A Gift Idea For The Finicky Art Connoisseur

Sometimes, nothing is worse than having a hard time when trying to figure out what kind of a gift to give the art lover in your life for a special occasion. Do you have a relative who is celebrating a landmark birthday? Perhaps you have a close friend who is going to be getting married or even moving into their very first home. No matter what the occasion may be, if they are into art, then it should be a "no brainer" when it comes to the gift that you should give.

Even though you may already know that the gift recipient that you have in mind loves various forms of art, sometimes it can be quite a bit harder than you would think to come up with the perfect gift. For example, you might know the particular style that they are fond of or even an artist or two that they really enjoy collecting. Yet, art is never something that you can end up picking out for somebody unless you happen to know them really well, that is, well enough to read their thoughts when they lay eyes on a certain piece.

For such occasions when you cannot seem to choose something for your art fanatic, the best possible option is a gift certificate for Gallery Direct Art. You can choose a gift certificate in any denomination, from $25 on up to $500. This way, you can be sure that they will be able to pick out just the right piece to go in their home or office space.

Art And The Cozy Home

Have you ever had the chance to visit a home where you felt comfortable and cozy from the very minute that you walked in through the front door? Unfortunately, this is not a feeling that you can experience with every home that you visit, however it is quite possible when you stop by a home that is decorated with wonderful country artwork. If you have ever been in a home decorated with such a style, then you are already more than aware of the calming and soothing effect that such decor can have on the human soul.

If you are looking to bring some of that same country feel into your current living space, you can do so with the simple addition of one or more of the wonderful works available by artist Warren Kimble. One of the most celebrated folk artists of his time, Warren Kimble is very well known for his use of exaggeration and incredible, bold color. Whether you are a fan of nautical themes, cats, beautiful Vermont landscapes or fruits and flowers, you are sure to find a bevy of Warren Kimble designs that will speak to your soul.

The nice thing about many of the pieces created by Warren Kimble is that they really stand the test of time. You can rest assured knowing that a Warren Kimble that is purchased today will look just as incredible in your living space twenty years from now. All you have to do is find the right piece for your home and your personality and you are sure to become hooked on this artist!

Treat Your Art To A Custom Frame

If you are spending a good deal of money on a particular art piece that you are simply in love with, then you are certainly going to want to make sure that you have a wonderful place for it in your home or office. Any time you are looking for the best possible way to display your art, you should really think about having it framed. Of course, you could always take your art once you receive it off to a framery to have the work done. But, that can take quite some time and you may even end up having to pay all sorts of extra shipping costs. In addition to that, there is usually nothing worse than having your treasured art in your possession one moment, only to have it off to be framed the next.

When you make your art purchase from Gallery Direct Art, you can choose the option to have your painting or print custom framed and then delivered to your home or office. Included in this beautiful framing service, you will get your purchased print along with a stunning, solid hardwood frame moulding, and picture glass. You will even receive all of the hardware for hanging so your artwork is ready to place in your desired space from the very moment that it arrives.

Custom framing is the perfect choice for the savvy art fan. You will also find that custom framing can be just right as a gift for anyone on your shopping list.

Is Size An Issue When Choosing Wall Art

You know that it looks odd, but you are not quite sure if you should say anything. Is this the feeling that you have gotten in the past when you lay eyes on a gigantic piece of wall art on display at the home of a close friend, acquaintance or relative? This is often times something that you will come across because many people are not exactly sure of the right size they should choose for the walls in their home or apartment. Lucky for you, since you have seen the damage that the wrong size can cause aesthetically, you can look into finding a couple of tips that should help you to choose the right size wall art or sculpture every single time.

Unless you are a complete wiz, the chances are very good that you are not going to be able to eyeball the position of every piece of art that you will be placing in your home. Some people will go ahead and begin measuring in order to find the right size for every sculpture or painting. While this may work for some folks, others really need a bit more of a visual aid to ensure that they are making the right choice.

So, you are thinking of purchasing this incredible painting that you have found online. In order to see if it will be the right size for your wall without overpowering it, you can always take a piece of paper measured and cut to the same size. Go ahead and tack this up to the wall in the position that you desire, then take a look at it from several different angles to see if it will work.

Put A Little Something Different On Your Wall

Have you ever just wanted to make a statement through your interior decor choices? Such a statement can be very easy with a smart and savvy art selection for any one of the walls within your home. Certainly, you are going to want to make a bit of an art choice that will speak of your tastes and personality. However, there is nothing wrong with stepping outside of the box every once in a while and doing something that is a little bit different than the type of art that you would normally choose for your home, apartment or even the office.

