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| Welcome to our blog, the place to find out what is happening at Pfeifer Studio. Discover what inspires us, when new products debut, the story behind our exclusive designs, what's going on at our studio in New Mexico, meet some of our wonderful clients, be the first to know when a sale begins, send us images of our designs in your space, read our latest press coverage, learn about our recent custom projects and keep up to date on all things Pfeifer. |
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| Relax! Take a Load Off! |
7/27/2010 5:17:00 PM
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Put your feet up, have a soak, and wear your bathrobe the next time you shop Pfeifer Studio…from Betty’s Bath and Day Spa in Albuquerque that is! Exactly two weeks ago today, we opened a store-within-a-store at Albuquerque’s only soak, relaxation and wellness spa. We are thrilled about this collaboration and can’t think of a better place to exhibit some of our eclectic jewels and fashions (aside from Pfeifer Studio of course).
Located in the lobby of Betty’s, you will find a completely unique and beautifully displayed collection of all the accessories anyone could ever need to feel beautiful. Bangles galore, a fine selection of scarves, a wonderful variety of beaded necklaces and handbags…and please don’t forget to check out my favorite silk clutch, the Hand Painted Kalamkari.
If you’ve been keeping up with Pfeifer Studio (BTW you can follow us on Facebook), you’ve probably noticed how incredibly busy we’ve been lately with custom projects and orders from around the globe. We’re excited that our clientele is building in Chicago and New York, and with this new pop-up endeavor, you never know when Pfeifer will find its way to your location. But for now, with all our hard work and excitement, we’re heading to Betty’s Bath for some fabulous facials and some serious down time. -
Hope to see you there! -
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| New In Store: Handmade Ceramic Vase |
7/23/2010 5:11:00 PM
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 Ceramic Vase - 10 diameter x 16.5 H inches - $245
We can't wait to see what he comes up with next!
Posted By: AJ (ak@pfeiferstudio.com)
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| Artist Profile: Thomas Christopher Haag |
7/20/2010 12:53:00 PM
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 Most of us have a way of expressing our creativity, whether it’s snapping a photo or making a handmade card. But the majority of us are not painters, and when presented with an empty canvas or giant wall we would likely feel intimidated, not knowing where to begin. When Thomas Christopher Haag sees a blank “canvas” or empty wall, his work of art begins with a process of contemplation and a vision that comes from a deeper place of inspiration. According to Thomas, “most of my pieces describe a specific situation, sometimes very banal, but played out by epic and complex myth personalities which are usually a mashed conglomerate of several different cultural icons from various religions and mythologies, literature and television. These huge movements basically define who we are as humans today, in all of our epic complexity.”
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Thomas Christopher Haag, a most interesting person (who was once a smuggler amongst other things) and painter whose fascinating work can be seen at Pfeifer Studio and online at thomaschristopherhaag.com. When interviewing an artist, I like to first find out what their connection is to Pfeifer Studio then dive right into the process of creating a work of art and what’s behind the artist at hand. I am grateful to Thomas for sharing his insight into how the first brush stroke leads to the second one, so on and so forth, until eventually a magnificent painting or contemplative mural reveals itself.
How did you meet AJ and when did you start showing your work at Pfeifer Studio? Was there a particular reason you chose Pfeifer Studio to represent your work?
AJ and I met while we were neighbors in the upper Nob Hill neighborhood (of Albuquerque). Pfeifer Studio was next door to Stove, a gallery cooperative I was squatting in at the time. I lived in an elevated box behind the gallery space and I bucket bathed in the back alley. I miss it sometimes.
I don't remember exactly how I started showing at AJ’s place; I probably guilt-tripped him or put them up myself when he wasn't looking and he was nice enough to leave them up.
