Our Love of Innocence

It's hard to deny that pets can become an integral part of a family. Puppies are hard to deny with their innocent looks and playful spirits. For those that love animals, a painting or picture can be the perfect gift. Suellen Ross's Limited Edition Print: "Softspot", says it all. Not only does it remind us of the love we feel for animals, it also makes us all think of that favorite chair we can never somehow seem to part with.

Her special talent and obvious love for animals, allows her to paint scenes that are realistic and emotional. They're the subtle everyday scenes of life that we can easily take for granted if not careful. We can all relate to our favorite pet napping lazily in our favorite reading chair. Somehow, we never have the heart to make it leave. Oh well! We'll just have to get there first the next time.

Art can affect our environments tremendously. To many, a house doesn't become a home until there is enough art décor in place to balance an overall theme. It makes the goal a whole lot easier if we have a personal attachment to the art's subject matter too. Art that is loved and embraced will always make the perfect gift, either for the ones we care about or ourselves. The best part is that it only takes a moment to be thoughtful and caring enough to give the perfect gift.

Taking the Mystery Out of Limited Edition Prints

If you're familiar in the least with terms that apply to the world of art, you'll hear the term "limited edition" on occasion. Simply put, a limited edition is defined as being a print, which is printed no more than 25 times in any medium-or at any size worldwide.

James Meger's Handsigned & Numbered Limited Edition Print: "Canoe Country", is an excellent example. James Meger is a perfect example of what happens when preparedness meets opportunity. Three years of med school combined with his love of hunting and an undeniable talent, allows him to paint realistic depictions of wildlife. He paints muscular and skeletal structures with brilliant accuracy. Some of his paintings have even taken up to five months to complete, and since 1982, he's included hidden aspects in his paintings. For the keen observer that loves solving a mystery, it means, "seeking out" the hidden images.

Wildlife paintings are the perfect buy for any time of year, and especially the autumn. Perhaps it's because of the autumn colors that are ablaze in wildlife paintings, as they tend to compliment the various colors of one's favorite room décor. If the painting is a limited edition print and handsigned, it also means there are only a fixed number of people in the world who have access to the creative expression of a particular work of art. If you haven't already started a collection of limited edition prints, now might just be the perfect time.

Giclee Printing

The term "Giclee Print" refers to an elevation in print making whereby images are created from high resolution digital scans, and then printed with archival quality inks on canvas, fine art, and photo-based paper .The quality of the end product rivals traditional silver-halide and gelatin printing processes. Giclee prints are usually found in art galleries, museums, and photographic galleries.

The creative process employs 8-color to 12-color ink-jet printers. Epson and Hewlett Packard are some of the companies that produce these modern technology printers. Incredibly detailed prints for both the fine art and photographic markets are the result.

A perfect example of a Giclee Print is "Alien vs. Predator". This fine work of art is by Conceptual Designer Richard K. Buoen. The layout of the art is fantastic, and the realism flows with amazing fluidity. Of course, depending on your tastes in themes, there are an endless variety of Giclee prints to choose from. Giclee Prints also retain their original beauty over a lifetime, and the technology and packaging makes for a sturdy and aesthetically pleasing piece of artwork.

The Giclee process provides is a better color accuracy than any other means of production. This means that we're actually seeing things clearer than we're used to. Discovering Giclee Prints can open up a whole new world of art appreciation.

A Room's light is Important When Considering a Decorating Theme

It's very important to understand a room's lighting requirements. Furniture, flowers, wall paintings, pictures, and mirrors will all be affected by how much light is allowed to enter or leave a room. You can begin your assessment by observing the light at various times of the day. The dark spots in the room will stand out, and these dark spots are the areas that will need illumination depending on your lifestyle. As an example, you may like to gravitate to your favorite reading chair at 5:00 in the evening.

