Category: Fashion

  • Hello Great.ly! Announcing The Trove, a Great.ly Boutique Gallery by Artsy Forager

    Hello Great.ly! Announcing The Trove, a Great.ly Boutique Gallery by Artsy Forager

    Sometimes an opportunity comes along and you just stop everything else you’re doing to pursue it.  Which is exactly what I did when the new Great.ly site launched last week.  Haven’t heard of it?  Well, let me tell you all about it! Greatly logo unedited Great.ly is an online commerce platform “connecting the dots between makers & tastemakers”.  For artists, artisans and other makers, it’s the opportunity to stock an online “studio” with work from which “tastemakers” ( bloggers like me & other influential folks ) fill their Great.ly boutiques and market the work to their audiences.

    One of the great joys of writing Artsy Forager is the ability it has given me to help influence the careers of artists whose work I love in whatever way I can.  And for me, I see Great.ly as another way to do just that! The Artsy Forager boutique gallery, The Trove, is already stocked with work by artists and artisans whose creations exemplify the excellence I seek to showcase here on the blog and speaks to me ( and to you, I hope! ) on a personal artistic level.  I would love to have any one, or all of these pieces for myself! Greatly_own_collage Right now, The Trove is broken up into three main categories, Own the Artsy— where you can find incredible artwork by some of my favorite artists like Emily Jeffords, Kiana Mosley, & Jaime Derringer.

    There’s also the Wear the Artsy section, because why just hang the art on your wall when you could hang it around your neck or on your shoulder? Greatly_wear_collage And of course, I want to Live the Artsy.  Wouldn’t it be amazing if every thing in our homes, down to the most utilitarian objects was crafted not just for purpose but for beauty?  The dream can be a reality.  I’m seriously lusting over so many of these pieces.  If only Mr. F & I had a home to call our own right now! Greatly_live_collage This interview with Great.ly founder Sarah Bryden Brown explains it all so much better than I ever could!  I hope this post doesn’t seem too sales-pitchy, as I never want this site to turn into one giant sales pitch.  But I LOVE promoting artists and with the creative minds behind this site, including The Jealous Curator herself, I see this as an incredible platform for connection and promotion of artists and their work.  And I want to truly embrace it as such. I truly think this is a fantastic opportunity for artists, artisans, and bloggers to join forces and do GREAT things ( pun intended! ).

    If you’re an artist or artisan interested in becoming a Great.ly Maker, you can apply here.  And if you set up a Great.ly studio, please let me know so I can perhaps add your work to The Trove! And if you just love artsy things, well bookmark The Trove and get to shopping! 😉

    All images via The Artsy Forager Great.ly page.

    *This post contains affiliate links.  As a Great.ly Tastemaker and curator of The Trove, I receive a small commission on each piece sold from The Trove boutique gallery.

  • Wear the Artsy: Jill Ricci

    Wear the Artsy: Jill Ricci

    Something about the warmer months make me long for the exotic.  Maybe it’s childhood conditioning bringing on dreams of summer vacations to faraway places!  I’ve always loved the work of Jill Ricci for her brilliant way of combining exotic motifs with pop art and urban graphics and her mixed media piece, Roam, perfectly inspires an urban globetrotter ensemble! This Mintzita Maxi Dress from Anthropologie embodies a free spirited, exotic traveler type.

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    art | find it here

    inspiration | find it here

    dress | find it here

    How to make it just a tad more Ricci?  Edge up the dress’s sweetness with a moto jacket and Chuck Taylors and suddenly it’s like you are living it up Ricci-style.  Roam, if you want to. 😉

    See more of the Wear the Artsy series in the archives!

    All image sources linked above.

  • Wear the Artsy: Alexandra Bellissimo

    Wear the Artsy: Alexandra Bellissimo

    We are a few weeks into Spring here in Northern California and this weekend, something wonderful happened.. we seemed to have finally turned a corner into deep spring.  That time of year when the air is warm and soft and everywhere you turn something extraordinary is blooming.  All I want to do is turn my face to the sun, lie in the grass and soak it all in.  This piece by April Featured Artist Alexandra Bellissimo perfectly captures these deep days of spring, the longing to be one with the blossoming world.  And this Scenery at Sunset Dress by Modcloth is just the perfect translation of that light and airy feeling that the first warm days of spring delivers.