When I first saw your paintings, I imagined myself in an Egyptian tomb or a cave wall carved with hieroglyphs. But there also seems to be an urban edge to some of your work—kind of a mix of the now with the historical past. I especially noticed this with welcome to and there goes the neighborhood. I'm wondering if you can please tell me about this painting.
 welcome to and there goes the neighborhood
36x72" reclaimed latex house paint, colored pencil and paper collage on hollow core door, 2010-
Let's see, welcome to and there goes the neighborhood, the children-type personalities are both highly grateful and deeply dubious about the flying adultish character that slowly glides above them releasing some sort of atomic goodwill cloud out of his hand. He seems to be heading straight into the heart of some kind of towering suburban high rise complex thingy. There's a bird. It's based on a dream I've had my whole life, which is a fluke because I usually never really paint what I dream because that would be cheesy. In my dreams I help people and I'm awesome and it's all about me.
As an artist, when it comes to your surroundings, what can't you live without?
Mostly oxygen. And ridiculousness…especially the hilarious kind.
I know it's a common question, but do you have any favorite artists that you admire?
I've stolen ideas and techniques from so many artists I couldn't even count. Dead and alive. I love so many…way too many.
I am drawn to your particular use of color and the beautiful muted tones that seem very grounded in the earth. I believe I read that this muted tone quality came about by accident due to a situation where you ended up sanding your painting for one reason or another. Please feel free to clarify. Were there any other "accidents" you've experienced along the way?
Oh yeah the sanding thing, it freaks people out a little. I had been working in my studio in Seattle on a series of paintings like six years ago. I was almost finished with the entire group of 9 paintings, because I like that number, when I screwed up big time and ruined a painting with overspray. I emoted mightily and threw the painting out the open window and gave the gallery only 8 paintings. Afterward, because I was broke, I retrieved the thrown canvas and decided to sand the paint off and try to reuse it. After sanding way too half-assedly and poking way too many holes through the canvas (I now use wood) I discovered that I very much liked the way the ruined canvas looked. The colors, scratched into and off [one] other, softens their impact and creates a layered effect and allows for colored pencils to have more tooth. I [then] use the sanded ruined layer as the foundation layer for an entirely different painting. I paint an entire abstract all-over [the] piece, sand the crap out of it, and then paint a representational piece over it, using the first sanded layer as the fill-in for the characters and completely losing over half of the original piece. The entire painting process is one accident covering up another. It’s all accidents all the time till it's done. It might seem like a lot of wasted time and paint, and it is, but that's how I do it.
Is there something about your art you want us to know?
My DNA is probably on it somewhere.
What's the one thing you want us to know about you? Can you tell me something about yourself that's not on your website?
I've been doing street art for years all over the world under an assumed "street name” but I can't tell you what it is […]. I always put this "street name" in my paintings, but good luck finding it because I hide it by putting a lot of stuff in my paintings. I’m also mostly Taoist.
Do you have a favorite painting or two I can post, and can you tell me why they are your favorites?
My two recent favorites are pegasus dreams a domestic dream and nice going, buffalo dancer , but I don't want to talk about them because it's too personal.
 pegasus dreams a domestic dream
48x24" reclaimed latex house paint, colored pencil and paper collage on birch panel, 2010
nice going, buffalo dancer
48x48" reclaimed latex house paint, colored pencil and paper collage on birch panel, 2010
If you weren't an artist for a living, what do you think you'd be doing right now?
Very likely more smuggling or something equally illegitimate—very very likely. I've also always wanted to see what it's like to have disciples; it's probably pretty neat.
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| Showroom Only Sale in New Mexico! |
7/15/2010 2:37:00 PM
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 The temperatures are HOT and so are the discounts. Save up to 85% on select furniture, home accessories & fashion styles during the Summer Sale in our Albuquerque showroom. If you have been waiting to buy that one select piece, now is the time to grab it, starting this Friday, July 16th - Saturday, July 24th!