Sofas and end tables are usually where good lighting should be anchored. The lamps chosen should reflect both the style and scale of your tables. Taller lamps can add height to sofa tables. Any overhead lighting will should be bright enough so that as many areas as possible of the room are illuminated. A ceiling fan attached to the lighting is also a viable option, and works great where the climate is humid.

Allowing as much natural light to flood a room as possible can help one relax and unwind after a long day's work. You can also opt to add lighting to pictures on the wall, as this has an extraordinary impact on the entire ambiance of any room. Whatever the light source in a room, either natural or from lamps, you should take care to make sure there is no glare on the television. Even if you spend very little time in front of the television, glare is an indication that the room's lighting is out of balance.

Hanging Artwork with Ease

So, you've decided that the room needs a little spicing up, and the next step is to find some beautiful framed paintings that complement the room or house decor. There are a few simple guidelines, if properly followed, can help get you through the challenge. As a rule, you should always avoid hanging just one small picture on a huge expanse of the wall. Any are on the wall will look far better when it helps to extend the horizontal lines of windows, doors, or furniture.

It's important that you find a wall stud or beam when placing the nail or screw into the wall. Hanging an object on drywall is asking for trouble down the line. It can detach at any time and damage whatever is immediately below. In addition, it can leave a hole in the wall that will require patching and possibly repainting. When you determine the right spot, hold the picture up and make a small mark with a pencil where the top edge of the picture frame will be. The next step will be to choose an appropriate hook. A two-piece nail-and-hook should work fine for light objects, and a hallow-wall anchor should be sufficient for heavier objects.

It's not a bad idea to use a level when aligning more than one hook. If the painting or picture is light enough, a wall adhesive can do the job just fine. Now it's time to nail the picture where you've placed your mark, and when adjusting your masterpiece, make sure the picture is straight. This is when you get to step back and admire your handy work.

The Gathering

Art often tells a story of the times and places that are quite often beyond our normal reach. In today's hectic world, there is a desire for peace, quiet, and normalcy in practically everyone's life, whether that desire is voiced out loud or not. Combine this desire with the need to surround oneself with beautiful art, and art that depicts the quiet life of the Amish somehow becomes the perfect choice to enhance your present art and furniture decor.

Ben C. Richmond Famed Art Print "The Gathering", is a beautiful painting of life on a country farm during the winter months. The horse drawn buggies are nestled quietly outside a barn, and the inhabitants inside discuss the local affairs of the community. This is the kind of artwork that evokes memories of the county's solitude, and how life on a farm was a world within itself.

Country Folk Art is a great gift to give, and fits perfectly within any present Americana themes within a home or office. It's also a pleasant way to honor a culture that many of us find quietly intriguing. The Amish are known for their quiet and solitude "The Gathering" is framed in the highest quality hardwoods, finished with an attractive paperback dustcover, and comes ready to hang the moment it arrives at your doorstep. You can also choose from a wide variety of framing options. Why not own it today, and proudly display an authentic piece of American history?

A Legend Continues

Talent quite often runs in the family. Being exposed to those that are gifted and creative, often gives children a privileged peek at the possibility of things to come. Many kids that grow up in the shadows of famous parents often have a unique struggle of finding their own voice and expression in life. Quite often, these kids do choose a similar field that their parents excelled in, and this can make life even more of a personal challenge for them.

Harrison Ellenshaw, son of famed Disney master artist Peter Ellenshaw, is one such sibling that managed to carve out his own niche in the world of art. Peter Ellenshaw won an academy award for his work with Disney, and was nominated five additional times. Growing up, the younger Ellenshaw was intimidated by his Father's talent, and thought he would never live up to it.

As both a filmmaker and visual effects artist, Harrison Ellenshaw has done extremely well for himself, and this is evident by his creativity and obvious talent in the Handsigned and Numbered Limited Edition Giclee on Canvas: "Alice Floating Into Wonderland". This would make the perfect gift for anyone into phantasm-art. It's actually quite a conversation piece as well. The colors are bold and daring, and the story line of Alice in Wonderland is one that we can all relate to no matter what the age.

