Home has been a subject in the forefront of our minds lately. Over the next several years, Mr. F and I are saving like mad so that we can settle down and build a little house that fits our needs and our aesthetic perfectly. What might that aesthetic be, you ask? Well, it has a lot in common with the work of this month’s Featured Artist, Deb Haugen— fresh and organic, yet modern.
In her work, Deb, a California-girl, balances that lovely line between the modern and organic, often employing watery, free flowing colored forms dotted with graphic ink drawing. Translating her work into a living space means lots of white walls and furnishings dotted with pops of muted color and warmed with natural textures and graphic punches of black.
A space like this is just dying for a post-beach fire, wine, and conversation! If you’d like to see more of Deb Haugen‘s work, check out her website AND visit The Trove, Artsy Forager’s new Great.ly boutique gallery where you can find lots of Deb’s work for sale including these lovelies EXCLUSIVE to The Trove!
work by Deb Haugen available exclusively at The Trove
Please note that the above works are cropped. You can see the full versions here!
*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.
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! 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! 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? 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! 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! 😉
*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.
By now, we’ve all seen the gagillions of pins of perfectly arranged art walls, so we know full well that when grouped with other work, small art pieces can sing. But when grouped with all those other works, lilliputian work can sometimes be as overlooked as a backup singer. Hang them on a wall all by their lonesome, though? You’re giving them the mic and letting them shine!
Here are a few of my favorite rooms showcasing small art works–
Need more convincing that small art can have major effect? Head over to Mantle Art & check out the beautiful, super affordable Artsy Forager Collection of limited edition prints. They’re small but they’re fabulous!
Choosing artwork for your home can be an intimidating process. Sometimes we fall in love with a piece of work but wonder how in the world we would ever incorporate it with our current style?! You know that old adage, buy what you love and somehow it will work? I’m here to prove it’s true. Let’s say you fall for this bold black and white art pair by this month’s Featured Artist, Alexandra Bellissimo.
They’re strong. They’re daring. They’re a little weird but totally fabulous. Now where can you put them? The best thing about graphic black and white art like these is that they can add a sense of the unexpected to anywhere they hang.
1 | fierce romance This fantastical pair are like creatures from a dark fairy tale. Hung off to the side above the antique sofa in a romantic bohemian living room, The Antagonist and The Guardian would add just the right amount of sass to counteract the sweet.
2 | sleek soak In the bath is often the very last place we consider for artwork, but these guys are just screaming to add a little of the unexpected to your personal spa. They’re graphic so maybe placement in a contemporary bath seems like a no-brainer, but their organic sci-fi feel compliments the space in a fresh way.
art by alexandra bellissimo | interior image found here
3 | rustic edge Maybe you love rustic decor but don’t want to completely live the cowboy life? The his and her pairing is perfect for a bedroom and this black and white art would provide a fantastic juxtaposition against a wood feature wall. Want to edge it up even more? Add an extra wide white mat and simple contemporary frames in a bold color like yellow or bright green. Boom. You’ve turned up the sophistication to 11.
Have a room you need some artsy help with? Or art you love but not sure how to style in your room? I can help with that! Check out my Forager Services page for details. Love this pair by Alexandra Bellissimo? Check out her site AND stay tuned for some news here and on the Mantle Art site for affordable, limited editions prints coming soon!
Touring artist studios at last weekend’s ArtsAlive got me day dreaming about my own future work space. As we travel, I paint either at our dining/kitchen table or on a collapsible easel Mr. F bought me a few years ago. I can’t wait for the weather to get warmer so I work out on our pretty little deck! Where do you like to set up your artistic command center?
If you work small like I do currently, or on paper, maybe a table works for you. A big flat surface where you can spread out and everything you need is within reach. And bonus– you get to sit down!
Or maybe you’re a traditionalist and working from an easel is your thing. A good sturdy, adjustable easel is a thing of beauty. There is one in the window of the local art supply store that I am totally coveting.
Perhaps you like working a la Jackson Pollock? It might be hard on the back, but working on the floor is great for large canvases or getting a different perspective on your work. And I’m pretty sure it’s a great workout.
A lot of artists like to mount their canvases on the wall and if we ever have the extra space, I would love to give this way of working a try. Would be especially fun in a studio in which you were free to make as big a mess as you wanted!
