Hockney at the Beach

Emilie Pallos meets David Hockney

What do you say to one of the most talented and inspirational artists of the 20th and 21st centuries? Thank you! 

Chatting with David Hockney at LA Louver's opening reception on July 14, 2015, was an amazing privilege. Hockney has been my favorite contemporary artist ever since his mid-career retrospective at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1988. Has it really been 27 years?

David's new paintings and photo collages challenge perspective. They combine photography and painting, but without the "seams" usually evident in collage. As a viewer, you are never quite sure what is "real." Photoshop?...

The opening party guest list included many of the people/models depicted in the new works — David's friends. Life imitates art. The artist is well-known for photo-print/Polaroid collages created in the 1980s, and the most famous work from that era is "Pearblossom Highway," now in the Getty Museum's permanent collection. That work even makes an appearance in one of his new collages (see below). David certainly has a droll English wit.

When we take a break from design work for clients (brand strategy and advertising, in print and online), we visit museums and galleries for inspiration. The LA Louver in Venice, CA, is a favorite destination. Most of Hockney's important L.A. shows have been shown either at the Louver (his West Coast representation), or at LACMA.

Take a peek at this show online and then be sure to visit in person. Photos don't do these works justice! The exhibition runs through mid-September, 2015. www.lalouver.com

A fantastic new interview with David is HERE.

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For targeted, classic design and advertising campaigns for your company, business or organization, contact Emilie at (818) 242-9055, send a note to studio@emiliepallosdesign.com, or visit us online at www.emiliepallosdesign.com. Good design is good business.

#LALouver
#DavidHockney

Wimbledon 2015: Game, Set and Match

Centre Court

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club 
"The Tennis Garden"

Wimbledon SW19

A Great Day at the Home of Tennis
A visit to Wimbledon is a perfect way to spend an entire day, especially if you're a player or fan of this great sport. The club was a "must-see" on my recent UK trip, so I booked the Wimbledon Museum and Tour tickets in advance. The town of Wimbledon is about 25 minutes via taxi from central London, and even in late winter, the All England Club looks amazing.

Our two-hour guided walking tour was led by Keith, an affable Englishman, whose encyclopedic knowledge of the Club and its famous tournament was impressive. He peppered his commentary with dry humor and fun facts, all while keeping a swift pace. The weather was in the 40s, a bit chilly for Californians!

The first stop was Court 1, a pristine stadium with comfortable green seats. Rolex clocks are the only "ads" on the club's grounds, refreshingly different from American stadiums. A light standard over the court ensured perfect, even growth of the famous ryegrass.

The Hill, AKA 'Murray Mound' or 'Henman Hill'
We walked to the top of the Hill via gently curving, paved pathways. During the Championships, jumbo screens are set up here and thousands of patrons with grounds passes enjoy strawberries and cream and Pimm's in picnics on the Hill. On this early March day, a lone mallard was the only visitor to the reflecting pool. Wait until June!

Many of the outer courts can be seen from the club's terraces. Our group took a seat in the stands of Court 18, where the longest game in tennis history took place (John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut, 2010).

We walked the club's perimeter, and then across the only "grass" we were allowed to touch, artificial turf. Yes, Wimbledon has installed this surface for tea parties on the terrace. Then we headed down into the BBC Broadcast Centre, where international journalists cover the Championships.

Finally, we headed to Centre Court. A hush came over our group as we entered the empty stadium. Seats were protected for the winter, the roof was open, and like Court 1, a light standard was installed above the grass to encourage even blade growth. We sat down and enjoyed the view. Beautiful. The final tallies on two scoreboards (gentlemen's and ladies' singles matches) remained on display from the 2014 tournament, a Wimbledon tradition.

Apparently, the grass isn't always greener… Hard courts occupy a section of the grounds. A small croquet pitch is here, too, a nod to the original club which offered both croquet and tennis. After the tour, lunch at Wingfield Café, then a visit to the museum and shop.

Wimbledon Museum
The Wimbledon Museum is really impressive. An audio tour brings the vintage tennis displays to life and the 3D film about the 2014 Championships is incredibly realistic. You feel as if you are sitting on Centre Court. Brilliant!

