If you find yourself becoming inspired by one of the many popular home makeover shows that you have watched on television, you might end up wanting to start the project of making over your kid's room. Whether you have a boy or a girl, such an undertaking can be a very fun and rewarding experience. All that you really have to do is have a little bit of decorating know-how, a great budget and a fun idea and you will see your son or daughter's room shine in no time!
Perhaps your child is a huge fan of some of the popular Walt Disney characters. If so, then you can go ahead and choose a theme that you can work with and build it around something like a picture. For example, think about how much fun it can be to set up a bedroom with a wonderful marine theme based on the movie Finding Nemo! The Finding Nemo Crush Hour giclee print is a terrific piece that you can choose in order redesign your child's room. You can use this print to choose several different colors that are just right for a festive marine setting.
Choose some fabulous paints and nice fabrics that give the feeling of the sea and you should see that everything will begin to fall into place. You might even want to think of the addition of a beautiful fish tank in the room on top of a stand or dresser depending on the age of your child. Once you are finished, you are guaranteed to see that this will be one room that you can be proud of and your child will enjoy it with all of their friends.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Freshen Up Your Room For 2007
With January 2007 already winding down, you may have found yourself letting a few of those "resolutions" go already. If you still are goal oriented towards updating your interior design. You can change the look of your room with just a few simple changes.
First of all, look around your room and make a note of the two main colors in your room. Then look around your room and make a note of two lesser used colors. Now choose one of the main colors to lessen and choose one of the lesser used colors to use more of - this alone will create a new feeling in your room. Consider changing out your window treatments or if you don't want to change them complete, take the lesser color and add it in the form in the shears underneath your main draperies. This will subtly bring the color up in your room.
Another way to add color is to use pillows to bring the lesser more attention throughout the room. Put them on the sofa, chair and some people like to make a stack of three in graduated sizes will make a neat use of a corner space. Area rugs will also bring the use of colors into your room.
You can make the new color scheme flow from your floors with area rugs to your room itself through the furniture with pillows and in your window treatments. If you want to further send the color around the room and balance it, add an artwork or two to capture the colors and make them flow seamlessly around the room.
And those are just a few ways to change the look and feel of your room without spending an arm and a leg to get the look you want.
First of all, look around your room and make a note of the two main colors in your room. Then look around your room and make a note of two lesser used colors. Now choose one of the main colors to lessen and choose one of the lesser used colors to use more of - this alone will create a new feeling in your room. Consider changing out your window treatments or if you don't want to change them complete, take the lesser color and add it in the form in the shears underneath your main draperies. This will subtly bring the color up in your room.
Another way to add color is to use pillows to bring the lesser more attention throughout the room. Put them on the sofa, chair and some people like to make a stack of three in graduated sizes will make a neat use of a corner space. Area rugs will also bring the use of colors into your room.
You can make the new color scheme flow from your floors with area rugs to your room itself through the furniture with pillows and in your window treatments. If you want to further send the color around the room and balance it, add an artwork or two to capture the colors and make them flow seamlessly around the room.
And those are just a few ways to change the look and feel of your room without spending an arm and a leg to get the look you want.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Art Collector? Be Wary When Buying From Unauthorized Dealers
Collecting art is a passion many people enjoy. Buying art online has become a convenient way for many people to expand their collections and find new artists to collect. When you decide to start collecting a particular artist or type of art, you need to be aware that not all online gallery dealers will guarantee the validity of their artworks they purchase.
Gallery Direct Art will guarantee that every single artwork we sell has been approved and authorized by the artists, publishers and distributors that we represent. We ensure the high quality and authenticity of every artwork that we sell. Safe arrival of every piece along with mint condition is guaranteed with every order.
Unlike many of the authorized gallery artwork dealers on the Internet, we also have a brick and mortar store that has been in business since 1988. Gallery Direct Art takes great pride in not only being able to provide thousands upon thousands of artworks to our customers but we enjoy giving each and every order personalized service.
We have agreed to the uphold the integrity of the art we sell by not selling below issue price or current retail. Furthermore, we never sell or offer art from secondary sources. All artworks come directly from the artists or their authorized representatives. This keeps the quality and market value of your artwork at a competitive rate.
If you're interested in starting to collect art or you want to add some pieces to your existing collection but were wary about buying online, consider making your purchase through us, you'll love the quality and the peace of mind from buying from an authorized gallery dealer.
Gallery Direct Art will guarantee that every single artwork we sell has been approved and authorized by the artists, publishers and distributors that we represent. We ensure the high quality and authenticity of every artwork that we sell. Safe arrival of every piece along with mint condition is guaranteed with every order.
Unlike many of the authorized gallery artwork dealers on the Internet, we also have a brick and mortar store that has been in business since 1988. Gallery Direct Art takes great pride in not only being able to provide thousands upon thousands of artworks to our customers but we enjoy giving each and every order personalized service.
We have agreed to the uphold the integrity of the art we sell by not selling below issue price or current retail. Furthermore, we never sell or offer art from secondary sources. All artworks come directly from the artists or their authorized representatives. This keeps the quality and market value of your artwork at a competitive rate.
If you're interested in starting to collect art or you want to add some pieces to your existing collection but were wary about buying online, consider making your purchase through us, you'll love the quality and the peace of mind from buying from an authorized gallery dealer.
Art From Disney - Always a Classic
Looking for something unusual yet classic for your walls? If you're bored with floral artworks in vases and you really aren't into landscapes, consider adding something a little bit different to your walls in the form of one of the prints from Disney.
You will have a great selection to choose from as many artists are represented. A Disney authorized artist that stands out in particular is Tricia Buchanan. Tricia Buchanan was inspired to become a Disney artist from a very young age and even wrote Disney Studios at the age of 11 to ask how to become an artist, Disney sent her back a packet of information.
She went on to work on the Simpsons, King of the Hill, Dilbert; as well as Disney Studios. She has some excellent prints available in limited editions. Her authorized Disney creations are done in a poster style that is both classic and unique.
A real standout piece in the collection is the work entitled "Hula Your Way to Hawaii" and it features some well known Disney icons. Mickey Mouse is playing a ukulele while Minnie Mouse does the hula in a grass skirt while a large ship passes by in the background. There is a smoking volcano in the background of the piece just to add a little more island mystique to the piece.
Add something whimsical and fun to your art collection, add one of Tricia Buchanan's fun designs that incorporate some of the best loved Disney characters of all time.
You will have a great selection to choose from as many artists are represented. A Disney authorized artist that stands out in particular is Tricia Buchanan. Tricia Buchanan was inspired to become a Disney artist from a very young age and even wrote Disney Studios at the age of 11 to ask how to become an artist, Disney sent her back a packet of information.
She went on to work on the Simpsons, King of the Hill, Dilbert; as well as Disney Studios. She has some excellent prints available in limited editions. Her authorized Disney creations are done in a poster style that is both classic and unique.
A real standout piece in the collection is the work entitled "Hula Your Way to Hawaii" and it features some well known Disney icons. Mickey Mouse is playing a ukulele while Minnie Mouse does the hula in a grass skirt while a large ship passes by in the background. There is a smoking volcano in the background of the piece just to add a little more island mystique to the piece.
Add something whimsical and fun to your art collection, add one of Tricia Buchanan's fun designs that incorporate some of the best loved Disney characters of all time.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
The Feeling and Color of an Avantdil
If your tastes run towards artworks that tell a story with vibrant colors and dashing figures, you will find the work of Avantdil will fit the bill for what you're looking for.
An exception piece is found in the artwork titled, "Tango Argentina". This large sized print measures in at 40" x 40" and it is part of a very limited edition that is hand numbered and signed by the artist himself. There are only twenty prints in the entire series and it is printed in the style of embellished giclee on canvas.
The artist's style of this painting is impressionist but it also has elements that make up cubism and abstract as well. The colors are rich and detail in this richly stroked piece will lend something new almost every time you gaze up on this impressive piece. The giclee on canvas gives the artwork a very authentic look and with the texture on the canvas, many people will assume it is an original piece.
Avantdil is a popular artist that is collected far and wide. Some of his notable patrons include the United States Ambassador to Georgia, the Governor of the Republic of Adjaria, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Russian Federation, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, and the President of International Lyons Club.
If you don't already have an Avantdil in your personal art collection, consider adding this vibrant piece as a beautiful impact piece to your decor.
An exception piece is found in the artwork titled, "Tango Argentina". This large sized print measures in at 40" x 40" and it is part of a very limited edition that is hand numbered and signed by the artist himself. There are only twenty prints in the entire series and it is printed in the style of embellished giclee on canvas.
The artist's style of this painting is impressionist but it also has elements that make up cubism and abstract as well. The colors are rich and detail in this richly stroked piece will lend something new almost every time you gaze up on this impressive piece. The giclee on canvas gives the artwork a very authentic look and with the texture on the canvas, many people will assume it is an original piece.
Avantdil is a popular artist that is collected far and wide. Some of his notable patrons include the United States Ambassador to Georgia, the Governor of the Republic of Adjaria, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Russian Federation, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, and the President of International Lyons Club.
If you don't already have an Avantdil in your personal art collection, consider adding this vibrant piece as a beautiful impact piece to your decor.
Canvas Prints Are Hot
If you've always shunned getting artworks that were made into prints because you didn't like the look and you prefer a little bit of texture with your art, consider the newest generation of prints that are produced on canvas.
Artworks printed on canvas lose none of the brilliance of the original. With modern technology, the original artwork image can be digitally enhanced to transfer to the canvas just as sharp as the original image. The canvas is then stretched and framed just as with an original artwork. To add to the realism of the reproduction, the piece is finished using varnish with a wide and large bristled brush that will leave impressions of brush strokes hither and yon throughout the piece.
You can get all types of artworks from old masters such as Renoir and Monet to newer generations of artists such as William Trost Richards. If you prefer to have originals in your art collection but you don't wish to fork over the cash an original by Picasso might cost, consider getting a museum quality print.
Additionally, when you order one of these prints you will have several framing options. A good rule of thumb is to put a heavy brush stroked canvas in a heavy frame, the two pieces will compliment each other beautifully. It's easy to choose type wood hue for your frame, you can either choose a color within the painting to bring out or if you prefer that your artwork blend with your entire interior decor, choose the frame as near to the colors of your wooden furnishings in the room.
Artworks printed on canvas lose none of the brilliance of the original. With modern technology, the original artwork image can be digitally enhanced to transfer to the canvas just as sharp as the original image. The canvas is then stretched and framed just as with an original artwork. To add to the realism of the reproduction, the piece is finished using varnish with a wide and large bristled brush that will leave impressions of brush strokes hither and yon throughout the piece.
You can get all types of artworks from old masters such as Renoir and Monet to newer generations of artists such as William Trost Richards. If you prefer to have originals in your art collection but you don't wish to fork over the cash an original by Picasso might cost, consider getting a museum quality print.
Additionally, when you order one of these prints you will have several framing options. A good rule of thumb is to put a heavy brush stroked canvas in a heavy frame, the two pieces will compliment each other beautifully. It's easy to choose type wood hue for your frame, you can either choose a color within the painting to bring out or if you prefer that your artwork blend with your entire interior decor, choose the frame as near to the colors of your wooden furnishings in the room.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
A Little Martini 101
The martini is one of the best known cocktails in the world and no matter if you prefer yours shaken or stirred, everyone has a very strong opinion as to what concoction makes the very best martini.
There's a great debate on where the origins of the martini come from. The most widely accredited claim goes to the martini being a descendant of the Martinez, an older, sweeter cocktail consisting of two ounces of sweet vermouth, one ounce Old Tom gin (a sweetened variant), two dashes maraschino cherry liquid, and one dash bitters, shaken with ice, strained, and served with a twist of lemon. The Martinez is stated to have hailed from Martinez, California, where a plaque commemorating the birth of the martini can be found at the intersection of Alahambra and Masonic streets.
If you'd like to commemorate your love of this world renowned libation, consider getting one of Thomas Stiltz's beautifully recreated giclees titled, "Martini Magic". This piece is printed on canvas and tightly attached to frame boards giving this a beautiful gallery wrapped look. To frame or not to frame is entirely up to you. The reproduction captures the realistic beauty of the original oil painting that depicts two realistically captured martinis sitting with a shaker nearby. This would be a wonderful piece of bar art to add to your decor. The size is an impressive 30-inches by 20-inches and the narrow spectrum of dark and light tones used will make it easy to blend into any decor.
Whether you need a great gift or a new addition to a room of your own, this piece will fit in, whether you like it shaken or stirred!
There's a great debate on where the origins of the martini come from. The most widely accredited claim goes to the martini being a descendant of the Martinez, an older, sweeter cocktail consisting of two ounces of sweet vermouth, one ounce Old Tom gin (a sweetened variant), two dashes maraschino cherry liquid, and one dash bitters, shaken with ice, strained, and served with a twist of lemon. The Martinez is stated to have hailed from Martinez, California, where a plaque commemorating the birth of the martini can be found at the intersection of Alahambra and Masonic streets.
If you'd like to commemorate your love of this world renowned libation, consider getting one of Thomas Stiltz's beautifully recreated giclees titled, "Martini Magic". This piece is printed on canvas and tightly attached to frame boards giving this a beautiful gallery wrapped look. To frame or not to frame is entirely up to you. The reproduction captures the realistic beauty of the original oil painting that depicts two realistically captured martinis sitting with a shaker nearby. This would be a wonderful piece of bar art to add to your decor. The size is an impressive 30-inches by 20-inches and the narrow spectrum of dark and light tones used will make it easy to blend into any decor.
Whether you need a great gift or a new addition to a room of your own, this piece will fit in, whether you like it shaken or stirred!
Friday, January 19, 2007
The Love Letter
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.
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.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
What is The Color of Passion?
The artist Hessam Abrishami knows and his outstanding work of art has even released on a hand signed and numbered limited edition giclee on canvas. The piece is titled "Color of Passion" and it features vibrant colors and is a really striking piece. If you're looking for an impact piece for your room, this would make a great choice.
Giclee prints on canvas look like an original artwork. If you want the look of an original artwork without the cost, a giclee print is the way to go. Giclee in itself is a very interesting process for creating prints. The process of giclee was originally created to "proof" art prints to see if the print renderings were ready for mass printing but it was soon discovered the proof was as good as what was produced. The term actually describes any high resolution ink jet printer produced print. Most giclee prints are made with archival inks that are fade resistant and with pigments that hold their light fastness for years to come. Just as serigraph represents any fine art that was produced through silk screen printing methods, a giclee print was produced digitally through the use of an ink jet printer.
This particular giclee is printed on canvas and then mounted, creating a large finished piece that measures 30 inches by 60 inches. The vivid colors will lose none of their impact in the translation from original to giclee and best of all, this limited edition giclee is signed by the artist just like an original piece!
Giclee prints on canvas look like an original artwork. If you want the look of an original artwork without the cost, a giclee print is the way to go. Giclee in itself is a very interesting process for creating prints. The process of giclee was originally created to "proof" art prints to see if the print renderings were ready for mass printing but it was soon discovered the proof was as good as what was produced. The term actually describes any high resolution ink jet printer produced print. Most giclee prints are made with archival inks that are fade resistant and with pigments that hold their light fastness for years to come. Just as serigraph represents any fine art that was produced through silk screen printing methods, a giclee print was produced digitally through the use of an ink jet printer.