You can also choose to discover the other works of Harrison Ellenshaw, which can serve to augment any fine arts collection.

Time for Reflection

In the world of fine art, there are many mediums an artist can choose from to depict realism. However, there is none more technically challenging or demanding than the field of realistic water color figure painting. To achieve realism, an artist has to master skill control of edges and layers, washes, and he or she must also have a firm grip on the properties of pigment and water.

Artist Steve Hanks has is firmly in command of all the skills and requirements of his profession. His works are primarily the study and expression of the human figure, and his mastery of light and shadow, landscapes, moving water, children, and women; create images that are emotionally moving and uniquely mysterious.

Steve's thoughtful and engaging painting: "Moving On", is a perfect example of his ability to capture the personal "moments of introspective solitude", of individuals lost in deep reflection. Art that is emotionally moving has a tendency to set the vibrational tone of everything around it. If it happens to be the center or the anchoring piece of artwork, it will usually command the respect of anyone entering a room. It also says a lot about the collector. People have a tendency to buy the type of artwork that reflects their own unique way of life.

Great art not only unifies the theme of a living space, but it also has the ability to give an individual something new and different each time it's observed.

Why We Love the Blues

The evolution of the blues gives a unique insight into the historical changes that took place in the lives of African Americans after the end of slavery. Before the emergence of the blues, solo music was considered atypical, and individualized song had never been the main ingredient of any music in America. Blues is the sound of an individual responding to himself or herself relative to the world and life.

Blues is the sound that everyone can relate to sooner or later, and the popularity of the music can be seen in clubs and concert halls across America. If you love the blues or you know anyone who does, Celebrity Art-Framed Art: "B.B. King" is the perfect gift to augment any art collection. The art is framed under glass in the highest quality of hardwoods. It also comes finished with a sturdy paperback dustcover, and is ready to hang the moment it arrives.

Having a great art collection will enhance the ambiance of any home, however, celebrity art takes it to a whole new level. It's like having a piece of the celebrity's life right there in your own home for you and the world to enjoy. It also sets the mood for conversations and nostalgia about past and present singers of the blues. If music in general is a part of your life, you'll appreciate having photo art of the world's most recognizable blues celebrity. Why not let B.B. King occupy a little space in your life!

A Pause on a Hill

There are many stories about how the West was settled, but the best stories might just be those that are captured forever on canvas. It's true that a picture paints a thousand words, and Robert Duncan's Handsigned and Numbered Limited Edition Giclee on Canvas: "Curious", gives us a glimpse into a pivotal time in the history of the United States.

A young Native American pauses for a long moment on a grassy hill, pondering who these people must be that are passing through his sacred land. Curious only, with no need or intent to approach, he allows them to pass safely. Robert Duncan paints the things he cares about in life. Growing up in the suburbs, he spent his summers on his grandfather's ranch, and became acutely aware of how much we all need nature in our lives.

The paintings of Robert Duncan are an attempt to remind people about the delicacy of nature and what we might all do to help preserve it for future generations. For those that love paintings of the open plains, or who relish the rich memory of Native American Culture, Robert Duncan's painting will make the perfect addition to your home, apartment, or office art collection. It's artwork that will maintain its value over a lifetime, and it's also a tribute to the brilliant work of a great American artist

Just think of it as doing your share to keep alive the memories of a Native American pausing on a hill-so long ago.

A True Love for Painting

It has been said many times over-that "success leaves clues". It's very easy to trace the footsteps of many of today's great artists. What you will find is a commitment to their craft that usually begins at a very early age. Usually, it's a love for things aesthetic, and given the proper exposure and training, one is able to hone an extremely elite talent.

