Dancing Queen

I went to see Mamma Mia with some friends last night and in honor of my favorite song (Dancing Queen by Abba, of course!), I had to feature this print entitled Dancing Queen by artist Courtney Oquist. Colorful and fun, the print is of an original acrylic painting with collage on wood. The entire shop is filled with fanciful and fantistical images from her imagination! Truly original! Check out more HERE.

T.G.I.F.

It's Friday! Yeah! This gorgeous acrylic painting by Book Off Studios says it all. Happy Hour time! Check out more of his pop art paintings HERE and then go have a drink and enjoy your weekend!

Cool Site of the Week--Jennifer Squires Photography

An easy way to instantly update your house this Spring is to add some artwork to the walls. Beautiful photography is a relatively inexpensive way to add color, design, and a sense of cohesion to a room. Jennifer Squires is a photographer that I came across with a really amazing eye for composition and color. Being an avid gardener, I was instantly drawn to her flower photographs which would look great in any room in my house. I also love the contemporary flair of the wine and the sandwich photographs. I'd like to eat at the restaurant that made that sandwich! What a fun way to add some style to a kitchen! Since each print can be produced as large as 24x30 inches or as small as 4x6 inches, your only decision will be whether to get a large focal or a grouping of smaller images! If you happen to be in the London, Ontario area, she also does the most beautiful photographs of newborns that are sure to be treasures in those lucky families. More of her work can be viewed HERE and can be purchased HERE.

Elegance for the Kitchen

I am not much of a cook, but I do love the deco inspired aprons by Octavine Illustration. The bright pop of color on the bright white apron is right up my alley, and I love the retro drawing. Clean and sophisticated, each of her illustrations are completely original and are available on a number of other items: notecards, t-shirts, totes and journals or custom pieces such as menus, invitations, or commercial logos. Check out more of her talent HERE.

Big Eyed Girl

I am always in awe of people who can draw. My father was brilliant at it, but was always too modest of his talent during his lifetime. One of the artists that I really love on etsy is Kendra Binney. Her paintings are hauntingly ethereal. I am absolutely obsessed with her big eyed girls. Available in 4 inch squares, I would group a bunch of them along a wall. Prices start at only $17, extremely reasonable for such beautiful talent. Check out more at her etsy SHOP or her on-line boutique.

Natural Beauty

I went to the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio this weekend with my children and was absolutely stunned by the beauty found in this 3,500 acre park. Butterfly gardens, wildflower gardens, pond gardens, themed gardens, and gorgeous, beautiful trees. I was so inspired by the natural beaty that I instantly went looking for some original art featuring nature as its subject. The artwork of artist Kris Shanks, in particular these three depictions of trees, is so beautiful. The Walnut Tree, featured above, is a woodcut print with monoprint, printed by hand on archival hand-made Japanese paper. The stark contrast of the tree against the blue sky reminds me of summer picnics with my dad as a child. Lovely, yet nostaglic and somewhat sad at the same time. I also love these two original oil paintings pictured below. Kris says the next one, the Lichen Shrouded Oak, was painted in the winter, and I can imagine exactly what she must have been seeing as she painted this landscape...foggy, with strands of lichen decorating the tree. Finally, the promise of spring, new life, in the last oil painting Row of Plums, depicting those first bursts of color from vivid plum trees as winter fades away. That is what I love about art...it evokes feelings and thoughts like nothing else. This picture brings about that feeling of happiness, knowing that winter is ending and spring is just about to bloom. See more of Kris Shanks original works HERE.

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf

I came across the photographs of Arts and Ghosts on the front page of Etsy this morning and was instantly taken with the lonely and eery nature of the prints. Inspired by fairytales, dolls, dreams and nightmares, the images are just so beautiful. Prices are totally reasonable as well, this pair of 6 x 8 prints is only $30. See more of her beautiful work HERE.

The Artsy Mom--JKral Art

Since Mother's Day is rapidly approaching, I thought this would be a great week to showcase some fabulous finds and give gift ideas to anyone who is looking to buy a mom a gift. First off...

These pop art inspired brightly colored contemporary prints by JKral are titled "A Mother Understands What a Child Does Not Say." Adopted from an old Jewish proverb, I think the title and sentimental pose are a really interesting contrast to the strong and lively colors. Each print is derived from an original drawing done in ink and then digitally colored. I think they would look great as a set and placed on a wall in a horizontal or vertical row. Check out more of JKral's artwork HERE.