This particular giclee is printed on canvas and then mounted, creating a large finished piece that measures 30 inches by 60 inches. The vivid colors will lose none of their impact in the translation from original to giclee and best of all, this limited edition giclee is signed by the artist just like an original piece!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Add a Kingly Piece to Your Walls
Simon Combes is an amazing artist that turned his love of big cats into a large part of his art that he creates. He has a stunning work available in a 150 run limited edition. The piece titled, "In His Prime" depicts a young male lion leading his pride from a muted and dreamily colored background into a bright and sunny plain. You can feel the steam from the African day and the sheer heat that is depicted in this piece.
Simon Combes great up in Africa and has a first hand knowledge of his favorite subjects, big cats. His beautiful animal portraits and sweeping landscapes earned him honors from The Society of Animal Artists, the Pacific Rim Wildlife Art Show and the Florida Wildlife Expo. In the early 1990s, Combes set out to paint a series of the world's largest cats for The Greenwich Workshop, a project which eventually resulted in the trade book Great Cats: Stories and Art from a World Traveller and included in the book is a collector's portfolio of limited edition prints.
His artworks are collected all over the world and he's a prized artist in both private and public collections. Part of Combes' mission is to raise awareness about wildlife conservation through his art. He is a large contributor and has served on the councils of several wildlife conservation organizations.
Now that you know a little more about this amazing artist, help the big wild cats stay wild and support his art by adding a limited edition piece to your own personal collection.
Simon Combes great up in Africa and has a first hand knowledge of his favorite subjects, big cats. His beautiful animal portraits and sweeping landscapes earned him honors from The Society of Animal Artists, the Pacific Rim Wildlife Art Show and the Florida Wildlife Expo. In the early 1990s, Combes set out to paint a series of the world's largest cats for The Greenwich Workshop, a project which eventually resulted in the trade book Great Cats: Stories and Art from a World Traveller and included in the book is a collector's portfolio of limited edition prints.
His artworks are collected all over the world and he's a prized artist in both private and public collections. Part of Combes' mission is to raise awareness about wildlife conservation through his art. He is a large contributor and has served on the councils of several wildlife conservation organizations.
Now that you know a little more about this amazing artist, help the big wild cats stay wild and support his art by adding a limited edition piece to your own personal collection.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Immortalize an Endangered Species
The sad truth is, some animals that we have known all of our lives may not exist when our children have children of their own. One artist in particular is working to try to change that.
The Artist Robert Bateman is an internationally known artist that was even commissioned to create a painting that served as the wedding gift for the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles from the people of Canada.His work is also represented in the collection of HRH The Prince Philip, the late Princess Grace of Monaco and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. Bateman has had many one-man museum shows throughout North America, including an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.; most of these shows have drawn record-breaking crowds.
He has a beautiful limited edition giclee print titled,"Salmon Watch - Spirit Bear". It is a large piece measuring about 24-inches by 36-inches and is rich with color. Bateman's realistic portrayals of his wildlife subjects are outstanding in their clarity and colors. This artwork in particular is breathtaking and is only available in a limited edition of 180 prints.
Bateman's art reflects his commitment to ecology and preservation and he has worked tirelessly since the 1960's to educate the public through art and public appearances of the importance of environmental and preservation issues. Many of his limited edition print runs are used as fund raising efforts towards helping endangered species, such as the Grizzly Bear depicted in this artwork.
The Artist Robert Bateman is an internationally known artist that was even commissioned to create a painting that served as the wedding gift for the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles from the people of Canada.His work is also represented in the collection of HRH The Prince Philip, the late Princess Grace of Monaco and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. Bateman has had many one-man museum shows throughout North America, including an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.; most of these shows have drawn record-breaking crowds.
He has a beautiful limited edition giclee print titled,"Salmon Watch - Spirit Bear". It is a large piece measuring about 24-inches by 36-inches and is rich with color. Bateman's realistic portrayals of his wildlife subjects are outstanding in their clarity and colors. This artwork in particular is breathtaking and is only available in a limited edition of 180 prints.
Bateman's art reflects his commitment to ecology and preservation and he has worked tirelessly since the 1960's to educate the public through art and public appearances of the importance of environmental and preservation issues. Many of his limited edition print runs are used as fund raising efforts towards helping endangered species, such as the Grizzly Bear depicted in this artwork.
Enhance Your Decor with Custom Framed Art
Livening up your interior can be as easy as adding a piece of custom framed art. Getting a custom framed artwork begins with choosing the piece itself. A good way to choose art for your decor is to pick a subject you are interested in or even collect. If history is your interest, consider getting an artwork that features a historically significant location that you've enjoyed learning about; if you have a collection of cats - consider getting an artwork with that as a theme.
Another way to choose an artwork is simply by the colors reflected in the piece. Before you start looking at artworks, sit down in the room you're going to be choosing a piece for and close your eyes for a few minutes. Open your eyes and look around - what are the two major colors in the room? Either or both of those will be the main color in your artwork. Now look around, what are a couple of the lesser used colors you want to bring up in the room? If you have a primarily off-white and dark beige room with dark red accents; you will want to choose an artwork with off-white or dark beige and you can further blend the artworks into your decor by choosing a piece that has a dark red accent within the piece.
Now comes the fun part, once you've chosen your artwork, you will want to choose a mat (in most cases, unless the artwork is on a canvas which needs no mat)or a double mat and a frame to match. The frame is the part most people feel a little "stuck" at; but in reality - it's the easiest part of your artwork to plan. If you're going for a wooden frame, look around your room and note the color of the wood used for your furnishings. Get as close to that color and grain of wood as you can in your choice of frame. If you want to opt for a piece with more of an impact on your wall, go for a darker stained frame that won't call attention to itself apart from your artwork.
Another way to choose an artwork is simply by the colors reflected in the piece. Before you start looking at artworks, sit down in the room you're going to be choosing a piece for and close your eyes for a few minutes. Open your eyes and look around - what are the two major colors in the room? Either or both of those will be the main color in your artwork. Now look around, what are a couple of the lesser used colors you want to bring up in the room? If you have a primarily off-white and dark beige room with dark red accents; you will want to choose an artwork with off-white or dark beige and you can further blend the artworks into your decor by choosing a piece that has a dark red accent within the piece.
Now comes the fun part, once you've chosen your artwork, you will want to choose a mat (in most cases, unless the artwork is on a canvas which needs no mat)or a double mat and a frame to match. The frame is the part most people feel a little "stuck" at; but in reality - it's the easiest part of your artwork to plan. If you're going for a wooden frame, look around your room and note the color of the wood used for your furnishings. Get as close to that color and grain of wood as you can in your choice of frame. If you want to opt for a piece with more of an impact on your wall, go for a darker stained frame that won't call attention to itself apart from your artwork.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Make Your Living Room Un-boring
Is your living room boring? There are a good number of ways that you can liven up your living room without spending an arm and a leg.
First of all you can do a lot with color. Many people get into using colors in the beige spectrum to the point that they overpower the room and make it into one dull place to be. You can make your room pop by adding a little color.
Add a framed print over your sofa or largest wall in the room and make sure the artwork is brightly colored. It doesn't have to be a huge piece to add a good influx of color into your room. A good rule of thumb for picking a piece that will match seamlessly into your decor is to use a piece that has an undertone of a color that is already in your room and then let the bright colors in the piece jazz up your decor.
A good piece for any room is Simon Bull's hand signed and numbered limited edition print of his original artwork titled "Bright Morning Dew"; this piece depicts a light-drenched brilliantly colored orange-red poppy with hints of sunlight glistening in dew on the petals. It's a beautiful reproduction of the original artwork and the fact it is a hand signed limited edition will make it a very special addition to your walls.
You can further extend the colors of the artwork into your room by using pillows that carry some of the brighter colors in this piece such as the orange-red of the poppy flower as well as the vibrant green of the stem and leaves.
First of all you can do a lot with color. Many people get into using colors in the beige spectrum to the point that they overpower the room and make it into one dull place to be. You can make your room pop by adding a little color.
Add a framed print over your sofa or largest wall in the room and make sure the artwork is brightly colored. It doesn't have to be a huge piece to add a good influx of color into your room. A good rule of thumb for picking a piece that will match seamlessly into your decor is to use a piece that has an undertone of a color that is already in your room and then let the bright colors in the piece jazz up your decor.
A good piece for any room is Simon Bull's hand signed and numbered limited edition print of his original artwork titled "Bright Morning Dew"; this piece depicts a light-drenched brilliantly colored orange-red poppy with hints of sunlight glistening in dew on the petals. It's a beautiful reproduction of the original artwork and the fact it is a hand signed limited edition will make it a very special addition to your walls.
You can further extend the colors of the artwork into your room by using pillows that carry some of the brighter colors in this piece such as the orange-red of the poppy flower as well as the vibrant green of the stem and leaves.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Enjoy Primitive Art
You don't have to living a cave to enjoy primitive art. The sharp black lines and bright pigments used to create these reproductions inspired by neolithic cave drawings will meld nicely into any decor scheme. Alision Dearborne has captured the look of the primitive style with a touch of modern design. She has two outstanding prints that will look marvelous on your walls.
The first is a piece titled, "Freeing the Souls" and depicts two maize and light yellow colored bison running and three wild horses running the opposite direction. The colors used in the horses run from the same scheme as the bison along the color palette to a gorgeous gray-blue. Bold black lines accent the delicately drawn hooves and legs of all five animals in this piece.
The second piece is done in complimentary colors to the previous artwork and is titled, "Jewel". This beautifully done artwork features a running wild horse done in muted tones of brown and golden yellow with a vibrant gold and purple background.
Displayed together on a wall, these two primitive artworks will liven up your decor and bring a beautiful splash of gentle color. Both of these artworks are part of hand signed and limited numbered edition. This means not only are you getting a one-of-a-kind piece with a unique number, you are also getting an artwork that was signed by the artist herself.
If you want to add artwork to your decor that are a little different from the run of the mill flowers on tables in vases and landscapes - go primitive!
The first is a piece titled, "Freeing the Souls" and depicts two maize and light yellow colored bison running and three wild horses running the opposite direction. The colors used in the horses run from the same scheme as the bison along the color palette to a gorgeous gray-blue. Bold black lines accent the delicately drawn hooves and legs of all five animals in this piece.
The second piece is done in complimentary colors to the previous artwork and is titled, "Jewel". This beautifully done artwork features a running wild horse done in muted tones of brown and golden yellow with a vibrant gold and purple background.
Displayed together on a wall, these two primitive artworks will liven up your decor and bring a beautiful splash of gentle color. Both of these artworks are part of hand signed and limited numbered edition. This means not only are you getting a one-of-a-kind piece with a unique number, you are also getting an artwork that was signed by the artist herself.
If you want to add artwork to your decor that are a little different from the run of the mill flowers on tables in vases and landscapes - go primitive!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Artful Gifts of Love
Still stumped for a great Valentine's gift? If you don't want to give something as cliche as a bottle of perfume and your honey isn't a candy and flowers type of person - give them the gift of art.
Consider a limited edition print as a very special gift. Limited edition prints are exact copies of the original artwork, no matter what medium it was created in; that are produced in a limited number of prints. There's no "average" number in a print run - it may be as few as 39 or as many as 2500. Each print will have the number that it is in the series such as "4/39" denotes that this print is the fourth in a series of 39 total prints.
A limited edition print with a love theme would make for an ideal Valentine's present. Choose a classic print by a well known artist such as Erte's "Heart" that features a stylized figure of woman with a cherub in tow within a heart. The black background creates a stark contrast for this piece and it will add a nice impact to any room it is displayed in.
Erte is best known for his work as the artist for Harper's Bizarre, and his easily recognizable style makes him a highly collected artist. This limited edition print is printed in a lithograph style and once matted with archival materials and framed under glass; it will give enjoyment for many Valentine's Days to come.
Consider a limited edition print as a very special gift. Limited edition prints are exact copies of the original artwork, no matter what medium it was created in; that are produced in a limited number of prints. There's no "average" number in a print run - it may be as few as 39 or as many as 2500. Each print will have the number that it is in the series such as "4/39" denotes that this print is the fourth in a series of 39 total prints.
A limited edition print with a love theme would make for an ideal Valentine's present. Choose a classic print by a well known artist such as Erte's "Heart" that features a stylized figure of woman with a cherub in tow within a heart. The black background creates a stark contrast for this piece and it will add a nice impact to any room it is displayed in.
Erte is best known for his work as the artist for Harper's Bizarre, and his easily recognizable style makes him a highly collected artist. This limited edition print is printed in a lithograph style and once matted with archival materials and framed under glass; it will give enjoyment for many Valentine's Days to come.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Add an Unusual Angel to Your Decor
If you collect angels or simply enjoy their presence in your decor, adding an artwork that encompasses the magic of the visual image of an angel will bring a special feeling to your room.
You can take it a step further from the realistically painted angels to something a little more high-brow and incorporate one of the fantastic prints of the famed artist Jean Cocteau. Cocteau was born in 1889 and created steadily until his death in 1963. He had an unmistakable style that consisted of clean lines and using the least amount of visualizing to create stunning pieces, much of which is left up to the viewer to interpret.
The Cocteau "Angel" graphite on paper is an original work of art that is signed and dated by the artist. It would make an outstanding addition to any art collection and a fantastic piece to jump into the world of collecting art with.
Jean Cocteau worked in not only pencil (graphite), but also crayon. Amazingly, he didn't take up easel painting until he was in his early sixties. He experimented with painting as he had with every other medium and incorporated not only paint, but also pipe cleaners, hairpins, candles, matches, thumbtacks, lumps of sugar, and stars made of pasta, just to name a few.
Add a real angel and a real artwork to your decor. If you prefer to have original artworks instead of prints, go for the best with a Cocteau.
You can take it a step further from the realistically painted angels to something a little more high-brow and incorporate one of the fantastic prints of the famed artist Jean Cocteau. Cocteau was born in 1889 and created steadily until his death in 1963. He had an unmistakable style that consisted of clean lines and using the least amount of visualizing to create stunning pieces, much of which is left up to the viewer to interpret.
The Cocteau "Angel" graphite on paper is an original work of art that is signed and dated by the artist. It would make an outstanding addition to any art collection and a fantastic piece to jump into the world of collecting art with.
Jean Cocteau worked in not only pencil (graphite), but also crayon. Amazingly, he didn't take up easel painting until he was in his early sixties. He experimented with painting as he had with every other medium and incorporated not only paint, but also pipe cleaners, hairpins, candles, matches, thumbtacks, lumps of sugar, and stars made of pasta, just to name a few.
Add a real angel and a real artwork to your decor. If you prefer to have original artworks instead of prints, go for the best with a Cocteau.
Amish Art - Plain and Simple
If you want to add some plain and simple artworks to your walls, go for a small collection of Amish inspired art. No group of people define simplicity in living better than the Amish. Though they shun the outside world as much as possible, their influence, especially among handicrafts such as quilting, can't be denied.
There are a number of different groupings of Amish communities and each one follows their own set of rules. Some completely shun electricity while others allow modern conveniences for certain circumstances. The goal of the Amish is to live simply. Men who wear two suspenders when only one is needed can be seen as vain by others in the community. Women that have too many ruffles in their bonnets may also be seen as vain.