Pfeifer Studio4022 Rio Grande NW in The Flying Star Plaza Albuquerque, NM 87107
Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm
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| Custom Project: From Hong Kong to New Mexico to Delhi and back |
7/13/2010 4:19:00 PM
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This month at Pfeifer Studio we’re showing off custom projects we’ve done for our clients. This next project is the story of a well-travelled footstool idea that initiated in Hong Kong, made its way to Pfeifer Studio in New Mexico, went to Delhi for the making, and found its way back home to Hong Kong…this time in the form of a beautiful white leather footstool.
Pfeifer Studio offers a unique “around the world” online shopping experience with its collection of luxury modern home furnishings and fashions produced by artisans from around the globe. Being a global shopping portal, we are always greatly surprised when one of our customers happens to be someone who actually lives in another part of the world, especially when it’s someone who comes to us with an idea for a totally custom product.
Custom White Leather Footstool with Dark Wood Legs Lately we were approached by a woman in Hong Kong who sent us drawings to make a very adorable custom footstool. With the convenience of the Internet, we received her plans via email, forwarded them to India, and the footstool was made in our Delhi workshop. With a 4 week lead-time, she approved the wood finish and leather color by emailed images, and the footstool was shipped directly to Hong Kong from Delhi. Just like that!  The Footstool Features a White Topstitch Design on Top
Other project commissions have included a line of scarves and jewelry for National Geographic and store visuals for Saks Fifth Avenue and Burberry. The King of Jordan places multiple orders for pillows and tissue box holders for The Royal Palaces, and we’ve been known to produce side tables and pillows for hotel rooms and lobbies all over the world. So the next time you shop Pfeifer Studio and can’t seem to find the one thing you’re looking for, don’t forget to ask us if we can make it for you…no matter where you are. We have some great ideas and a group of fine artisans who know a thing or two about great craftsmanship and an eye for the finest details. Posted By: Angela (loftshoppe@gmail.com)
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| Custom Project: Oversized Leather Tote |
7/7/2010 3:15:00 PM
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Many of you may already be familiar with our oversized leather tote embossed with Mogil Floral and Islamic Geometric patterns taken from the Taj Mahal. It has been a part of our collection for over 5 years and it has consistently been a best seller, especially in our shop. -  Recently a client wanted to see if we could make it with one small change. She needed it to fit over her shoulder horizontally instead of vertically. Since Pfeifer Studio is the retailer and also the designer of the bag, we have a direct connection to the workshop that makes it. So it was not a problem at all to have a unique one-of-a-kind style created just for her.
If you need a custom fashion accessory look no further than Pfeifer Studio. We work with global artisans to create custom designs for our clients. Many of the styles sold online can be ordered in custom sizes and materials. We also create original one-of-a-kind designs and custom styles that are produced in larger quantities. To learn more about our custom design capabilities contact us at 1-866-804-1909 to discuss your ideas.
Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)
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| Pfeifer Studio on whorange.net |
6/30/2010 5:57:00 PM
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Check it out! Our Cast Iron Bottle Openers are featured on this supa-cool blog: whorange.net!
once upon a time, a gal named tula jeng purchased a painting by artist paul kozlowski at the fake gallery in hollywood. from that day on, her favorite color has been whorange.
in 2008, tula created WHORANGE as a way to celebrate craveable style & design in all of its splendor -- from the beautifully innovative to the gloriously gaudy. throughout the pages of WHORANGE, you will find works by independent artists and designers, unique interiors, mid-century must haves, high brow art, low brow cravings, flea market fantasies, catwalk candy, fabulous events, ecomania, and stuff your eccentric gay uncle would love. Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)
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| Lavender in The Village Celebration! |
6/29/2010 11:39:00 PM
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Check out some great pictures from our Lavender in the Village Celebration and Sidewalk Sale, featuring live music from Hilary Smith and The Soul Kitchen Trio! 
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| Product Preview: From Morocco to New Mexico and some Old Black Lamp Magic |
6/28/2010 1:49:00 PM
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There’s nothing more magical than a dark room brilliantly lit by a selectively placed lamp or two or three…or an entire room filled with a hand-picked selection of wonderfully sized and shaped lamps.  Moroccan Ceramic Lamps $265 - $309 + Free Delivery Just in to the shop and available online, you have to check out Pfeifer Studio’s new ultra sleek and bulbous black lamps from Morocco. From 17 - 25 inches tall, pair them together like a king and queen, or place them at different levels throughout the room on the fireplace mantle, sofa table, side table, a pile of stacked books in the corner, or a favorite chair.