Sometimes, something as simple as a terrific grouping of framed art can be just the thing to change the entire look of a room. You are guaranteed to see that a wonderful grouping can be a fabulous way to draw the attention to that area, making a nice focal point for anyone who lays eyes on it. Finding a trio of framed prints by one of your favorite artists might be a whole lot easier than you would think, especially when you take into account how many amazing choices are available for shopping online.

If you happen to be a person who is somewhat animated, you can always go with a bold splash of color with your framed grouping. Although cartoon-like images might be the first thing to come to mind, there is no reason why you cannot have a selection of sophisticated pieces that really pop with color!

Time To Hang It Up!

So, you have no problem at all when it comes to choosing all of your favorite art pieces to decorate your home with, but how are you with your hanging skills. After all, a painting is only as good as the look that it has once it is on your wall! The last thing you want is to have an incredible framed print or oil painting that you have been dying to get, only to have it hung up in a crazy manner on one of the walls within your home, apartment or office space. Luckily for all of those people who aren't sure how to hang up their wall art, there are a couple of tips that you can follow to ensure a great look every time.

Do you have a problem when you are trying to find just the right position to hang a piece of art on your wall? Sometimes it can be confusing when you are trying to figure out if you have something position too high or too low. A nice rule of thumb to go by is making sure that the center of the piece is right about eye level for the average adult. Certainly, you will have to tweak this tip from time to time depending on the size of the painting itself as well as the height of your room of choice.

Another good thing to look for is the amount of lighting that you have in the area that you are thinking of decorating with wall art. The last thing you want is for your precious piece of art to get lost in a room without proper lighting. In this case, you can always use accent lighting to boost the look of the wall space!

Getting Your Children Interested In Art Early On

Have you happened to notice that your child seems to be taking quite an interest in how their room is decorated at home? Sometimes children are longing for something a little extra in terms of expressing themselves through their decor. When you find that your son or daughter is looking to have a say in the design and decor that goes into their bedroom, you might want to let them explore and see what happens.

It is true that you are never too young or too old to be interested in art. As a matter of fact, introducing your children to art at a very early age can help them tremendously in terms of creativity. Because art is such a lovely way to express yourself, it is no wonder why so many children become interested in all of the aspects of art. When you find that there is a gallery showing in your local area, why not see about bringing your child along with you? Don't be afraid to talk with them about all of the colors and different styles on display!

When it comes to their room at home, a terrific idea is letting your child choose the color palette. In addition to that, you can always go the extra mile by letting them choose some incredible framed prints to hang on their walls. They might even be interested in a couple of small sculpture pieces. Art can be a great way to not only open up your child's mind, but a terrific way for the two of you to bond as well.

Canvas Art Could Be Your Favorite Accessory

You do not necessarily have to be an art expert in order to know what works and what doesn't within your living space. Many times, people like to purchase art solely because it speaks to them and not just because somebody told them that they should like it or buy it. Once you find a certain style that you happen to be very fond of, you just might find yourself on a bit of a spending spree until you have gathered up quite a collection. When it comes to great choices in wall decor, you could see that canvas art will be one of your favorite choices.

Having a nice collection of canvas art in your living space can speak to you on so many different levels. You will have the feeling of comfort each and every time you lay eyes on your chosen pieces of canvas art. In addition to that, each particular piece is almost guaranteed to spark up all sorts of interesting conversations with the guests who have a chance to visit your home.

With some many artists choices available, it is no wonder that canvas art is so popular with those who love to use art to express themselves. You can always go with something breathtaking such as a Monet or even subtle with a Van Gogh. Still life, portraits, florals and more are all waiting for you in the incredible world of wall art. All you have to do is find enough room on your walls at home to display everything that you purchase!

We're All the Same But Different

No one captures the beauty of diversity better than James Rizzo. His whimsical creations have been delighting collectors for years now.

He is best known for his 3-D artwork where he typically made an etching then printed it twice and hand colored it. One etching was then placed on top of another one and slightly moved over so the other etching could be clearly seen underneath. Windows in buildings, photos, picture frames and various other items would be cut out of the top artwork so the bottom artwork could shine through, enhancing the 3-D appeal of the artwork.