The Amish have been depicted in numerous artworks and there is an outstanding collection of prints by Jacob Miller that depict everyday Amish life. "Airing the Quilts" which shows a group of women that are hanging their quilts up on clothes lines to air out or "Maple Syrup Time" that shows a woman gathering syrup from a maple tree while her husband looks on, both show necessary day-to-day duties that the Amish perform often portrayed in a beautifully done artwork. The colors are sharp and simple. Each of the prints in this series is matted in a cream and black mat with a simple black frame further offsetting the artwork.
This grouping of artworks will tell a wonderful story on your walls of the simple, Amish way of life in full, vibrant color.
There are a number of different groupings of Amish communities and each one follows their own set of rules. Some completely shun electricity while others allow modern conveniences for certain circumstances. The goal of the Amish is to live simply. Men who wear two suspenders when only one is needed can be seen as vain by others in the community. Women that have too many ruffles in their bonnets may also be seen as vain.
The Amish have been depicted in numerous artworks and there is an outstanding collection of prints by Jacob Miller that depict everyday Amish life. "Airing the Quilts" which shows a group of women that are hanging their quilts up on clothes lines to air out or "Maple Syrup Time" that shows a woman gathering syrup from a maple tree while her husband looks on, both show necessary day-to-day duties that the Amish perform often portrayed in a beautifully done artwork. The colors are sharp and simple. Each of the prints in this series is matted in a cream and black mat with a simple black frame further offsetting the artwork.
This grouping of artworks will tell a wonderful story on your walls of the simple, Amish way of life in full, vibrant color.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Choosing an Impact Piece
Now that you've finished redecorating your room, do you feel like the room still needs a little something? You made your room flow by choosing complimentary colors throughout; you added accents of color to your sofa and chairs. You redid your window treatments and even changed your lighting within the room, and yet your design still doesn't "pop". It could be that you need an impact piece.
An impact piece is a piece in your room, usually of art, that draws central attention and is also a great conversation piece. Now, what you choose to use for an impact piece is entirely up to you. It can be anything from a terrific piece of sculpture or a brilliantly colored painting. Just remember, nothing dull here - you want color, you want sass and you want your impact piece to deliver an impact.
A diptych will make a fabulous addition to your walls. Diptychs are simply two halves that make up one large painting. They are best displayed with just a bit of space between - so they are individual artworks that create a whole. The Marsha Hammel limited edition print" Song and Dance Diptych " is a great example of a diptych that can also deliver an impact. The print is rich with color and has a huge number of details that will create a fun conversation piece.
Add an impact piece if you feel your room is a little dull, you'll see your entire room awaken from just the addition of a good conversation piece.
An impact piece is a piece in your room, usually of art, that draws central attention and is also a great conversation piece. Now, what you choose to use for an impact piece is entirely up to you. It can be anything from a terrific piece of sculpture or a brilliantly colored painting. Just remember, nothing dull here - you want color, you want sass and you want your impact piece to deliver an impact.
A diptych will make a fabulous addition to your walls. Diptychs are simply two halves that make up one large painting. They are best displayed with just a bit of space between - so they are individual artworks that create a whole. The Marsha Hammel limited edition print" Song and Dance Diptych " is a great example of a diptych that can also deliver an impact. The print is rich with color and has a huge number of details that will create a fun conversation piece.
Add an impact piece if you feel your room is a little dull, you'll see your entire room awaken from just the addition of a good conversation piece.
Give a Little Love
If you've been searching high and low for a great Valentine's Day present and you want to give something that says "love" consider a work of art that conveys the message in a beautiful way.
Feng shui is a very popular style of decorating and if your gift recipient is into the Asian style of creating balance within each room of their home, you can incorporate an Asian themed artwork nicely with a heartfelt sentiment of love.
An outstanding piece by Tiefeng Jiang is the vibrant piece titled "Feng Shui (Love)". This is an interesting piece as it is a serigraph on canvas and looks like an original artwork as most people do not expect to see a reproduction on canvas artworks. There are only 179 pieces produced for this series and your piece will come numbered as to which number in this limited edition your artwork is.
The size of this artwork is 40-inches by 30-inches and for an even more feng shui appeal, use smaller artworks or hanging sculptures on either side of this serigraph to continue the theme of balance within the room that the decoration art of feng shui is working towards.
Art makes an outstanding choice as a gift for Valentine's Day. If you want to give a gift that the recipient will think of you everytime they see it, give the gift of art.
Feng shui is a very popular style of decorating and if your gift recipient is into the Asian style of creating balance within each room of their home, you can incorporate an Asian themed artwork nicely with a heartfelt sentiment of love.
An outstanding piece by Tiefeng Jiang is the vibrant piece titled "Feng Shui (Love)". This is an interesting piece as it is a serigraph on canvas and looks like an original artwork as most people do not expect to see a reproduction on canvas artworks. There are only 179 pieces produced for this series and your piece will come numbered as to which number in this limited edition your artwork is.
The size of this artwork is 40-inches by 30-inches and for an even more feng shui appeal, use smaller artworks or hanging sculptures on either side of this serigraph to continue the theme of balance within the room that the decoration art of feng shui is working towards.
Art makes an outstanding choice as a gift for Valentine's Day. If you want to give a gift that the recipient will think of you everytime they see it, give the gift of art.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Choosing Art For Your Home Made Easy
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 frame 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!
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 frame 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!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Boys Are Stupid, Throw Rocks At Them
Okay it's not a popular sentiment, especially with Valentine's Day coming up soon; but if you want to add a piece of whimsical art that will bring a smile to everyone's face that views it - go for a Todd Goldman poster.
The artwork "Boys Are Stupid, Throw Rocks At Them" has been reproduced into a 24" x 36" open edition poster. The print features a cartoonish figure with blue eyes running away from rocks that are flying through the air towards him. It is printed on fine art lithograph paper and if you frame it under glass using acid free materials and keep the piece out of direct sunlight - it should retain it's good looks indefinitely. If you have someone who has recently been through a break up and won't have a particular Valentine to call their own this year, this poster would make a fun gift to lift their spirits and bring a smile to their face.
Additionally, you can get this piece framed if you choose. It would look great in a low-key black frame that will set off the fine black lines used to create this piece.
Todd has an entire line of artwork inspired products. His "doodles" appear on many different products from shirts to pajamas to watches. His poster print is proving to be very popular and if you enjoy collecting art - put Todd Goldman down as an artist's name to remember as you're going to be hearing a lot from him in the years to come.
The artwork "Boys Are Stupid, Throw Rocks At Them" has been reproduced into a 24" x 36" open edition poster. The print features a cartoonish figure with blue eyes running away from rocks that are flying through the air towards him. It is printed on fine art lithograph paper and if you frame it under glass using acid free materials and keep the piece out of direct sunlight - it should retain it's good looks indefinitely. If you have someone who has recently been through a break up and won't have a particular Valentine to call their own this year, this poster would make a fun gift to lift their spirits and bring a smile to their face.
Additionally, you can get this piece framed if you choose. It would look great in a low-key black frame that will set off the fine black lines used to create this piece.
Todd has an entire line of artwork inspired products. His "doodles" appear on many different products from shirts to pajamas to watches. His poster print is proving to be very popular and if you enjoy collecting art - put Todd Goldman down as an artist's name to remember as you're going to be hearing a lot from him in the years to come.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
The Gift of Art for Your Valentine?
If you want to give a gift to someone that is very special to you and you'd like to be something they'll think of you every time they glance up and see the gift, consider the gift of an artwork for Valentine's.
Consider a limited edition print by James Rizzi " The Apple of My Heart ". This brightly colored print captures all the vibrance of the original and features two people looking at each other with a twinkle in their eyes while hearts, flowers and stars abound all over this piece. The dimensions are roughly 4 inches by 6 inches and your print will be numbered as to which one in the series of 350 it is. With an artwork of this size, it's not a huge space commitment for the wall and if your Valentine wants to display this piece in the office, it's completely office friendly. If you want to give a one of a kind gift, a limited edition print is a great way to do it.
Although, framed prints make wonderful presentations but don't think you have to limit yourself to just a print for a present. You can also give a beautiful piece of sculpture to set on a table or in a place in the bedroom where the love of your life will see it every day upon awakening.
And those are just a couple of good ideas to make this a Valentine's Day to remember. If you want to do something besides jewelry or perfume this year, go for the artfully tasteful approach and give a one of a kind piece of art!
Consider a limited edition print by James Rizzi " The Apple of My Heart ". This brightly colored print captures all the vibrance of the original and features two people looking at each other with a twinkle in their eyes while hearts, flowers and stars abound all over this piece. The dimensions are roughly 4 inches by 6 inches and your print will be numbered as to which one in the series of 350 it is. With an artwork of this size, it's not a huge space commitment for the wall and if your Valentine wants to display this piece in the office, it's completely office friendly. If you want to give a one of a kind gift, a limited edition print is a great way to do it.
Although, framed prints make wonderful presentations but don't think you have to limit yourself to just a print for a present. You can also give a beautiful piece of sculpture to set on a table or in a place in the bedroom where the love of your life will see it every day upon awakening.
And those are just a couple of good ideas to make this a Valentine's Day to remember. If you want to do something besides jewelry or perfume this year, go for the artfully tasteful approach and give a one of a kind piece of art!
Friday, December 29, 2006
Use These Tricks To Make Your Ceilings Look Lower
Does your home have really high ceilings? That can be a real decorating challenge, if you're not careful you can wind up with a clutter on your walls all the way up to your ceiling.
One way to let your decor speak for itself is to create the illusion that your ceilings are lower than they actually are. One way to bring that white ceiling down a little is to add something of interest on it. Items such as tin ceiling tiles which look heavy but are actually very light will add a big element of interest to your room. You can also use a darker color of paint on your ceiling and use a texture stamp to help bring your room in a little closer. Resin tiles that can be painted will also look stunning on your ceiling.
Use larger artworks on your walls and hang them a little higher and you'll also trick the eye into thinking that the room isn't quite as tall as it actually is and you'll be making good use of your wall space without cluttering your room. Boarders placed around your ceiling will also help bring your room in and make it seem more cozy and warm. Stick to darker and neutral colors such as off-white, dark beige, lightest brown, goldenrod are all good choices for creating the illusion of a lower ceiling and will make your room feel much more comfortable.
Use these tips and with a minimum of work, you can make your uncomfortable room with high ceilings and turn it into a comfortable feeling room that you'll look forward to spending time in.
One way to let your decor speak for itself is to create the illusion that your ceilings are lower than they actually are. One way to bring that white ceiling down a little is to add something of interest on it. Items such as tin ceiling tiles which look heavy but are actually very light will add a big element of interest to your room. You can also use a darker color of paint on your ceiling and use a texture stamp to help bring your room in a little closer. Resin tiles that can be painted will also look stunning on your ceiling.
Use larger artworks on your walls and hang them a little higher and you'll also trick the eye into thinking that the room isn't quite as tall as it actually is and you'll be making good use of your wall space without cluttering your room. Boarders placed around your ceiling will also help bring your room in and make it seem more cozy and warm. Stick to darker and neutral colors such as off-white, dark beige, lightest brown, goldenrod are all good choices for creating the illusion of a lower ceiling and will make your room feel much more comfortable.
Use these tips and with a minimum of work, you can make your uncomfortable room with high ceilings and turn it into a comfortable feeling room that you'll look forward to spending time in.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Why Buy From Gallery Direct Art
Unlike buying clothes online, you know you can get a good fit when you purchase art for your home or as a gift.
At Gallery Direct we are an authorized dealer for every single item we sell and we unconditionally guarantee the authenticity and condition of every item we sell. We also offer a huge selection of artworks. From fine to folk to sculpture, you can find it here. If you purchase a particular number in a limited edition print series, you can rest assured that your investment was sound as that number won't be reissued.
If you would like to get any piece custom framed, we will do a museum quality custom frame job for you that starts at only $149. Additionally, there is free shipping within the continental United States for orders totaling over one hundred dollars, all other orders have flat rate shipping of $9.95 and each and every shipment is sent fully insured and guaranteed.
Shopping online with us is safe. We use 128-bit SSL online order processing that keeps your personal information safe. Furthermore, we don't sell your information to any third parties and your information about your purchases stays with us.
Also, we offer a PriceMatch Guarantee. If you can find a lower price at an authorized art dealer - we will beat it! Also, you're never charged sales tax on your purchases.
Whether you're purchasing art for your home or as a terrific gift, it makes sense to save time and money by making your purchases online.
At Gallery Direct we are an authorized dealer for every single item we sell and we unconditionally guarantee the authenticity and condition of every item we sell. We also offer a huge selection of artworks. From fine to folk to sculpture, you can find it here. If you purchase a particular number in a limited edition print series, you can rest assured that your investment was sound as that number won't be reissued.
If you would like to get any piece custom framed, we will do a museum quality custom frame job for you that starts at only $149. Additionally, there is free shipping within the continental United States for orders totaling over one hundred dollars, all other orders have flat rate shipping of $9.95 and each and every shipment is sent fully insured and guaranteed.
Shopping online with us is safe. We use 128-bit SSL online order processing that keeps your personal information safe. Furthermore, we don't sell your information to any third parties and your information about your purchases stays with us.
Also, we offer a PriceMatch Guarantee. If you can find a lower price at an authorized art dealer - we will beat it! Also, you're never charged sales tax on your purchases.
Whether you're purchasing art for your home or as a terrific gift, it makes sense to save time and money by making your purchases online.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Update Your Fireplace
Your fireplace might have been the selling point for your home early on but with most people their fireplace because the key point in the room they really aren't sure how to decorate around. You can't move it and it may seem that you're very limited as to what you can put around or on a fireplace.
First of all, what may be bothering you about the fireplace isn't actually the fireplace but the mantle over the fireplace. The mantle around your fireplace can make or break your room. Is yours dingy and worn looking? Don't fret about it-just replace it. You can choose either a 3-sided mantle that will go across your fireplace and down each side to the floor or just a short mantle that will go across the top of your fireplace. Simply improving the mantle will make a lot of rooms look instantly better.
Besides your mantle, you can upgrade your fireplace screen. Your fireplace screen doesn't have to be boring old metal that is painted black. You can get a myriad of styles to choose from such that will range from iron scroll worked patterns to the more traditional tightly woven screen.
For a dramatic effect, put a large mirror over your fireplace. It will have a dual duty of reflecting light from the fireplace and the room as well as making the room larger. Another beautiful option is to get a large artwork and hang it over the fireplace. A limited edition print will make a beautiful statement choose a cozy theme to add even more warmth to your room.
It's easy to update your fireplace if you know the basics. Use these tips and make your room with a fireplace the cozy, comfortable place you always knew it could be.
First of all, what may be bothering you about the fireplace isn't actually the fireplace but the mantle over the fireplace. The mantle around your fireplace can make or break your room. Is yours dingy and worn looking? Don't fret about it-just replace it. You can choose either a 3-sided mantle that will go across your fireplace and down each side to the floor or just a short mantle that will go across the top of your fireplace. Simply improving the mantle will make a lot of rooms look instantly better.
Besides your mantle, you can upgrade your fireplace screen. Your fireplace screen doesn't have to be boring old metal that is painted black. You can get a myriad of styles to choose from such that will range from iron scroll worked patterns to the more traditional tightly woven screen.
For a dramatic effect, put a large mirror over your fireplace. It will have a dual duty of reflecting light from the fireplace and the room as well as making the room larger. Another beautiful option is to get a large artwork and hang it over the fireplace. A limited edition print will make a beautiful statement choose a cozy theme to add even more warmth to your room.
