New! Le Jacquard Francais Aprons and Colorful Hand Towels

Doesn't everyone need a juicy-red, beautifully designed French jacquard apron and waffle-weave hand towel?  Mais Oui! We are now carrying them both online and in our Main Street shop in Little Washington, VA. Designed with both beauty and functionality in mind, Le Jacquard Francais has created a sumptuous and stunning jacquard-woven line of superior quality and durability. These make the perfect hostess gift, wedding gift, and "foodie" gift.

These aprons are easy-care, and the color stays vibrant even after numerous washings. As many are aware, the French are widely known for their attention to cuisine, but perhaps not as well-known is their tradition of exquisite jacquard weaving. These aprons and towels are just one of the many items Le Jacquard Francais creates. Check out our website to view their cotton and linen tablecloths, napkins, place mats, table runners, and 48+ Tea Towels.

The "Bastide" Apron in Strawberry (seen above) coordinates with the"Manosque" and "Bastide" Tea Towels and also has a matching hand towel. The aprons are finished with cotton twill tape adjustable neck tie and extra long side ties. The aprons are generous in width and length, measuring 35 inches wide and 38 inches long. The deep front pocket measures 7 1/2in high x 12in wide. The aprons are priced at $69.00.

The matching hand towel, called "Lavandou" in Strawberry is woven with a waffle weave texture for extra absorption. The hand towel measures 15 inches x 21 inches and costs $16.50.

Check out all the amazing colors and patterns now available and start shopping!

 "Bastide" in Lemon-Green, with matching "Lavandou" Hand Towel

"Bastide" in Beige, with matching "Lavandou" Hand Towel

 

"Patio" Apron in Vervain Green, with matching hand towel in Vervain Green

"Graphic" Apron in Aqua with matching hand towel

"Patio" Apron in Cascade Blue with matching hand towel

New Painting by Patton Wilson

"Sea View", a new oil on canvas by celebrated artist, Patton Wilson, just arrived in the gallery.

Michael Preble, Curator, Peninsula FIne Arts (Virginia), reviewed Patton's work in the following way:  "An artist of exceptional drawing skill, Wilson renders his subjects with remarkable precision.  Through variations of subject and composition, he offers us a level of visual excitement that counters his precise touch.  These are remarkable works and he uses a variety of painting techniques to create his images. Very impressive work."

Patton states that in his paintings he is "compelled by the open-ended narrative that begins when disparate objects are placed in close proximity. The art of crafting a scene with these objects of infinite interpretations and connections is the fuel for my process.  I expand the process through experimentation with drawing, thumbnails and pigment. Objects recur and shift between paintings, becoming iconic, losing and gaining presence as the work evolves. I choose to work from life and make numerous studies in multiple mediums until I arrive at a composition that expresses my inherent relationship with the subject."

Here is a listing of his numerous awards, grants, museum and gallery exhibitions:

GRANTS & AWARDS (SELECTED)

Pollock/Krasner Foundation: Grant Recipient 2009-2010

Allied Artists of America: Len B. Everett Memorial Award - 2009, Honig Memorial Award for a Traditional Painting - 2007, American Artist Professional League for Realism, Charles J. Romans Memorial Award, Winsor Newton Award for Watercolor, Gloria Benson Stacks Award for a Southern Artist

National Society of Casein & Acrylic Painting: Glenn Bradshaw Award - 2009, Mandel &Graham Memorial Award - 2007, Winsor Newton Award - 2006, John J. Newman Award - 2004

NSCAP & American Artist: First Place - 2003
American Artists Professional League: Audubon Artists Award - 2007, Medal of Honor, Claude Parsons Memorial Award
Salmagundi Club Open Exhibition: Charlotte Kughler Award for Pure Aquarelle
Art Renewal Center International Competition: Finalist 2007
Baltimore Watercolor Society Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor:American Frame Corporation Award - 2002
The Parkersburg Art Center: Bronze Award
Knickerbocker Open Exhibition: The Grumbacher Gold Medal

JURIED EXHIBITIONS (SELECTED)