His other serigraphs include the highly detailed, "We're All the Same But Different" has a huge number of individuals with each one doing something different. All of the individuals in the artwork are at a party and each one is wearing something different and drinking something different from everyone else. There are people with flasks, glasses and bottles. This would make an outstanding addition to a living room or a central piece in your bar area.

This serigraph would make an equally good gift if you're looking for an unusual gift for a special friend. When you have a serigraph matted and framed at Gallery Direct, only museum quality archival items are used. The print is protected from touching the mat and therefore no acids can exchange in the papers so there is no break down of the papers used for both matting and the serigraph itself.

With the dark black outlines, a simple black frame would be outstanding for displaying this piece.Choose a double mat that picks up different colors in the piece and you'll have a memorable piece of art for your wall.

Yes, The Little Things Count

When you're pulling together the entire look of a room, you can use small elements in your design to make the entire look blend and flow as a whole.

When you're adding pieces to your room. Consider the design impact of every single item you bring into the room no matter how small or needed purely for function. For example, if you find you need shelving, a great addition to any room are ornately scrolled brackets. You can do so much more with them than you might think. They can be used as focal points on walls, used for pure function to create shelving that is very individual to your decor, used to set off a fireplace mantel, draw attention to a doorway or highlight an artwork on your wall.

Another way to add a "little" flair to your room is to add a small mirror or even better a small collection of mirrors. Mirrors can do the job of adding the illusion of space to your walls as well as adding some character to your decor. They also reflect light and will automatically brighten a room.

Small statues work wonderfully in most rooms. Put them on a shelf or on a table beside a lamp. If you have a small collection small statues or sculptures, display them in a lighted curio cabinet for extra impact in your room.

There are so many ways to use small items to make your space more "you". If you have a love of small dogs for example, a small lithograph of your favorite breed will meld beautifully into your decor and your interior will still have your personal design stamp.

Spring is Coming Soon!

Spring will soon be upon us and if you don't have time to go till up your yard to make a garden area, a great solution can be the creative placement of planters around your yard. Not all plants do well in planters but you can make a glorious springtime presentation in your yard if you choose your plants wisely. Whether you choose small, medium, large or extra-large planters, you can make a great display.

In a small planter, put delicate looking violets. For as fragile as they look, they are really quite hardy plants and if you're the type that doesn't remember to water your plants on a regular basis, violets are very forgiving. If you'd like something a little aromatic, try planting some lavender. It has a delicate scent that attracts hummingbirds in the early morning and late afternoon hours as well as butterflies and bumble bees. Two herbs that make a nice presentation in a planter are Rue and Feverfew. Both will produce a lot of leaves and masses of small delicate flowers.

Wild flowers also look nice in planters. When you buy the mixed packets, you are never sure exactly what you'll get but generally they begin blooming in the mid-to late spring and continue until the late summer. Bulb flowers such as tulips and jonquils do very well in planters and if you live in a cooler climate, they will thrive. In the winter, many people advise to dig up your bulbs and wrap them in dry paper and store them in a cool, dark area like a basement or a cupboard in your utility room.

Bring the blooms of spring indoors to your walls with a beautiful piece of artwork that is literally dripping with fresh colors. A gorgeous piece with flowers all around will bring the freshness of spring into your home.

Need More Space? Shelve That Idea!

It's no secret that wall shelves can do wonders when you are looking to add some extra storage space to any of the rooms within your home. While this is true, wall shelves can also be wonderful when you are looking to find great ways to give your decor a little boost.

A great way to set off a wall shelf set is to display a single sculpture or perhaps a set of framed artworks. A single piece on a shelf will lend the idea that the piece is not only unique but also valuable. If you want to further enhance the illusion, choose a reproduction print that is printed on canvas and enhanced with brush strokes. To all but the trained eye, this type of print often is mistaken for an actual artwork. Other people just don't like prints and prefer an artwork on canvas. Printed reproduction piece or not. Many of the canvas pieces are signed by the original artist, just like the original painting as well, increasing the value in many cases of the reproduction piece, especially in the case of a limited edition run where only a set amount are numbered and signed.

If you want to add a touch of "you" to your room. Put a collection of sentimental photos or items on a wall shelf. You could include your now-grown children's first hand prints cast in plaster beside their own children's hand prints to show off both your kids and your grand kids. Other fun items include vacation photos, weddings and more. If it has sentimental value, include it.

Decorating A Room with Large Walls

Making a small room seem larger is a well-known and often used decorating trick. A less used but much needed skill when decorating your room is the ability to make a large wall with high ceilings seem cozy without making the room seem closed in or substantially smaller.