The love story of Michael and Inessa Garmash is the kind found in tales of far-away places. Michael first began exhibiting his works in France at galleries in cities such as Paris, St. Etienne, Avignon. Michael has also excelled in the creation of stain-glassed windows, whereby his work is featured in the Suvorov Military Museum in St. Petersburg.

Inessa Kitaichik excelled in ballet, gymnastics and music. After graduating from music and ballet school, she entered the Lugansk Fine Art School at the age of fifteen, and at seventeen, she distinguished herself as the year's best undergraduate. The two met at a bus station, and it was love at first glance. He spent the next day painting her image on anything that would serve as a canvas. They work together spontaneously creating paintings, stained glass windows, and beautiful mosaics. The brilliance of their collaboration can be seen in such works as the Numbered and Limited Edition Embellished Giclee on Hand Textured Canvas: "Blooming Beauty". This is a magnificent work of art that will grace any setting. Own it today, and discover what creations are brought about by true love!

Remembering the Art of Childhood

For many, remembering the art of childhood reminds us of those whimsical moments when our imaginations were allowed and encourage to run free. Childhood is the time of life in which colors and patterns grab our attention, and our imaginations are fueled by most simplistic of things. Erika Vala is able to capture those inspirational moods in her Limited Edition Giclee on Paper: "Untitled".

Her artwork embodies a freshness and ease that's easily welcomed in the fast pace of today's world. The ability to transfer thought and emotion through a work of art is what defines the great artists. Erika's work has a playfulness that will brighten and refresh any art theme in your present collection, and the earth tone colors will work perfectly for any season of the year. However, with autumn right around the corner, such refreshing artwork will make the perfect holiday season gift.

It's best to remember, when purchasing art for your enjoyment or collection: you are the only person that has to be pleased. At some point, consciously or unconsciously, you become aware of the styles, colors, and themes that work best for you. The greatest thing that can increase your comfort level is continuity, and this is the sure bet that your themes will work in harmony with each other. It's also great to begin, or continue with design plans that are based on the original architectural theme of your home, apartment, or office.

The ranges will include Spanish, Southwestern, Victorian, Tudor, Ranch, Colonial, Modern, or historic to name a few. Who knows, you just might be the kind of person that likes to blend a little bit of each-in which case, art that vibrates innocence and freshness should work just fine in any arrangement.

Preserving the Wildlife

It's difficult to imagine not being able to hear the birds sing, or the crickets chirp, or watch squirrels jump from tree to tree. Yet, in many places around the world, indigenous wildlife is endangered, and in numerous instances, all but disappeared. To build a relationship with wildlife requires an education that causes one to realize the benefits of nature.

This means finding ways to landscape for wildlife, identifying valuable species, and the resource tools that are put in place everyday to restore and keep wildlife habitats safe. Perhaps the greatest way to bring nature up close and personal is to plant trees, flowers, and shrubs in our own backyards. Our backyards, parks, and forests, not only provide the aesthetic beauty that we all need, but they are the refuge and survival means for our wildlife. Master Painter, Eric Bjorlin, recognizes the need to protect the world's wildlife, and it's obvious in the attention to detail and realistic beauty found in every one of his paintings. Eric Bjorlin's Open Edition Print: "Late Departure" is but one fine example. His wildlife art has been exhibited in the finest conservation art shows in Minnesota.

Already an exceptional artist after earning a degree in illustration, Eric Bjorlin worked some of Minnesota's exceptional artists to fine-tune his gift and accelerate his growth. The results speak for themselves. His artwork is the realistic portrayal of the natural world around us. Perhaps, you live in an environment where the natural world of wildlife seems to be compromised or dwindling. You can still bring the beauty of wildlife into your home where it can be appreciated just as if you were there in the wild. And, you never know who might be inspired to join the world's conservation efforts through the inspiration of your beautiful art décor.

The Popularity of Black and White Photography

The digital storm is here, but there is an ever-increasing popularity with black and white photography. The reason being: there's a definite merit in the medium. In truth, for a person to better understand color photography, it's necessary to first understand black and white photography. A color film is simply a black and white film coated with color layers.