A lot of artists don’t have the luxury of a dedicated studio space, so we just find a place to land our artsiness wherever we can! Maybe it’s the kitchen island or a corner in the attic. If you’re an artist, wherever you happen to be, that’s your artsy spot.
Interior designers have a special place in my heart. Perhaps because I call so many of them friends and because I spent a few years studying to be one. That plan derailed ( a story for another day! ), but I’m still so appreciative of the work that designers do, especially when it comes to incorporating original artwork into the spaces they design. And Seattle’s Brian Paquette of Brian Paquette Interiors, of course, is showing the world how to using original artwork infuses a space with personality and turns the fabulousness up to 11.
The work Paquette chooses add yet another layer of texture to his already gorgeously layered designs. The spaces are elegant, yet warm and friendly, much in thanks to the contemporary art he uses that is anything but stuffy. Named one of The Next Big Names in Design by Lonny Magazine, the future’s looking bright in rainy Seattle for Brian Paquette Interiors.
To see more of the Brian Paquette’s portfolio, please visit the Brian Paquette Interiors website.
Mr. F and I may not have any babies, but that doesn’t keep me from ooing and awing over fantastically artsy nursery designs. So when my friend and fellow art obsessive Kaitlyn, over at isavirtue shared pictures of the art filled nursery which will soon welcome her new little bundle of joy, I just had to share them with you!
I love the zap of color, texture and gosh-darn-happy this painting by Freyja Zazu hits you with. I’m willing to bet that baby Patience will love to stare at it when he gets a little older and plays that age old game of let-me-turn-the-light-switch-on-and-off.
In the rest of the light filled space, Kaitlyn and her hubby have chosen to hang work that is meaningful and playful, perfect for an artsy baby.
Over the crib hangs a series of original illustrations by the artist for whom Kaitlyn works, Ted Harrison. The works were created as illustrations for a children’s book about Harrison’s dog titled Maggie’s Magic Dream. Perfect for a peaceful sleeping baby, kind of a visual lullaby.
On the wall above the ( awesome ) rocker, is a vintage print salvaged by K’s hubby from his parents’ garage. Six sweet vignettes capture the bedtime routine of a daddy bear and baby bear. ( collective awwwww! )
Above the dresser/changing table, which by the way, is such a smart use of resources, is a lovely little art wall filled with a collection of quotes and woodland themed prints from affordable sources like Etsy and BigCartel. That little fox is grabbing my heart and so is the story of the inspiration behind the doe and fawn drawing.
I mean, if this isn’t the sweetest little nursery ever, then I’m a monkey’s uncle. See more images from Kaitlyn’s art filled nursery and find out more about the design on the isavirtue blog.
PS– Congrats to Kaitlyn & hubby Jon as they welcomed baby boy Jackson on March 22nd!
While we are getting settled into our new temporary Eureka home, what we want in our eventual forever home is heavy on our minds. While Mr. F aka Mr. Practicality is thinking of square footage, alternative power sources and cost, I tend to focus more on how the space will feel and how we will live in it. A home that is a peaceful retreat, yet full of life and creative energy. The mix of warm neutrals, light pales and bright shots of color in Untitled by this month’s Featured ArtistErin McIntosh, feels like the best of artsy spaces– inviting, yummy colors and patterns and spots of cool serenity.
Now to design a space how this painting feels– this interior featured on Apartment Therapy feels like the perfect translation. Though this series by Erin is based in geometric shapes, the atmosphere remains organic and flowing, never hard and stagnant. There is warmth to be found in the natural woods and nubby textures in the room and the pattern on the rug & other textiles calls out to the geometrics in Erin’s painting. My favorite element, the light blue concrete floor, provides a stream of lightness and translucency, just as shots of the same blue do in Untitled. Oh how an Artsy could live here!
To see more of Erin McIntosh‘s work, please visit her website! Want to see more from the Live the Artsy series? Check out the archives!
