Hunt Slonem Book Party Extraordinaire

By Rio Hamilton - NOV 13, 2014 THURSDAY

Tuesday, November 11, 2014 6:03pm 55 degrees

Hunt Slonem is an American painter, sculptor, and print-maker. He is best known for his Neo-Expressionist paintings of tropical birds, often based on a personal aviary in which he has been keeping from 30 to over 100 live birds of various species. Slonem’s works are included in many important museum collections all over the world including the Guggenheim in New York and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. He is exhibiting regularly at both public and private venues and has received numerous honors and awards.

Born in Maine and the eldest of four children. His father was a Navy officer, and mother – a homemaker who spent much of her time doing volunteer work. As a result of his father’s military career, Slonem’s family moved around frequently.

It was Slonem’s grandfather who always encouraged young Hunt to paint. “I grew up around painting, and my parents dabbled in painting themselves. I was given paints as a child, and I wanted to be a painter from first grade onwards,” Slonem told the online magazine Art Interview.

Hunt Slonem’s oil paintings pivot between the fantastic and the natural.

These natural forms ultimately become the subjects for many of his artworks, appearing in large lavishly colored paintings and constructed sculptures. His paintings are layered with thick brushstrokes of vivid color, often cut into in a cross-hatched pattern that adds texture to the overall surface of the painting. Slonem often hides his subjects behind a grid of incised lines, blurring their contours and emphasizing the paint’s tactile quality.

Well, his new book “When Art Meets Design” is a colorful treat for your eyes. Glorious interiors, beautiful artwork, clever arrangements, 300 big pages of eye candy and thought provoking quotes by Hunt and those who adore him.

The crowd at the book signing celebration was just as colorful as the new coffee table tome. Autographs and cocktails are made easy at the PLAZA. The ASSOULINE Bookshop is located on the mezzanine level of the grand historic hotel. I realize now how easy it is for the town-car-driven woman to dash from her car into the hotel up the grand staircase and into the book salon. There were so many great entrances made by great ladies it was hard to keep up. I’m speaking of real jewels, gorgeous on-trend bold print ensembles and handbags that have their own twitter page.

The Ladies Who Lunch and the Divas who Direct – love art and adore art books – and Hunt Slonem’s
“Where Art Meets Design” is one of the best books you’ll find. I’m not characterizing – I’m just sharing facts . . . .
“art-i-facts”. Oh I’m so clever in Autumn.