It's easy to update your fireplace if you know the basics. Use these tips and make your room with a fireplace the cozy, comfortable place you always knew it could be.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Change Your Room 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. An 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.
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. An 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.
Adding Personal Touches to Your Decor
One of the biggest keys to having a unique decor in your home is to add personal touches that make the look truly your own. A good way to add your own flavor to your interior design is to find an artwork that really speaks to you and incorporate it into your room.
If you're not sure what type of artwork to get, write down the three main colors in your room and get an artwork that features at least two of those strongly. If you're a collector of cat related items, get a cat themed artwork for your walls. Religious themed artworks comfort many people with just their presence. The selection is huge and if you know basically what you'd like to see on your walls, it will go a long way to helping you narrow down your selection.
Remember, art doesn't have to hang on your walls. If you don't see any wall space that would look good with an artwork added to it, consider adding a sculpture to your room. A David Schluss piece will add a good deal of vibrance to your room. A sampling of his works will inspire you to become a collector of his work. One piece that you will find inspiring is titled, "By Your Side" and features two figures leaning on each other and will make a great conversation piece in your home. Another vibrant piece titled, "The Dance" is a spirited piece that features two figures stepping to a lively beat.
Other personal touches include a favorite plant in a hand painted pot. Photographs from family gatherings and vacations that are framed in the same type of frame and clustered together on a wall will also make a nice impact for your decor.
If you're not sure what type of artwork to get, write down the three main colors in your room and get an artwork that features at least two of those strongly. If you're a collector of cat related items, get a cat themed artwork for your walls. Religious themed artworks comfort many people with just their presence. The selection is huge and if you know basically what you'd like to see on your walls, it will go a long way to helping you narrow down your selection.
Remember, art doesn't have to hang on your walls. If you don't see any wall space that would look good with an artwork added to it, consider adding a sculpture to your room. A David Schluss piece will add a good deal of vibrance to your room. A sampling of his works will inspire you to become a collector of his work. One piece that you will find inspiring is titled, "By Your Side" and features two figures leaning on each other and will make a great conversation piece in your home. Another vibrant piece titled, "The Dance" is a spirited piece that features two figures stepping to a lively beat.
Other personal touches include a favorite plant in a hand painted pot. Photographs from family gatherings and vacations that are framed in the same type of frame and clustered together on a wall will also make a nice impact for your decor.
Friday, December 22, 2006
The Spice Of Sculpture
There happens to be a very big difference between adding a good piece of sculpture to your living space and adding an incredible piece of sculpture to your living space. When you are looking for an outstanding work of art for your home, apartment or office space, the best idea is to make sure that you do a decent amount of shopping around in order to find the perfect piece that speaks to you. This way, each and every time you glance at it, you will have a unique and wonderful experience that only the perfect sculpture can bring.
As far as choosing your sculpture, you should keep in mind that it is always best to go with exactly what you like. This means not having to worry about whether or not the sculpture that you pick matches your current decor. After all, some of the most amazing works of art will end up being the ones that really stand out against everything else that is located within the room. You might even find that you will enjoy being on the hunt for a certain piece that happens to differ quite a bit from everything else that you currently have.
To get your hands on a terrific sculpture that will speak to you as well as all of your guests, you might want to look into the collection created by Govinder. One particular piece that is interesting and quite unique for any space is called Bad To The Bone. With the interesting design and splash of color, this is guaranteed to be a sculpture that you will be thrilled to look at each time you walk into the room.
As far as choosing your sculpture, you should keep in mind that it is always best to go with exactly what you like. This means not having to worry about whether or not the sculpture that you pick matches your current decor. After all, some of the most amazing works of art will end up being the ones that really stand out against everything else that is located within the room. You might even find that you will enjoy being on the hunt for a certain piece that happens to differ quite a bit from everything else that you currently have.
To get your hands on a terrific sculpture that will speak to you as well as all of your guests, you might want to look into the collection created by Govinder. One particular piece that is interesting and quite unique for any space is called Bad To The Bone. With the interesting design and splash of color, this is guaranteed to be a sculpture that you will be thrilled to look at each time you walk into the room.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Berit Kruger-Johnsen For Your Lover
It doesn't have to be Valentine's Day in order to purchase an amazing gift such as a Berit Kruger-Johnsen creation. Although, with the wonderful use of red and the romantic feel that these terrific paintings happen give off, it almost seems as though every single day of the year is February the 14th! Such a painting is just right for the special person in your life no matter what the occasion may be.
Perhaps you are going to be celebrating something incredible such as a one-year wedding anniversary or even an engagement. Any one of the beautiful paintings by Berit Kruger-Johnsen will definitely be appreciated and much admired by your loved one. You may even find that you really need some sort of a pick me up in a certain room of your home or apartment. The perfect placement of one of the paintings in this collection can bring a completely different look and feel to your space. You should be warned however, anything created by Berit Kruger-Johnsen has been known to become highly addictive, causing many people to want to purchase several others for other areas of their home!
The Combination Of Love happens to be the kind of a painting that really brings about quite a bit of conversation by everyone who has the chance to view it. When set up in your living space, you will certainly find that many of your guests will enjoy gazing at this painting for a while. Be prepared to get a plethora of compliments on such a wonderful art selection once you any one of these painting in your home.
Perhaps you are going to be celebrating something incredible such as a one-year wedding anniversary or even an engagement. Any one of the beautiful paintings by Berit Kruger-Johnsen will definitely be appreciated and much admired by your loved one. You may even find that you really need some sort of a pick me up in a certain room of your home or apartment. The perfect placement of one of the paintings in this collection can bring a completely different look and feel to your space. You should be warned however, anything created by Berit Kruger-Johnsen has been known to become highly addictive, causing many people to want to purchase several others for other areas of their home!
The Combination Of Love happens to be the kind of a painting that really brings about quite a bit of conversation by everyone who has the chance to view it. When set up in your living space, you will certainly find that many of your guests will enjoy gazing at this painting for a while. Be prepared to get a plethora of compliments on such a wonderful art selection once you any one of these painting in your home.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Beautiful Art For Your Bedroom
Just because your bedroom happens to be one of the rooms within your home or apartment that most of your guests might not see, there is no reason why you cannot fill it up with some of your favorite art. You are sure to be very pleased with your bedroom once you have a couple of amazing strategic locations. All it takes is a little bit of consideration of what you might be looking for and a couple of empty spaces to fill up!
When you begin the process of choosing a couple of different pieces, you might want to begin by figuring our just what areas you might want to use to place your art. If you happen to have a big, empty wall space, you can opt for a wonderful large impact piece of even a nice collection. You might even find that you can add a nice sculpture on an empty bit of shelving or even on a corner of your bureau if you have a little room to work with.
Go ahead and begin your hunt for some of the pieces that speak to you and your tastes. You might find that you will want to go with a very dramatic piece that stands out in your room. Often times, straying from your current theme can add a bit of whimsy to your bedroom that can give you an incredible feeling each time you look at it. Feel confident in your choices and have fun with your choices and you should see that you will end up with the artful bedroom of your dreams.
When you begin the process of choosing a couple of different pieces, you might want to begin by figuring our just what areas you might want to use to place your art. If you happen to have a big, empty wall space, you can opt for a wonderful large impact piece of even a nice collection. You might even find that you can add a nice sculpture on an empty bit of shelving or even on a corner of your bureau if you have a little room to work with.
Go ahead and begin your hunt for some of the pieces that speak to you and your tastes. You might find that you will want to go with a very dramatic piece that stands out in your room. Often times, straying from your current theme can add a bit of whimsy to your bedroom that can give you an incredible feeling each time you look at it. Feel confident in your choices and have fun with your choices and you should see that you will end up with the artful bedroom of your dreams.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Bathroom Art Choices
When you are making some decorating choices around your home, you really want to be sure that you do not neglect your bathroom. If you stop and think about it for a minute, you will find that the decor in your bathroom can make you very proud of your living space. After all, the bathroom happens to be one of the places within your home that gets used by many of your visitors. Making sure that you have a bathroom that is decorated with amazing art can bring you a lot of compliments.
A little bit of art in the form of a painting or a sculpture can transform just about any bathroom from a sterile and uninviting environment to a room that is comfortable as well as interesting. If you already happen to have a particular theme going within your bathroom, you can always find an incredible piece that can bring out the theme a bit. A nice aquatic theme can be accented with a wonderful painting of a seascape or even an underwater oceanic scene. You can decide if you want a large piece on the wall if there is room, or perhaps even a collection of smaller pieces if you are working with a tight space. A wonderful canvas painting with a bit of size for your bathroom that you might love could come from the David Thimgan collection. Many people adore the peaceful seaside and port views captured in these paintings, and you can enjoy it in your bathroom as well!
A little bit of art in the form of a painting or a sculpture can transform just about any bathroom from a sterile and uninviting environment to a room that is comfortable as well as interesting. If you already happen to have a particular theme going within your bathroom, you can always find an incredible piece that can bring out the theme a bit. A nice aquatic theme can be accented with a wonderful painting of a seascape or even an underwater oceanic scene. You can decide if you want a large piece on the wall if there is room, or perhaps even a collection of smaller pieces if you are working with a tight space. A wonderful canvas painting with a bit of size for your bathroom that you might love could come from the David Thimgan collection. Many people adore the peaceful seaside and port views captured in these paintings, and you can enjoy it in your bathroom as well!
Arranging Your Art
So, you have begun to collection quite an incredible amount of art over the years, however you might be finding that you are in the need of rearranging it. You do not have to be an expert in order to find the perfect way to arrange your precious art, which is often obtained by spending quite a bit if your hard earned money. Such items that are so valuable to you deserve amazing placement within your living space!
When it comes to trying to find the perfect places for any of your sculptures of paintings, you will want to take into consideration several different factors in relation to your living space. After all, protecting your art while it is on display should be one of your number one priorities. Go throughout your living space and begin to identify some of the perfect areas to hang paintings or display some of your sculptures. Take note of the areas that have a good amount of direct sunlight and also be sure to choose areas that are not near vents, chimneys or doorways. All of these areas can end up damaging your precious artwork over time and should be avoided.
If you end up finding that you do not really have enough room to display all of your collection at once, don't be afraid to store some of it for a while. You are going to want to leave enough room so that you can give certain pieces their time to shine. Once you have everything placed where you want it, you can then sit back and enjoy it!
When it comes to trying to find the perfect places for any of your sculptures of paintings, you will want to take into consideration several different factors in relation to your living space. After all, protecting your art while it is on display should be one of your number one priorities. Go throughout your living space and begin to identify some of the perfect areas to hang paintings or display some of your sculptures. Take note of the areas that have a good amount of direct sunlight and also be sure to choose areas that are not near vents, chimneys or doorways. All of these areas can end up damaging your precious artwork over time and should be avoided.
If you end up finding that you do not really have enough room to display all of your collection at once, don't be afraid to store some of it for a while. You are going to want to leave enough room so that you can give certain pieces their time to shine. Once you have everything placed where you want it, you can then sit back and enjoy it!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Framed Mirrors For Your Home
There happens to be all kinds of ways that you can try to spruce up your living space whether you live in a house or an apartment. Some of the tricks that folks like to use will include a fresh coat of paint, the addition of some brand new furniture, or even a cluster of brand new sculptures. However, have you thought of how simply wonderful it can be to add a gorgeous framed mirror to your home or apartment?
If you are a person who loves to decorate, then you might already know just how valuable a couple of exquisite mirrors can be to the look and feel of your living space. Mirrors can add a whole new dimension to just about any room within your home or your apartment. As a matter of fact, most design experts will tell you that the addition of a mirror to a smaller space can actually bring in the illusion that the room is much larger than it actually is.
Well, if you are on the hunt for the perfect mirror to bring into your home, then there is nothing quite like an exquisite framed version. You actually have your choice of frames including imported wood veneers, natural burls, and hand-rubbed gold or silver metal leaf with an antiqued look. Go ahead and choose the size that is right for your space along with the perfect frame and you will have a new addition to any wall in your home that you can feel good about with every single glance.
If you are a person who loves to decorate, then you might already know just how valuable a couple of exquisite mirrors can be to the look and feel of your living space. Mirrors can add a whole new dimension to just about any room within your home or your apartment. As a matter of fact, most design experts will tell you that the addition of a mirror to a smaller space can actually bring in the illusion that the room is much larger than it actually is.
Well, if you are on the hunt for the perfect mirror to bring into your home, then there is nothing quite like an exquisite framed version. You actually have your choice of frames including imported wood veneers, natural burls, and hand-rubbed gold or silver metal leaf with an antiqued look. Go ahead and choose the size that is right for your space along with the perfect frame and you will have a new addition to any wall in your home that you can feel good about with every single glance.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The Warmth Of A 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.
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.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Paul Horton Sculpture
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 Works is a really nice piece that is just right for your family room, den or even a special spot in your bedroom. The interesting cluster of buildings, wonderful colors and attention to detail are going to bring you to another place with every glance!
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 Works is a really nice piece that is just right for your family room, den or even a special spot in your bedroom. The interesting cluster of buildings, wonderful colors and attention to detail are going to bring you to another place with every glance!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
A Memorable Housewarming Gift
If you happen to have a friend or family member who is near and dear to your heart that is moving into a brand new home, then you are definitely going to want to make sure that you give them an amazing housewarming gift. Such an incredible gift will be cherished and talked about by them for many years to come. So, what kind of a gift are you going to buy for their house to make such a lasting impression?
A truly fabulous gift idea that many individuals tend to overlook for a housewarming present is a beautiful canvas print. This is really a nice idea that your gift recipient can use to hand on one of the walls within their new home! If you know their tastes very well, then you should have no problem at all picking out a terrific design that they are sure to treasure. Perhaps a hand signed and numbered limited edition Bonnie Marris is something that is just up their alley!
Morning Run is the name of a breathtaking Giclee that you can order up in two different canvas sizes. You can send your gift recipient this beautiful piece in either the thirty by 42 inch size or the forty-five by sixty-two inch unstretched size. They may have already told you that they are looking for a stunning piece to hang on a certain wall. If so, then your recipient is definitely going to enjoy every single inch of this stunning piece depicting horses.
A truly fabulous gift idea that many individuals tend to overlook for a housewarming present is a beautiful canvas print. This is really a nice idea that your gift recipient can use to hand on one of the walls within their new home! If you know their tastes very well, then you should have no problem at all picking out a terrific design that they are sure to treasure. Perhaps a hand signed and numbered limited edition Bonnie Marris is something that is just up their alley!
Morning Run is the name of a breathtaking Giclee that you can order up in two different canvas sizes. You can send your gift recipient this beautiful piece in either the thirty by 42 inch size or the forty-five by sixty-two inch unstretched size. They may have already told you that they are looking for a stunning piece to hang on a certain wall. If so, then your recipient is definitely going to enjoy every single inch of this stunning piece depicting horses.
Monday, December 11, 2006
You Are Never Too Old For Disney
It is a know 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.
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.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Holiday Shopping for the Dog Lover
Shopping for your dog loving friend is easy. Well, the shopping part is - narrowing down a good gift choice can take a little effort.
If you're looking for a fun gift, you can't go wrong with a C.M. Coolidge print. You may not recognize the name but you will certainly recognize the painting, it's the famous poker playing dogs. There are several in the series and the most well known of the bunch is titled, "A Friend in Need" it features a bulldog that has folded his hand slipping an ace to his buddy that has a pretty good poker hand going.
