Hiya Artsies! I’m so sorry for the lack of posts and comment responses for the last few weeks. We’ve been trying to get a full internet connection established in our little summer rental and well.. let’s just say it’s been a comedy of errors. Finally got things up and running last night, so Artsy Forager will be back to normal next week. Thanks for understanding! I’ve missed you guys and can’t wait to get back into the swing!
PS– Make sure you’ve entered to win the Geoff MitchellMoon Rabbits giveaway! Contest ends today at 5pm PST! Go here for details.
Hi Artsies! I’m taking a tiny break for a few days, while we visit with some dear friends from Florida. Please welcome fellow art lover and blogger, Kaitlyn Patience, who blogs and creates gorgeous stationery over at isavirtue!
Hello, my name is Kaitlyn! I am the author of art and snail mail blog “isavirtue.” I will be guest posting today on Artsy Forager.Last summer, Lesley wrote an excellent two-part blog post entitled “Yes, Virginia, You CAN Afford To Buy Artwork!” Aside from being the best title in the history of all blog posts, these two guides are an excellent resource to both online and offline art purchases. If you are looking for even more resources, I provide a similar post on my blog, listing a variety of art sale websites. Lesley’s belief that art collecting is not just for the wealthy and the learned connoisseurs is one that we both share. I believe art is, and should be, available to everyone.That being said, there is certainly an intimidation factor involved. This fear of art may stem from its perceived value, or a lack of knowledge. The first concern is an easy one to strike down. Art is affordable. You can take my word for it, or you can peruse the aforementioned guides. No matter what your budget is, you will be able to find art that you love.The second issue, a lack of knowledge about art is one shared by many. To be honest, I don’t believe you have to have any knowledge at all. If you like it, and can afford it, then buy it! That being said, if you want to know more, I’m happy to share with you a mini tutorial on the types of art available for home décor (Sorry, you generally can’t buy installation art, performance art or public art!).The following information is a simplified version of what is offered in my online e-course, “make art a part (of your life).” I encourage you to read more about the course here (LINK: http://blog.isavirtue.net/p/e-course-registration.html) – it’s great fun and you can enjoy it at your own pace!
“There’s a ninety-nine percent chance you already have some version of art in your home, whether it be a cool print you found, a little DIY, your children’s artwork, or one of those hip new canvas transfers. I’m hoping you feel so inspired by reading this that you are anxious to rush out get some more art to decorate your home! But what type of art will you buy? Is it important to you that it be “original”? What’s the cheapest way to go about this? What is the difference between a regular print and a limited edition? How do you know you aren’t over-paying?”
Goodness me, you have so many questions! First, let’s look at the different types of art available.
Original, Jessica Bell ( via Buy Some Damn Art )
Limited Editions | A limited edition work of art is the next notch down on the value scale. This is because while there are multiples of the art, the number is restricted. A limited run of art prints for example, may include anywhere from two hundred to one thousand pieces. However, any more than two hundred and the term “limited edition” is being stretched.
Limited Edition print, Jennifer Sanchez ( via 20×200 )
Canvas Transfers | A photograph, poster or print that is taken and laid on canvas through chemical or heat transfer. The canvas is then tightly wrapped around a wooden frame to look like a gallery style painting. It’s brilliant because it lets people purchase art for their home at really reasonable prices.
Canvas Transfer, Flapper Doodle ( via Society 6 )
Regular Prints | Any paper print made from a drawing, original painting, photograph etc. There is no inherent value, except to you because you love it!
Regular print, Emma Leonard ( via Etsy )
Posters | Printed on papers of varying thickness, posters can be memorabilia, advertisements or simple decorative images. People love to collect posters because they are the least expensive form of art and can be hung framed or unframed.
Poster, Stephane de Bourgies ( via AllPosters.com )
Import | While not always imported, the term is used to reference three dimensional art which includes foreign objects, replicas or mass produced goods. They often include wall art and freestanding sculptures.
Import, Stag Head ( via Indaba )
I hope you have enjoyed this little lesson and that it will help you in your search for beautiful art!
Artsy Forager is one year old today! My little blog baby is moving from infancy into toddlerhood and I am one proud momma.
It’s Not My Birthday, That’s Not My Cake- Coconut by Lori Larusso, acrylic & enamel on panel, 18x18x1.5
It’s been a year of discovering amazing artists, fantastic galleries and enthusiastic art lovers! I’ve gotten to know so many incredible people through the blog and would like to thank every one of you for continuing to read, support and share in the art love here at Artsy Forager.
In the coming year, look for even more incredible artists, gallery features, inspiration for artsy living and a blog redesign that will ( hopefully! ) make the website even easier to peruse and use!
You guys make this labor of love a pleasure. As a birthday treat, I’ll be tweeting some of my favorite Artsy Forager features throughout the day. Keep your eyes peeled!
Much artsy love!
Lesley
For George– Thank you my wonderful husband for all of your encouragement and support. You make my dreams come true every day.