After a lengthy museum visit, we stopped into the gift shop, where merchandise was arranged artfully and windows beautifully designed. Everything at the All England Club is just right. Classic, yet modern.

The Club's membership roster is a closely guarded secret. We did learn that Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, is a recent member. She's often seen in the Royal Box during the Championships.

Until we reach royal status, we'll enjoy watching the tournament on TV!

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Wimbledon — Elegant. Classic. Timeless. Visit the official website here: www.wimbledon.com

Contact Emilie for elegant websites, stylish corporate identity, and effective marketing materials. E-mail studio@emiliepallosdesign.com or call (818) 242-9055. Visit our website: www.emiliepallosdesign.com.

Good design is good business.

Keith, our smartly-dressed, witty tour guide

Terraces on the extensive grounds

Court 18, where John Isner defeated Nicolas Mahut in the longest match in tennis history (11 hrs. 5 min.)

BBC Broadcast Centre Press Room

The carriage entrance

Museum: Early tennis balls and packaging

There's a poodle in the shop window!

Topiary atop the BBC Broadcast Centre. Dad Vic takes my picture!

Museum: vintage poster

Best dressed — Rene Lacoste's elegant blazer and driving cap

Always elegant — Roger Federer's stylish outfit (2012)

The origins of tennis scoring

Fred Perry statue adjacent to Centre Court

Tennis Is Our Racket

Home page: www.rz-tennis.com.
Responsive site features a slide show of images.
Clean, contemporary visuals.

Custom Design

Responsive Website for RZ Tennis

Ron Zambrano is a terrific teaching pro in the L.A. area. A native of Equador, Ron is the former head tennis professional at Fremont Tennis Center. He continues to serve as head coach for Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and St. Francis High School, both in La Cañada Flintridge. 

Ron is now teaching adults and juniors of all skill levels at Scholl Canyon Golf & Tennis Club. Located at the top of Glenoaks Canyon with beautiful views of L.A., Scholl Canyon is home to Glendale's largest tennis facility. 10 lighted tennis courts and clubhouse/snack bar, 18-hole executive golf course, putting green and driving range are located here (club is open to the public). Bring your racquet and your golf clubs!

Summer Junior Tennis

Scholl's facilities are the perfect venue for RZ Tennis's new summer program for juniors. Classes run from June 4 – Aug. 7, 2015. All kids are welcome, from beginners to advanced players.

Please visit http://www.rz-tennis.com/instruction.php to download the flyer and sign up. Get some exercise and have fun while learning tennis!

Demo Day
RZ Tennis is planning a demo day for all ages in Sept. 2015. Enjoy refreshments and try out the latest racquets. More details soon!

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Clean, classic design

Our firm also designs the print campaigns (posters, flyers and cards) and social media advertising for RZ Tennis. Ron appreciates our modern style. And we play tennis, too!

Visit our site at www.emiliepallosdesign.com, then contact Emilie at studio@emiliepallosdesign.com or call (818) 242-9055 for a free initial consultation. Creative design solutions for your company or organization, in print and online.

Good design is good business.

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C R E D I T S

RZ Tennis website: www.rz-tennis.com

Art direction & design: Emilie Pallos

Location photography: Vic Pallos

Site development: Tom Ferguson

RZ Tennis poster — Spring 2015

Location photos by Vic Pallos

Millie, the official mascot of RZ Tennis

Lenten Pilgrimage, Part Two: St John's College, Cambridge

New Court (1831)

Cambridge, England

Although not quite as well known as "that other college with a choir" (King's), St John's boasts some of the most beautiful buildings in Cambridge. The choir and organ sound always magnificent in the jewel-like chapel interior reminiscent of Sainte-Chapelle, Paris. St John's has been educating students in liberal arts and theology since 1511, and now teaches a range of subjects. 

William Wordsworth was a notable Johnian. His rooms were not quite as expected...

  'The Evangelist St. John my patron was:

Three Gothic courts are his, and in the first

Was my abiding-place, a nook obscure;

Right underneath, the College kitchens made,

A humming sound, less tuneable than bees

But hardly less industrious; with shrill notes

Of sharp command and scolding intermixed.'