There are also other dog related items that would look fantastic on the walls. There is the absolutely sweetness of an Amy Brakenbury piece depicting a basket of puppies. Another fun item to give as a gift for a dog lover is one of Tammy Laye's beautiful prints. Her artworks are nearly photographic looking in detail and especially the piece, "Best Friends" is a truly heartwarming artwork. It has a little girl blowing bubbles for her faithful best friend, a large black laborador retriever.
Sculptures also make very nice gifts. You can't go wrong with a Roark Gourley piece. Schitzo Dog is a resin reproduction of the original piece. The brightly colored and roughly cut dog sculpture will appear to be literally walking off the walls.
Use these tips and get your dog loving friend a great holiday gift and one that they will cherish all throughout the year.
If you're looking for a fun gift, you can't go wrong with a C.M. Coolidge print. You may not recognize the name but you will certainly recognize the painting, it's the famous poker playing dogs. There are several in the series and the most well known of the bunch is titled, "A Friend in Need" it features a bulldog that has folded his hand slipping an ace to his buddy that has a pretty good poker hand going.
There are also other dog related items that would look fantastic on the walls. There is the absolutely sweetness of an Amy Brakenbury piece depicting a basket of puppies. Another fun item to give as a gift for a dog lover is one of Tammy Laye's beautiful prints. Her artworks are nearly photographic looking in detail and especially the piece, "Best Friends" is a truly heartwarming artwork. It has a little girl blowing bubbles for her faithful best friend, a large black laborador retriever.
Sculptures also make very nice gifts. You can't go wrong with a Roark Gourley piece. Schitzo Dog is a resin reproduction of the original piece. The brightly colored and roughly cut dog sculpture will appear to be literally walking off the walls.
Use these tips and get your dog loving friend a great holiday gift and one that they will cherish all throughout the year.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Give Yourself a Regal Room
Have you been watching those do-it-yourself room decorating programs and thinking to yourself, "I could do that"? Well, guess what? You can and it's very simple once you get yourself organized and figure out what you need to change in your room to get the look you want.
If regal is the look you want. Think rich colors. Dark, mahogany and cherry woods. Furniture upholstered in detailed tapestry fabrics and draperies that match. Recovering most furniture takes a little time but it isn't difficult. You can get a good idea for a budget on your furniture, which will probably be the most costly aspect of your room, by simply measuring your sofa or chair and then going to your local fabric store and picking out a few upholstery fabrics. Get a few swatches so you can take them home and see how you like them in your room. What looks great under the store lighting may look less than fabulous in your home.
Next, add regal touches around your room. Scroll worked bookends finished in a rich wood tone, shelving that has a scrollwork pattern or other accent will go well beyond the boring old wooden shelf. As far as artworks, put one Old Master on your walls. A gorgeous Rembrandt print or Renoir will add a sense of old world style to your room as well. The secret is to put them in very expensive looking rich woods such as mahogany or cherry finish.
Last but not least, change out your lighting or rather your shades. You can usually keep your lamps and just opt for classically styled lamp shades for a very refined air in your room.
If regal is the look you want. Think rich colors. Dark, mahogany and cherry woods. Furniture upholstered in detailed tapestry fabrics and draperies that match. Recovering most furniture takes a little time but it isn't difficult. You can get a good idea for a budget on your furniture, which will probably be the most costly aspect of your room, by simply measuring your sofa or chair and then going to your local fabric store and picking out a few upholstery fabrics. Get a few swatches so you can take them home and see how you like them in your room. What looks great under the store lighting may look less than fabulous in your home.
Next, add regal touches around your room. Scroll worked bookends finished in a rich wood tone, shelving that has a scrollwork pattern or other accent will go well beyond the boring old wooden shelf. As far as artworks, put one Old Master on your walls. A gorgeous Rembrandt print or Renoir will add a sense of old world style to your room as well. The secret is to put them in very expensive looking rich woods such as mahogany or cherry finish.
Last but not least, change out your lighting or rather your shades. You can usually keep your lamps and just opt for classically styled lamp shades for a very refined air in your room.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Want a Country Kitchen?
What could be cozier than a country kitchen? If your kitchen is suffering from a case of low-budget decorating or it's just a matter of "haven't had time" decor - you can add some elements that will pull your kitchen together and make it look like you paid an interior designer to give your kitchen the country look.
Clear your room as much as you can and take stock of the items you have that will work. Put up clutter and knick-knacks. Then look around your room and you should have a pretty clean slate to work with.
First of all, if you don't already have one, invest in a hanging pot rack. It looks very country and it allows you to make use of otherwise wasted ceiling space and freeing up valuable cabinet space for other items.
Fresh flowers in simply decorated vases will also lend a fresh country air to your kitchen air. Go for an old fashioned gingham checked tablecloth and simple curtains in a light color to match. Gingham trim on the curtains will tie everything together nicely. Another way to tie in your room for a fun country look is to add a country themed artwork or two to your walls. Something with a relaxing country scene, wheat fields, landscape or a simple barnyard scene will fit in nicely with your decor.
If you have limited space, you might consider adding a tall and slender baker's rack to your kitchen. The rack won't take up much floor space but will go a long way to holding a large number of items. Other country touches are to hang strings of herbs, peppers, or garlic in your kitchen.
There are a lot of homey touches you can make to your kitchen and get an entirely new look without spending a fortune to do it!
Clear your room as much as you can and take stock of the items you have that will work. Put up clutter and knick-knacks. Then look around your room and you should have a pretty clean slate to work with.
First of all, if you don't already have one, invest in a hanging pot rack. It looks very country and it allows you to make use of otherwise wasted ceiling space and freeing up valuable cabinet space for other items.
Fresh flowers in simply decorated vases will also lend a fresh country air to your kitchen air. Go for an old fashioned gingham checked tablecloth and simple curtains in a light color to match. Gingham trim on the curtains will tie everything together nicely. Another way to tie in your room for a fun country look is to add a country themed artwork or two to your walls. Something with a relaxing country scene, wheat fields, landscape or a simple barnyard scene will fit in nicely with your decor.
If you have limited space, you might consider adding a tall and slender baker's rack to your kitchen. The rack won't take up much floor space but will go a long way to holding a large number of items. Other country touches are to hang strings of herbs, peppers, or garlic in your kitchen.
There are a lot of homey touches you can make to your kitchen and get an entirely new look without spending a fortune to do it!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Make Your Room Into a Tropical Paradise
With the cold winds of winter making their way into nearly every corner of the country, it might be fun make your main room into a tropical paradise that keeps the cold at bay - at least when you're indoors.
First of all, if you live in a part of the country that really has a frosty winter, keep your heavy fabric for your draperies as they do a great job of keeping the chill out of the room when they are closed. Opt for lighter colors however and you'll go a long way to setting the mood in your room towards a lighter and more tropical tone.
Next, think tropical items. Splashes of bright color here and there on white or lightly colored sofas and ottomans. A bright ocean blue pillow will look fantastic on an off-white sofa. Throws with tropical themes are also great. Put some artwork on your walls that depicts palm trees, palmettos and other tropical plants. Go one step further and put a bonsai palm tree in your room. They need very little care and can live for hundreds of years.
If you use area rugs in your room, opt for light colors that will lend a dreamy, relaxing tone to your room. Other items you can use to bring the tropics into your room include shells and also consider the addition of a tropical fish tank. You don't have to get the old boring rectangular shaped aquarium, they come in many styles and shapes, including some very futuristic tall and slender designs that look stunning in nearly every type of decor.
It may be cold and snowy outside but it can be a warm tropical paradise inside your home. Just make a few changes and you'll be sitting in your comfy chair and sipping a drink with an umbrella in it watching the snow fall this winter.
First of all, if you live in a part of the country that really has a frosty winter, keep your heavy fabric for your draperies as they do a great job of keeping the chill out of the room when they are closed. Opt for lighter colors however and you'll go a long way to setting the mood in your room towards a lighter and more tropical tone.
Next, think tropical items. Splashes of bright color here and there on white or lightly colored sofas and ottomans. A bright ocean blue pillow will look fantastic on an off-white sofa. Throws with tropical themes are also great. Put some artwork on your walls that depicts palm trees, palmettos and other tropical plants. Go one step further and put a bonsai palm tree in your room. They need very little care and can live for hundreds of years.
If you use area rugs in your room, opt for light colors that will lend a dreamy, relaxing tone to your room. Other items you can use to bring the tropics into your room include shells and also consider the addition of a tropical fish tank. You don't have to get the old boring rectangular shaped aquarium, they come in many styles and shapes, including some very futuristic tall and slender designs that look stunning in nearly every type of decor.
It may be cold and snowy outside but it can be a warm tropical paradise inside your home. Just make a few changes and you'll be sitting in your comfy chair and sipping a drink with an umbrella in it watching the snow fall this winter.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Purrfectly Wonderful Cat Lover Gifts
Got a cat lover on your holiday list and you're pulling your hair out trying to find the perfect holiday gift for them? Think art.
If you know the basic colors inside their house, you can get them a cat inspired or themed artwork for their walls and if they have a specific breed of cat such as a Siamese or Persian you can even get them an artwork featuring a kitty that looks just like their favorite feline.
A Tom Neel piece featuring a cat in a business window with a name like "Al E. Katz" or "McKitty and Sons" will lend a whimsical air to a room.
For a more realistic look a print made from one of Cortez's original paintings will make an outstanding gift. Cortez uses a technique of layering paint so it creates a very realistic effect. One of the best loved pieces in the series of paintings is "Unmade Bed" that features two rascally felines laying in a previously well-made bed that they have now ruffled up the covers and messed up the pillows with their play.
If you're not sure what the colors in their room are, you can opt for a small sculpture piece to liven up their decor a bit. The cat themed sculptures run the gamut from the realistic to the whimsical. You can get a resin cast of Bast the Egyptian Cat Goddess or a casting made of resin from an original metal sculpture.
Fun ways to present your present would be to stencil some cats on a plain wrapping paper or even gift wrap and put a little cat shaped frame with the holiday "to and from" gift message inside where the photo would go.
If you know the basic colors inside their house, you can get them a cat inspired or themed artwork for their walls and if they have a specific breed of cat such as a Siamese or Persian you can even get them an artwork featuring a kitty that looks just like their favorite feline.
A Tom Neel piece featuring a cat in a business window with a name like "Al E. Katz" or "McKitty and Sons" will lend a whimsical air to a room.
For a more realistic look a print made from one of Cortez's original paintings will make an outstanding gift. Cortez uses a technique of layering paint so it creates a very realistic effect. One of the best loved pieces in the series of paintings is "Unmade Bed" that features two rascally felines laying in a previously well-made bed that they have now ruffled up the covers and messed up the pillows with their play.
If you're not sure what the colors in their room are, you can opt for a small sculpture piece to liven up their decor a bit. The cat themed sculptures run the gamut from the realistic to the whimsical. You can get a resin cast of Bast the Egyptian Cat Goddess or a casting made of resin from an original metal sculpture.
Fun ways to present your present would be to stencil some cats on a plain wrapping paper or even gift wrap and put a little cat shaped frame with the holiday "to and from" gift message inside where the photo would go.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Update Your Kitchen
The two rooms in your home that you will spend the most time in on the average are your kitchen and your bedroom. If you feel like your kitchen is too small or not functional enough, consider a little updating in your cooking space.
First of all, get rid of the clutter. If you don't use a particular object on a daily basis- consider it clutter and find someplace to put it. You can put up shelves or even better, use a bakers rack or a standing kitchen cabinet to hold all your items. Most cabinets will have glass doors so you can see what is within and also close away the clutter.
One old fashioned kitchen apparatus that is making a comeback in modern kitchens is the hanging pot rack. The hanging pot rack is a simple, metal circle or oval with hooks that is suspended from a chain and will hold a myriad of pots, pans and even your long handled spoons and other cooking accessories. They stay up and out of sight until needed.
Stackable bowl sets and space saver storage kits not only keep your dry goods fresh, they end the clutter and space wasting of commercially packaged products. You can pour the cereal out of the boxes and into plastic containers and thereby save space and best of all, there's no mystery as to how much your kids have left in the box - with clear plastic containers you can tell just by looking.
After you create space in your kitchen, consider updating the entire look of your kitchen with new artwork for the walls. If you have a theme in your kitchen such as the sun or roosters; get an artwork or two that reflects those elements and you'll see a brand new kitchen with just a little effort!
First of all, get rid of the clutter. If you don't use a particular object on a daily basis- consider it clutter and find someplace to put it. You can put up shelves or even better, use a bakers rack or a standing kitchen cabinet to hold all your items. Most cabinets will have glass doors so you can see what is within and also close away the clutter.
One old fashioned kitchen apparatus that is making a comeback in modern kitchens is the hanging pot rack. The hanging pot rack is a simple, metal circle or oval with hooks that is suspended from a chain and will hold a myriad of pots, pans and even your long handled spoons and other cooking accessories. They stay up and out of sight until needed.
Stackable bowl sets and space saver storage kits not only keep your dry goods fresh, they end the clutter and space wasting of commercially packaged products. You can pour the cereal out of the boxes and into plastic containers and thereby save space and best of all, there's no mystery as to how much your kids have left in the box - with clear plastic containers you can tell just by looking.
After you create space in your kitchen, consider updating the entire look of your kitchen with new artwork for the walls. If you have a theme in your kitchen such as the sun or roosters; get an artwork or two that reflects those elements and you'll see a brand new kitchen with just a little effort!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Entertaining in a Small Space
If you want to have some holiday gatherings of family and friends are your place but you feel it is too small, don't fret - it might just be a matter of making the most use of your space.
Before you go through the trouble of replacing your furniture or adding or subtracting items, use the items you have to their biggest potential Small bookcases can do double duty as nifty places to store wine and glasses. Just use the bookshelf as normal and on the top, put a nice tray with glasses and a two or three choices in wine.
Not enough seating? Large, overstuffed pillows can do the job of providing a comfortable place to sit for guests and they can be stacked quietly in the corner until they are needed. Recycle a broken wooden chair and trim the legs to be shorter and take the back off to make a small stool. Topped with a pillow it will make a comfy place for guests to sit.
If you don't already have some shelves - they are a cost effective storage solution and will end a lot of the clutter. Another way to open your room a little more is to switch out your window treatments for lighter colors and add a mirror or two to your walls. Mirrors create the illusion of more space and depth to your room, they also reflect light and will add to the overall feel of the room.
You may have a small space but by using some of these tips and tricks, it doesn't have to feel small!
Before you go through the trouble of replacing your furniture or adding or subtracting items, use the items you have to their biggest potential Small bookcases can do double duty as nifty places to store wine and glasses. Just use the bookshelf as normal and on the top, put a nice tray with glasses and a two or three choices in wine.
Not enough seating? Large, overstuffed pillows can do the job of providing a comfortable place to sit for guests and they can be stacked quietly in the corner until they are needed. Recycle a broken wooden chair and trim the legs to be shorter and take the back off to make a small stool. Topped with a pillow it will make a comfy place for guests to sit.
If you don't already have some shelves - they are a cost effective storage solution and will end a lot of the clutter. Another way to open your room a little more is to switch out your window treatments for lighter colors and add a mirror or two to your walls. Mirrors create the illusion of more space and depth to your room, they also reflect light and will add to the overall feel of the room.
