March 28 dawned gray and cloudy, but there was much going on in the heart of Brooklyn. Artist Catherine Eckdahl hosted her annual Open Studio, with partner Susan Freedner, to a packed house despite the rain.

Eckdahl's recent works were hung in every vertical space in their beautiful pre-war co-op, with multi-dimensional art on nearly every horizontal surface. Featuring recycled materials in her paintings and found objects in her sculptures, Eckdahl may soon be considered the queen of green. Corrugated paper with acrylic gave depth to one new work, and figured heads glimmered with natural fire from the coruscations of light upon the back of dichroic beetles' carapaces. Found butterflies, who ran afoul of Mother Nature, find new life in dimensional art.

Larger works were also featured, some in serene winter blues, others in earthy jewel tones with symmetric and asymmetric texture. One particular piece I admired had been placed on hold just moments before. And the rooms were abuzz with talk of art, politics, food and summer.

Luminaries from the Imperial Court of New York, fresh from their big fundraiser Night of a Thousand Gowns, came to admire and purchase and nosh and catch up. From the opening of the Open Studio until the end, the house was packed with friends, loved ones and art lovers of every description. Make plans to join us next year, and embellish your home with a original Eckdahl. Commissions accepted!