Baby and Children's Artful Room Ideas

A lot of times when you're thinking of art, you may think the living room, the den, perhaps the kitchen for a cool piece featuring wine and fruit or maybe something funky like a french cafe scene. There's bedrooms and specifically rooms for babies and young children. You can help your kiddos develop an appreciation for art from an early age simply be exposing them to it and talking about various artworks with your kids. 

"Inner Child Pk/2"

Paragon has designed a really great piece for your little princesses' room. 
This Weigel Canvas Transfer: "Inner Child Pk/2" is a great set. This print is done on canvas and has hand embellished accents making it a truly one of a kind piece. The fun thing is showing art to your little ones and pointing out the girls are standing in flowers, asking your child to imagine what they are doing and what they are saying. Talking about colors in the piece. Do they see circles, squares, patterns in these artworks? 
All of those things not only teach your child to think creatively, but also to simply appreciate art.

"Peek-a-Boo"

Another of Paragon's star designers, Malanta Knowles has created this 6-panel super fun piece titled "Peek-a-Boo". This will delight any little one and it's got a gorgeous color scheme that will meld seamlessly into room decor. 
This is another great piece that will not only activate your little one's eyes with its use of color, it can also be used as a learning tool. Talk about the animals, know any crazy facts or stories about monkeys or zebras? Tell you child, they will always remember that you were the one that told them no two zebras have stripes exactly alike. Animals with party hats, top hats and hearts, this is a great piece for a child's room.

When you're getting art for a baby or child's room, consider more than just a color or a theme, you can get pieces that can create learning moments and lasting memories. 

See our full range of kids room art here.

Symbolism in Thomas Kinkade Paintings

One of the most intriguing things about Thomas Kinkade artworks is decoding the hidden meanings behind many of the common features he used in his works.

Thomas Kinkade "The Lights of Christmastown"

Let's look at some of his most common themes in his new release "Thomas Kinkade Signed and Numbered Limited Edition Fine Art Print and Hand-Embellished with Painted Accents Giclee Canvas :"The Lights of Christmastown".

In this piece you will see his theme of light. It's more than beautiful glows and colors. It also represents faith and guidance.

Notice the smoke rising from the chimney from some of the homes? Kinkade often used that to bring an element of warmth to that home.

Thomas Kinkade was famous for his rendition of lights in homes, churches and buildings. They were more than just elements to brighten a painting, they also represent traditional family values that Kinkade himself held dear.

The activity in the piece is a lot more than just cars driving, or a tractor moving along at a pace, for Kinkade, the use of people or vehicles in a state of movement represented the constant changes in life that we are faced with.

Two fun elements to look for in his paintings are lamp posts and the letter "N". The lamp post was meant as a reminder of welcoming our friends and loved ones, also it's still the symbol used by the Thomas Kinkade Company. Frequently Kinkade would hide the letter "N" around his paintings, they are difficult to find but you can find them in nearly every one. They are a tribute of love to his wife Nanette. Want to know how many "N's" are in a piece? Just look to the lower corner (it varies whether it is on the left or right hand side) and there will be a number in red. This number is how many hidden "N's" to look for in the painting.

Thomas Kinkade is a fabulously collectible artist and learning his language he used when creating his artworks, you can see that every painting really does tell a story.

The Perfect Gift for the Disney Collector

When it comes to anything and everything that is Disney, you may find that there are plenty of wonderful gift options that you can choose from for any of the people who may be on your shopping list. However, what should you get as a gift when the occasion is something that is extra special and out of the ordinary? For such a special occasion, a simple Disney related gift just won't do. When you really want to give something that any true Disney lover is going to fall for, you may want to look into some of the incredible sculptures that you have to choose from.

It really doesn't matter if your potential gift recipient is a fan of the villains or the good guys, there are all kinds of Disney sculptures that you can browse through. As a matter of fact, collecting these gorgeous sculptures can become quite and addicting past time, simply ask anyone who has a couple of them and they will tell you!

Whether there is a particular movie that is a favorite of the gift recipient on your list or they happen to have a fondness for one of the characters in the Disney family, there is more than likely a great sculpture choice that you can get your hands on.

Straight from the famous Disney classic film Sleeping Beauty, your gift recipient is sure to fall in love with the "Now You Will Face Me" sculpture. This is a stunning piece that shows the cunning sorceress Maleficent in the middle of a stunning Lucite case in the shape of the dragon. Any fan of this film is guaranteed to fall in love with this stunning sculpture upon first glance.

