Museo

11266 Taylor Draper Ln, Austin, TX 78759

Reviewed by Javier D.

History and Hot Wax Opening

Museo’s management made an interesting choice for their open house and remodel unveiling.  They contacted a custom art framer Diane Graden of Frames of Reference.  They asked that Diane bring several local artists’ works to display in their office/clubhouse for an art opening and a showing of Museo’s latest remodel.  Diane certainly made the best use of the facility whose primary function is an office, then a clubhouse, but was also redesigned with the wall space and a lighting plan to display art.

Local artists Daphne Holland, Kristi Darnell Battani, Marilyn Fenn, Sharon Kyle Kuhn, and Roxi McClosky Morris are exhibiting several original works of ‘encaustic’, a method of painting with wax that predates the roman empire.  Any medium is as interesting as the artist makes it, and these artists demonstrated forethought to product with a developed process that is self-evident.  Roxi’s gridded process speaks well to her mathematical approach and skilled portraiture, and Sharon’s use of outdated technological storage media was dimensional, timely and interesting.  Daphne’s cuts through thick layers of wax, draw the eye along its edges and split thick fields of rich and sometimes translucent color.  Wax captures and transforms light  in its lighter colors and gently transforms it into a soft glow.  The dependence art has on light is nicely visible in encaustic painting.

Museo is tucked away into Northwest hills next to a natural area that is big enough to support a ton of wildlife.  Any given day, you will see deer, skunk, raccoons, opossum, armadillo and occasionally fox.  The natural area has running water and clearly labeled paths that will lead you to a spring-fed fish pond.  It is a great backdrop for any creative person who draws inspiration from nature and a great place if you own a dog and enjoy long walks.

I will leave the apartments’ specifications to another reviewer, but I will say that the choice of fixtures and colors are new and now. If you’re not going to build equity for a time there is certainly no law that says you can’t live in style.  Hardwood floors and granite counter tops seem like the new standard for stylish apartment living and this didn’t escape Grey Star.  It’s only a couple of blocks from the Arboretum, one light away from mopac and 15 minutes from downtown .  The management boast a low pressure sales approach of a salesman with a quality product, sure deposit and enough floor plans to satisfy most.

In keeping with the property’s namesake, the Italian word for museum and their slogan “Where life becomes art,” Museo intends to install new art by local artists quarterly. Their interest in the arts caught my eye, and anyone who would further the exposure of local artists is alright in my book.  An honorable mention to Jesse Bloom of Ecstatic cuisine for his red chile stuffed date with candied walnuts, those were delectible.

Link to Yelp Review