Putting up a large impact piece is one way to break up the monotony a large wall can sometimes bring to a room. A replica piece such as a Claude Monet classic Poppies done in a huge 42-inch by 53-inch artwork will make a stunning impact piece on your wall. The brightness of the piece with an elegant museum quality frame will not only give you the impact you seek for your wall space but an artwork that will last for years upon years to come because it is made from archival items. The print is also printed on canvas and then brush stroked to with a heavy bristled brush to give it an air of realism.

Claude Monet is a still a very popular artist for collectors, however he wasn't as popular in his day. In fact, his first showing of his impressionist art was so ill-received that a near riot ensued and his first outing as a professional artist was considered a total and absolute flop. Undaunted and completely believing in his style of expression, he continued to develop his loose style of painting and eventually influenced an entire generation of painters and continues to be considered the Father of the Impressionist movement to this day. If you don't want to do a huge impact piece, an alternate route you can take is to create a large impact piece from many smaller pieces.

If you have a large wall that is giving you a headache trying to incorporate it into your decor scheme, use these tips and use your wall to give your room some impact!

A Gift to Thrill the Little Girl Within

No matter if she's five or fifty, you'll have to agree most women have a youthful magic inside. If you have a gift to purchase, no matter if she's young or old, she'll cherish one of the best loved lines from the movie, "Cinderella"; "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes".

This wise bit of prose is immortalized in a beautiful sculpture by Dusty Horner. This piece takes the shape of the Pumpkin Coach from the famous Bibbity Bobbity Boo" scene where Cinderellas Fairy Godmother turns Cinderella into a beautiful Princess. Her Rags turn into a Ball Gown, a Pumpkin transforms into a Coach to whisk her off to the Princes Ball, and several Mice are turned into the coachmen. Cinderella, is surrounded by her friendly birds, and you can still see the magic effects twirling around her!

The entire piece is set in clear a clear resin that mimics hand blown glass and it topped with a golden top to resemble a pumpkin. The non-roll base will keep your sculpture where ever she chooses to display it.

To make the sculpture within highlight, display this piece either under a lamp or with a light shining behind it. It will cause the pieces within to catch the light and appear to glow from within. If you want to give a gift of magic, even for the little girl that still resides within yourself; this will make a wonderful addition to your room.

Thinking Ahead to Spring

Feeling a little winter-weary? With so many days of snow and ice, the world of white outside can leave you longing for the warmer and more colorful days of spring. Even though outdoors doesn't acknowledge it just yet, spring is indeed on her way and it's never too early to start planning to make a few changes to your decor.

You can begin to feel a little housebound when it's too cold to go outside for extended periods of time and you can get a little tired of watching television and checking your email. Use your time to plan some updates to the room you are in the most, your living room.

If you feel your living room is a little dull and boring. You can brighten it up with just a few splashes of color. A new valance with a bright background color and add a couple of new pillows to your sofa or love seat that also bring a bright color of your choosing into the room. An area rug is another great way to add a splash of color to your room and bring up little used colors and mellow out colors that might be getting overexposed in your decor.

Another fun way to bring in spring is to add a painting full of life. It doesn't have to be a springtime floral scene; you can add wild dancers in spicy costumes or a whimsical cat looking out of a shop window. Many people enjoy adding a large painting over their sofa that mimics the season outside. Consider a reproduction of a countryside view from your childhood days when life was a lot more simple.

Use these tips and update your room to a fun spring feel - remember warmer days are on their way!

Rhymes With Orange

Well nothing rhymes with orange but the color orange is fast becoming one of the most popular colors to use in interior decor this season.

If you want to be on the cutting edge of this design season but the thought of doing your walls in orange is just too much. Opt for some orange accents around your room.

There are many shades of orange that you can use. From a darker burnt orange to a light melon orange - you are sure to find a shade that will blend nicely into your existing decor. Window treatments that have light colors can be brought up to date with the simple use of a light orange sash. You can further balance out your window treatments by adding a matching valance of the same color across the top of your draperies.

Pillows are a fast way to add splashes of color in your room. Add two different shades of orange, one light and one dark to your soft and love seats to help bring the orange into your decor. Table runners are another fun way to incorporate a color quietly into a room. Match a coordinating color in a vase or opt for a clear vase and a flower arrangement that highlights the color orange. If you aren't a plant kind of person, you can add an orange-hued lamp base with a neutral lamp shade.
A piece of art that highlights orange as a main color is another way to bring the color around your room.

