Sadly, this year's travel plans have been supplanted with overdue home projects, including the hanging and cataloging of my personal collection of paintings and other artwork. So this summer, in lieu of an overseas getaway, I could only gaze wistfully at framed pictures as I hung them—many of them reminding me of my favorite travel destinations (and vacations gone by). Let me share a few of them with you. Alas, this shall be the extent of my romantic journeys for Summer 2020. On the whole, I have little to complain of. In the meantime, I'll enjoy a few more "little journeys,' gazing at my pictures of my favorite places.
Britain is a treasure trove of coastal cities, harbors, and ports—each one a little gem of beauty, commerce and recreation. Generally, ports represent the earliest features of a town or village's layout; they were "the doorways" through which people traveled and trade flowed. Ports were the economic engines of early communities—and port cities were often a reflection of both great profits and dirty commerce.
Of course, ports come in many shapes and sizes. They can be charmingly quaint or brutally industrial. But, regardless of their features, they are always a place where human activity meets nature's great expanse and power—places where the dramatic and the mundane moments of human life are on display (and worth watching).
This woodblock print was made in the 1930's by British artist, Les James. I have not yet identified the particular location, alas. But I love the simple color palette, the handsome composition, and the graphic juxtaposition of heavy, black ships in the foreground against a softly-receding hillscape in the distance.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248