How to Display Art in a Kitchen
Thursday 15th December 2011
Art takes on a personality of its own displayed in a kitchen. Choose from modern art, custom artwork, and more. Find a stunning piece of art called Dreamer, for example, and create a magical and surreal kitchen that makes you feel carefree after work is over. Whatever you decide on, now you need to figure out where the artwork should be placed in the kitchen.
Create a Focal Point
Instead of displaying many small pieces of art, find one large piece of art to displace on the main wall in your kitchen. As guests arrive they will love glancing at a landscape painting or a modern piece of art that seems to come alive on the wall. If the colors are bold on the painting, tone down the rest of the kitchen with neutrals. If you prefer bold colors, add a few more pops of colors on kitchen accessories throughout the kitchen. You don’t want the bold colors to overwhelm so it’s important to incorporate lighter shades as well.
Line up Three Paintings Vertically on a Wall
If you enjoy Southwestern elements, find a watercolor art piece with red colors. Confidents, from the Blue Thumb website, is a refreshing work of art that features a young woman with similar Southwestern elements and red color tones. Do you really want the artwork to stand out? Put three pieces of art right next to one another vertically on the wall. It can be the fridge or oven depending on your wall space. All three art pieces will play off of one another and create bold accents in your kitchen.
Create a Theme and Decorate around it
If you have a theme in mind, stick with it. Plan your artwork around the theme and let that lead you in regards to how you want to display your artwork. Perhaps you want a few smaller pieces of art on easels or a piece on your dining room table. Whatever the theme may be, let it guide you with the creation process. Add stylish elements such as a long rug or big clock to finish off the look.
What Is Contemporary Art?
Friday 11th November 2011
You may read the term “contemporary art” over and over again on websites
and articles, but do you really know what the term means? It’s quite
simple really, but can often get confused. Contemporary art refers to
art that is created during our current lifetime, specifically from the
1970s until now. Modern art and contemporary art often times overlap,
but here is an easy way to remember how
they are separated: Modern art comes from art from the Impressionists
(say, around 1880) up until the 1960's or 70's, where as contemporary
art comes from the 1960's or 70's until this very hour.
Contemporary Art is Socially Conscious
It is quite difficult to classify emergent movements but another way to
remember and identify distinctive contemporary art pieces is by
realizing that this art is much more socially conscious than any
previous era has been. Contemporary art continues to cover issues such
as feminism, AIDS awareness, globalization, and more since the 1970s. If
there is a “movement” happening and artists want to spread the word,
they let one another know and soon enough more contemporary artwork in
the making. Artwork is classified as contemporary when it covers and
addresses the modern times through painting current events and
interests.
What is the Appeal of Contemporary Art?
Contemporary art continues to enthrall artists and art owners like
because it encompasses a vast range of subject matters. Discover modern
cityscapes, impressionist inspired landscapes, idyllic coastal scenes,
fantasy art and more that comes from inspiration and current events from
our modern day and age. These contemporary works of art add a new
dimension to artwork with their vibrant images, canvases, paintings, and
other unique forms of art translation.
Incorporating Contemporary Art in Your Home
Incorporating contemporary art in a home is very common because there are a variety of themes and topics to choose from. Pair a Nude Swim
painting made with acrylics with a white sofa and crisp curtains near a
lake home or at a beautiful resort. Add a mysterious painting in an
office or bedroom and surround it with brightly colored elements that
pop. An example is Mystique,
an enchanting painting that exemplifies a modern woman that enthralls
and fascinates. Most homes already encompass contemporary art within
their interiors, but if they don’t, most home owners end up updating
their décor to stay with the times and to invest in contemporary art
that is a perfect addition.
Interview with an artist - Jane Welsh
Saturday 8th October 2011
J
ane Welsh started emerging as a successful, contemporary artist after moving
to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane nearly 7 years ago. Jane is becoming well
known for her striking portraits created using the natural beauty of the
Sunshine Coasts beaches as her backdrop. Sitting comfortably beside these are an
eclectic mix of strong abstracts using nature as her inspiration and flowing
figurative sculptures in both wood and clay. Jane has won a number of awards for
her paintings and sculptures.
For the month October all of Jane's artwork will be discounted by 20%. Quote janewelsh80d as the discount code on checkout to receive the discount.
When did you first realise you wanted to paint?
I have loved art as long as I can remember, and I really discovered my gift for drawing realistically and having a good instinct for colour and design in middle high school. Since highschool I have known "I am an artist" even though I took the more "sensible" route through a couple of other professions.
Could you tell us some more about your work?
