I am ecstatic to introduce the latest Artist Spotlight Series feature.  

This world renowned interior designer, artist, editor and all around creative really needs no introduction but his latest genius project truly captivated me.  

I saw these pieces at the Holiday House in NYC in Patrick Mele‘s space (see last image) and have had them at the forefront of my want list ever since.  This is a true work of art that is such an individual piece that one would treasure for life.

Enjoy getting to know

Doug Meyer

New York, New York

What is your training?

I studied Fine Arts – Painting at Parsons School of Design in New York

What inspires you and your designs?

SO much of what I do is based on history and how things are made I am always trying to reinvent techniques from the past and use them somethings with modern finishes, color or combining unexpected elements.

What is your favorite piece? 

That’s such a difficult one to answer – it’s generally what I am working on at the moment – I learn so much as I work my way through any project be it a cameo or a site specific space – I work very organically and I am hands on with everything – working this way I instantly and instinctively know what I’m going to do or try to do next. Constantly moving things around you get an understanding of odd and interesting relationships that objects and colors have to one another. 

I’d have to say my favorite piece right now is one of 3 cameos I am working on  – and it’s because of the color combination – they are this wicked deep navy injected with these rich deep emerald green, teal and pale blue mirror that are then coated with thick resin that magnify them – I then use a neon pink for a jolt. 

 

How has the your area influenced your work?

I will tell you that I am influenced by almost everything – color once again is one the first things I am drawn too – even if something (in shape) is not that interesting if the color is good – then its good. Being in New York my favorite most inspiring thing is going to a museum (I generally go 2 times a week) I actually just love the energy in museums – I usually can only take it for about 2 hours TOPS – otherwise I get visually over loaded and freakout.

What is your favorite restaurant in New York?

In New York my favorite restaurant is Charlie Bird (5 King Street in Soho) – it has a great mood – it’s simple and after a long day I don’t want to have to look at or focus visually on too much. Great food – love the staff – amazing wines – music is all hiphop played WAY to loud – but it has become part of it’s charm for me. My husband and I go there a lot and because they know us we can always get seats at the bar fast.

What is your favorite cocktail?

Booze I like a simple Vodka (Kettle One) with cranberry juice and a twist of lime.

Wine I’m a sucker for a light dry Rose anytime.

How do you balance personal life and work?

It’s very hard – I am a workaholic – I generally work 7 days a week – I love what I do – I generally take on too much and over load myself – I am trying to cut back :). I rarely go to events – a lot of people think I’m a bit of a snob (because I don’t go out) – but I work until 7 or 8 generally and I am just way to tired to get dressed up and be on. And besides that I am kinda shy – which is why when I do go out I gotta have a cocktail or 3 – then I become fun! 🙂

Dream trip?

I love traveling and try once a year to go to a county or place I’ve never been to – this year I’m going to Copenhagen. 

Dream commission?

I just got what I would consider a dream commission last week – the client is a well know person and I am doing the couple there 2 kids and various extended members of the family a total of 9 in all. 

Your favorite host / hostess gift to give?

I always make a gift – depending on the occasion – dinner, weekend stay etc – dictates what I make them – generally they are involved and take way to much time – but a personalized piece of art – as a gift has great meaning (I think – I hope). 🙂

Who is your style icon?

Pablo Picasso – I loved how he lived and dressed. He always put together a different look – but it was always casual and in a way saying I’m ready to work – plaids with stripes, stripes with solids, pattern with wild color – he wore them carefree and nothing was ever overdone or pretentious. The casualness is what I adore – I myself am a big mess when I’m working and always get paint or glue or “something” on me – so I love the carefree simplicity and slight rattyness of his look. Every outfit looked effortless yet when you study photos of him they were as brilliant as his work.

Your favorite up and coming artist?

At the last Art Basel in Miami I discovered this wonderful artist Chyrum Lambert.

I bought one of his newer works – they are these collage compositions that are very structured, odd coloring, beautiful texture in the image like rock formations 

What is your most treasured possession?

Oddly I love to collect “things” and have wonderful objects. But the ones that are my most treasured are letters and notes from friends and colleagues. I have a wall in my study that is filled with cards notes and pics.

What are you reading?

Never Leave Well Enough Alone by Raymond Loewy – I just started it – Two of Loewy’s designs from the 1960s have been my favorite “objects” since childhood – the Avanti car and the DF-2000 cabinet. 

(see image from one of my interior projects using a Raymond Loewy DF-2000 cabinet)

What are you listening to?

Right now I’m listening to Adele – “Water Under the Bridge“

What are your favorite blogs / publications? 

Online – I read the NYT‘s religiously every morning – magazine (I love magazines and they have always been my connection to all areas of the visual work (art, fashion, graphics, history, interiors…)

So here is my reading list monthly in no particular order:

W, Artforum, Elle Decor, Vogue, T Magazine, Architectural Digest, all the european AD’s (France, Spain, Germany), Modern, Cultured, Art + Auction, World of Interiors.

FYI – I have always had my foot in the magazine world – ages ago I was the Design Editor for the Home & Design Magazine at the Miami Herald, the Style Editor for Inside out, Contributing editor to Metropolitan Home and currently a contributor to Cultured and Modern Magazines.

How does your commission process work and what are the prices? 

It’s a fairly simple process – I work from photographs – I need approx 3 profile shots, 3 head on and 3 three quarter shots of each person. If client is in New York I can take the pics   If I am unable to take images myself I need images supplied. I require a 50% deposit up front and the balance before shipping. Pricing starts at $1,800 each (for a 17″) and obviously go up according to size and what items are used to encrust. I can do up to 52″ in diameter.

The cameos are quite involved and generally take 8-10 weeks to do.

And I like to know color preferences (which colors you like and don’t like).

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Check out more of Doug’s amazing cameos…

Be sure to follow Doug Meyer on Instagram and his website.  

Patrick Mele’s space in the Holiday House

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