There are many ways that you can bring orange into your room without opening a can of paint. Use these tips and you'll be on the cutting edge of style.

There's Still Time To Get a Valentine's Day Present

If you've been searching high and low and you still don't feel like you can find the perfect Valentine's present, there's always the gift of art.

Something for your sweetie's desk or in a living room where it will be seen and appreciated often is a great way to say, "I Love You". If you have someone that is the apple of your eye, let them know it with a limited edition resin sculpture reproduction titled "Hearts" by Roark Gouley. He has designed an outstanding sculpture piece that consists of a bright red heart that has an apple stem and coloring and has a big bite taken out of it.

This would make a fabulous gift for your Valentine. Pair it in a basket with a bottle of wine, some cheese and some crackers and perhaps some chocolates. Your honey will get a big smile out of your gift. When this piece is displayed, whether at home or at the office, your Valentine will relish giving the details of your fun gift and how it was given with a little romantic Valentine's feast.

There's still time to do something for Valentine's besides the same old candy and flowers. If you're looking to do something a little different this year, give your Valentine a holiday to remember and a lasting mementos to be cherished year after year.

Cats and Cats and Cats

If you have a love of the furry feline population, you will probably have a small collection of cat-inspired items around your home.

Having items that you collect around your room will help make your decor uniquely "you". Even the most cozy French Country interior decor can leave you feeling flat if you don't incorporate a few personal items here and there to make your interior pop with your own special personality.

Since you love cats, why not put a cat inspired doorstop by the doorway? A pair of carved cat-shaped bookends is a great way to show off your book collection as well as bring more of your own personality into the room

There are cat-shaped planters that can hold all types of plants, including cat grass and catnip for your furry friends. Another fun way to incorporate your love of cats into the room is use a whimsically feline-inspired piece of art. Romero Britto has a gorgeous piece titled, "Mona Cat" and it is a take off on the classic "Mona Lisa".

Romero Britto has made a definite impression in the world of art. His style unique and his closest comparisons have been to Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Roy Lichtenstein. The "Mona Cat" is limited to a 300 print limited edition and each one is hand signed by the artist. This piece will make a wonderfully light-hearted addition to your cat lover's decor.

Artful Additions With Wallpaper Borders

Sometimes, you will find that you have a room or two within your home that needs a little something extra. You might have a good amount of furniture in the room, and you could even be content with the color scheme that you have chosen for the walls. However, there could still be something that seems to be missing. You should know that there are still options that you can enjoy in terms of wallpaper borders for just about any room in your home.

Certainly, you could be thinking that the idea of wallpaper borders are a little crazy due to the fact that they were used quite a bit by many homeowners over the past couple of years. Even though they seem to have been overused by many, there are still amazing options in wallpaper borders that can make your kitchen and dining room sparkle. Some of these wallpaper borders can be found in the beautiful collection by a talented artists named Warren Kimble.

Henny and Penny is a stunning and fun eclectic wallpaper border that is just right for any country home, especially if you are a fan or collector of hens! This high quality wallpaper border is made from quality pre-pasted paper in a nice blend of colors including black, red, wheat and white. You will be pleased when you see just how simple it can be to transform a dining room or kitchen with a little bit of help from such a nice wallpaper border. It could even lend to a spark in creativity, leading you to work on other rooms within your home!

The Works Of Romare Bearden

If you are on the lookout for some truly amazing pieces of art that speak of the rich African American culture, then there is really no question that you will enjoy the work done by Romare Bearden. This talented artist is well known for many of the beautiful pieces that he created during his full love enjoying the creation of art and other aspects of the world including history, performing arts, music and more. By bringing a stellar piece of artwork by this master into your home, you will be opening up a whole new world for you and your family.

An amazing visual artist, Romare Bearden is known for works rich in bold color, different mediums and more. As a matter of fact, you may even find that there is something just right in his collection of art for just about any kind of collector. When thinking of bringing one of his pieces into your home, you need to be prepared for a good deal of conversation. Everyone who lays their eyes on a Romare Bearden is usually very moved and feel compelled to talk about it.

A smart addition to any home that enjoys music and the arts would have to be the Romare Bearden framed art print entitled Showtime. This piece is true to Bearden form, complete with some of the most stunning colors that the eye has ever set sight on. After you hang this piece in your family room or other area of your home, you are sure to be inspired to create and live your life to its fullest!