Interpretations of Niki de Saint Phalle

Buried Forms, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

I concentrated on creating works that had a lot of white, contrast, and organic shapes. The basic elements of the work of  Niki de Saint Phalle are here as well as some additions from the inspirations I found this week.

Orchid Forms, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

Here are the orchids from the Natural Wonders post. I promised to try making a painting (this is pastel, actually) based on those beautiful spotted orchids. The petals are simplified and made into forms, but I kept the coloring and loose symmetry.

Glass Snake, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

This snake could be a copy of one of Niki de Saint Phalle's sketches for her perfume bottle. I really love that perfume bottle. Wouldn't this design make a beautiful stained glass window?

Hollow Form, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

I had to do something more sculptural. Niki de Saint Phalle did so many sculptures of Nana. This watercolor is a simple form that looks sculptural.

A Maze Lava, copyright Gio Leung, 2013

A work by the amazing Gio. My 3.5 year old son taped a piece of paper to a table, masked lines on it and colored in the empty spaces with oil pastels. This was after looking at some Niki de Saint Phalle works in the book Niki de Saint Phalle.

Dressing in the World of Niki de Saint Phalle

A Picnic with Niki de Saint Phalle by ninamleung featuring print dresses

Milly print dress, $695 / Envy Footwear slip on shoes / Anya Hindmarch beach tote / Oscar de la Renta rose jewelry, $210 / Collection XIIX floppy beach hat / Monki , $13

Can't you just see Niki de Saint Phalle in this get up? It's so French and so whimsical and so spring. It so reminds me of the movie May Fools by Louis Malle. Renting a large French cottage in the country with a large group of friends and family, picnicking underneath massive oaks and enjoying good weather and food. What a perfect way to spend a warm, spring afternoon.

Travelling in the World of Niki de Saint Phalle

If Niki de Saint Phalle's Flowers were a place, it would be......

Provence, France!

The Wonderful World of Niki de Saint Phalle

Ipad rendering of Niki De Saint Phalle's Nana Aux Fleurs, 1971

I LOVE Niki de Saint Phalle. She was a strong, powerful woman with a unique, whimsical vision. Her incredibly feminine "Nana" are some of my favorite works. They were inspired by a pregnant friend and she enjoyed them so much she kept making them in many different materials, positions, and inspirations.

Many years ago, I read her wonderful biography Traces which gave me more insight into her life and passions. She was a feminist and a woman who knew what she wanted and made it happen. I am so excited to go back into her world and revisit all that she experienced and created.