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.

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.

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.

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.

Patriotic Art for Election Year

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

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

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

Batman Lives On

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

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

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

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

Celebrate Halloween 365 Days a Year

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Think Ahead to Spring

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

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

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

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

Viva La Difference!

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

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

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

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

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

Tame Those Large Walls With Art!

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

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

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

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

Build the Ultimate Collection of Oil Paintings

Any kind of art buff is sure to come across hundreds and hundreds of oil paintings in their lifetime. If you happen to be a fan of the look of oil paints, then you would probably benefit greatly from a look into the rich history of this painting method. Over the years, the paints as well as the artists may have changed, however the beauty and the depth that only an oil painting can provide will always stay the same.

In a nutshell, oil paint as the basis for all oil paintings consists of a drying oil that is rich with small pigments of color. This is a slow-drying process that happens to date way back into years as early as England in the thirteenth century. Some of the different ingredients to have been used in oil paints over the years include castor, linseed, soybean, safflower, walnut, poppy seed, hemp seed, sunflower and pine nut oils.

The beauty of oil paints for many artists is the sheer fact that these paints are so slow in drying that they can last in the open air to be used for several different sessions on the same project. Fans of oil paintings are also sure to agree that this is a medium with one of the best ways to blend colors.

A short list of artists who have been known to create some of the most incredible works of art with oil paints include Antonello Da Messina, Leonardo Da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, Giorgio Vasari, and Jan Van Eyck and you can get many of their masterpieces available through realistic prints on canvas.

Great Gift for the Hard to Buy For Art Lover

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

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

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

Turn Up Your Decor With Custom Framed Art

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Great Gift for Valentine's Day

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

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

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

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