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     art | find it here

    inspiration | find it here

    dress | find it here

    Today I’m even wearing my own version Surface, this work by Alexandra Bellissimo, a new scarf I’ve been eyeing that feels like spring.  Winter, I love you, but I think I’ll always have a bit of a crush on Spring.

    Keep watching the blog & social media for more from Alexandra Bellissimo all throughout April, including an exciting announcement coming soon!  *Hint: it starts with a P and ends with “rints”. 😉  And of course, you can always peruse Alexandra’s website for more of her stunning work.

    Want to see more of the Wear the Artsy series?  Check out the archives here!

    Image sources linked above.

  • Wear the Artsy: Wendy McWilliams

    Wear the Artsy: Wendy McWilliams

    A while back I wrote about the work of Wendy McWilliams and how to me, much of her work illustrates the glimpses of light and color that give us hope in the dark.  We are now well into winter and if you happen to be living in the Northeast, you may be wondering if you will ever see blue skies, flowers and unfrozen ground.  February has always seemed to be winter’s last cold blow, preparing us for March and the beginning of our transition into spring.  But maybe you can’t wait for March and need to put a little spring into your dark winter days!  This painting by McWilliams reminded me that even in the midst of the coldest, darkest winter, we can still embrace the spring in our souls.

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    the art | find more like it here

    the necklace | find it here

    the inspiration | found here 

    I love how the Tapestry Necklace brings together the dark and light of McWilliams’ painting, the colors echoing the painting and the inspiration, as well as mimicking the beautiful messiness of the brushstrokes.  Perfect for a shot of color and would keep your neck warm while it’s still freezing outside!

    To see more of Wendy McWilliams’ work, please visit her website and to see more fiber art necklaces like these ( I want one!  So many gorgeous choices! ) check out the You Made That shop on Etsy.

    Image sources linked above.

  • Wear the Artsy: Christy Kinard

    Wear the Artsy: Christy Kinard

    January can be a tough month for some folks.  I love the winter, but I understand how the cold air, brown grass and gray skies can get ya down.  Which is why I love the work of this month’s Featured Artist, Christy Kinard so much– her paintings are like a warm breath of spring any time of the year!

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    art | find it here

    scarf | find it here

    inspiration | found here

    But spring is still three months away, you say?  Why not just infuse some warm and bright florals into your probably drab winter wardrobe?  Your countenance and outlook will instantly cheer and chase away the January blues!

    Want to see more work by our Featured Artist, Christy Kinard?  Check out her website.

    Image sources linked above.

  • Splendorous Adornments: Takaya Hanayushi

    Splendorous Adornments: Takaya Hanayushi

    We’re so casual these days.  Heck, all my high heels are in storage, I probably won’t see them again until around 2018!  But there are days when I miss getting dressed up.  Remember that careful giving I was going on about yesterday?  These sculptural floral arrangements by Takaya Hanayushi remind me of our need to present ourselves artfully.

    Takaya Hanayushi Takaya Hanayushi Takaya Hanayushi Takaya Hanayushi Takaya Hanayushi

     The idea of adorning oneself in a certain way, whether to mark one’s place in society or simply as personal expression is a human trait that seems to have been with us a long time.  And although in our dressed down society, such lavish adornments as were once practiced are rare, we still find ways to incorporate these rituals.  We pierce and tattoo, we find just the right pair of shoes, we refuse to wear animal fur or skins.  Though it may be in more subtle, 21st century ways, we are still each day painting our own portrait of who we are and presenting it to the world.

    To see more of these stunning arrangements by Takaya Hanayushi, please visit his website.  You can also follow Hanayushi on his Facebook page.

    All images are via the artist’s website and Facebook page.

  • Design Foraging: Sarah Ashley Longshore at Anthropologie

    Design Foraging: Sarah Ashley Longshore at Anthropologie

    I love everything that Sarah Ashley Longshore does.  You can see all the evidence right here on the blog.  And when she teams up with one of my favorite retailers, well, I just can’t resist sharing the artsy goodness with you!  The artist’s latest collaboration with Anthropologie features her iconic Audrey Hepburn paintings on a tres chic line of travel bags and weekenders.

    Sarah Ashley Longshore Weekender, City of Lights Sarah Ashley Longshore Weekender, Big Apple Sarah Ashley Longshore, Jetsetter Hatbox, London Sarah Ashley Longshore, Jetsetter Hatbox, London ( detail ) Sarah Ashley Longshore, Jetsetter Traincase, Tasseled Traveler

    These remind me so much of “the golden age of travel”, when taking a plane ride meant getting dressed to the nines and a matching set of luggage was the ultimate luxury.  Inside each of the larger bags is a wonderful little “handwritten” note from the artist.  A perfect gift for that artsy girly girl!