Fort Wayne Museum of Art - 2008 Contemporary American Realism Juried Biennial, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Butler Institute of American Art Mid-Year Exhibition, 2002, 2003, 2007
Mid-Atlantic New Painting Juried Biennial, University of Mary Washington, VA 2007
Peninsula Fine Arts Center Biennial 2006, Newport News, VA
The National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic Juried Exhibition, National Arts Club, Glen Bradshaw Award - 2009, Winsor Newton Award - 2006 The John J. Newman Medal - 2004
The National Casein Painting Competition, Sponsored by American Artist, Jack Richeson Co., and The Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic, First Place, 2003
3rd Annual Natural World Observed Exhibition 2007, Texas Art Gallery, Dallas, Texas
Allied Artists of America, National Arts Club, New York, NY: 2002-2004, 2006 Awards: American Artist Professional League Award for Realism, Charles J. Romans Memorial Award, Winsor and Newton Award for Watercolor, Gloria Benson Stacks Award for a Southern Artist
American Artists Professional League, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY: 1998: Medal of Honor, 1987: Claude Parsons Memorial Award-Landscape
National Arts for the Parks: Top 100 & Mini 100, Eastern Division, Jackson Hole, WY, 2005
Baltimore Watercolor Society's Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition, Bethesda, Maryland: 2003, 1999: American Frame Corporation Award
American Watercolor Society International Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, New York: 1989
Salmagundi Club Open Exhibition, New York, NY: 1987, 1986: Charlotte Kughler Award for Pure Aquarelle
Audubon Artists Annual Exhibition, National Arts Club, New York, NY: 1987, 1986
Knickerbocker 36th Annual Open Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY: 1986: The Grumbacher Gold Medal
The Parkersburg Art Center, Realism 1994, Parkersburg, WVA: Third Place Show Award
Springfield 67th National Juried Show, George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum and Springfield Museum of Fine Art, Springfield, MA: 1986

ONE MAN EXHIBITIONS

Somerville/Manning Gallery, 101 Stone Block Row, Greenville, DE: 2003, 1999, 1996
David Lusk Gallery, 4540 Poplar, Memphis, TN 2002
The Gallery at Centerville, Kennett Pike,Wilmington, DE: 1988, 1986, 1985

RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION

Mary Washington University, Ridderhof Martin Gallery, Fredericksburg, VA: March 2004

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

Studio Paintings of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters, Maryland Center for Creative Arts, Annapolis, Md. February 2006
US Artists Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA: 2005 - 1998
Washington Society of Landscape Painters, Packing Shed Gallery, Washington, VA: 2004
Capricorn Galleries,"Contemporary Realists", Bethesda, MD:1992-1995
Carson Gallery,"Contemporary Realism", Denver, CO: 1999

INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS

Peninsula Center for the Creative Arts, Reality Show, VA. Fall 2005
Arcadia Gallery, Winter Invitational, NY, NY, 12/2003
Egg Tempera: An Enduring Tradition, St. Luke's Gallery, Anna Maria College, Boston, Massachusetts, 2001
Jenkins Johnson Gallery,Third Annual Realism Invitational, C A: 2001
Forbes Galleries,"Awash in Color", NY, C A: 2000
Kimberton Gallery,"Contemporary Realism", Kimberton, PA: 1987, 1989
J. Wayne Stark Gallery,Texas A&M University,TX 2005
Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, MI 2005

MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

The St. George Art Museum, St. George, Utah
The Butler Institute of American Art, Midyear Juried Exhibition, 2002, 2003
Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL 2003
The Butler Institute of American Art, Allied Members Exhibition, OH: 2001
Bergstrom-Mahler Museum, Neenah, WI 2004
Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, Danville , VA 2004
Museum of Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 2004

PUBLICATIONS

Watercolor Magazine, Summer 2006
American Artist Magazine, Sept. 2004 (Cover), Nov. 2003, 1992
New American Paintings,Vol. 33
International Artist, 2001
Watercolor Magazine 2000
San Francisco Examiner 2000
Pueblo Chieftain 2000
The Virginia Pilot 1984

CORPORATE COLLECTIONS

Dominion Power, Richmond, VA
FORBES, Inc.
Forbes Family Collection
The Wilmington Trust Company
Johnson and Higgins, Inc., New York
The Bank of Delaware
Dauphin Deposit Bank
Maryland Bank of North America.

ARTIST MEMBERSHIPS

Allied Artists of America
American Artist Professional League
Baltimore Watercolor Society
National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic
Society of Tempera Painters
National Academy of Professional Plein Air Painters

15th Anniversary Celebrations!

1997 ~ 2012

To celebrate our 15 years in business

we will feature one amazing best seller

every month at 15% Off,

on our website and in the shop!

Now through April 30th, take 15% off

All Le Jacquard Francais Coated Tablecloths.

These superbly woven patterns

with a wipe-off, matt-acrylic coating,

are wonderful for casual or outdoor dining.

Available in stunning colors and designs,

perfect for spring and summer!

Enter code RJB15 at checkout. 

Want to receive our discounts all year long?

Click here to subscribe to our monthly updates!