Patriotic Art for Election Year

You don't have to just get your patriotic spirit on during the summer months around the 4th of July. This is election year and there's plenty of reason to celebrate your American spirit all year round!

For many reasons, people look forward to having a great celebration with their friends and family members on the Fourth of July. Go ahead and have your gathering now. It might be a little cold outside but as the old saying goes, "When the heart is warm the home is warm" and you can fill your home with warmth by sharing good times with your family and friends and you don't have to wait until the 4th of July. Host a debate party and watch the candidates in action. Invite friends from both sides of the political spectrum (establish ground rules to keep it friendly though).

You may want to rev up your walls for some get togethers and include a new piece of art that will invigorate the patriot in all of us. One magnificent choice in patriotic artwork happens to be the limited edition print entitled "The Dream Keepers". This fun piece features children, who truly are our future putting up a flag. This is a great piece that will start a lot of conversations from the colors and attention to detail used in the creation of this beautiful artwork.

Batman Lives On

The death of Heath Ledger was a sad tragedy. He had just finished filming another in the Batman series of films and had played the Joker. The movie is due to be released on schedule and this will cause another resurgence in the popularity of Batman.

If you collect comics or you have someone near and dear that does, you know you always have the perfect gift available at your nearest comic store. however if you're looking for something unique for the comic book lover who has just about everything, bump up the ante a notch and get them something better than a comic book; make their next gift the gift of art they can enjoy all year round.

Bruce Timm's Gotham: Dangerous Dames and Demons is a magnificent choice for anyone who is really into everything that has to do with comic books. A true DC Comics find, this limited edition print is guaranteed to bring a huge smile to the face of any avid collector. There are actually eight different villainous characters featured in this stunning piece of artwork. Not only is this print impressive to look at, you also get the additional wow factor of hand numbering as well as the signature of Bruce Timm himself. Giving this piece to a real life comic book fan will be one of the best gifting experiences that you will ever have.

The Joker, his ever present girlfriend Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Bane and more are all featured in this fun piece. Go ahead and get a jump on the popularity the Batman series will enjoy again and hang this cool print on your walls or make it a cool gift for someone that will really appreciate a comic derived gift.

Making Your Princess's Room Even More Special With Art

What's more precious than your little princess? From the moment you brought her home in her pink bunting to the special little girl she is today, you want everything in her life to be as special as she is. This goes for her room too. As your daughter gets older, you'll want to allow her room to grow with her and you can make some fun changes as she grows up!

Decorating a bedroom for your little girl can be one of the best experiences that you will ever have with decorating. There are plenty of wonderful pieces that you can choose from to add to her room, including everything from accents to fine furnishings. For any girl who simply loves everything that is filled with sugar and spice and everything nice, you may even see that she will be interested in having a couple of beautiful works of art decorating the walls of her bedroom.

When looking for some sort of framed artwork or print for your daughter's room, you can either ask for her personal opinion or even draw from some of the things that she seems to be interested in. If she loves butterflies and the outdoors, you may want to look into a whimsical garden scene. For the little girl who simply adores animals there is the fun limited edition print created by Jean Monti called "Puppy Love". Any little girl would simply fall in love with print upon the very first glance. Add this piece to her wall and you are sure to see that it will make a magnificent addition to her newly decorated bedroom.

Celebrate Halloween 365 Days a Year

Do you love Halloween? Do you find your decorate more in October than December? Then we have something you will love!

Tim Burton made The Nightmare Before Christmas where Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King decides that he can do the job of one Mr. Claus a lot better with some scary and hilarious results. The Nightmare Before Christmas broke the mold in the stop-animation field, and still remains to this day one of the most popular films for collectors of memorabilia.

Certainly, when you love a movie such as this incredible feature from the Walt Disney Studios, you simply cannot wait to get your hands on some of the great pieces that come out to decorate your walls with. You may even see that it is difficult to enter into any mall without seeing two or even three stores that are filled with images and figurines of Jack Skellington and his little dog Zero, or even the Mayor, Sally or Lock, Shock and Barrel.

If you are truly looking for the ultimate in Nightmare Before Christmas memorabilia, perhaps it is just about time you decorate your walls with "Trick or Tree". This is a gorgeous framed giclee triptych, which features a tri-fold design. No matter where you place this wonderful limited edition giclee within your home or apartment, you are sure to have fond memories of this amazing film each and every time you glance at it upon your wall. A magnificent find for a collector and an equally incredible gift for the fan, this Nightmare Before Christmas piece is a must have.