I have yet to settle on a style or theme as some artists do. I enjoy playing with colour and the flow of paint to produce abstracts that are vibrant, that have an energy or life of their own, and I guide them to suggest a landscape. I love vibrant colour and rich textures. I enjoy realism too, especially creating paintings that capture love, joy and connection and I hope these are passed on to the viewer. And I love to combine these two elements of abstraction and realism, which is perhaps the most challenging.
What is it that
inspires you to paint?![]()
To capture joy, create joy, to express love or connection, to create a good feeling or mood.
What other artists have influenced you, and how?
I love Gustav Kilmt's work for the combination of glowing nudes and rich abstracted colours and patterns. I love the wiry rawness and freshness of Egon Schiele's paintings, and on the Australian scene I love Brett Whiteley for his fluidity and courageous explorations of confronting themes.
Does the internet have a positive or negative influence on art?
I think the internet has both a positive and a negative influence. I really appreciate the connections made with other artists, how easy it is to see fresh art. But it is also so easy to indulge in this instead of progressing my own work, ie procrastinating!
What do you do for
fun (besides painting)?
I have 2 wonderful little kids and we have a great time on our rural property in the Noosa Hinterland, recently enjoying the jasmine blooms, and eating mulberries fresh from the tree, and getting our herbs and vegies planted to make the most of spring.
What's your favourite painting and why?
I really like "Spring meadow" an abstract landscape painting that has a great mix of colours, lots of vibrant loose splashes and brush strokes. It is happy and lively, and one of those paintings that fell together in a fresh way.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am working on some paintings of my kids, my son swimming with an octopus, his favouriate animal, and my daughter getting a magic spell cast on her by fairy Tinkerbell. I am also working on layering of colours to decorate a stylised painting of a mother and child, a painting of love and connection.
What’s your greatest
ambition as an artist? 
I used to want to make it BIG TIME, for example to win the Archibald or the Wynne prize. But recently my drive has changed to wanting to be a positive creative force in the world, to create work that enriches people's lives and helps them to feel good, to be of service in the world by sharing my gifts.
For the month October all of Jane's artwork will be discounted by 20%. Quote janewelsh80d as the discount code on checkout to receive the discount.You can view all of Jane's art here.
Your favourite piece of art on display... in your bathroom?
Tuesday 4th October 2011
Bringing the outside into your home, and especially into your bathroom, is a dream many people have. It’s not necessarily all that practical to literally step outdoors to have a shower – especially if you live in the city - but by using natural materials and colours you can create a beautiful indoor space that’s totally in tune with nature. ![]()
Perhaps you could opt for a solid wooden washstand with an interesting grain, topped by a natural granite surface. Both natural materials, both with a beautiful texture and interesting colour tone: choose from a range of natural wood tones and a veritable rainbow of granite types. A light oak might be complemented by either a pale, creamy granite or a dark brown or black colour with a greenish fleck, reminiscent of grass, plants and trees. Add to this washstand a cast stone, marble, or travertine vessel basin: there’s plenty of choice out there in terms of materials, colours, and shapes, so you’re bound to find one you love. Then, emphasise your natural theme with a waterfall basin mixer tap: combining the aesthetic appeal of running water with the functionality of a single lever operated tap, this item delivers a stream of water to your basin along a cut back spout – you can see the beauty of the moving water as it surges towards you. Modern waterfall taps are frequently designed to be eco friendly, water saving designs, so you can feel you’re doing your bit for the environment, too.
Add to your feature washstand a freestanding bath in either a traditional or contemporary style, with a matching floor standing waterfall tap. Elsewhere, stick with simple wooden toned bathroom furniture with capacious cupboards into which you can pile any extraneous clutter, leaving your bathroom surfaces clear – good for creating a really relaxing, zen-like space.
We all spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Surveys have estimated that women, in particular, are likely to spend over a year and a half in the bathroom over their lifetime. So it’s well worth making the room attractive. A nature-inspired bathroom could be the ideal home for your latest artistic purchase too: so long as you regulate the ventilation in there to protect the picture, having a beautiful scene to gaze at as you soak in a candlelit bathtub might be just what you’ve been missing.
Choose a striking wall covering that recalls a natural theme: try combining natural, neutral stone tiles with a bold bathroom paint. Tile to mid-way up your walls and paint the upper section in your favourite shade: emerald green is a gorgeous colour, but choose a tone that you love to look at and, crucially, that will provide a stunning backdrop for your central feature – your bathroom art!
Check out Bluethumb's range of affordable art to use in your bathroom.
Bio
Helen Davies is a senior content writer for Better Bathrooms, suppliers of beautiful bathroom furniture at discounted prices right across the UK. Ranges available include vanity units, bathroom cabinets and many other bathroom fixtures and fittings.
