Don Carney & His Artwork
I’m a huge fan of artist and designer Don Carney and his quirky cool ink drawings which Jonathan Adler wittily describes as “ye oldie meets gothic meets mantiques meets botanical.” Carney’s technique involves the use of ink-filled eyedroppers and tiny brushes to create intricate, vintage inspired drawings that can be purchased through Adler’s shops in New York or Los Angeles as well as at the recently opened Patch NYC showroom in Boston which Carney owns with his partner John Ross. In addition to Carney’s art, the new showroom offers eclectic assortment of jewelry, accessories and home decor items designed by the couple for their Patch NYC label which is also available in specialty stores worldwide. This holiday, Carney has a date with a fireplace and 20 or so years worth of World of Interiors…Sounds like the perfect way to relax, recharge and get inspired! Read on for more…
How are you spending your holidays this year?
My plan this holiday season is to enjoy myself and relax the week between Christmas and New Years. I have a friend who has been collecting every issue of World of Interiors since the 80s and she has invited myself, John and our dog Edith over to relax by her fireplace and enjoy them with her. She has made us promise not to bring our x-acto knives to remove inspiring pages! There is always much pressure this time of year for us to produce product so it will be great to have a break. I have a list of ink drawings that people have ordered to give as gifts. I think I will be working until the last minute!
What are the top three things on your holiday wish list?
First -Tubes of colorful ink. I have been experimenting with linoleum blockprinting this year. New tubes of ink always make me want to explore new ideas. I want to do a series inspired by art deco wallpaper. Next is an Island getwaway! I can wish but I know it will not come true. Most of the travel that we do is related to shows for Patch NYC or for my art. So far we have not shown on any tropical islands and have no plans to in the future. Finally, I’m wishing for Vintage display fixtures. We just opened a gallery/showroom in Boston and have been filling it with various jewelry and product display cases. The plan was to showcase our jewelry and other accessories. What we did not realize was how great our art would look in them so now they are filled with a mix of patch product, sculptural objects and art. It’s an unexpected way for buyers to see art.
What gifts do you plan on giving this year?
I have been collecting small antique frames all year. If I finish my commissions in time I may try to do very small ink drawings for a few close friends. They will probably not get them until the new year. Oh well!
For more on Don Carney visit Patch NYC website here.
2 Comments
What a great post. Thoughful interviews with 3 of-the-moment tastemakers. Well done!
Don Carney is brilliant!
The site of his works and his works themselves are amazing!
And he is also funny and cute, wish him the best!