Turning Your Tween's Room to a Teen's Room

So that bouncing baby you brought home turned into a curious toddler. From inquisitive preschooler to elementary school kid and then the tween years came and now you have a teenager. Your child went through many, many changes and now it's time to give your teen a new room decor to reflect an older child out of tween years, but not yet an adult.

Before you make changes, sit down and discuss with your teenager the types of colors and textures that they may be interested in adding to their room. You may end up agreeing that a new color scheme will be in order, and if you have enough room in the decorating budget, perhaps even a couple of terrific pieces of art. When chosen carefully at this point in your son or daughter's life, you may just be able to give them a beautiful piece of art that they can take with them into their very first apartment and then onto their home.

To get your teenager excited about artwork, you may want to bring in a popular and established artist's work. Maybe using Van Gogh to help update your teenager's room is a perfect idea. One of the pieces that seems to be extremely popular with all ages in Van Gogh's collection is "The Starry Night". You will see that the addition of this piece as an enhanced canvas painting replica to your teenager's room will make a lasting impression.

The Power of Small Elements

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.

Add Space With Shelves and More!

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.

How Do You Spell Cozy? K-I-M-B-L-E

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!

A Great Gift for Valentine's Day

Nothing could be better for Valentine's Day than an artwork depicting the innocence of a childhood love letter. The masterpiece by Bob Byerley is available as a hand signed and numbered limited edition is titled "The Love Letter" and is reproduced as a beautiful giclee print.

It featured a girl in her teens grinning as she reads a love letter while her younger sister dies laughing in the background. The colors are rich and the whimsical feeling of the painting will delight everyone that sees this work. The painting is 16-inches by 20-inches and there are only 350 in this series, once those are sold, there will not be any more. If you're looking for a gift for someone that is both beautiful and fun for Valentine's Day, consider this painting as they will be thrilled and it would be even more special if you happened to have been childhood sweethearts as well.

As with the other artworks here are at Gallery Direct Art, you get to choose your matting and framing options. If you know the decor for the home you are buying this for, get the frame in a color to match the wood in the room it will be hung in. If you don't know or arent' sure, a good rule of thumb is to match the frame to one of the darker browns in the artwork itself so it will be self-matching and will blend easily into any interior design.

Give the gift of a fun memory, all girls remember that first innocent love letter.

Nervous About Buying Art Online?

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.

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.

Does this make you nervous about buying art online? Never fear - there is a very easy solution. 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 stick 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. If you're using several pieces to create a theme, you can use papers cut to scale and get a real feel for how it will look best on your walls. And best of all you can do this for any room in your home from the kid's rooms to the bathroom to your living room.

Use these tips and make your art buying easy - why pass up the great deals online when you can arrange and choose the best sizes for your walls so easily?

Getting Your Children Interested In Art

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. You don't have to go with Disney art prints either, instead let your kids pick art that depicts children doing things they do too - running, playing, reading, even Trick or Treating. 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.

Accessorize Your Home Decor With Canvas Art

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!

Celebrate the Good Life

Are you on the lookout for an amazing piece of art that you can bring into your home? Maybe you have been searching for a nice piece that will have the ability to make you smile each and every time you have the chance to look at it as you walk by. The great thing about art and sculpture is that you do not have to be an expert to know what makes you happy. When you want to bring a beautiful piece into your home, you might just find that a Paul Horton sculpture will do the trick.

Full of whimsy and plenty of ability to spark your imagination, each and every Paul Horton sculpture is just right to bring into your home. Whether you are already a collector of fine art and sculpture or if you are just starting out, you are guaranteed to find great joy with the purchase of one of these incredible pieces. You even usually have the choice of getting each of the Paul Horton sculptures made from either resin or bronze. Make your choice and you will be well on your way to a piece that will bring you years of happiness and a wealth of compliments from all of your friends and family members.

The Paul Horton limited edition resin sculpture called The Good Life is a really nice piece that is just right for your family room, den or even a special spot in your bedroom. The simple yet interesting home and attention to detail will command compliments from everyone that lays eyes on this little masterpiece!

