Artfully Good Gifts for the Dog Lovin' Nerd

Dogs offer us a wide range of emotions-love, anxiety, and curiosity-and thereby make us think they possess the full array of human emotions. When you really think about it though, aren't the emotions mentioned really the most important?

When we arrive home, they dance with joy and put their heads on our knees. And, when they look lovingly up into our eyes, we feel a sensation of love and loyalty. So what if the world doesn't care, we have our dogs to fill in the gaps. Who knows? That loving look might just be man's best friend telling us they're hungry!

Dogs are pretty good at reading or emotions too. They've learned to respond to our emotions, and that makes us happy. This is perhaps the biggest reason whey we don't let hamsters or squirrels run loose in the house. It's a good exchange; we love them and get a lot love in return.

They also help us to make important social decision in our lives. If you're guy, it's a well- established fact that you had better impress her dog if you want the relationship to flourish-and vice versa. Who knows, maybe dogs have evolved to the point of being great mimicking human emotion. Whatever the case, it really doesn't matter in the bigger scheme of things. Dogs will be in our lives as long as boys have fishing poles and fish to catch in a winding country stream.

Since we've given them human-like status, the perfect gift of any dog lover is the engaging and charming print by Bill Bullas: "The Nerd Dogs". This just about sums up their entire personality, and what they really mean to us.

Purrr-fect Gifts for Cat Lovers

Cats are interesting creatures to say the least, and they come in as many sizes, colors, and shapes imaginable. People have debated for centuries over whether cats can be taught to do tricks, or if they can really fit into the classification of being intelligent. However, for the cat lover, these things are unimportant. We can love cats simply for being what they are.

Cats provide a loving presence, and maybe it's just the feeling of a cat cuddling up next to you that symbolizes love and warmth. It doesn't hurt to feel that wonderful vibration when cats purr either! And, just think of the joy you feel when your cat is had a tasty meal. There's nothing better than watching a cat lick its whiskers. When that happens, somehow it makes life feel good through and through.

Cat's can be of tremendous help if a person is sick or under the weather too. They seem to intuitively sense the need for a person's attention, and in giving it in their own unique way; they serve a wonderful purpose in making that person somehow feel better. Be on the lookout though! Cat's are legendary for being finicky, and it's this almost human-like quality that makes them so endearing.

Cats live long lives, and we can enjoy them for many years. Often, the passing of a cat is equivalent to losing a loved one. Steve Hank's limited edition, "The Cat's Lair", is the perfect celebration of those little furry gems we just can't seem to live without.

Need a Perfect Gift? Think Limited Edition!

A print can be the perfect gift, but finding the right print as a gift for a special occasion can be a challenge. Some good rules of thumb are as follows: You should always pick a gift that fits a person's lifestyle. Delve into whether they like decorative prints, or if they prefer prints that border more on the conservative side of art.

Do they love animals, or are they more the outdoors type and attracted to the change of seasons? Inquire if they like to play cards, collect clocks, mouse pads, or collect home décor items. Is the person you have in mind an amateur sportsman or woman, or are do they "cut their teeth" in watching or participating in sports? The list of possibilities can be endless, and it will be up to you to narrow down the choices.

The biggest thing to remember is to keep the search fun, as the search will actually open up your knowledge about who that person really is. Once you've narrowed your search, you should also take into consideration the type of setting your print gift will be placed in. If you're personally familiar with the recipient, you can make a reasonable guess. If on the other hand you're not as familiar with a person's private home settings, i won't hurt to inquire from those that might have the "inside" scoop.

A safe bet can be wildlife print, and the perfect place to start is with the acclaimed work of David A. Maass. His fine art limited edition print "Tomahawk Trail-Pheasant" would make the perfect gift. Very few people can reject the beauty of nature, and this work of art captures perfectly the essence of something we all want to preserve.

Get Rid of the Stress - Relax

There's nothing like having a home that is inviting and relaxing for friends or family. "Relaxation" by Patricia Govenzensky" is a beautiful work of art that says it all in the stroke of a brush. She is fast becoming a rising star in the International world of art, and is well known for her richly textured acrylics and watercolors. Her paintings offer center around "romantic" mysteries, and her use of watercolors are able to evoke feelings of intense happiness or sadness in her characters.

This is a superb work of art that will enhance any room décor. The colors are vibrant, and represent every major color on the spectrum. This means that it immediately becomes a perfect match for any wall in the home or office. And, let's face it! It's a great conversation piece. Great art that evokes an emotional response is what make are great in the first place.

The vibrancy and life in her work is perhaps a result of her youthful years in Tel-Aviv, where from a young age she was enrolled in art courses sponsored by the Tel- Aviv Museum. Later, she studied at the Avni Institute, and continued to expand her knowledge at the Ramat Hasharon Art Academy, where she graduated with honors.