Why buy original art?
Monday 5th September 2011
With so many reproductions so readily available and inexpensive, you’d
probably think twice about spending more of you hard earned cash to own
original art.
Original art is special. Even in well made prints, the unique qualities
of the original are lost. If you see a print of a Van Gogh, for example,
it will look pretty. Viewing an original is an overwhelming and
emotional experience. You can’t take your eyes off of one. Museums sell
prints as souvenirs to help you remember the experience of seeing the
real thing, not to replace the original.
Another way of looking at it: Is seeing a travel photo of the Caribbean
as good as being there in person to admire the view. It’s exactly the
same as art. You buy an original piece for the experience, for the
emotional and intellectual pleasure the artwork gives you.

Artist Interview: Pen Donovan
Friday 2nd September 2011
How long have you been an artist for Pen? Well this is a difficult question because to tell you the truth I don’t feel like an artist yet. For one thing I am not earning enough income as an artist to cover living costs therefore I haven’t ‘made it’ yet. If other people see me as an artist that’s great but I’m still doing an apprenticeship. It’s good to feel a sense of still practising. It relieves performance anxiety. I did a Fine Art Diploma way back. Over the years I would dabble a bit just to reassure myself I was up to it. It wasn’t until I was well into my forties that I realised I had to always have a painting on the go for my mental well-being. I made myself have a solo exhibition before I turned fifty just to prove I could do it. Now I am half-way through the ten-year apprenticeship it takes to get good at anything. Tell us about your first attempts to be creative? Well it’s too far back to remember. My parents must have seen a propensity for it as they sent me to a Saturday morning art class when I was seven years old. I can’t even say that from a young age I drew all the time. I have been incredibly lazy all my life. And too easily distracted by other things – being good, saving the world, domestic life and getting money to pay the rent. Could you tell us some more about your work? What artists have influenced you, and how? Anyone good. Lots of them. All of them. Artist’s are influenced by everything and everyone. We pinch ideas from all over. John Coburn, abstract painter – leaves - he makes the surface interesting. William Robinson – clever, painting the sky and the forest floor in the one pic. Picasso for not being a cookie cutter, Hockney for the same reason - ,just doing what he wants. Matisse, colour and form, Van Gogh for pushing colour and graphic style, Margaret Olley for just doing the one thing and working until she dropped. And then Aboriginal women artists for their steady adherence to their stories and their quiet methodical manner. For the profound connection with the natural world. I could go on. How do you recharge when your creativity hits the wall? I go to bed. I drink a fresh coffee every day to stay ‘up’. I try not to be too intense about it. I talk to artist friends. I visit galleries. What has been your most exciting moment as an artist? Winning the Artforce Award in 2010. I had painted a lot of traffic boxes over two years and the judges that year liked them. Score. What are your artistic goals? To paint a lot. To earn a living painting pictures. To gain strength as an artist. To generate the necessary pull-through (people buying) that will make me work harder. Because my push-through is lousy - if someone wants my paintings I can’t wait to paint, if no-one’s buying I lose spirit and waste time. I’m giving the abstracts a rest. I’ve almost finished ten pics of the flat I live in. A commission. (It relieved me of the torture of job-hunting for a few weeks.) In recording my world I’m learning to produce an artwork as opposed to a picture. Finally, what other interests do you have outside of painting? All of them, everything. I am very easily distracted. Unfortunately. I tend to give 100% to whatever is in front of me at any one time. So when I get a job, whether it’s sorting mail, waiting tables or graphic design - and now a teacher aide, I am totally involved. Great for my employer but an incredible waste of my time as an artist. I want to be paid to paint.
Artist Interview: Pen Donovan![]()
I am on several different tracks right now – abstracts, recording my environment and traffic boxes. I like a little ambiguity. I want to paint a lot of abstracts. For an artist everything is ‘an abstract’, just a weird mash up of colour and form. In painting ‘real’ things I am still trying to follow Brett Whitley’s advice, to’ steal, lie and distort.’ ![]()
Could you talk about your latest series of paintings and what you are trying to achieve with them?
To view more of Pen's art, click here.
Artist Interview - Wendy Nolan
Monday 8th August 2011
As I grow as an artist, my work becomes more and more an essential part of my being. I like to think of my art as exposing an otherwise
unseen part of myself. My intentions are to awaken the senses and evoke
memories, allowing the spectator to form a unique interpretation of my
work. Painting is a sensory experience for me. I am sometimes surprised
by what actually takes place as the brush pushes paint across the
surface of the canvas. My mind tends to zero in on details, and I work
with anticipation of the end result as the process builds layers,
textures and form with colour. Being able to paint is a gift I will
always treasure.