If you’ve ever taken an art class, I’m sure you’ve copied the work of a “master”. Redrawing and painting great works of art is one of the tried and true methods used to teach basic skills. I love the way some artists are taking masterworks and recreating them in fun and interesting ways. Check ’em out!
Out of the Square by Cesar Santos ( via artrenewal.org )Frida Dog by Clair HartmannMan Ray by Jocelyn GrivaudGirl With a Pearl Earring by Sarah Ashley Longshore ( via Gallery Orange )
Have a fantastic weekend, Artsies! Any plans for museum visits this weekend?
Featured image is Picnic in Central Park by Cesar Santos ( via Art Renewal Center ). All images are via the artist’s websites, unless otherwise stated.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the new Artsies who have joined in the fun! I’m so glad you’ve discovered Artsy Forager thanks to our feature on WordPress.com’s Freshly Pressed. I hope you’ll find as much stimulation, inspiration and just pure enjoyment in the artwork as I do! Feel free to roam around the site, there are lots of wonderful artists waiting to be discovered!
If you’re the social type, please come on over to Facebook & Twitter and connect with Artsy Forager there, too! Lots of goodies, fun and interesting tidbits are being shared there. And of course, feel free to share Artsy Forager with your friends!
I am a firm believer in buying art at whatever level you can afford and I’m not talking about the framed art aisle at Target. While there are certain levels of art collecting which some of us may never reach ( I’ve reconciled myself to the fact that I’ll never own an original Georgia O’Keeffe, just keepin’ it real ), there is fabulous art available for every budget! Just because your budget is limited, that’s no excuse for blank walls! For this installment of [ Insert Art Here ], we’ll take a look at 3 art options for the same space– all fab, each fitting a particular budget level. Here we go!
Let’s begin with our blank( ish ) canvas–
From www.nestdallasdesign.com, home of Bradley Agather, designed by Beth Dotolo, photo by Kevin Dotolo ( artwork removed, to see the original design, click on this photo )
For the Beginning Collector:
Artwork by Ann Tarantino via 20×200
Prints are the easiest and most budget friendly way to begin an art collection and these days there is no shortage of sources for quality limited editions. These Ann Tarantino prints ( Far and Wide [ left ] and Flying Colors [ right ] ) are archival pigment prints, $200 each ( not including framing ) and are available through 20×200. Pretty sweet, right?
For the Mid-Range Artsy:
Artwork by Michelle Armas
So you’re ready to put your money where your mouth is and begin a serious art collection? Original work by emerging artists is a great place to start. Atlanta artist Michelle Armas has become something of an art & design blog darling and with that comes a certain ( well deserved! ) notoriety which makes her work highly collectible. Her abstract paintings are riotous and painterly, filled with joyous color. The piece above,Eggplantis an acrylic work on canvas, 30×40 inches. It is available through Gregg Irby Fine Art at $1000. An awesome price for a piece of that size and quality! Forego your daily $4 chai-mocha-frappawhatever from Starbucks and you will be able to purchase a piece like this, too. It’s all about priorities, ya’ll. 🙂
For the Serious Artophile:
Artwork by Christina Foard
Christina Foard is a painter’s painter. She paints intuitively and revels in the materials, not afraid to get her hands dirty. There is an emotionality to her work that, along with its glorious physical texture, provides a depth that you don’t always find in abstract compositions. The piece above, Floating Invasion( acrylic on canvas, 40×30 ) provides this space with a certain amount of gravitas, while still giving just the right amount of color and movement. But Foard’s works are pieces you buy because you can’t stop thinking about them.. you have to have them.. If they happen to match your throw pillows, well, that’s just a bonus. ( FYI– Floating Invasion is no longer available, but Foard pieces in a similar size are usually in the $3000 range )
My final word.. as Dan Fear said “Buy art because you like it and because it moves you, and because it enhances your life.” This has been a little exercise that I hope will inspire you to purchase a piece of art that you love this year. Now that’s a new years’ resolution I can get behind!
Happy early New Year, Artsies! I had a wonderful surprise this week, one of my favorite people in the world, my dear sister-in-law, came all the way to Coeur d’Alene, ID from Florida to visit. So I’ll be unexpectedly away from the blog until the new year to spend lots of quality time with my sis-in-law!
Merry Christmas, Artsies! I hope you all enjoy a wonderful holiday filled with peace and love. Here’s a lovely little video of artist Steven DaLuz‘s Watchers Series, currently on exhibit at Anarte Gallery in San Antonio. The imagery and music are a perfect, quiet reflection for this holy night.
Yours truly is now a weekly contributor to the Escape Into Life website. Escape Into Life is an online arts journal showcasing visual arts, literature and music. My first post is up and you can check it out here. For my inaugural post, I’ve featured the work of one of my favorite artists, Susan Hall. Susan’s work haunts me in the best possible way. Hope you love it as much as I do.
Please take some time to poke around the EIL website. You’ll be inspired!
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