This is art that has the ability to create a relaxed mood-of which we can never have too much of. Your orders will usually ship in 3-9 days, and may take a bit longer if you're ordering "custom framed" products, so if you're getting this outstanding piece for a gift, order a 2-weeks or so in advance to ensure you'll have your beautiful piece in time.

Decorate By Season - Think Summer!

It's hard to design for summer in your decor when snow is still on the ground, but many people do as much entertaining in the summertime as they do in the December holiday season and they want their homes to look a little different in the summer and reflect and warmth and life of the season. A beautiful hand signed artwork of Sueellen Ross. "Summertime and Living is Easy" is the perfect suite to celebrate the long awaited summer, and compliment your art collection.

Flowers and a sassy cat are the highlights of this design and the bright colors will enhance and yet, not overpower your room. This design is a beautiful mix of media including watercolor, India Ink, and pencil. These cats will tempt you to find an easy chair in your favorite spot on the front porch, or that hammock strung between two trees out in the back yard, kick back and enjoy the day with family and friends.

An exceptional artist, the works of Sueellen Ross have been exhibited worldwide, and she has been listed in Who's Who in American Art since 1987. The love of painting comes natural, and her two cats are no doubt inspiring. There's an almost "playful" attitude that she's able to bring to bare in all of her works. And, it's this spirit of pureness and realism that touches the heart of those that love animals.

Her attention to detail is most impressive, and no matter what the background in her painting, the animals seem to dominate in a graceful and playful way. She's able to capture her animal's personalities in a way that no other artist of her caliber can. Add some summer breeze to your room with this refreshing artwork!

Keep the Spirit of Summer All Year Round

Sometimes it is easy to look at a particular object and almost feel immediately transported to another time and place. Generally, wonderful works of art are well known for having this kind of affect on the eye as well as the senses. When you are looking to bring a breath of fresh summertime air into your living space, you may not have to do anything except find a beautiful piece of art to be placed upon your wall.

"Katie's Gladiola" is a marvelous example of the perfect way to bring all of the wonders of summertime into your living space. This hand signed and numbered limited edition giclee on canvas is a bright and stunning choice for any living situation that happens to need a boost of life and color. Created by artists Brian Davis, this is the kind of art that you will be proud to have on display in just about any of the rooms that need an extra touch in your home, loft, office or apartment.

Of course, there are other ways that you can bring the feel of summer into your home. Perhaps a new shade of paint or even a fresh new piece of furniture will be able to do the trick. However, any option when paired with this incredible limited edition giclee can take your current decor to a completely new level of stunning. Any of your guests are sure to enjoy this piece, especially if they are looking to celebrate the wonders of summer along with you.

Art Up Your Home Office Space

There could quite possibly be nothing worse than an office space that is dull and dreary. Whenever you are sitting in such a room, it is only natural that you will feel as though you are being weighed down. In order to have an upbeat feeling in your office that will inspire you to work, you may want to think of mixing things up a bit. This could mean everything from the addition of a plant to a gorgeous piece of wall art.

Depending on what your particular tastes may be, a nice piece of artwork for your office could either be subtle or bright. When it comes to color you can always go with the particular pattern or scheme that speaks to you first. If you happen to find a piece that makes you smile from the very second that you look at it, then the chances are very good that it will bring you plenty of joy and inspiration when placed in your office setting.

If you long for the days when you can relax and enjoy the open air of the west, then there is really nothing better than a limited edition Bill Anton giclee on canvas. Since Anton is well known for capturing the west in a natural and almost lifelike state, it is only right that you would fall in love with one of his pieces from the get go. "Emerald Oasis" is always a good choice for the lover of the outdoors, complete with rolling mountains, a beautiful water setting and majestic horses. With such a delightful piece of art, your office will never be dull and drab again.

Never a Dull Moment With a Govinder

There comes a time when you look around your living quarters only to find that the space is lacking something. You might want to switch things around or even make a couple of changes to the color of your walls. However, no matter what you do you still find that something is off. Perhaps all you really need is some sort of incredible sculpture to add depth to your living space. After all, with the right piece of sculpture, you can bring conversation and a million smiles to any home or apartment.

"Bob's Your Uncle & Fanny's Your Aunt" is a wonderfully unique sculpture that would make an amazing conversation piece when placed within any room of your home or apartment. There is something calm and whimsical about each and every piece of Govinder sculpture that you cannot help but fall in love with. Perhaps it is the simple, yet crazy design that makes you second-guess your thoughts upon first impression. It may even be that looking at such pieces can bring a chuckle to your day. Either way, there is just something amazing that draws you into each and every sculpture.