As different as each artist’s work can be, so too is the way they work and the environment in which they find the most creativity. Some artists are lucky enough to be able to design their studio space to fit the way they work just perfectly, others take advantage of whatever available space may be at hand. And some, like me, out of necessity keep their supplies to a minimum so they can set up studio wherever they land! But oh how I long for the day when I can have a dedicated work space. Are you dreaming of your own studio space, too? What’s your current art studio style? What are you dreaming it could be?
found here
Do you like your space open & airy? Maybe like Willem de Kooning, you create best in bright white spaces with soaring ceilings and gorgeous light.
Don’t have a big open space? Paint every surface of your small studio white and remove any window treatments. You’ll be amazed at how much light bounces around the room!
Some artists work best in smaller, creative & cozy spaces. Filled with warmth and life, Monet-like spaces make you want to settle in with a cup of tea and paint your heart out.
Paned windows, chandeliers and plants make a studio space feel like a creative home. And having a sweet pup around to love on helps with the creative frustration!
No doubt working in a neatly organized space helped O’Keeffe achieve her soft, elegantly clean lined paintings. A tidily laid out space with supplies within arm’s reach allow an artist to concentrate on creating instead of looking everywhere for that one tube of paint..
Timothy Atwood said, Creative mess equals creative thought. And for many artists, I think this holds true. Most creatives are, by nature collectors. We need to be surrounded by a beautiful mess, so that inspiration may spark at any time. And let’s admit, sometimes, we’re just too busy creating to pick up. 😉
Creating and choosing art for healthcare environments is about much more than just beautifying a space. People in those environments are often worried, stressed, sad, and in need of healing. Experts have found that through evidence-based design, these places can become much more warm and welcoming and certain design choices can actually aid the healing process. Carefully chosen artwork in these settings not only has a positive impact on the patients, visitors, and staff, but also on the perception of care given by the facility.
I’ve had several artists, designers, and publishers ask about placing artwork in healthcare environments. They want to be a part of creating a healing environment, but aren’t sure how to go about it. So considering evidence-based design and my own experiences in curating art for healthcare, I’ve put together a few guiding principles when creating or choosing art for healthcare environments–
1 | happy, engaging imagery
Nine times out of ten, unless you’re there for the entrance of a new baby into the world, being in a hospital or other type of healthcare environment is not a happy or joyful occasion. And with all the weird smells, strange noises, and necessary sterility of these settings, no wonder they can be seen as such cold, intimidating places! Creating and curating art for healthcare environments that fosters a more warm, welcoming atmosphere goes a long way toward making patients and visitors feel more at ease in their surroundings. Work that makes us smile, reminds us of family and love, and calls to mind memories of happy times all can work together to ease the mind and spirit.
Often when you ask a hospital patient how they’re doing, you may get an answer that begins with “I’d rather be…”. Patients and visitors often wish they were anywhere but where they are. Artwork that creates a sense of voyeuristic escape can lessen anxiety by giving the viewer a means of liberation from their current situation. They’re able to think less about their pain or circumstances as their mind wanders and wonders what might be over that hill or around that bend.
3 | create a sense of calm, peacefulness and positivity
By using natural, organic imagery as symbols of peace, restoration, and comfort, the artwork in healthcare environments can become instruments of healing. Studies have shown that patients shown nurturing scenes of nature required lower strength pain medication. These kinds of images also foster a sense of the world outside the walls of the facility and the goal to get back to where the skies are blue and the waters peaceful.
Hospitals can be lonely, scary places. Choosing artwork that may garner conversation goes a long way toward creating connections among patients and visitors, as well as providing a much needed mental escape. Sculpture and interactive digital artwork do well to give patients and visitors a purposeful sense of exploration and the unexpected and abstract can create a path to solving a puzzle and thereby, a means of distraction.
5 | create reflections of community
Each hospital or healthcare facility has an important role to play as a part of a community. Honoring the history, landmarks, and atmosphere of that community can create a sense of familiarity and connection in places where we often feel helpless and alone.
Creating and curating art for healthcare environments is about so much more than simply manufacturing a pleasing looking space. Instead of merely being places of clinical procedures and processes, through art and design hospitals and other medical facilities are becoming places of nurturing and healing. Artists, designers, and consultants are looking more and more not at what the artwork speaks to them, but how it promotes positivity and restoration to the visitor and patient.
You can read more on evidence based design in this Guide to Evidence Based Art by Kathy Hathorn, MA, and Upali Nanda, Ph.D.