You might even surmise that black and white photography is honest! Black and white photography tells a story, and with the graceful gradations of gray that stand between the darkest black, and the whitest white, we experience the need to find a picture's deepest meaning. Black and white photography is about textures emotions, and the interplay between light and dark.

Ansel Adams is a name that is synonymous with the genius of black and white photography. His framed art piece: Oak Tree: "Snowstorm", can set the mood for any room decor, and is a powerful reminder that stripping a thing down to its basic element is perhaps the truest form of beauty. The one great thing about any of the works of Ansel Adams is that they stand out in any setting, and fit in immediately with an art theme already in place. Art prints of black and white photography are a great way to start or enhance any collection.

Our Fascination with Clocks

Everyone has a hidden fascination with clocks. It might not be openly apparent, but time is always somewhere in the back of our minds. The history of clocks dates back centuries, and the first method used to tell time was by looking at the sun as it made its way across the sky. Of course, this method was inaccurate, and telling a more accurate time was only possible once the sundial came into use.

Water clocks were next to arrive as a means of trying to determine the hour of the day or night, and over 3400 years ago they were invented by the Egyptians. Time has marched forward, and the types and styles of clocks that populate the planet are simply amazing. In today's world, no individual, home, or office is complete without at least one.

Not only do clocks serve an important function by revealing the time of night or day, additionally, they are also able to balance out any room decor quite admirably. The "Library Clock", designed by Paragon, is a handsome work that is beautifully framed under glass using archival tapes and mounting. The frame is set in the highest quality moulding, and the paperback dustcover finishing means it's ready to hang when it arrives.

Clocks can fit any art or furniture theme, and depending on the type and size, can often end up being the center of attraction or the "point" of balance in a room. But most importantly, there's no reason why the "time" in your life can't be a "thing" of beauty.

Endless Patterns

When it comes to creating endless and colorful patters, Galina Datloof may be unparalleled. And, if you love both music and art, Galina may be just the answer. Her Limited Edition Serigraph on Canvas: "Piano Concerto" is quite exhilarating and aesthetically provocative. She uses a rich range of material that include: oils, acrylics, pencil, and ink. There are extreme emotions coming out of her creations that evident in each stroke of the brush.

Her work is extremely abstract, yet balanced, and is admired the world over for its originality and richness. It's not hard to surmise that she has a love for music, dance, and theater, and her admiration and love for the performing arts can be seen and felt in all of her works. This alone makes her work the perfect gift for any modern art setting, or one where music is the central theme.

Her painting represent Russian avant-garde at is best, and she can credit this to her beloved mentor and teacher: Svetlana Shiskina. For the serious lover of art, the works of Galina afford the art lover the opportunity to own a piece of Russian history that is reminiscent of post World War ll. Her creativity is also a testament to the infinite variety of ways that genius can manifest itself. If you're looking to enhance your collections of with artwork that is rich and alive with colors and patterns that dance, Galina Datloof is the perfect starting point.

Weather the Storm

The great thing about fine art-is that it speaks volumes about the individual that collects it. Every from of art though, is validated in that sense by the art lover. Just as many artists will paint the themes that appeal them, so will lovers of art often buy a work for its ability to evoke a personal emotion-and this is the way it should be.

Scot Storm is an extraordinary artist that has the profession of architecture as a backdrop to his passion for painting and detail. His love for hunting and the outdoors was honed at an early age, and this passion allowed him to develop an appreciation for nature and wildlife. This passion is seen and felt in every one of his masterful works. His architectural background helped him to challenge every aspect of his creations from composition, lighting, and unbelievable accuracy, to the very psychology of color itself.

His fine work of art: "Weather the Storm-Loon" has a meaning that is beyond the painting. The storm is rising, and the loon bobs peacefully on a gentle swell. That swell represents the challenges we all face from time to time. Nature is going to have its storms, but they all pass, and if keen enough, we realize it's all a part of the cycle of life.