 Each lamp with its black ceramic base has a touch of metal for added class and sophistication, and the lamps are topped by a black linen shade contributing to the Moroccan mystique. For a little black magic, turn the main light off and flip the switch on these fabulous lamps. But be warned, because they might just put a spell on you!
Available in the studio or online, Pfeifer Studio also carries a distinctive collection of lamps from all around the globe.Posted By: Angela (loftshoppe@gmail.com)
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| Lavender In the Village Festival |
6/24/2010 12:29:00 PM
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Its summertime in Albuquerque's North Valley and that means that the lavender is ready to harvest just down the road from the studio at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Cultural Center.
 Be sure to drop by Pfeifer Studio on the way to the annual Lavender in the Village Festival. We'll have tasty treats and some great discounts in front of the shop at our sidewalk sale. Hilary Smith will be performing with Soul Kitchen Trio on Saturday from 3 - 4:30pm. You can register to win a gift basket valued at $500 with great loot from every shop in the plaza (we threw in a one-of-a-kind leather pillow!) and there will be delicious Lavender Lemonade over at the Flying Star Cafe.
We hope to see you.
-------------------------------------------------------- Pfeifer Studio, 4022 Rio Grande NW, Albuquerque 87107
Saturday, June 26th 10am - 7pm
Sunday, June 27th 12pm - 5pm Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)
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| Futurism: An Art Review |
6/23/2010 10:05:00 AM
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I have a great love for typography and interesting graphic design. On a recent antique flea market shopping trip I snapped a picture of a book jacket from a book called Futurism: The Museum of Modern Art New York. At the time I didn’t pay any attention to what the book was about or what was inside. This weekend I was sorting through a bunch of photos and ran across this one, having completely forgotten I ever took it. Curiosity getting the best of me, I decided to learn what I could about this most interesting title. It turns out the book is an exhibition guide written by Joshua C. Taylor for an art exhibit about Futurism that took place at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City from May 31–September 5, 1961.  Futurism is a fairly complex art and social movement that was initiated in Italy during the early 20th century by Thomas Marinetti (I’ll try to simplify…thank you Wikipedia and artyfacts.info). A movement set forth by an agenda written by Marinetti called The Futurist Manifesto, it was initially published in 1909 in the French newspaper Le Figaro. Its purpose was to create change and embrace the new technology of the machine age and the advances made in science that brought about electricity, automobiles, and ship liners. Choosing Paris, the art capital of the world, as a place to lobby for this new movement, the manifesto argued for artists to look to the present for their subject matter and technique instead of painting historical, mythological or religious subjects. The first painters to embrace Futurism were Giacomo Balla, Gino Severini, Carlo Carrà, Luigi Russolo, and Umberto Boccioni.
In Joshua C. Taylor’s Futurism exhibition guide, he states:
“The Futurist artists…set out to create an art as exhilarating as Marinetti’s promise. They translated the kinetic rhythms and the confused, intense sensations of modern life into potent visual form, creating works of art of extraordinary emotional impact. The Futurists’ approach to art, their manifestos and demonstrations set a pattern for many art movements which followed, such as Constructivism, Dada, and Surrealism…and the sympathy between certain Futurist procedures and current endeavors is largely responsible for the growing interest in Futurism.” -Joshua C. Taylor
Some of my favorite works from the exhibition include…
In a painting by Giacomo Balla called Dog On A Leash from 1912, movement is shown as a dog walks alongside its master. Slowing down a scene that we all see, but never in a still, this painting is inspired by photographs of people moving.