When did you become interested in art?
I don’t remember being not interested in art. From a very early age, I enjoyed drawing, as a child it was my favourite pastime. For me though, marriage, children and work took over. So art was kept it in the background until I studied Interior Technology in 2007. I completed modules in gouache and watercolours and realised I could paint, that’s when I started to experiment with different mediums.
I spent the
next few months creating my first ‘masterpieces’ and placed them in a
group exhibition at a local art gallery. Seven out of ten pieces sold,
and I was amazed that people were willing to pay their hard earned money
for something I had made! I've wanted to create ever since.![]()
Could you tell us some more about your work?
Most pieces begin with intent, and I carefully plan them out before I begin work. Despite my planning, these pieces usually end up substantially different from my original idea, as I tend to modify my ideas along the way.
I also have a fascination for colours. I love going into an art shop and opening paint tubes to look at the pure colour. Colour inspires a lot of my work; I tend to use rich, vibrant colours that give my work emotional impact, I think colour focus’s the viewers’ attention and helps effectively convey my message. Plus, I’ve never met a colour I didn’t like.
Which movements and artists have influenced you, and how?
I admire so many artists, both dead and alive, that it is difficult to name just a few. I was exposed to the great masters during a trip to the Louvre, Paris and I still remember the impact. I was enamoured by these amazing paintings that make the mind boggle. I like to think I can still see their influence in my work, to this day.
What’s been your favourite project(s) to date in your career and why?
The
painting I’m working on is usually my favourite project. I have yet to
create the perfect artwork and with each new work enjoy the challenge of
painting something better.
Does the internet have a positive or negative influence on art?
Definitely positive. The internet provides artists with a wealth of information, new resources and creative ‘fodder’. I believe the internet is the marketplace of the future which gives exposure to a wider audience.
I’m in awe of a lot of work on Bluethumb but it doesn’t put me off, rather, it inspires me to try even harder.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am trying to finish a painting that I would love to enter in the Clayton Utz Art Award for 2011. I am struggling to complete this work and fast running out of time.
I decided I needed to learn something new and attended a workshop at the Art Shed in West End with Deb Gillett. She demonstrated her original technique of wet-into-wet with acrylics and inks to create the illusion of movement with colour. I was inspired and have used that knowledge to attempt my own interpretation.
What’s your greatest ambition as an artist?
Finishing the painting I’m working on is my goal at the moment. Being creative makes me happy, ‘just painting because I need/want to, so this is my measure, if this should lead to fame & fortune, then so be it! Really I just want people to see my work and like it. If I can manage this before I die I will be satisfied.
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Finally, what do you do for fun (besides painting)?
My children, young adults, are at the centre of my life. They have their own lives now but I treasure every second I get to share with them. I also love spending time with friends, & traveling, although I haven’t done much of late. Books & movies have always been a favourite pastime. My newest pastime is music; the words inspire my work and take me to another world. I love to listen to my music very loudly while I’m painting.
For more Wendy Nolan
A Beginner’s guide to buying Art
Monday 11th July 2011
Buying an artwork for the first time can be daunting. This article will help get you over the initial hurdle of where to begin. Your budget will answer many questions for you, like framed or unframed, under glass, print or original, to buy on-line or at a gallery.
When you are ready to start buying art for your home, talk to people who have artworks in their home, they will have probably gone through what you are about to. Talk to art dealers, go to galleries, talk to artists, go on-line and see what’s available, survey your market and then, start small, get the feel of the art in your home.
You will have an idea of what you do and don’t like, let this be your guide throughout the buying process. Don’t let anyone try to convince you to buy the next big thing or through any other unrealistic sales device. Most people in art sales will be honest with you, as they want you coming back repeatedly.
Let’s assume you have set your budget and you are ready to get out into the market and see what is available, you could ask yourself these questions first.
- Do I choose to buy on-line, at a gallery, in a shop or directly from the artist?
- What format - painting, sculpture, photography, multi-media, drawing?
- What style - abstract, pop art, realism, post-modernism, minimalism?
- What subject - portrait, landscape, body art, still life, nature, nudes?
- What medium - watercolour, oil, print, pen and ink, pencil, etching, lithograph?
- Alternatively, forget these questions and go with what you like.
You will also have an idea of where around your home you can hang or place the artwork; nudes may work best in the bedroom, a sculpture for the garden, a drawing in a study or library. The answer to this is open ended, be daring, show your family and friends how original you can be.