Derian fills ‘Picture Book’ with rich imagery
Flowers, leaves, birds, bugs, fish — even lobsters. There is nothing in nature that escapes the attentive eye of glassdecoupage artist John Derian.
His work is known worldwide. If his name doesn’t ring a bell, you’ve likely seen his work in department and homedécor stores.
Largely self-taught, Derian is a lover of all things vintage and antique, objects that come with a story or two or a bit of mystery about past lives.
Derian will visit Houston on Thursday for a book signing at Kuhl-Linscomb, which carries a variety of his glass plates, trays and coasters. His new book, “John Derian Picture Book” (Artisan; $75; 368 pages), with a brief forward by Vogue editor Anna Wintour, is filled with 300 full-page color images.
The quality of paper and ink used in making the book makes you feel like you’re flipping through a collection of prints.
The New York artist talked recently about his work, his book and his love of nature.
Q: Wintour can be a harsh critic, but she has loving words for your book and your work. How did she come to be such a fan?
A: About 15 years ago, she just appeared in my store and was very interested in all kinds of things. We had a bedding line that she loved. Around the same time, I started showing the work of Hugo Guinness, whom she knew. We all became connected by him.
I appreciate her ideas of beauty … she has very good, classic taste, which I appreciate.
I went to a dinner she had for Hugo at her summer house. He’d gotten an Academy Award nomination for helping Wes Anderson write “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” It was fun to see her use stacks of my flower plates as chargers. If you look at it as art, that’s good, but it’s fun to use the plates, too.
Q: How did you get the idea for a book with just pages of pictures?
A: Over the last 20 or so years, people have asked me to do a book, how-to, decoupage, lifestyle. I don’t decorate; I have an apartment. I don’t feel like I’m an expert. I’m connected to imagery. I want to promote people taking up decoupage. I’d love if they bought one book to take apart and one to look at. You could wallpaper a room with pages in the book. There’s a lot you could do with the images. You can also open the book every day and look at a different spread.
Q: How many pictures did you sort through for the final 300?
A: I started with my favorites, and I love them all. I started with 1,000, and then dropped to 700. It was like “Sophie’s Choice.” I’ve got another 300 waiting for the next book if that happens.
I love the idea of it being a full-bleed image and not having text. When I look at magazines and see 20 small pictures on a page, I think, “Could I see just one big, beautiful picture?”
I want people to get lost in the image and not be obstructed by something.
Q: Modern art and midcentury décor are all the rage, but there’s something so special about vintage and antique pieces. What draws you to those things? Are you simply an old soul?
A: I think you could say that. I like the idea of things being handmade. I like the integrity and the history. I can say that antiques speak to me, I react to them, it’s something tactile.
Q: We’re surrounded by noise, and nature can be so calming. Do you find much time to soak up inspiration in a park or a garden?
A: Whenever I can; I’m always looking. Yesterday I was in Santa Barbara (Calif.), and we were driving around going, “Look at that tree, look at that tree.” I react to plant life.
I have a house in Cape Cod (Mass.), and it’s surrounded by natural beauty. I often just walk around in the woods and on the beaches. That really is stimulating. In New York City, I’m lucky that the shop I have is on a street with a community garden. There’s a tiny little park with a stone wall and little pond and beautiful trees.
Q: How much of your collection do you have and use at home?
A: I have a little bit of it at home. I have one big spiderweb tray in a hall that I keep my stuff on. I like the idea of a spiderweb tray. I saw some of my lightswitch covers in a friend’s house and realized I needed them, too.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to say about your picture book?
A: I hope people enjoy looking through it, just like I do. When you’re in my shop, a lot of (decoupage pieces) are stacked, and you have to look through them. When you look through the book, you’ll be experiencing what I experience — a sense of discovery. People who collect my work can see what they have in their home in its original form.