• • • • • • • • • •

Architecture
Key scenes for the film "The Theory of Everything" were shot at St John's, and Cambridge locales including King's College Chapel. Look for the green lawn and majestic Gothic revival architecture of St John's in the film's May Ball scenes. Filming locations and official trailer are HERE

Read about the college and its architecture HERE

Listen to the choir HERE

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Our firm has helped clients in a range of industries and professions with marketing, advertising and design projects since 1997. In print and online. Visit our website at www.emiliepallosdesign.com. Please send a note to studio@emiliepallosdesign.com or call Emilie at (818) 242-9055.

Good design is good business.

The road to St John's: Trinity Street

The Great Gate at St John's, completed in 1516.

Chapel interior (1868)

Elegant calligraphy, brilliant words

Lady Margaret Beaufort, College founder and mother of King Henry VII (portrait by Roland Lockey).
Jabob Wood, an early Fellow, is buried here.

View of the Chapel from First Court, which dates from 1511-20.
The 'new' Chapel, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, was built in 1868.

Major benefactor — The Countess of Shrewsbury graces Chapel exterior.

Second Court, built after 1599

Cambridge's own Bridge of Sighs

New Court (1831)

The eagle, symbol of the Saint, is poised for flight atop New Court entrance.

Lenten Pilgrimage

King's College, Cambridge, England

Choral Evensong at King's

My recent English travels would have been incomplete without hearing this superb choir sing in its own home, King's College Chapel. I never miss the live BBC radio broadcast, "A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols," on Christmas Eve. The choir is even better in person — 16th century surround sound!

Visiting Cambridge is easy — arrival via express train from London and a taxi to King's Parade. The Chapel's Gothic spires are a beacon in the center of town.

Inside the Chapel, I marveled at the majestic stained glass windows in the morning light, took some incredible photos, walked to "the Backs," then returned for evensong later that day. The Gothic architecture, spectacular; the choir, heavenly.

Begun during the reign of Henry VI in 1446, the Chapel took more than a century to complete. Not surprising, as the entire ceiling is covered with intricate fan vaults and incredible detail throughout. Richard III, the last king of the House of York and recently in the news for his re-burial in Leicester Cathedral in March, 2015, was a generous patron of the Chapel. Henry VII and Henry VIII reigned during the final stages of construction and directed funds toward the church's completion.

"By 1547, the chapel was recognized as one of Europe's finest late medieval buildings. It was in truth a 'work of kings.' " (1)

Thankfully, this sacred space and symbol of English Christianity was spared during wartime. The stained glass windows were removed, stored and reinstalled after WWII.

……….

"Lenten Pilgrimage" is the first in a series of blogs/photo essays about my March, 2015, jaunt "across the pond." England has centuries of wonderfully preserved architecture, fascinating history, art museums, galleries and classical music.

As a designer, I admire great use of color, type and graphics. British graphic design has always been elegant and stylish, and British typefaces are legendary: Baskerville, Caslon, Gill. 

References
1. From "A Guide to King's College Chapel, Cambridge, by Josephine Warrior, 1994

Watch

Britain's Best Buildings episode HERE: 'A gravity-defying hall of light'

Listen

To Allegri Miserere HERE

Humorous "alternate" version (!) HERE

Read

The official college website: www.kings.cam.ac.uk

Case study by Pat Dunachie, King's College choral scholar / designer of anniversary logo: READ MORE

Punting on the River Cam. Idyllic.

About our studio
Emilie Pallos Graphic Design creates custom websites, corporate identity and marketing collateral for businesses and organizations — from healthcare and education to the arts. Our work features fine typography and classic design, with a modern twist.

Visit our website to see our work. Then contact Emilie about your creative project: studio@emiliepallosdesign.com or call (818) 242-9055. 

Good design is good business.

. . . . . . . . . . . 

Cambridge, in pictures...

"R Woobro" carved this stylish signature (graffiti?) on a Chapel wall.

Dusk

Sharing a laugh with British bass singer David Thomas. David was a choral scholar at King's, and colleague/friend of conductor Christopher Hogwood.