 Dog On A Leash by Giacomo Balla (1912)
A lover of dance in the the café life of Paris, Gino Severini’s Blue Dancer painting from 1912 reflects movement created by the fusion of the figure with her surroundings by the penetration of light. Flickering light was rendered dazzlingly by the application of real sequins to the canvas in areas corresponding to the dress.
 Blue Dancer by Gio Severini (1912)Patriotic Celebration from 1914 is an artwork collage and free word painting in the Futurist style. Artist Carlo Carrà pursued a concept of total art which incorporated a desire to go beyond the bounds of traditional art. His methods combined adaptations of synthetic Cubist notions and free-word structures. His free-word "painting" with a propagandist intention is made from various "real" materials of communication containing lettering (newspapers, leaflets and labels). It also contains within itself certain noise implications through the representations of onomatopoeic sounds.
 Patriotic Celebration by Carlo Carrà (1914)
The goal of Futurist painters was to capture the “dynamic sensation” by being aware of the fact that objects and individuals did not exist in isolation to their surroundings, but rather they weave into each other and are seen in relation to other objects and subjects. It was also essential to depict the objects as constantly moving. Each painter proceeded to develop an art form that would be able to translate this dynamic sensation onto canvas. To heighten or emphasize this aspect, painters experimented with different painting techniques, borrowing from the divisionists and developments in photography. Using the notion of simultaneity, they would represent a galloping horse by several repeated leg movements. The Futurist technique showed no boundaries, making it difficult to tell where one subject ends and the other begins. Movement is expressed by clearly defined horizontals or verticals.
I continue to be fascinated with the various art movements that have influenced where art is today. The futurist movement was significant, and affected painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphic design, industrial design, interior design, theater, film, fashion, textiles, literature, music, architecture, and even gastronomy.
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| Summer Solstice: Pfeifer Style |
6/16/2010 5:43:00 PM
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It was a busy morning of gardening. While seated on my Chinese Stool, I planted a row of hostas around the perimeter of my backyard. Taking a break for a snack on my cobblestone patio, I threw out my vintage-inspired picnic table cloth and napkins over an antique french bistro table. -
- Chinese Stool - $69.00 + Free Delivery -
 Vintage Picnic Napkins and Table Cloths - $4.50 - $39.00 (Store Exclusive) - Setting my Moroccan Tea Glass glass on a Wood Slice Coaster placed on my Onde Stool Table, I kick back on my oh-so-dreamy Woven Rope Bed and rest my head on a Tree of Life Appliqué Pillow. - - Wood Slice Coasters - $7.50 + Free Delivery
- - Onde Stool Table - $265.00 + Free Delivery - Woven Rope Bed - $799.00 
Tree Of Life Appliqué Pillow - $45.00 + Free Delivery -
Imagining the outfit I will wear for tonight’s Summer Solstice celebration with friends, I can’t wait to throw on my orange linen sundress, sheer silk scarf, and my favorite wrap sandals.
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Sheer Silk Scarves - $39.00 (Store Exclusive) -Dozing off for a nap, I awake just in time to get ready for the party. In celebration of the beginning of summer, I spend a lovely evening outside with friends. After a long night of festivities, I change into soft cotton loungewear, step into my pula chappal slippers, grab a Silk and Linen Throw and sink into my Guarayos Bolivian Cotton Hammock for a night under the stars.
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- Pula Chappal Slippers - $39.00 (Store Exclusive) -  Bolivian Cotton Hammock - $229.00 + Free Delivery - Whether a warm summer day or cool evening with friends, Pfeifer Studio offers a fabulous selection of outdoor furniture, accessories, and jewelry to make your summer a hit. With the first day of summer right around the corner, if you haven’t thought about how you plan to celebrate its arrival, stop by the studio and let us help you go out in Pfeifer style.Posted By: Angela (loftshoppe@gmail.com)
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| Our Eco-Friendly Stool Tables on Blomma Finds |
6/15/2010 4:00:00 PM
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We just found a great new blog that we want to tell you about called Blomma Finds. Blomma recently did a little post on our Eco-Friendly Stool Tables, and we thought that we would share.
