Television been so breathtakingly excellent & absorbing.  5star ***** European  entertainment  that has found World wide success. The organisers even brought over to London Saga’s idiosyncratic mustard coloured Porsche. Often the only colour that features  in the films shot in the shades of grey palette of colours, that mirrors the image of the Oresun Bridge that links Sweden & Denmark, across the grey North sea, under  pale grey skies, very  Scandinavian. & haunting theme tunes.

Italian pop artist, Chiara Spagnoli,  working in New York has been invited to participate at the Oxford International Art Fair, 7-9th February 2014. With a Masters in Film Production & Script writing Chiara is also a talented & original artist. Bravissima !

Ferrari. The Formula One has just released images of the stunning  new F14T racing car that the Scuderia hope will spearhead a World Championship challenge for the upcoming season. Bleachereport.Matt Jones.Tobias Gruner

Pissaro. Boulevard de Montmartre, Une Matinee de Printemps. Delightful & Evocative painting os a Spring day in Paris, painted in 1897. Sothebys London Evening Auction 5th February. Impressionist paintings Est £7.000.000.- £10.000.000.