With this limited edition hand-signed and numbered sculpture and resin piece you are guaranteed to add a whole new level of interest to your living space. You might even see that this simple addition of amazing sculpture will prompt you to look for other pieces to brighten up the rest of your home. When it comes to interesting art and sculpture, you can never really add too many!

The Perfect Gift for the Disney Collector

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

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

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

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

Beautify Your Bathroom

While the way a bathroom looks does not matter to some people, to others a bathroom is their true sanctuary. Of course, while nobody spends all of their relaxation time in the bathroom, there is a certain level of comfort that comes from a bathroom that happens to be put together nicely. This could mean anything from the color on the walls to the kinds of decoration that you will find on the walls, shelving and more.

If you are the type of person who likes to have people over regularly for various dinners or gatherings, it is imperative that you have a guest bathroom that has a good amount of cozy decoration. While you do not have to break the bank in order to place an expensive piece of sculpture in your bathroom, a few strategically placed prints could make a world of difference to the entire look and feel of the space.

To find the right piece of art, it is a good idea to try and look past the fact that it will be hanging in your bathroom. No matter what the room may be, any piece of art will look amazing, especially if it speaks to each of your guests on an inviting level every time they have the chance to glance at it.

Certainly a floral piece is always a smart move to make when looking for a framed art print for your bathroom. Because of the versatility of the style, you really cannot lose. "Purple Dream Irises" by artist Cheri Blum is always a great choice when you want a delicate design for your lavatory. The subtle colors and flowing feel of this framed art will bring a whole new look to the wall of your choice within your bathroom.

Batman Lives On

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

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

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

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

Making Your Princess's Room Even More Special With Art

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meditation The Other Fine Art

Do you find yourself just thinking about collapsing at the end of your busy day? Between the kids, your partner, your job, your social obligations and then personal errands, it can be difficult to relax and many people have actually forgotten the fine art of relaxation and actually must learn to do it. There's an ancient tradition that can help you relax and you don't need costly equipment to do it. You just need to make a little time for yourself.

Meditation is a wonderful way to teach your body to unwind and relax. There are many different disciplines of meditation and with a light amount of research, you will find that one that will be right for you. The most basic type of meditation is a combination of visualization and deep breathing.

Flooding your body with oxygen through deep breathing is calming in itself. The technique is to breath in through your nose and exhale long and slow through your mouth. A deep breath or two will relax almost everyone and it's a good idea to take a couple of "cleansing breaths" before you start your meditation.

Make your meditation session your own. If you enjoy music, put some on. It doesn't have to be Eastern Indian; if you enjoy country and western - put a slow song on. Remember, this is relaxation for you and you need to do what you find comfortable. Many people enjoy sitting in a sunny spot and allowing the sun's warm rays to bring their relaxing touch to a meditation session. Another helpful way to get relaxed is to create a focal point. A good way to do this is to have a painting or sculpture to concentrate upon and start letting your thoughts wander as you do your deep breathing.

Meditating daily for about twenty to thirty minutes has been found to help lower blood pressure and increase oxygen levels in the body. If you've been feeling stressed and you aren't sure you even remember how to relax, take up meditation and you'll find that you can feel alot better about life in general and yourself in particular.

More Easy Tips for Waking Up Your Interior Decor

One of the main reasons so many people don't redecorate their rooms is not that they don't know how or they don't have time; it's the money factor. If you use the following tips, you can spruce up your decor and make some outstanding changes without spending a lot of money.

First, look at the basics of your room. Check out your big furniture pieces. Strip off any pillows, throws and items off table tops - you can put back some of it after you re-do your room.

If you have a boring beige decor, hop it up a little with color. Delegate your beige and brown pillows to the guest room and replace those boring pillows with colors that pick up little used colors in your room. It's a great way to meld a decor.

Shelves can do so much for a room. Aside from getting rid of clutter on table tops and giving a look of organization to the room, they can also be very useful for developing a sense continuity in your room design. The straight lines of the shelving will travel in the mind's eye along the line of the walls and ceiling and help ring your decor together.

A sculpture can enliven a room too. Choose something bright and fun - a real conversation starter such as a Govinder sculpture. There is no trick to choosing a sculpture, simply choose a piece that you enjoy looking at such as the "Strange Love" which depicts the love between a cat and a dog.

Use these tips and bring your room to life with a minimum of cost!

The Perfect Gift for Newlyweds

It's hard to find a good gift for newlyweds, you want to get them a gift that sends your best wishes for their new life together, however you don't want to get them a toaster or something impersonal like a gift certificate.

