Letter From Paris: Artist Hunt Slonem's Pleasure Palaces (His Spiritual Path to Painting & More)

Image via Wikipedia

My fab decorator friend Ellen Kennon who lives in St. Francisville, Louisiana, and runs her Full Spectrum Paints business from there has introduced me to many notable things over the years--from books and CDs of spiritual ways and journeys to the best turnips I ever put in my mouth. Ellen is what I call a proper Southern girl, which means she's wild, wonderful, eccentric, a divine cook, tasteful, stylish, and sassy. I met Ellen years ago in New York (introduced by my handsome brother, Brent Arnold), and before that, she lived in Paris, on the chic Place Dauphine.

Ellen's latest gift to me is the artist Hunt Slonem, whose work I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know. But now that I've seen it and him, I love this man!  I want to be his new best friend and be invited to all this artistic bon vivant's plantations and apartments, wherever.  Check him out on CBS Sunday Morning.

CBS Sunday Morning is an excellent program, one of few I miss from the U.S. The journalistic work is thoughtful and thorough--not just sordid or scandalous angles being thrown out to viewers--and that was always a relief from the usual trashy news shows. Rita Braver did a great job here.

Hunt Slonem, I adore the color and images in your world! If you come to Paris, please ring me.

26. May. 09

P.S. Ellen has been doing all of Slonem's colors since he moved into his new studio
in NYC and all new painted rooms at both plantations.  In Pleasure
Palaces: The Art & Homes of Hunt Slonem, Slonem talks about Ellen and
color in his Q & A.

                                                                              ---Beth Arnold