I am a long time fan of Seattle artist Liz Tran. Evidenced in posts herehere and here. The color and movement in her work creates such a lovely, happy atmosphere. Obviously, its work that I return to again and again. Following an artist residency in North Iceland this June, Tran created a series of Electric Necklaces out of ceramic pieces found on the beach in Reykjavik. Most of the elements in the necklaces are old electrical components that have been worn by the North Atlantic and then transformed by the painter’s hand.
Aren’t they magical? You can see more work from Liz Tran on her website. And if you really want to stir up your own green eyed monster, follow Liz on Instagram, where she is taking you along on her very artsy tour through Frances. Tres jaloux!
A phenomenal piece of artwork can find its home in any sort of space. Especially when its as beautiful as this one, Darzita by this months’ Featured Artist, Jennifer JL Jones.
Darzita means “to reveal” and I love how this abstract mixed media work informs the personality of each of these spaces in such a chameleon-like way!
It goes soft and serene in a monochromatic bedroom retreat..
Which is your favorite? Personally, I think it would look stunning in a little modern cabin in the mountains.. preferably one with my name on the welcome mat. 😉
If you’re in the Tulsa area, be sure to check out Jennifer’s latest exhibition opening on November 14th at Aberson Exhibits! Don’t miss out seeing her work in person!
Interior images linked above, art image via the artist.
Once upon a time, there was a rule that we all followed diligently– that art had to be centered on something. Whether it was centered above a piece of furniture or centered based on the wall on which it was hung, centering was very important. But I’m noticing a trend towards more casual, more interesting placement. Deliberately hanging artwork off-center. Justified waaaay to the right or way to the left.
Bold statement pieces often need another dramatic something to balance them out or your room may feel a bit lopsided. That scene stealing coffee table or pendant needs something to create a bit of harmonious tension, otherwise, he’s like that dinner party guest that just won’t shut up. We liked hearing his stories at first, but someone else, please say something!
Our eyes like triangles. Triangular compositions help our eyes travel and take in all that we see instead of zeroing in on one element. By hanging artwork off center, you can deliberately create your own triangular composition. So even if that painting is hanging in a place that at first seems off, once your eye takes in all the other elements in the room, it seems just right.
3 | Work your other angles
Angles aren’t just found in the architecture and furnishings surrounding a piece of art, but also in the artwork itself. Don’t forget about the compositional lines and angles in your artwork when thinking about how to hang it. The work should carry on a pleasing conversation with the furnishings around it. Like a first date that’s going really really well.
Hanging artwork off center doesn’t necessarily have to mean that the artwork isn’t centered on anything. Just maybe think about centering on an unexpected or secondary element in the room, like a chandelier or rug instead of the desk or dining table.
Rules tend to be created to make things easy and orderly. But art is neither of those things, so why should we live with it that way? Don’t be afraid to be a bit off center. Your art is crying out for it!
See more off centered artsiness in my Artsy Dwelling Pinterest board! Need some help finding just the right artwork for your space? I can help with that! More info here.
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’sInstagram 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!
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!
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!
They’re creamy and they’re dreamy. And I want to make them mine, each and every one! I’m talking about the ceramic work of California artist Sara Paloma. Whether it’s the color of the glaze, the texture or the shapes that are just so, there is something about these pieces that grabs my heart.
Just so subtle and supple.. like a wisp of cloud. Her work is definitely going on my “coveting” list! Read more about Sara Paloma on her website and see more work available for purchase in her Etsy shop. And she’s having a sale!!
PS– You may have noticed that I’ve stopped doing Design Foraging on Fridays. There were just too many artists I wanted to share, so I decided to do five artist features each week instead of four! Design Foraging will now be an occasional posting, at least once a month, probably more. 😉
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!
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.
You know, there’s more than one way to skin a ca— I mean, hang artwork. I hope I proved that in our last foray into Artsy Dwelling! Be a rebel. Don’t hang that art at all! Go all crazy and casz.. just let it lean.
Leaning = layering. If you keep your artwork relegated to the walls, you’re holding it at a distance. You know, like that moldy fruit you found in the refrigerator. But living with art should be about living with it, having it truly be a part of the way we interact in our personal space. Leaning brings it in close. We can study it, pick it up and touch it, live with it in ways we can’t do when it’s nailed to a wall.
Check out some of my favorite ways to style leaning artwork–
Take advantage of those architectural details as a natural resting spot for artwork. It’s kind of Decorating 101 to put artwork above a fireplace, but leaning it on the mantle, especially when layered with other pieces creates a visually rich display that’s easy to change up with the seasons or just on a whim!
Same rules apply for furniture. Wait, forget that. There are no rules! Big art, small art, doesn’t matter, as long as it makes an interesting impact and puts a smile on your face. It all goes back to that layering thing. Leaning artwork connects itself better to the other objects in your vignette when it is sitting on the same surface. It’s like bringing your artwork into the half-time huddle. Now he feels included!
PS– If you’re gonna lean artwork on your headboard, might be a good idea to secure the back with a little 3M velcro, you know just in case things get a little, shall we say frisky? Oh come on, you know you were thinking it!
My favorite rule to break. Used to be, no art lover would dream of putting artwork, which let’s face it, we probably paid a lot of money for, even partly hidden behind a piece of furniture. But that little artsy game of peek-a-boo leaves me wanting more!
Maybe you have the perfect spot for a piece of artwork, but hanging just isn’t practical. Just lean that baby on the floor. The perfect solution especially for super oversized pieces of work that it would take an army to hang! Or for when we want a splash of color but don’t want to commit to holes in the wall.
Of course, it should be noted that leaning artwork, especially on the floor and behind furniture isn’t the idea solution if you have small children, rowdy teenagers ( ok, really any kids at all ) or clumsy husbands. 😉 Do you have any artwork leaning around your house? Share a photo over on the Artsy Forager Facebook page, I’d love to see!
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!
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!
There are certain artist’s work I seriously dream about owning. And if I can’t own one myself, why not daydream about how one might look in someone else’s home? Which brings me to the latest edition of Insert the Artsy. I’ve mentioned before how much I would love to own one of Susan Hall‘s paintings.. This piece, Veil of the Sky is particularly lovely and lyrical. Don’t you think it would be the perfect complement to this modern traditional room? It would add just the right amount of delicate visual interest and texture without competing with the beautiful architecture.
The advent of the Fall season always makes my nesting instincts come out! While we’re living our vagabond life, I’ll have to settle for baking, buying autumnal flowers and trying out new seasonal recipes instead of what I’d really like to do– paint, hang artwork, rearrange furniture and seasonalize ( new word! ) my home. So dear Artsies, today I’m vicariously living through any Aussie readers who may have the opportunity to buy the lovely porcelain work of Shannon Garson. Her palette and texture reminds me of bare tree branches and the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot.
You can check out more work by Shannon Garson on her website. I’ll be over here, drooling and wishing I could somehow make a few of these mine. Happy weekend!
