KIM NOVAK'S PRIVATE ART SHOW
AT GALLERY 500
John Monahan of the 500 Building and Kim Novak
Legendary actress Kim Novak never wanted to be a movie star. She'd been given two scholarships to the Art Institute of Chicago by the time she graduated high school, and fully intended to go there. On summer tour as a model, she went to Hollywood with a friend who had a meeting with an agent. Instead, Kim was discovered by a talent scout from Columbia Picture and became the Number 1 Box Office Star in the World for three years in a row.
Her performance in VERTIGO, continues to garner extraordinary reviews, and VERTIGO has been voted as the Best Movie Ever Made by the British Film Institute, unseating CITIZEN KANE. VERTIGO was also the first movie announced to be preserved by the U.S. Library of Congress.
But Kim chose to walk away from Hollywood in 1966 to paint. Her legend has only grown because of the mystery of her choosing to leave. Her art was just honored at the 100th Anniversary of the Butler Museum of American Art. Thirteen of her 70 paintings were sent by the Butler to Palm Springs. She has also been honored by the the National Museum of Prague, and the San Francisco Historical Society Museum with art exhibitions.
John Monahan and I invited a few friends for a private showing only. Kim explained a few of her paintings to the rapt audience. "What you first see, is not necessarily the story," said Kim. "I always put hidden objects in my painting and and you need to look at them for a long time to get the messages. My art is everything to me. I've never chosen to sell any of my originals. They are my children." (Giclees are available on KimNovakArtist.com)
After the exhibition, a few friends went to Le Vallauris to honor Kim and continue the celebration. It was a very special evening.
Kim, me, John
 |
| Some of the gang--Carol Fragen, John, Michael Childers, Lucie Arnaz, Don Amendolia, Phyllis Bart, Kim, Barbara Fromm, Bernie Fromm, Peter Bart, Debbie Miller, Me, Doug Miller, Chuck Yates |
 |
| Kim and Michael enthusiastically discuss a painting |
 |
| Chuck, Doug, Debbie |
 |
| Barbara, Carol, and Kim |
 |
| Barbara, Bernie and Michael |
 |
| Gay Aguilera and Don |
 |
| Joking around--George Rider, Michael, Don, Lucie Arnaz |
 |
| John with Bonnie and Alan Cashman and their dog, Molly |
 |
| The Hatchers with Carol Egan |
 |
| Don, Carol, and Chuck |
 |
| Kim and former Editor-in-Chief of DAILY VARIETY Peter Bart talk about Hollywood |
 |
| Lucie and Phyllis Bart |
 |
| Debbie Miller, Dick Taylor (thank you for the dinner at Le Vallauiis!) and me |
 |
| George Rider and Francoise Rhodes |
 |
| With adorable Randy Doney |
 |
| Lucie really wants to know about this painting |
 |
| Debbie and Doug |
 |
| Paul and Lori Siegel |
 |
| Bobbie Eakes |
 |
| Steve Rose |
 |
| Bobbie Eakes |
 |
| With Jim Egan |
 |
| Lenny Eber and Diane Rubin |
 |
| Diane Rubin |
 |
| Bobbie, Kim, and Katrina Leffler |
 |
| Tim Minter and Roswitha Swale |
 |
| Kim and The Egans |
 |
| John with Alice Rosenblatt |
 |
| We had a GREAT TIME! |
PHOTOS BY LANI GARFIELD
Kim, me, John
No comments:
Post a Comment