You may have a small space but by using some of these tips and tricks, it doesn't have to feel small!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Mad for Erte
You may not know his name, but you've certainly seen his style. Erte was born Erte Romain de Tirtoff and was of Russian descent. He lived to the ripe old age of 97 and created an incredible body of work and is considered to be among one of the most influentially unique artists of the 20th century.
When he was young he moved to Paris and embarked on an art career. He was quickly recognized as his style was unique and didn't fit into any of the known categories for art. He collected patrons quickly and thus was able to develop his talents quickly and support himself through his art.
His art influenced both artists, theater and fashions. In 1915 he won a coveted position with Harper's Bazaar and designed every single cover of their magazine for the next two decades. He is considered the father of the "Art Deco" movement and he expanded his artistry to not only canvas and print but to fashion designs and created designs for some of the biggest names of the day including Joan Crawford, Lillian Gish, Marion Davies, Anna Pavlova, Norma Shearer and more.
When he was 75, Erte was encouraged to recreate designs that called back to his youthful days in Paris and they were captured in bronze and serigraphy. Once again, the Art Deco movement came back with a stronghold in many aspects of both home and fashion.
Add a piece of Erte to your walls and experience the unique vision of this talented artist. The Rooster is a gorgeous piece that shows the bold lines and bright colors without being garish that make up the Erte style.
When he was young he moved to Paris and embarked on an art career. He was quickly recognized as his style was unique and didn't fit into any of the known categories for art. He collected patrons quickly and thus was able to develop his talents quickly and support himself through his art.
His art influenced both artists, theater and fashions. In 1915 he won a coveted position with Harper's Bazaar and designed every single cover of their magazine for the next two decades. He is considered the father of the "Art Deco" movement and he expanded his artistry to not only canvas and print but to fashion designs and created designs for some of the biggest names of the day including Joan Crawford, Lillian Gish, Marion Davies, Anna Pavlova, Norma Shearer and more.
When he was 75, Erte was encouraged to recreate designs that called back to his youthful days in Paris and they were captured in bronze and serigraphy. Once again, the Art Deco movement came back with a stronghold in many aspects of both home and fashion.
Add a piece of Erte to your walls and experience the unique vision of this talented artist. The Rooster is a gorgeous piece that shows the bold lines and bright colors without being garish that make up the Erte style.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Make Your Room Cozy
If your main room that you have your friends and family over in seems to be seriously lacking in warmth and coziness, there are a lot of little tricks you can do to make your room radiate a warm and fuzzy feeling to all who enter.
First of all, apply the clutter rule to your room. The clutter rule is if an item hasn't been used in 1 month and it's still sitting out, find a place to put the object up and out of sight. The next mood killer for a room is the lighting. Bright lights aren't cozy. Soften up your lighting in your room with heavy shades and add a dimmer light that will allow you to warm up the mood with a flick of your wrist. Candles also put off a nice warm glow that will bring an air of warmth and friendliness to the room.
Also make a central gathering point. Put your furniture a little closer to make the spot where people sit the most into a cozy conversation pit. Seating doesn't have to be formal for these gatherings. An ottoman will serve the same function as your Queen Anne chair in the corner. A table in the middle where you can share snacks, drinks and stories will make the room even more inviting.
Next pay attention to your wall spaces. If you don't have photos of your family and friends, warm up your room with some individual touches. Also, artworks depicting love, togetherness and even a fireplace scene will continue the cozy vibe you have going on in your room.
It's easy to change the entire mood of your room with only a few additions or subtractions. If you want to have the best gathering spot for your family and friends this holiday season, use these tips and make your place the number one choice for everyone to meet up!
First of all, apply the clutter rule to your room. The clutter rule is if an item hasn't been used in 1 month and it's still sitting out, find a place to put the object up and out of sight. The next mood killer for a room is the lighting. Bright lights aren't cozy. Soften up your lighting in your room with heavy shades and add a dimmer light that will allow you to warm up the mood with a flick of your wrist. Candles also put off a nice warm glow that will bring an air of warmth and friendliness to the room.
Also make a central gathering point. Put your furniture a little closer to make the spot where people sit the most into a cozy conversation pit. Seating doesn't have to be formal for these gatherings. An ottoman will serve the same function as your Queen Anne chair in the corner. A table in the middle where you can share snacks, drinks and stories will make the room even more inviting.
Next pay attention to your wall spaces. If you don't have photos of your family and friends, warm up your room with some individual touches. Also, artworks depicting love, togetherness and even a fireplace scene will continue the cozy vibe you have going on in your room.
It's easy to change the entire mood of your room with only a few additions or subtractions. If you want to have the best gathering spot for your family and friends this holiday season, use these tips and make your place the number one choice for everyone to meet up!
Art for the Holidays
Do you envy the people who seem to be able to transform their homes for every major holiday? On New Years, their homes are a collection of sparkles and newness. With silver accents and white to symbolize a new year. When February rolls around they have an abundance of hearts and flowers to celebrate the love and friendship on Valentine's Day.
If turning your house into a celebration of every major holiday throughout the year is a bigger job than you truly have time for, don't fret; just pick one holiday to celebrate and turn your house into a fun celebration of the season.
The holiday season from October through December is a perfect way to get your house in the mood for the coming celebrations of family and friends. Right after Halloween, start adding some autumn touches to your room. Burnt oranges and earthy tones will further add a tone of the season to your room. You can add pillows to your sofa and touches of dried flower arrangements to continue the colors of the season throughout your room.
As you get nearer to Christmas, you can add touches of pine cones, red and green candles on your fireplace mantle and many people set out small Nativity scenes as well. Another fun way to celebrate the holiday is to change out a couple of your art pieces on the walls with pieces that ring in the holiday season. A fun snowman, excited children on Christmas morning or a dreamy winter's night watercolor will more than fit the bill.
Use these tips and give yourself a beautiful room to celebrate the holiday season in with your family and friends.
If turning your house into a celebration of every major holiday throughout the year is a bigger job than you truly have time for, don't fret; just pick one holiday to celebrate and turn your house into a fun celebration of the season.
The holiday season from October through December is a perfect way to get your house in the mood for the coming celebrations of family and friends. Right after Halloween, start adding some autumn touches to your room. Burnt oranges and earthy tones will further add a tone of the season to your room. You can add pillows to your sofa and touches of dried flower arrangements to continue the colors of the season throughout your room.
As you get nearer to Christmas, you can add touches of pine cones, red and green candles on your fireplace mantle and many people set out small Nativity scenes as well. Another fun way to celebrate the holiday is to change out a couple of your art pieces on the walls with pieces that ring in the holiday season. A fun snowman, excited children on Christmas morning or a dreamy winter's night watercolor will more than fit the bill.
Use these tips and give yourself a beautiful room to celebrate the holiday season in with your family and friends.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Inspiring Artworks!
Some people purchase artworks simply because they have colors that match their decor, which is a fine idea if you're looking for a particular "vibe" for your room; however if you want something more for your room - get an inspiring piece.
Morgan Weistling has a beautiful series of inspiring prints that are not only done in colors that will meld beautifully with your home, they will also be duly inspiring for yourself.The colors in these outstanding pieces are done in a good blend of neutrals that will fit into nearly any decor, while losing none of the vibrance of the artworks.
Inspirational art is a great way to celebrate the holidays. On piece of this collection is particularly striking as it depicts a small child staring out innocently outward. The writing beneath the painting reads, "He Was One of Us" to remind all who see it that Jesus was indeed one of us. Other inspiring pieces in this series depict Jesus in many other guises such as performing miracles in "Healing the Blind Man" or in a field of lilies in another beautifully done rendition. "Kissing The Face of God" is another fine print that will be truly inspirational in your decor.
If you're going to have a gathering of your family and friends over for the holiday season, put some inspiring artworks on your walls and
inspire everyone to remember what the holidays are truly celebrating.
Morgan Weistling has a beautiful series of inspiring prints that are not only done in colors that will meld beautifully with your home, they will also be duly inspiring for yourself.The colors in these outstanding pieces are done in a good blend of neutrals that will fit into nearly any decor, while losing none of the vibrance of the artworks.
Inspirational art is a great way to celebrate the holidays. On piece of this collection is particularly striking as it depicts a small child staring out innocently outward. The writing beneath the painting reads, "He Was One of Us" to remind all who see it that Jesus was indeed one of us. Other inspiring pieces in this series depict Jesus in many other guises such as performing miracles in "Healing the Blind Man" or in a field of lilies in another beautifully done rendition. "Kissing The Face of God" is another fine print that will be truly inspirational in your decor.
If you're going to have a gathering of your family and friends over for the holiday season, put some inspiring artworks on your walls and
inspire everyone to remember what the holidays are truly celebrating.
Duck, Duck, Goose
A fun motif to have in your home are ducks and geese. They are easy to find and lend a comfortable vibe to any home space they are used in.
In early times, it was tradition for Korean grooms to travel to the homes of their intended bearing a duck or a goose, both of which symbolize a promise for fidelity. In present day, birds which are considered to mate for life such as ducks and geese are still given as gifts. A newlywed couple may receive a pair of wooden ducks or geese to display in their homes. One symbolizes the bride and the other the groom. When the couple is happy they should be displayed facing each other. When the couple is having a spat, the statues are frequently placed tail to tail to indicate the couple isn't getting along at the moment.
If you want a duck or goose in your kitchen area and you can have a lot of options. A fun little sculpture placed on a shelf by the spice rack or an artwork on the wall such as Burton Dye's "Last One In" is a whimsical piece depicting a line of geese heading for their local swimming hole.
This open edition print has vibrant colors and is matted and framed using archival tapes and materials to ensure longevity of your print. Do not hang your print in direct sunlight and it will look brand new for years to come because of the quality of the papers and materials used in putting together this artwork.
Ducks and geese a classic way to have both harmony and a little whimsy in your decor. If you want to lighten the mood in your room, go for a little duck, duck, goose!
In early times, it was tradition for Korean grooms to travel to the homes of their intended bearing a duck or a goose, both of which symbolize a promise for fidelity. In present day, birds which are considered to mate for life such as ducks and geese are still given as gifts. A newlywed couple may receive a pair of wooden ducks or geese to display in their homes. One symbolizes the bride and the other the groom. When the couple is happy they should be displayed facing each other. When the couple is having a spat, the statues are frequently placed tail to tail to indicate the couple isn't getting along at the moment.
If you want a duck or goose in your kitchen area and you can have a lot of options. A fun little sculpture placed on a shelf by the spice rack or an artwork on the wall such as Burton Dye's "Last One In" is a whimsical piece depicting a line of geese heading for their local swimming hole.
This open edition print has vibrant colors and is matted and framed using archival tapes and materials to ensure longevity of your print. Do not hang your print in direct sunlight and it will look brand new for years to come because of the quality of the papers and materials used in putting together this artwork.
Ducks and geese a classic way to have both harmony and a little whimsy in your decor. If you want to lighten the mood in your room, go for a little duck, duck, goose!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
A Sweet Gift From the Family Guy
For the person with a truly warped sense of humor, a Family Guy gift will get them grinning this holiday season.
Family Guy originally debuted in 1999 after the Superbowl and offended pretty much everyone across the board. Family Guy managed to cross in one night the line of general good taste that the Simpsons have carefully walked for over a decade.
This animated series had two very strong voiced camps, people who loved the show because it was so far ahead of its time and others who found it to lowbrow humor at its worst. Entertainment Weekly made their perceptions on the show clear by dubbing it "the awful show they just keep putting on the air". The Fox Network eventually buried the show in a variety of frequent schedule changes and the show was cancelled in 2000 again in 2002 and the cult popularity of this show led Fox to resume production again in 2005.
The plot is centered around the goings on in a very strange Rhode Island town called Quahog and a family that puts the "fun" in dysfunctional called the Griffins. The family is Peter Griffin, the father of three children who is utterly clueless but good hearted. His wife Lois who tries to keep the family together. Meg his teenage daughter who dreams of being popular and is constantly embarrassed by her family, Chris, the teenage son who fully inherited his father's clueless nature and Stewie who has become a runaway favorite with the fans - the football headed baby bent on world domination. Brian the dog is the voice of reason in the family and enjoys a good dry martini.
This print is from the "To Live and Die in Dixie" episode. Where the Griffins get placed in the heart of Dixie courtesy of the Witness Protection Program. This print is bright colored and will arrive ready to hang - it will make a perfect gift for a Family Guy fan or as Peter himself would say, "Sweeeeet!".
Family Guy originally debuted in 1999 after the Superbowl and offended pretty much everyone across the board. Family Guy managed to cross in one night the line of general good taste that the Simpsons have carefully walked for over a decade.
This animated series had two very strong voiced camps, people who loved the show because it was so far ahead of its time and others who found it to lowbrow humor at its worst. Entertainment Weekly made their perceptions on the show clear by dubbing it "the awful show they just keep putting on the air". The Fox Network eventually buried the show in a variety of frequent schedule changes and the show was cancelled in 2000 again in 2002 and the cult popularity of this show led Fox to resume production again in 2005.
The plot is centered around the goings on in a very strange Rhode Island town called Quahog and a family that puts the "fun" in dysfunctional called the Griffins. The family is Peter Griffin, the father of three children who is utterly clueless but good hearted. His wife Lois who tries to keep the family together. Meg his teenage daughter who dreams of being popular and is constantly embarrassed by her family, Chris, the teenage son who fully inherited his father's clueless nature and Stewie who has become a runaway favorite with the fans - the football headed baby bent on world domination. Brian the dog is the voice of reason in the family and enjoys a good dry martini.
This print is from the "To Live and Die in Dixie" episode. Where the Griffins get placed in the heart of Dixie courtesy of the Witness Protection Program. This print is bright colored and will arrive ready to hang - it will make a perfect gift for a Family Guy fan or as Peter himself would say, "Sweeeeet!".
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Art for the Comic Book Collector
You may not know what the most collected Superman comic is and you may not have a clue that Nightwing is a comic book series that depicts young Robin after he grew up and left Batman; however you can get the comic book buff on your holiday list a present they will love in the form of an artwork based on some of their favorite collectable comics.
Whether they like long time running series such as "Batman" or newer series like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" they will love their own framed artwork from a cover design.
It's easy to be a detective on your own and find out, just make a few notes of the prints available and then casually mention you saw some cover art for sale here or there you really don't remember where and mention a great looking piece like Warner Bros. Limited Edition Print:"Kissing The Knight" which depicts Batman finally kissing Catwoman after years of tension and attraction between them. Your collecting savvy friend will probably even offer up that it's from the "Mouth of Madness" story line. This print comes framed and ready to hang right out of the box.
There are also prints available from Disney and other Warner Brothers series such as Batman: The Animated Series and well known comic book artists such as Jim Lee and Alex Ross who has an outstanding print of Superman available as well as a great piece that depicts all the members of the Justice League including Superman, Wonderwoman, Green Lantern, The Flash and ten other super heroes standing as one.
If you want to get a gift that will appreciated all year round, get the collector an unusual piece for their collection.
Whether they like long time running series such as "Batman" or newer series like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" they will love their own framed artwork from a cover design.