The artwork of nature and wildlife also appeals to the inner need to preserve our national habitats and wildlife sanctuaries. Discover Scot Storm, and find out first hand why his beautiful works of art command such respect.

The Flower Lover in Each of Us

There's a flower lover in each of us. There's just something about the simple flowerpot that holds an assortment of daisies or geraniums. Perhaps it may be that we can relate to the delicacy of life, and that the entire life of the flowers is often much like the lives of many people. There are endless combinations of artwork, sculptures, furniture, and flowers that can make the decor of any room stand out. And finding the right combinations is simply a matter of trusting your own instinct.

Paintings of flowers are a great way to enhance any collection. Carol Rowan Framed Art Print:"Kathleen's Geraniums", is a charming work of art that speaks for itself. This is the type of art that can grace the wall of any room. Even those areas of the home or office off the beaten path can use an attractive work of art that can fill in the uneven spaces and provide balance.

The right type of flower paintings can bring color and ambiance to any room, and if combined with sculptures, and other non-functional art, should help to maintain a strong sense of community throughout the house. Budgeting may be a strong consideration in planning your home decor, and if this is the case, the goal is to find pricing and quality that makes it easy on your wallet or pocket book. And, when it comes to decorating with the artwork of flowers, you'll more than likely find a theme that will help put everything else in balance.

Decisions in Life

No home or dwelling is really complete without an intriguing work of sculpture. Perhaps, the intrigue is because sculptures represent something enduring that will last through time. The right sculpture piece can be not only a focal point in your home of office, but it can also be the pivotal point in your collection that evokes thought and discussion.

Lorenzo Quinn is a world-class sculptor whose works evoke deep thought and contemplation. His Handsigned and Numbered Limited Edition Sculpture: "Decisions", is an intriguing work that implicates the age-old challenge of arriving at a fork in the road. Does one turn left, or does one turn right? This thought provoking element is embedded in all of his works. European, he's inspired by the great masters such as Michelangelo, Bernini, and Rodin. A poet at heart, Lorenzo Quinn first creates his works as a poem, which is always displayed alongside the completed sculpture.

When considering a shopping list for outlining your basic furnishing and decorating needs, first take the time to walk through your home room-by-room, taking into consideration room widths, lengths, and ceiling heights. There's a lot to consider! Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms living rooms, and hallways all their own unique space and balance points.

Once you've placed everything in place mentally, you're ready to begin choosing the right blend of artwork, furniture, and plants. You're bound to be faced with a lot of "decisions", and Lorenzo Quinn's though-provoking sculpture should fit into your life quite nicely.

Art that Evokes Nostalgia

Art can make any dwelling seem more like a home. Not only do interesting paintings and mirrors serve an aesthetic function, and they also serve to change the acoustic dynamics of any interior. Many start out looking for art based on a predetermined budget. In this case, there are dozens of art dealers, cyberspace sellers, and auctioneers eager to attract new collectors. In any event, there are a host of snares and pitfalls to watch out for.

Good art should be something that appeals to the buyer, and fits within the budget constraints. Every home has a feel, and depending how deeply you study the phenomenon, it could very well be described as a "vibration". The art decor and furniture that you choose will be in harmony with its surroundings-or out of harmony.

Liudmila Kondakova understands the need for balance, and her paintings are rich with color, light, and clarity. Her hand signed and limited edition serigraph on gesso board: "Place St. Michel" is a perfect example of art that evokes a feeling of nostalgia and romanticism. And, it's the kind of art that commands respect! The art of Liudmila Kondakova is embraced and admired around the world.

Whether you're a beginning art collector, or a seasoned professional, Liudmila Kondakova is great starting point in creating a great art collection. And, there's always that familiar mystique that surrounds artists from the far corners of the world-that becomes a part of our own surroundings when we make the discovery..