 ________________________________________________________________

r. h.  b a l l a r d     307 main street    washington, va  22747    540-675-1411

open every day, 10am - 6pm 

customerservice@rhballard.com

www.rhballard.com

 

Save 15%

Print out and bring this coupon to our R.H. Ballard Shop in Little Washington, VA, and receive 15% OFF your purchase of Le Jacquard Francais Acrylic-Coated Tablecloths. Or, go online and enter the following code at checkout:  RJB15. Good for one use only, multiple tablecloths may be purchased at one time. Discount cannot be combined with other offers nor applied to previous purchases. Go now to R.H. Ballard and start shopping!

Offer Expires: APRIL 30, 2012

Stunning: Clarissa Hulse Textiles, Wallpaper

I love finding new textile designs that make my heart sing.

Clarissa Hulse is a bright star in the British textile world, uncompromising in her passion to deliver the ultimate combination of color, print and texture. Her name has become synonymous with beautiful and luxurious home accessories, wallpapers and fabrics. Her reach is wide. 

I've recently been blown away by some recent advertisements that display Hulses' gorgeous textiles. 

I was happily inspired and in awe of an ad I recently came upon in Veranda. The image was from the UK Harlequin fabric company featuring Clarissa Hulse and her new “Kallianthi Collection”. 

The image in the Veranda advertisement is of two rows of pillows covered in Hulces’ new fabric designs.  The two rows are of long wooden benches and appear to be from inside an athletic arena, perhaps in the UK. I loved the unexpected distressed environment in juxtaposition with the luxurious textiles. The color and textures really popped, and the staging was a brilliant choice.

Clarissa has teamed up with Harlequin to produce a truly breathtaking collection of fabrics and wallpapers with a botanical theme which encompasses her trademark style and distinctive handwriting.

Here are a few of the eye-catching images used in this ad campaign. I particularly love the odd and quirky positions of the pillows combined with the unique environments. Hulse’s textiles really come alive using this approach. Although the traditional wow-factor-home-decor approach to advertising also works just fine with Hulces' lovely designs.

All images: http://harlequinfabric.com/default.aspx

Creating a Joyful Tablescape

I love a beautiful table. Creating a fresh spring tablescape in the shop was a delight this season with our gorgeous, handmade "Fleur de Lis" Italian Ceramic Dinnerware, Calaisio Placemats, La Rochere "Beeware" Glasses, Burnished Vine Flatware, and my favorite Le Jacquard Francais "Jardin Exotique" tablecloth with "Tivoli" Mocha Linen Napkins.

Everything seen here can be purchased online and in our shop R.H. Ballard, in Little Washington, VA.  Call our shop with any questions regarding our products or for assistance with designing your own unique tablescape for spring. We are open every day, 10am - 6pm, except major holidays, 1-866-503-3349, www.rhballard.com.

Italian Ceramic Footed Compote

Rectangle Casserole Dish, oven safe

Shown here: "Beeware" Wine Glasses, "Coupelle" Bowl, Tivoli Mocha 100% Linen Napkins, Fleur de Lis Italian Ceramic Dinnerware, Calaisio Placemats, Burnished Vine Flatware, Le Jacquard Francais Jardin Exotique Tablecloth in Moss.

Calaisio: Handmade Elegance and Eco-Friendly

Springtime Entertaining! I just love those words...

We just received a spectacular shipment from Calaisio filled with beautiful and unique serving pieces for your next indoor or outdoor soiree. Calaisio is a special company.  They bring a product line of timeless design, quality and durability while taking care of the environment and giving back to the communities of the artisans who create their products.

 

Calaisio Trays displayed in the shop

Calaisio, Inc., is committed to investing a substantial amount of its profits back into these villages to further improve education and sanitation. It's such an important part of why I carry this line in my shop.

Also, the vine used to construct this all natural design is called "vignes d'eau" or "water vine" and only grows in mountain jungles on remote islands in the South Pacific. It is difficult to reach the vines and challenging to harvest, but once reaped it grows back quickly leaving no damage in these ecologically-sensitive forests. 

Furthermore, each piece is created by one artisan.  Included with each design is a statement of authenticity attesting to the time it took to create and is signed personally by the artisan who created it.

Here are images of what we are now carrying online and in our Main Street shop.  Just click on the description to be taken directly to the web page where you can view and purchase the items.

Enjoy, and Happy Spring!

Large Rectangular Serving Tray with Glass Insert

Wine & Champagne Holders

Salad Bowl with Glass Insert (available in 2 sizes)

Round Placemats

Round Chip & Dip Tray w/ Glass Dipping Bowl

Round Serving Tray w/ Glass Insert

Cocktail Tray with Glass Insert

Large Rectangular Tray with Handles