    See more of the Jetsetter line at the Anthropologie website.  You can see original work by Sarah Ashley Longshore on her website.  And follow her own jet setting adventures on Instagram!

    All images via the Anthropologie website.

  • Wear the Artsy: Megan Auman Scarves + A Special Deal Just For You!

    Wear the Artsy: Megan Auman Scarves + A Special Deal Just For You!

    I am forever in awe of how interconnected we have become through the glory of the inter webs!  Case in point– I receive an email from artist & designer Megan Auman, telling me about her new line of gorgeous scarves based on her paintings.  I think to myself, Artsy, these are awesome!  But those paintings look so familiar.. Sure enough, a quick check of my Pinterest boards reveals that I’d recently pinned one of Megan’s paintings for a future Artsy Forager feature.  Turns out I’d seen her work through Jaime Derringer’s Instagram feed and well, the rest is internet history!

    I’ve made no secret of my scarf obsession.. my friends and family know it well!  And scarves that begin life as abstract paintings, thereby combining two of my absolute favorite things?  Winner, winner, warm & artsy neck!

    Megan Auman Scarves

    Auman’s richly colored abstract paintings provide the starting point for these lovelies.  The work is then digitally printed onto soft organic cotton ( bonus! ) and hand sewn in her Pennsylvania studio.  Each scarf is made in small batches and available in limited quantities.  Truly works of wearable art!

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    WTA_Auman_trio

    SONY DSC

    Auman collage

    Megan Auman scarves are available for purchase in her online shop here.  And Megan is generously offering a special FREE SHIPPING offer to Artsy Forager readers!  Just enter the code ARTSY at checkout, but make it fast because this offer ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday 10/27.  Be sure to check out Megan’s other artsy wares– gorgeous art pillows, jewelry, and especially these ingenious cozy/cuffs!

    All images are via Megan Auman.

  • Wear the Artsy: Jennifer JL Jones

    Wear the Artsy: Jennifer JL Jones

    I don’t know what it is about the work of this month’s Featured Artist, Jennifer JL Jones that reminds me so much of the Pacific Northwest.  Maybe it’s the watery, downward strokes that make me think of the softly falling rain or perhaps it’s the subtle glowing light, so different from the blaring bright this Florida girl had been used to!

    This piece in particular, Sukha [Totems]is just the perfect representation of a Pacific Northwest Fall and I’m pretty sure that wasn’t anywhere near her mind when she painted it!  Autumn here in the NW is such an interesting mix of brilliantly changing leaves, grey skies and rain soaked earth.  Days that are made for cozy sweaters, boots and definitely don’t forget your raincoat!

    Wear the Artsy collage

    art | Sukha [Totems] by Jennifer JL Jones

    ring | Patina Pleat Ring

    sweater | Boucle Cowlneck

    bag | Dylan Tote

    jeans | AG Stevie Ankle Cords

    boots | Dahlia Punched Boots

    coat | Classic Snap Up Trench

    My perfect Northwest Autumn day would be spent wrapped up in these cozies, grabbing coffee and heading to the art museum, followed by an evening at home by the fire gazing up at Jennifer Jones’ painting. 😉  One day, I will have one!  One day.

    Image sources linked above.

     

  • Artsy Lately: Anna Kincaide

    Artsy Lately: Anna Kincaide

    How long has it been since I’ve done an Artsy Lately feature?  Way too long, if you ask me! Especially since sooo many of the artists whose work has been featured on AF are continually amazing me!  This young artist has been working hard and when I saw what she’s been up to, I just had to let you see.  Tallahassee artist Anna Kincaide knows that the way to grow as an artist is to continually practice your craft and experiment.  She’s playing with color and pattern these days and I’m loving this direction!

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    Catwalk is part of a series the artist completed for the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at Florida State University.  Perfect!  If you’d like to see more of Anna Kincaide‘s work, please visit her website and Facebook page.  Want to see more of what AF featured artists are up to?  Follow the Artsy Lately Pinterest board!  If you’re an artist whose work I’ve featured and you haven’t received an invite to participate in the board, shoot me an email at lesley(at)artsyforager.com!

    All images are via the artist’s website.