It's easy to be a detective on your own and find out, just make a few notes of the prints available and then casually mention you saw some cover art for sale here or there you really don't remember where and mention a great looking piece like Warner Bros. Limited Edition Print:"Kissing The Knight" which depicts Batman finally kissing Catwoman after years of tension and attraction between them. Your collecting savvy friend will probably even offer up that it's from the "Mouth of Madness" story line. This print comes framed and ready to hang right out of the box.
There are also prints available from Disney and other Warner Brothers series such as Batman: The Animated Series and well known comic book artists such as Jim Lee and Alex Ross who has an outstanding print of Superman available as well as a great piece that depicts all the members of the Justice League including Superman, Wonderwoman, Green Lantern, The Flash and ten other super heroes standing as one.
If you want to get a gift that will appreciated all year round, get the collector an unusual piece for their collection.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Artwork for a Young Child's Room
If your baby has grown into a curious and active preschooler, you'll be ready to update his room into something that will let him feel like he is not longer a baby, but a "big kid".
First of all, replace his crib with a child sized bed. There are traditional head and footboard beds and also fun beds that come in the shapes of fire engines, race cars and even fully detailed castles for a princess to sleep in.
Give special attention to every item you put in the room. Though your little one may not be prone to putting things automatically in his mouth; he will still experiment with small objects and may run a little haphazardly in his room - even though you tell him to "Walk, don't run" on a frequent basis. Make sure furniture items don't have sharp corners and don't put toys with small parts, toys that have sharp points or toys that shoot in his room. You'll eliminate the three biggest causes of accidental childhood injuries just by a little preventative maintenance.
Paint the walls a bright color. White, even scrubbable paint, will look dingy in short order. Go for bright colors or even let your child have some say in the colors for their walls, they might surprise you with their thoughtful choices. The colors are stimulating and they won't show wear as quickly as lighter colors.
As far as artwork, the sky is the limit. A good framed print of a favorite movie or book character is a good choice and a detailed artwork that you can talk about with your child and make a game out of picking out objects will not only be fun but also teach your child to look carefully at his surroundings and helps build awareness and recall.
If you're ready to upgrade your child's room, make it a fun experience and he'll even look forward to nap time in his new room!
First of all, replace his crib with a child sized bed. There are traditional head and footboard beds and also fun beds that come in the shapes of fire engines, race cars and even fully detailed castles for a princess to sleep in.
Give special attention to every item you put in the room. Though your little one may not be prone to putting things automatically in his mouth; he will still experiment with small objects and may run a little haphazardly in his room - even though you tell him to "Walk, don't run" on a frequent basis. Make sure furniture items don't have sharp corners and don't put toys with small parts, toys that have sharp points or toys that shoot in his room. You'll eliminate the three biggest causes of accidental childhood injuries just by a little preventative maintenance.
Paint the walls a bright color. White, even scrubbable paint, will look dingy in short order. Go for bright colors or even let your child have some say in the colors for their walls, they might surprise you with their thoughtful choices. The colors are stimulating and they won't show wear as quickly as lighter colors.
As far as artwork, the sky is the limit. A good framed print of a favorite movie or book character is a good choice and a detailed artwork that you can talk about with your child and make a game out of picking out objects will not only be fun but also teach your child to look carefully at his surroundings and helps build awareness and recall.
If you're ready to upgrade your child's room, make it a fun experience and he'll even look forward to nap time in his new room!
Friday, November 17, 2006
Put a Van Gogh on Your Wall
If you want something eye catching to put on your wall and you'd like something with bold colors, go to the top of the line and put a Van Gogh on your wall.
Van Gogh's art is well known for the use of bold brush strokes and vivid colors. His art was dismissed during his lifetime and a fact about Van Gogh many people don't know is that he only sold one painting in his entire lifetime. Another painting he gave as a gift to his doctor was used a shingle for a chicken coop for many years until it was discovered and later sold at auctions for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Obviously an original may not be in the cards for you but you can own a print that is as dazzling as an original. One of Van Gogh's most celebrated paintings is called "Starry Night" and it features brilliant stars with a swirling blue background. This print is matted in a cream and blue frame to further set off the print. Framed in a gold frame this will be an outstanding addition to any art collection.
If you have a Van Gogh fan on your gift giving list, there are many pieces available in the Van Gogh collection of prints and every Van Gogh aficionado has their favorite. Try a sneaky conversation about Van Gogh and see if you can find out what their favorite painting was and get them that particular print as a holiday gift, they'll be thrilled and wonder how you knew!
The print is framed under glass and archival tapes and acid free papers are used to make this artwork long lasting. It will arrive ready to hang out of the box.
Van Gogh's art is well known for the use of bold brush strokes and vivid colors. His art was dismissed during his lifetime and a fact about Van Gogh many people don't know is that he only sold one painting in his entire lifetime. Another painting he gave as a gift to his doctor was used a shingle for a chicken coop for many years until it was discovered and later sold at auctions for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Obviously an original may not be in the cards for you but you can own a print that is as dazzling as an original. One of Van Gogh's most celebrated paintings is called "Starry Night" and it features brilliant stars with a swirling blue background. This print is matted in a cream and blue frame to further set off the print. Framed in a gold frame this will be an outstanding addition to any art collection.
If you have a Van Gogh fan on your gift giving list, there are many pieces available in the Van Gogh collection of prints and every Van Gogh aficionado has their favorite. Try a sneaky conversation about Van Gogh and see if you can find out what their favorite painting was and get them that particular print as a holiday gift, they'll be thrilled and wonder how you knew!
The print is framed under glass and archival tapes and acid free papers are used to make this artwork long lasting. It will arrive ready to hang out of the box.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Interior Tricks To Make Your Decor Look Expensive
You don't have to have the bank account of Paris Hilton to make your room look like it was decorated by a top dollar interior designer. There are a few tricks that interior designers use to give a room a chic feel and you can do it yourself for a lot less.
First of all, clear the clutter. Expensive rooms have no clutter. Invest in a cabinet or simply move it a box in the bottom of your closet. Just remove it from sight.
Next, look around your room and write down two main colors that you see and then write down two minor colors. Your goal will be to bring the main colors together and then add accents with the two minor colors. You can use your window treatments to bring in your two main colors. As for your minor colors, use them in pillows and area rugs to highlight lesser used colors.
Another way to add "wow" to a room is to add a artwork that had your minor colors in it. A large piece that can work as an impact piece is also a good trick to use if you are decorating a larger sized room. If you have a small space that you're working with, go for a small collection of three to four small artworks will look outstanding. If your budget won't allow for an original, go for a brush stroked print. The brush strokes appear on the print and when matted and framed under glass, it will look like for all the world as an original artwork on your walls. You can get a Monet in a brush stroked print or a lesser known artist.
Use these little tricks to give your room an expensive look and feel and no one has to know you really didn't spend an arm and a leg to do it.
First of all, clear the clutter. Expensive rooms have no clutter. Invest in a cabinet or simply move it a box in the bottom of your closet. Just remove it from sight.
Next, look around your room and write down two main colors that you see and then write down two minor colors. Your goal will be to bring the main colors together and then add accents with the two minor colors. You can use your window treatments to bring in your two main colors. As for your minor colors, use them in pillows and area rugs to highlight lesser used colors.
Another way to add "wow" to a room is to add a artwork that had your minor colors in it. A large piece that can work as an impact piece is also a good trick to use if you are decorating a larger sized room. If you have a small space that you're working with, go for a small collection of three to four small artworks will look outstanding. If your budget won't allow for an original, go for a brush stroked print. The brush strokes appear on the print and when matted and framed under glass, it will look like for all the world as an original artwork on your walls. You can get a Monet in a brush stroked print or a lesser known artist.
Use these little tricks to give your room an expensive look and feel and no one has to know you really didn't spend an arm and a leg to do it.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Strange Love
There is not much stranger of a relationship than the one that is played out in the pages of DC Comics and on the "Batman-The Animated Series" than the relationship between Harley Quinn and the Joker.
The story of how they met goes that Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a beautiful blonde doctor was working at Arkham Asylum as a psychiatrist where the Joker was incarcerated for life. She was attracted to him immediately and fell in love with him completely. She helped him escape, had her license revoked and wound up a patient along side her "Mister J".
During an earthquake, Harley escaped with the Joker and they become partners in crime. Joker and Harley have an on-again and off-again relationship. During one off-again moment, the Joker tells Harley as he puts her into a rocket ship that "I've noticed some changes coming over me since you came into my life. I've been reminded what it was like to be part of a couple. To care for someone who cares for me. It's the first time in recent memory I've had those feelings... And I hate having those feelings!" With that said - he launches the rocket sending an infuriated Harley into space, but as with great love stories, he soon misses her and they wind up back together as only a comic book couple can.
If you'd like a print of your favorite dysfunctional comic book couple, Alex Ross has a print out of a well known comic cover that features the Joker and Harley in a close embrace. Alex used his own likeness for the Joker and the piece is striking. This is a limited edition of only 250 and will arrive ready to hang. Now that you know the inside story of the Joker and Harley, add them to your walls and make this vibrant piece part of your personal collection.
The story of how they met goes that Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a beautiful blonde doctor was working at Arkham Asylum as a psychiatrist where the Joker was incarcerated for life. She was attracted to him immediately and fell in love with him completely. She helped him escape, had her license revoked and wound up a patient along side her "Mister J".
During an earthquake, Harley escaped with the Joker and they become partners in crime. Joker and Harley have an on-again and off-again relationship. During one off-again moment, the Joker tells Harley as he puts her into a rocket ship that "I've noticed some changes coming over me since you came into my life. I've been reminded what it was like to be part of a couple. To care for someone who cares for me. It's the first time in recent memory I've had those feelings... And I hate having those feelings!" With that said - he launches the rocket sending an infuriated Harley into space, but as with great love stories, he soon misses her and they wind up back together as only a comic book couple can.
If you'd like a print of your favorite dysfunctional comic book couple, Alex Ross has a print out of a well known comic cover that features the Joker and Harley in a close embrace. Alex used his own likeness for the Joker and the piece is striking. This is a limited edition of only 250 and will arrive ready to hang. Now that you know the inside story of the Joker and Harley, add them to your walls and make this vibrant piece part of your personal collection.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Send a Message - Love Will Find a Way
Adding artworks that carry a message is a unique way to get a "theme" going in your decor. If you are a true believer that love will indeed find a way through any hardship life can throw at you. Or you and your partner are living proof that hard times make good loves - there is a Paul Horton sculpture that will truly touch your heart.
Paul Horton's "Love Will Find A Way" is part of a limited edition of 395 resin cast sculptures that look and feel like the real deal. The sculpture features a detailed dog holding a brightly colored flower and a sack tied on a stick in a classic runaway pose. The dog's fur is etched into this piece in great detail. The dog and the sack and stick are all done in muted shades of pewter; however the flower rings out with a beautiful shade of red and makes this sculpture a very eye catching addition to your decor.
It has a flat base that is slightly wider than the sculpture itself and will sit beautifully on a favorite console table or on your desk to remind you every time you look it, no matter how annoyed you get with your partner, sometimes you need to step back and remember who has always had your back and you know that title of this sculpture is true, "love will find a way".
This would make a fantastic gift for a young couple celebrating their first year together as man and wife or if you have a dog lover on your holiday gift list, this piece is sure to speak volumes to them. Your sculpture will come with a certificate of authenticity and a numbered card so you know which one of the limited edition it is.
Paul Horton's "Love Will Find A Way" is part of a limited edition of 395 resin cast sculptures that look and feel like the real deal. The sculpture features a detailed dog holding a brightly colored flower and a sack tied on a stick in a classic runaway pose. The dog's fur is etched into this piece in great detail. The dog and the sack and stick are all done in muted shades of pewter; however the flower rings out with a beautiful shade of red and makes this sculpture a very eye catching addition to your decor.
It has a flat base that is slightly wider than the sculpture itself and will sit beautifully on a favorite console table or on your desk to remind you every time you look it, no matter how annoyed you get with your partner, sometimes you need to step back and remember who has always had your back and you know that title of this sculpture is true, "love will find a way".
This would make a fantastic gift for a young couple celebrating their first year together as man and wife or if you have a dog lover on your holiday gift list, this piece is sure to speak volumes to them. Your sculpture will come with a certificate of authenticity and a numbered card so you know which one of the limited edition it is.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Go Wild in Your Design
If you want something to create a fun yet elegant tone to your room, consider adding a piece or two of designer framed art. There's something about monkeys that brings a smile to nearly everyone's face and now you can have a surefire smile maker on your wall in the form of a designer made pair of tiles that feature a monkey on each one.
Feng shui is the creation of balance within your room and if you use this method of design in your decor, you know the value of adding pairs of items to create harmony along with the spirit of the monkey that is said to bring wisdom and bit of good natured mischief to any room they grace.
These monkey tiles were created by the artist Swartzendruber and come in a set of two. The dimensions of each framed tile are 24 inches by 28 inches and the tiles are surrounded by filets and mats to create a real one-of-a-kind piece that will garner a lot of attention in your room. The piece is framed using archival (acid free) tape and mounted and framed using museum quality materials. The finished framed piece has a paper dustcover and will arrive ready to hang with the hardware attached. You can literally pop this set of exquisite tiles out of the box and find a place that you think they would look best on your walls.
If you want to add something to your walls that will wake up your room, add a designer touched artwork with something a little wild, like monkeys!
Feng shui is the creation of balance within your room and if you use this method of design in your decor, you know the value of adding pairs of items to create harmony along with the spirit of the monkey that is said to bring wisdom and bit of good natured mischief to any room they grace.
These monkey tiles were created by the artist Swartzendruber and come in a set of two. The dimensions of each framed tile are 24 inches by 28 inches and the tiles are surrounded by filets and mats to create a real one-of-a-kind piece that will garner a lot of attention in your room. The piece is framed using archival (acid free) tape and mounted and framed using museum quality materials. The finished framed piece has a paper dustcover and will arrive ready to hang with the hardware attached. You can literally pop this set of exquisite tiles out of the box and find a place that you think they would look best on your walls.
If you want to add something to your walls that will wake up your room, add a designer touched artwork with something a little wild, like monkeys!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Gifts the Sportsman Will Love
The outdoor loving sportsman on your holiday list can be a hard duck to buy for.
A Jim Killen print will make an outstanding gift. His lifelike renderings of faithful labs carrying back ducks, mallards flying overhead, Canadian geese and other common wildlife scenes brought to breathtaking life will enhance any sportsman's den.
Most of the print series are limited editions. This means that a set number of prints will be made from an original painting and those are numbered with a unique number like 1/450 will you have purchased print number one in a set of four-hundred and fifty. Once the four-hundred and fiftieth print is sold, the run is closed and no more will be sold. This ensures that your print is a one of a kind and unique.
If your sportsman would prefer something like a Wildlife Regulator Clock. These clocks are one foot wide and two feet tall and are handcrafted from solid red oak from Wisconsin. The clock runs on a AA battery and you get a choice of several images to put in the bottom of the clock that will reflect an aspect of the outdoors that your sportsman likes the best. This clock makes an outstanding gift and also comes with a one-year warranty.
Also, consider a sculpture of a flying duck, a strutting pheasant or a regal buck with his antlers held high. All will make wonderful gifts for the sportsman on your gift list!
A Jim Killen print will make an outstanding gift. His lifelike renderings of faithful labs carrying back ducks, mallards flying overhead, Canadian geese and other common wildlife scenes brought to breathtaking life will enhance any sportsman's den.
