Comments on the style saloniste: Beautiful Obsession: California decorative artist Michael Dute in Berlin

Thanks !

2011-09-26T08:10:18.499-07:00

Thanks !

Dear Squarre, Elizabeth, Mary, Peggy, Melissa, Chr...

2011-09-06T16:45:30.403-07:00

Dear Squarre, Elizabeth, Mary, Peggy, Melissa, Chris and Philip-

Thanks so much for 'liking' MICHAEL DUTE.
If you have any of my earlier books (starting with California Country, in which I published a wonderfully ornamented scout tent pitched beside a lake--a tent in which he spent a summer in Sonoma County working on a client's house).
He studies, studies, studies all extant best Chinoiserie. Everyone's favorite.
Note that he does faux marble columns...(so, yes, Square, he does love the Baroque and richly detailed marble effect...not OUT).
Note that all of this is WORK IN PROGRESS and he will be painting it for two or three more years.
I say, Go, Michael, rock on.
Love all your comments, just wonderful.
He is a rare talent. If you want to see him in California, shoot him an email...he is departing soon.
best, DIANE

What gorgeous work Mr. Dute does. I find the monoc...

2011-09-06T16:21:25.569-07:00

What gorgeous work Mr. Dute does. I find the monochromatic blue Chinese scenes exquisite, like stepping into a piece of blue willow porcelain.

If he hasn't already visited, he must see the superb Chinoiserie Palace and gardens of Pilnitz on the picturesque River Elbe, just east of Dresden.

I particularly like the blue designs he painted on the ceiling; one rarely sees ceiling murals nowadays, and these are superb. One can admire similar blue ones in the garden pavilions at Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, and he might find inspiration in those as well.

Are those hall doors also painted by him in trompe-l'œil, so as to appear as dimensional panels?

His work is a glorious antidote to all this tedious monochromatic minimalism.

I am surprised he has difficulty finding materials. In my own experience, the quality of German art materials are outstanding and of infinite variety. Firms such as Pelikan and several others are world famous for superlative quality pens, brushes, inks, paints.

I’d like to know Mr. Dute’s opinion on how the overdone faux marbre look of the 1980s Regan era can be made to look fresh again.

This was exciting to see - I love his full-on pass...

2011-09-06T16:08:17.650-07:00

This was exciting to see - I love his full-on passion, that he is "going for Baroque" and J'adores chinoiserie." I loved looking these delicious fantasies, the remarkable Dog paintings, and those Mittel-European domes resting on the cabinets...all so inspired. This was a real pleasure.

LOVE this! I would cherish a fraction of one of hi...

2011-09-06T14:46:53.718-07:00

LOVE this! I would cherish a fraction of one of his works on a wall in my home! Thanks for sharing!
Chris

Dear Diane, Your blog is the best out in the blog...

2011-09-06T12:17:34.640-07:00

Dear Diane,

Your blog is the best out in the blog world..
The depth of interview and the scope of those you choose to feature is outstanding...
The fact that most of the time I have not heard of these individuals before reading about them on your blog shows that you are truly unique in a world of copy cats..

Your taste in travel, hotels, fashion and people comes from a deeply soulful place...

I get excited when I know you have a new story that is in my in box...

xxoo
Melissa

Oh what a treat! Thanks Diane. xxpeggybraswelldesi...

2011-09-06T08:02:50.084-07:00

Oh what a treat! Thanks Diane. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

Dute is The Master. I had no idea that anyone livi...

2011-09-06T07:17:54.304-07:00

Dute is The Master. I had no idea that anyone living could paint to this degree of perfection. The Chinoiserie has taken my breath away. Thank you. Mary

BORN TAUGHT!!!!!!!!!!!WOW! I have yet to see this ...

2011-09-06T06:54:30.607-07:00

BORN TAUGHT!!!!!!!!!!!WOW!
I have yet to see this VILLA in CALISTOGA.......must put it on my to do!
A very talented man.Thanks for sharing him.

Dear Friends- I love to hear from all the artists...

2011-09-05T22:37:59.879-07:00

Dear Friends-

I love to hear from all the artists and decorative arts insiders among my readers.

Scott and Lynne--you know Michael's work well, and fully understand the perfection and devotion he brings to his work. Be sure to arrange a visit. He will be weeks and months further along with the project--this work is all incomplete and I'm happy that even so he allowed me to exclusively publish his work.

John-love your message. Just sent you a comment. I love your features on La Fiorentina.
Gwen in New Brunswick--I am so happy to hear from you. Delighted.
cheers to all, DIANE

So great to see Michael doing well in Berlin. Than...

2011-09-05T21:27:25.202-07:00

So great to see Michael doing well in Berlin. Thanks for featuring him here. So many of my artist friends have moved to Berlin! It's a rich inspiring city with a thriving art scene and high standard of living and a stone's throw from hundreds of inspiring places for decorative and fine artists. I spent a few weeks there earlier this year and already have plans to go back. When I do I will be sure to ask for a tour of Michael's marvelous art-partment

I am blown away with the imagination flowing from ...

2011-09-05T19:40:22.693-07:00

I am blown away with the imagination flowing from this man.. the skill and the dedication... I appreciate so much you presenting this blogpost... thank you!

Although hard to choose a favorite, I am particula...

2011-09-05T10:18:18.217-07:00

Although hard to choose a favorite, I am particularly fascinated by the blue & white hall! Fabulous, all!

Thanks for this Diane! It's great to catch up ...

2011-09-05T09:33:05.256-07:00

Thanks for this Diane! It's great to catch up with Michael. His work and dedication are an inspiration.