Instead opt for a gift that will carry a lot of meaning and add a touch of art to their home - give them a sculpture. A sculpture is way to give them a gift on several levels; you are giving a great way to spruce up their decor, you're giving a gift with a meaning and it's all wrapped up in a nifty piece of original art.

A great looking piece that will convey well wishes for the new couple is found in the Govinder limited edition sculpture titled "Lovers Rock". It features two artfully sculpted elephants that are holding a heart in their touching trunks. limited edition makes a very special gift since only a certain number of the piece are produced it's a good way to give a unique gift that they can count on as one of a kind, as each number in the series is numbered as unique.

If your newlyweds are using the principle of Feng Shui to decorate their love nest - they will appreciate the fact that this piece comes in a pair. You can also give this gift with a lovely plant such as a bonsai or other slow growing, long living plant that will your new couple years of enjoyment.

Giving a gift for newlyweds is easy when you give the gift of art.

Art Gone Bad!

No, we don't mean art that is badly done or will totally wreck your decor; instead we mean art that is done with the rebel or rebel at heart in mind. If you know a truly free spirit that marches to the beat of their own drummer - the gift of a thoughtfully chosen piece of art just for them will make a beautiful sentiment and show you really know what they like.

Govinder has a really fun piece titled, "Bad to the Bone" it features a stylized cat with bold colors emblazoned with a skull and cross bones. There is an image of a dog stamped on his side - in the fashion of WWII planes that stamped a mark for every enemy combatant they shot down.

Other pieces that are purely wild at heart include a free, running horse that embodies the spirit of freedom at its finest. Consider art with symbols that stand for freedom and free thinking such as wolves and dragonflies, both are common messengers that bring freedom with their presence.

Consider a limited edition piece. Limited editions are more than reproductions of original artworks, they are limited to a certain number, usually determined by the artist and then only that number of prints or sculptures is produced. Each one is given a unique number in the series and the final piece has been produced. The edition is over.

It's easy to find a piece of art that will embody the free thinking on your gift list - it's just a matter of narrowing down to a single piece that can be the difficult part when you have so many choices!

Never Forget the Special Someone that Loves Elephants

Got a friend that loves to collect dog or cat items? Those types of items are everywhere and you can find something to add to someone's collection whether it's a new figurine of an Irish setter or a small sculpture of a Persian kitty sitting pretty. But what about your friends that collect items dedicated to more exotic?

If you have a friend that loves all things elephant, there are some excellent ways to give them a unique gift that they will adore. With the old adage,"An elephant never forgets"; you can give your friend a gift of a date book or appointment book in a beautiful leather bound case.

A new writing pen with an elephant motif is another great gift. You can include a beautifully designed elephant print scarf. Jewelry with an elephant inspired design is now readily available. An elephant inspired brooch is a beautiful way to show your know what your friend really likes - even better include a beautiful African or elephant inspired scarf.

For the elephant lover that doesn't really wear jewelry or have need of a pen and appointment book, try a piece of elephant inspired art. Govinder has a gorgeously detailed piece that is exotically elephant inspired. In a limited edition of only 250 pieces in the series this reproduction of his original piece is full of detail and will absolutely "wow" anyone that loves elephants.

Titled, "Eternal Kiss" this extremely detailed piece features a stylized pair of elephants that are ready to get close at any moment. Both pieces are carved with tribal looking markings and this piece measures roughly 6.5-inches tall so it won't be a big space commitment and will bring an air of true elephant elegance wherever it is displayed.

Wake Up Your Room With a Splash of Color!

If you're tired of your boring old living room, you don't have to run out and purchase all new furnishings to give your room a new life, just add a little flair.

Flair for a room can come in many forms. Add an area rug to add some life to the center of your room. Make a cozy gathering corner for you and your friends by placing an area rug in the corner of your room and then adding a set of chairs and a table in the area. The rug will create invisible boundaries and help this area of the room seem separate from the rest.

Another way to add flair to a room is to add a splash of bold color. You can add color in subtle ways by changing out your pillows on your sofa to something bright and lively. Add a piece of artwork in your room that is vibrant with color such as a hand pulled seriagraph by Phillipe Bertho.

A simple yet brightly colored table cloth on an occasional table or a table runner on a coffee table are both excellent ways of bringing more color into your rooms and giving the entire room more life.

Last but not least, living plants that are vibrant in color such as a flowering hibiscus with its beautiful pink and white blooms will make an outstanding statement in your room. Silk plants are also a good decor item if you have a decidedly brown thumb where plants are concerned. Either way opt for lush green leaves and bright flowers for your room - you'll love the pick-me-up your room gets from adding just a touch of bright color.

The Power of Small Elements

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

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

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

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

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