Most of the print series are limited editions. This means that a set number of prints will be made from an original painting and those are numbered with a unique number like 1/450 will you have purchased print number one in a set of four-hundred and fifty. Once the four-hundred and fiftieth print is sold, the run is closed and no more will be sold. This ensures that your print is a one of a kind and unique.
If your sportsman would prefer something like a Wildlife Regulator Clock. These clocks are one foot wide and two feet tall and are handcrafted from solid red oak from Wisconsin. The clock runs on a AA battery and you get a choice of several images to put in the bottom of the clock that will reflect an aspect of the outdoors that your sportsman likes the best. This clock makes an outstanding gift and also comes with a one-year warranty.
Also, consider a sculpture of a flying duck, a strutting pheasant or a regal buck with his antlers held high. All will make wonderful gifts for the sportsman on your gift list!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Things Worth Keeping
Steve Hanks does delightful artworks that are richly colored, incredibly detailed and nearly lifelike in appearance. If you are already a collector of his works, you know any piece he releases in a print will be as outstanding as the original work itself.
An outstanding piece in his limited edition print collection is his piece, "Things Worth Keeping". This print is only one in a small series of 95 prints total in the entire series. The print features a series of things that a young girl may have kept in her room until the time she grew up and became a woman.
Items such as a cherished dolls, Cabbage patch dolls, Teddy bears that look like they were loved and played with for years and years are all scattered across a young girl's bed along with all her other carefully saved toys from years gone by. In the middle of the bed is a snoozing newborn baby, who is now the most treasured part of her now adult life.
This piece is done in soft colors and the attention to detail is breathtaking. The print is done on a giclee print and will be a brilliant addition to any art collection. You have numerous matting and framing options to ensure that the print you get will meld into your individual color scheme of your home decor seamlessly. If you have someone on your gift giving list that has recently added a child or grandchild to their family, this print would be a thoughtful and well received gift.
An outstanding piece in his limited edition print collection is his piece, "Things Worth Keeping". This print is only one in a small series of 95 prints total in the entire series. The print features a series of things that a young girl may have kept in her room until the time she grew up and became a woman.
Items such as a cherished dolls, Cabbage patch dolls, Teddy bears that look like they were loved and played with for years and years are all scattered across a young girl's bed along with all her other carefully saved toys from years gone by. In the middle of the bed is a snoozing newborn baby, who is now the most treasured part of her now adult life.
This piece is done in soft colors and the attention to detail is breathtaking. The print is done on a giclee print and will be a brilliant addition to any art collection. You have numerous matting and framing options to ensure that the print you get will meld into your individual color scheme of your home decor seamlessly. If you have someone on your gift giving list that has recently added a child or grandchild to their family, this print would be a thoughtful and well received gift.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Impact Pieces in Your Decor
Sometimes a room needs something dramatic to really wake it up. That is known as an impact piece.
You can use a myriad of items to create an impact piece. Create a focal point in your room using a sculpture on a short column and add tall plants on either side to accent it. Another way to add an impact piece is to add a resin cast medallion that is lightweight and can be hung in the center of your ceiling (also referred to as your "5th wall").
You can also use artwork to create an outstanding impact piece. The type of artwork you want to add on your wall is entirely up to you. Think eye catching and think bold. If you only have fine art on your walls, consider adding a striking photograph to your collection. Put it in a solid black frame and a simple white mat will make it really stand out in your room.
Steve Hanks has a set of three limited edition prints that feature a woman at the bottom of the stairs, the climbing the stairs and finally at the top of the stairs. These three prints hung together will make a real impact in your room and tell an inspiring story of a woman who began a journey and at the top of the stairs is looking out at a new beginning. Steve didn't use the same model for the final painting that he used for the first to in order to get the idea across that we are not the same person that the end of a journey that we were at the beginning.
You can use a myriad of items to create an impact piece. Create a focal point in your room using a sculpture on a short column and add tall plants on either side to accent it. Another way to add an impact piece is to add a resin cast medallion that is lightweight and can be hung in the center of your ceiling (also referred to as your "5th wall").
You can also use artwork to create an outstanding impact piece. The type of artwork you want to add on your wall is entirely up to you. Think eye catching and think bold. If you only have fine art on your walls, consider adding a striking photograph to your collection. Put it in a solid black frame and a simple white mat will make it really stand out in your room.
Steve Hanks has a set of three limited edition prints that feature a woman at the bottom of the stairs, the climbing the stairs and finally at the top of the stairs. These three prints hung together will make a real impact in your room and tell an inspiring story of a woman who began a journey and at the top of the stairs is looking out at a new beginning. Steve didn't use the same model for the final painting that he used for the first to in order to get the idea across that we are not the same person that the end of a journey that we were at the beginning.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Horses and Wolves - Symbols of Freedom
Nothing says freedom more than the image of a running horse or a wolf in the forest with the pack.
If you have a love of freedom or you have a real free spirit on your holiday gift list, you can't go wrong with a print that resonates one of the things they cherish the most : freedom.
Judy Larson has a beautifully done line of imaginative renditions of both wolves and horses that are sure to please. Almost all the works are limited edition series meaning that your numbered print in the series will be unique and won't be reissued. A limited edition print is as good as an original painting to many art collectors as it is unique and one of a kind.
One outstanding piece that will fit into any decor is her darkly popular piece, "Intent". It features a lone wolf between two trees in the forest and the only color in the painting is brought in through the beautifully captured fall leaves that wind around the painting.
If horses are more to your liking, a piece featuring a white and dappled running mustang will bring pure freedom to life. She also has a beautiful print of an American Indian painted pony, complete with feathers.
No matter if you want a special treat for yourself or someone special on your gift list, you can't go wrong with the gift of art.
Nothing says freedom more than the image of a running horse or a wolf in the forest with the pack.
If you have a love of freedom or you have a real free spirit on your holiday gift list, you can't go wrong with a print that resonates one of the things they cherish the most : freedom.
Judy Larson has a beautifully done line of imaginative renditions of both wolves and horses that are sure to please. Almost all the works are limited edition series meaning that your numbered print in the series will be unique and won't be reissued. A limited edition print is as good as an original painting to many art collectors as it is unique and one of a kind.
One outstanding piece that will fit into any decor is her darkly popular piece, "Intent". It features a lone wolf between two trees in the forest and the only color in the painting is brought in through the beautifully captured fall leaves that wind around the painting.
If horses are more to your liking, a piece featuring a white and dappled running mustang will bring pure freedom to life. She also has a beautiful print of an American Indian painted pony, complete with feathers.
No matter if you want a special treat for yourself or someone special on your gift list, you can't go wrong with the gift of art.
Monday, November 06, 2006
A Cat of Many Seasons
If you have a cat lover on your holiday list that also has a quirky, fun sense of humor, you will most definitely want to put a Bryan Moon print down on your gift giving list for them.
Moon has been painting realistic cats in very unreal settings and the result is a brilliant executed piece of art that is whimsical and detailed. "The Peace Treaty" is a detailed piece that depicts an Old West setting with Native American cats exacting a peace treaty with the cowboy clad settler cats.
Another artwork that will please any Old West fan, is the "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". This piece shows the two famous outlaws at cats on horseback, looking over the horizon for the ever present posse that was always on their proverbial tails, which can be seen in this artwork.
You have numerous framing options and a choice in colors for both an inner and outer mat. You can pick the best frame and mat colors to match your interior design or the interior decor color scheme for someone else if you're purchasing this print as a gift. These are open edition prints, meaning there is no specific number being printed and at the size of 15 inches by 16 inches, they aren't a huge commitment for a wall space.
Any of Moon's works will make a fun gift for a cat lover and if you have someone who already collects his works, they will be truly purring with satisfaction at your thoughtful choice in gifts!
If you have a cat lover on your holiday list that also has a quirky, fun sense of humor, you will most definitely want to put a Bryan Moon print down on your gift giving list for them.
Moon has been painting realistic cats in very unreal settings and the result is a brilliant executed piece of art that is whimsical and detailed. "The Peace Treaty" is a detailed piece that depicts an Old West setting with Native American cats exacting a peace treaty with the cowboy clad settler cats.
Another artwork that will please any Old West fan, is the "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". This piece shows the two famous outlaws at cats on horseback, looking over the horizon for the ever present posse that was always on their proverbial tails, which can be seen in this artwork.
You have numerous framing options and a choice in colors for both an inner and outer mat. You can pick the best frame and mat colors to match your interior design or the interior decor color scheme for someone else if you're purchasing this print as a gift. These are open edition prints, meaning there is no specific number being printed and at the size of 15 inches by 16 inches, they aren't a huge commitment for a wall space.
Any of Moon's works will make a fun gift for a cat lover and if you have someone who already collects his works, they will be truly purring with satisfaction at your thoughtful choice in gifts!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Bring a Different Kind of Turkey to Thanksgiving
If you have a special Thanksgiving dinner to attend and you want to give the hosts a special gift and you find you won't have time to whip up your signature dish, consider bringing a different kind of turkey to help celebrate the togetherness with your family and friends.
A gift of a limited edition print by Jim Kapser titled "Acorn Hunt - Turkey" is a beautiful way to bring a little holiday spirit along with you. As a limited edition, each print in the series is numbered and when the run ends - it is final. So you can be assured of not only giving an artwork that is pleasing to the eye but also know you have purchased a gift that is truly unique.
The piece features soft earthly colors that will blend well in nearly any decor and is an artwork of a fall woods setting with a quiet stream flowing through it. The wild turkeys are busily harvesting acorns as they fall from the fall colored trees above. The print is 17 inches by 25 inches and you need only choose the color mat and type of frame you would like to put your gift in. It will arrive framed under glass and ready to hang. If you would like to personally mat and frame this piece yourself, you can purchase the print only.
This Thanksgiving, bring a turkey that has no calories and will result in no leftovers but bring everyone that views it lots of smiles!
If you have a special Thanksgiving dinner to attend and you want to give the hosts a special gift and you find you won't have time to whip up your signature dish, consider bringing a different kind of turkey to help celebrate the togetherness with your family and friends.
A gift of a limited edition print by Jim Kapser titled "Acorn Hunt - Turkey" is a beautiful way to bring a little holiday spirit along with you. As a limited edition, each print in the series is numbered and when the run ends - it is final. So you can be assured of not only giving an artwork that is pleasing to the eye but also know you have purchased a gift that is truly unique.
The piece features soft earthly colors that will blend well in nearly any decor and is an artwork of a fall woods setting with a quiet stream flowing through it. The wild turkeys are busily harvesting acorns as they fall from the fall colored trees above. The print is 17 inches by 25 inches and you need only choose the color mat and type of frame you would like to put your gift in. It will arrive framed under glass and ready to hang. If you would like to personally mat and frame this piece yourself, you can purchase the print only.
This Thanksgiving, bring a turkey that has no calories and will result in no leftovers but bring everyone that views it lots of smiles!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
For the Sponge Bob Fan
Children and adults alike love the whimsical nonsense of Sponge Bob Square Pants. The theme song is infectious and the stories will make young and old laugh out loud. The series centers on Sponge Bob who lives in pineapple under the sea in a place called Bikini Bottom. He lives next door to his best friend Patrick Starfish who is a little lacking in the brains department and Sponge Bob works as a cook at the Krusty Krab owned by the notoriously cheap, penny pinching but lovable Mr. Krabs.
If you're a collector of all things Sponge Bob, you can get a limited edition hand painted Sponge Bob cel. The piece is called ,"The Story Tartar Sauce" and a brief synopsis of the story goes that King Neptune's crown was stolen and Mr. Krabs was wrongfully accused of the theft. Sponge Bob and Patrick embark on a journey to get the King's Crown back and clear Mr. Krab's good name.
Each cel in the series was produced by a Nickelodeon Networks approved ink and paint artist. Additionally, each cel features 4 silk-screened line colors, 5 hand-inked line colors and 18 Nick-approved paint colors and is paired with a fine-art giclee background. Each cel is matted and framed under glass to ensure longevity of the piece and mats and frames can be customized to match your individual decor.
If you want to add a sense of whimsy and fun to your art works, add one of these one of a kind limited editions to your private collection.
Children and adults alike love the whimsical nonsense of Sponge Bob Square Pants. The theme song is infectious and the stories will make young and old laugh out loud. The series centers on Sponge Bob who lives in pineapple under the sea in a place called Bikini Bottom. He lives next door to his best friend Patrick Starfish who is a little lacking in the brains department and Sponge Bob works as a cook at the Krusty Krab owned by the notoriously cheap, penny pinching but lovable Mr. Krabs.
If you're a collector of all things Sponge Bob, you can get a limited edition hand painted Sponge Bob cel. The piece is called ,"The Story Tartar Sauce" and a brief synopsis of the story goes that King Neptune's crown was stolen and Mr. Krabs was wrongfully accused of the theft. Sponge Bob and Patrick embark on a journey to get the King's Crown back and clear Mr. Krab's good name.
Each cel in the series was produced by a Nickelodeon Networks approved ink and paint artist. Additionally, each cel features 4 silk-screened line colors, 5 hand-inked line colors and 18 Nick-approved paint colors and is paired with a fine-art giclee background. Each cel is matted and framed under glass to ensure longevity of the piece and mats and frames can be customized to match your individual decor.
If you want to add a sense of whimsy and fun to your art works, add one of these one of a kind limited editions to your private collection.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
When Pigs Fly - Interesting Art
If you're interested in adding a truly unique piece to your art collection, consider adding art with a message such as with the whimsical imagery in the James Christian's "When Pigs Fly".
Everyone has heard the saying, "When Pigs Fly", this artwork portrays the impossible as happening and reminds the viewer that just because someone says something can't be done, doesn't mean it can not be accomplished.
This is a very detailed artwork depicting a hunchbacked person walking holding a candle. In Christensen's art, the hunchback represents the imperfect "everyman" and the candle he carries signifies his wisdom and faith. The hunchback trudges blindly forward and is completely oblivious to the flying pigs just over his shoulder and the fact that the wall behind him is changing as he walks forward from a plain stone look to a bold black and white checkerboard look.
You can have this piece matted and framed under glass and this is a limited edition run of 350 prints only so the piece you choose will truly be one of a kind. If you're looking for an outstanding one of a kind gift for someone special, you can't go wrong with a limited edition print, you can easily have the piece customized to match the decor of the recipient. If the person on your gift list has a whimsical sense of humor - this piece will delight their funny bone every time they view it.
If you're interested in adding a truly unique piece to your art collection, consider adding art with a message such as with the whimsical imagery in the James Christian's "When Pigs Fly".
Everyone has heard the saying, "When Pigs Fly", this artwork portrays the impossible as happening and reminds the viewer that just because someone says something can't be done, doesn't mean it can not be accomplished.
This is a very detailed artwork depicting a hunchbacked person walking holding a candle. In Christensen's art, the hunchback represents the imperfect "everyman" and the candle he carries signifies his wisdom and faith. The hunchback trudges blindly forward and is completely oblivious to the flying pigs just over his shoulder and the fact that the wall behind him is changing as he walks forward from a plain stone look to a bold black and white checkerboard look.
You can have this piece matted and framed under glass and this is a limited edition run of 350 prints only so the piece you choose will truly be one of a kind. If you're looking for an outstanding one of a kind gift for someone special, you can't go wrong with a limited edition print, you can easily have the piece customized to match the decor of the recipient. If the person on your gift list has a whimsical sense of humor - this piece will delight their funny bone every time they view it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)