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!
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.
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.
Maybe because it has been so long since Mr. F and I were able to get out and hike. Or maybe I’ve been cooped up inside too much this winter. Whatever the reason, I can’t get enough of these lovely woodland jewelry creations by Anna Fiala!
So simple, yet so beautiful, they remind me of necklaces made of flowers popular with little girls everywhere or a wide swing covered wrapped in vines. I love how graphic those wire petals and leaves are, especially against the small branches.
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!
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.
Oh how I love some pretty jewelry candy! I asked Mr. Forager Santa to put a pretty little artsy bauble in my Christmas stocking. Think its too late to add one of these to my list? These handmade glass and fiber pieces by Asheville artist Arlie Trowbridge aka Urban Revisions would be sure to add an artsy touch to every day.
Aren’t they lovely? Like wearing beautiful little pieces of rock candy. The top necklace and bottom rings are my fave. Which do you love best?
It’s too late to order from Urban Revisions in time for Christmas, but never too late for an anytime gift for yourself! 😉 See more pretty artsy baubles on the Urban Revisions website here.
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. 😉
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