Warm and Cozy - Thomas Kinkade

You might have fond memories of a painting that your parents had, or you have always been on the lookout for the kind of painting that seems as though it has been in your family for years. One of the things that mark a truly wonderful painting will include the ability to draw people in, making them feel as though they have had the chance to look at it and appreciate it for years and years. If you are in search of such a painting that will have a soothing affect on your soul, then you might just find that there is nothing quite like the detail of a Thomas Kinkade.

Some folks actually say that a Thomas Kinkade print will have the ability to draw you in and make you feel as though you have been transported to another time and place. Many people are even very familiar with this works that are shown frequently during the holiday season. Most of the winter scenes by Thomas Kinkade are quite popular for those who like to think of old fashioned holidays at home. Whatever your reason may be for purchasing a Thomas Kinkade print, you are guaranteed to be very pleased with your purchase.

The Rose Gate is a purely stunning limited edition Thomas Kinkade print that you can get handsigned and numbered. The colors in this piece really come alive, almost making the trees look as they are swaying in the breeze. This canvas print is going to be just right for your home or apartment.

Young and Old Love Disney

It is a known fact that there are just as many adults as there are children who enjoy anything and everything that is Walt Disney. This could be due to the fact that all of these adults grew up with Disney, or perhaps they really enjoy it because their own children do. No matter what the reason may be, it is just a fact that you are never too old for Disney!

If you are a big fan of anything and everything Disney, then the chances are very good that you have paid several visits to the theme parks, watched all sorts of the movies and are also quite familiar with most or even all of the animated characters. You might even be a collector of such items as Disney collector pins or even animals from their incredible line of plush toys. Well, when you are such a fan of Disney, then you might also want to look into the purchase of a wonderful limited edition print that you can be proud to hang within your home or apartment.

Perhaps you happen to have a favorite Disney movie that you enjoy watching over and over again. If so, then this is a magnificent idea for a print. All of the prints that are available are numbered and you can even get them already framed upon arrival. Spruce up an empty wall within your home with a limited edition print from movies such as Cinderella, Peter Pan, Finding Nemo, Alice In Wonderland and many others.

New Art for a New Year

Start thinking ahead to 2008 and give your walls a fresh new look for the new year. When you're putting together your decor, you may feel a little intimidated about choosing a large artwork for your walls. It doesn't have to a Renoir reproduction to add a touch of style in your room. What it does need to do is make you feel comfortable with the subject matter depicted and the overall essence of the artwork.

An easy way to find a painting that will meld right into your decor scheme is to look around your room and write down two main colors and one or two secondary colors you've used in your design scheme. Try to incorporate an artwork with at least one of the main colors and one of the secondary colors and you'll have a large piece that will go well with your room off the bat.

Go for a framed artwork that looks nice but isn't too ornate. Large, heavy wooden scroll worked frames are certainly elegant but they can detract from your artwork, particularly if it is done in colors that are of the lighter variety.

For a soft look in your room, go for the blended softness of watercolors. For a sharper and more modern look, the bright colors of an acrylic masterpiece can't be beat. Prints translate well to any of the three main mediums, watercolor, acrylic or oils. It's all just a matter of the look you want to convey in your room.

Use these tips and choose a new artwork to ring in the New Year and a new look to your room!

Lift Your Decor and Your Mood

With the holidays sometimes brings depression. Many more people feel their loneliness and feelings of emptiness amplified around the holiday season. Some people say this is due to more people not getting regular sunlight and it's a seasonal increase in the occurrence of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), a disease that occurs brings depression and a general lack of incentive.

One thing you can do to avoid the holiday and seasonal blues is make sure that you're eating right and getting an adequate amount of sunlight and exercise. A brisk 10 minute walk, preferably during daylight hours will go a long way to making you feel better.

Another tip for beating the winter blues is to change your living space a little. You don't have to throw out your existing furniture or bring in an expensive suite of furniture, the goal is to figure out how to best use the pieces you've got. If your room seems small, you might have too many pieces in your room or you might simply not be taking advantage of your best use of space. A whimsical artwork in the form of a print or a sculpture displayed on a table can also add a good vibe to your room.

Some people like to feng shui their rooms to bring balance to not only the room but to themselves. You can also invest in a lamp that has a light range in the same range as sunshine. Many individuals report that these type of lamps alleviate their symptoms of SAD, along with making lifestyle changes such as cutting out junk food (which can create emotion crashing sugar highs and lows) and adding some physical activity to their daily routines.