The idea for her blog came about because she tends to find some interesting things online and loves nothing more than sharing them with friends.
She features products that are from smaller, independent and less mainstream sites. From time to time she will slip in a totally ridiculous item that no one can afford but 8 out of 10 posts feature a product that is quite reasonably priced. Good design doesn't have to put you in the poor house.
We couldn't agree more!
Posted by: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)
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| Bridget Meyer: The Woman Behind our African Crafts |
6/10/2010 2:36:00 PM
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When Bridget Meyer was the first person from her tiny African village on the Zambesi River to receive a high school diploma, there was no question she would end up doing something great. After moving to the U.S. and eventually marrying Bob Meyer, the visiting American she met while living in Zambia, she wanted to keep in touch with her roots and introduce the U.S. to her wonderful African culture.
Bridget began to bring crafts from Africa to the United States. Starting with traditional Wedding Baskets, African clay vessels, and then Kuba Cloth Pillows, she brings fine African products that tell a story, to market. What started in Bridget and Bob’s Minneapolis apartment bedroom has now grown to a large warehouse in California and two warehouse sites in Zambia, where she offers work opportunities for clay artisans and approximately 400 weavers.
What’s unique about her artists is that they work from home, at their own pace, so they can earn a sustainable income and raise their families at the same time—living their preferred traditional way of life.
Bridget Meyer
Her African Wedding baskets get their name because they are traditionally given to a newlywed African bride as a wedding gift. Woven from the roots of the makenge bush, each basket takes over one month to weave and the quality of these baskets can only be attained by the most skillful and experienced weavers. 
African Wedding Baskets - $235 + Free Delivery
If you’ve been keeping up with our blogs, you know we also love her Kuba Cloth Pillows. Made from the finest cloths, women use natural vegetable dyes to color the cloth before they sew it together. The wear in the fibers and stitching is due to age and use, which is part of the natural beauty and value of the cloth.
 Kuba Cloth Pillows - $199 + Free Delivery
Pfeifer Studio first saw Bridget's crafts almost 10 years ago. Not only did we fall in love with her passion for what she does, but with her beautiful handicrafts, which are available through the Pfeifer Studio website.
Bridget Meyer was recently awarded a Ruby Award through Soroptomist International for her efforts to help women and girls in Africa. Soropotimist International is a worldwide organization for women in management and professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.
Posted By: Angela (loftshoppe@gmail.com)
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| New In Store: Cotton Blankets from India |
6/4/2010 5:52:00 PM
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We will be pushing 100 degrees over the next few days here in Albuquerque. Not exactly blanket weather! We still love our new handwoven cotton blankets from India that just hit the showroom floor. The cool cotton fibers are perfect for a summer night. We are in the desert after all, and the temperatures are known to drop after the sun goes down.Plus they are huge! Measuring a significant 71 x 102 inches, they offer some serious coverage.  Handwoven Cotton Blankets From India - $119 - In Store Only
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| RECENT POSTS |
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| PFEIFER BLOGGERS |
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| Name: Angela Shaffer |
Location: Chicago |
| Email: loftshoppe@gmail.com |
| About: An all around creative my entire life, I have a background in the performing arts, I’ve been sewing since I was tall enough to reach the foot pedal, and I’m always looking for the next opportunity to build something. My true love being anything related to design...interior, graphic or fashion, I’m also an entrepreneur at heart. Currently working on designing my own line of textiles, I’m also contemplating some furniture ideas for children’s rooms. |
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| Name: AJ DeForest |
Location: Albuquerque |
| Email: aj@pfeiferstudio.com |
| About: I began Pfeifer Studio over 10 years ago as an aspiring designer in New York. Much has changed over the past decade, we are now located in beautiful New Mexico and most of our clients find us online, but one thing has not. I love contemporary designs created from natural materials mixed with traditional handicrafts made by GLOBAL artisans. That's Pfeifer, that's what we do. |
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