ARTmonday: Fraction Holiday Print Sale

I first learned about the photography magazine Fraction last year, when a local photographer alerted me she was participating in the Fraction Holiday Print Sale. I purchased two prints that I just recently had framed at StyleCarrot partner Framebridge (I love this framing service for simple black, white, and pale wood frames; it’s so quick and simple).

This year’s Fraction Holiday Print Sale features over 125 affordable photographs ranging in price from $30 to $600. I would say most cost $100. Each print ships directly from the artist, within five days of purchase, and he or she gets paid within 48 hours.  It’s a great way to support the arts, give a gift, or add another visual layer to your own home.

The sale ends at 8pm MST on December 31, 2017.

Fracture Holiday Sale Photographer Kelli Pennington

Kelli Pennington

Fracture Holiday Sale Photographer Aaron Blum

Aaron Blum

Fracture Holiday Sale Photographer Audra Osborne

Audra Osborne

Fracture Holiday Sale Photographer Jason Pearson

Jason Pearson

Fracture Holiday Sale Photographer Charley Star

Charley Star

Fracture Holiday Sale Photographer Michael Barolet

Michael Barolet

Fracture Holiday Sale Photographer Briana Cerezo

Briana CerezoFracture Holiday Sale Photographer Rebecca Sittler

Rebecca Sittler

Fracture Holiday Sale Photographer Gloria Baker Feinstein

Gloria Baker Feinstein

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ARTmonday: SMFA at Tufts Art Sale 2017 Is This Week

The SMFA at Tufts Art Sale is this Thu., Nov. 16 to Sun., Nov. 19;  to School of the Museum of Fine Arts, 230 Fenway in Boston, on the side street right next to the MFA and its parking lot.

The SMFA Art Sale is  my favorite art event of the year. There are nearly 4,000 works from established, emerging, and student artists, from top names including Jim Dine and James Turrell to student and faculty pieces. Prices vary too, with much of it reasonably affordable. There are the occasional pieces for tens of thousands of dollars, many in the thousand or several thousand range, and tons under $1,000 and some even under $100. (Once I found a piece for $8!)

Much of the artwork in our home is from the SMFA Art Sale. (I currently spot seven in my living room.) We have photographs, paintings, and mixed media works we have purchased at the Sale throughout the years, and I still think about a couple of video art pieces I wish we had snapped up.

I hope you check it out, it is well worth it. New artworks are constantly displayed as pieces are sold, and there are tons of shrinkwrapped pieces in bins that are fun to browse. I stopped by the SFMA yesterday morning to get a jump start, and I’ll head back there tomorrow for Medici Night. (To become a Medici supporter click here.)

If you’d like help choosing art for your home or office, let me know. I’ll be scouting the sale for clients and interior designers as well as myself. Here are 20 works that caught my eye so far.

You can see more from the sale on my IG feed @StyleCarrotCurates.

SMFA Art Sale 2017 Contemporary Photography

Alicia Rodriguez Alvisa, $800
Archival inkjet print
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Contemporary Painting

Teddy Benfield, $2,000
Mixed media on canvas
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Contemporary Artwork

Orna Feldman,$285
Monotype
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Contemporary Artwork

Susan Swinand, $500
Watercolor
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Mike and Doug Starn
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Contemporary Painting

Kiki Smith, $10,000
Digital acid-based inkjet dyes on silk charmeuse
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Contemporary Painting

Carlos J. Santiago, $500
Lithography 9 layers of color
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Contemporary Photography

Cassandra Kos, $950
Archival inkjet print
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Mike and Doug Starn, $60,000
Inkjet prints on Zerkal paper glued to LP album covers, vinyl lettering, & magnets
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Contemporary Art

Chuck Holtzman, $17,000
Conte on paper
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Contemporary Art

Coco Berkman, $1400
10 color, 12 plate reductive linoleum print
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Contemporary Art

unidentified
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Abstract Art

John Guthrie, $6,000
Acrylic on canvas
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Abstract Art

Joel Shapiro, $4,000
10 color screenprint/lithograph
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Abstract Art

Jo Ann Rothschild, $2,350
Mixed media on paper
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Abstract Art

Helen Ingrid Scheibler, $3,800
Acrylic/mixed media
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Abstract Art at SMFA Sale

 Judy Riola
cut paper, gouache, pencil on panel
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Abstract Art

Teruko Kushi
Oil on canvas
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Photgraphy

SMFA staff shows work by Soojin J. Kim
Conte crayon on paper
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SMFA Art Sale 2017 Contemporary B&W Photography

Right: Judith Larsen

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ARTmonday: 20 Vintage Paintings Under $500

Watercolor From Chairish And Photo From SMFA Sale From StyleCarrot's Personal Art Collection

Photo by Marni Elyse Katz/StyleCarrot

“After the Shower” from ChairishPhoto by Hannah Bates from SMFA Sale
My two newest pieces of art coincidentally share a color palette. 

If you’re interested in putting together a gallery wall, place a well-executed still life or abstract in a blank space, or are looking for a single quirky but well executed vintage portrait, Chairish (a StyleCarrot affiliate) is a great option. It’s my first online stop for vintage paintings.

I’m always looking for new sources for affordable artwork. I’ve come to love Chairish, a site on which users can buy and sell vintage furniture and decor. It’s a sort of cross between eBay and 1st Dibs. Chairish is manageably sized and dedicated to good design, with a mix of individuals, dealers, designers, and artists.

In terms of art, Chairish is especially great for vintage paintings.  My newest acquisition, purchased from Chairish, just arrived and I love it (and so does my husband). I paid under $100 for it including shipping. It needs a new matte and it’s not framed, but still, a great deal.

Here are 20 vintage painting paintings, all under $500 currently available on Chairish. I’m very tempted by one or two of them. Lower offers are accepted so you may not have to pay the already low list price. And returns can be made within 7 days if your pick isn’t pleasing in person.

Vintage Abstract Cubist Still LIfe Painting

Cubist Style Vintage Abstract, $333

Vibrant Ocean Seascape Painting On Wood

Abstract Seascape on Wood, $125

1940s Vintage Portrait The Guitar Player by Betsy P Levy

1940s Betsy P Levy “The Guitar Player,” $153  

Seated Female Nude Figure Study Painting

Seated Female Nude Figure Study, $275  

Vintage Still LIfe Painting Of Fruit And Pedestal Bowl

Vintage Abstract Still Life of Fruit, $46 

Vintage Abstract Modern Painting

Vintage Modern Abstract, $68  

Vintage Geometric Abstract Oil On Canvas

Vintage Abstract Geometric Oil on Canvas, $490

Vintage Abstract Watercolor Landscape

Vintage Abstract Watercolor Landscape, $70 

Mid-Century Cubist Nude Oil Mid-Century Cubist Nude Oil Painting Of Seated Woman

Mid-Century Cubist Nude Oil Portrait, $160 

VIntage Portrait Of Woman WIth Ribbon In Oil

Vintage Portrait of Woman, $155

1960s Vintage Table Setting Still Life

1960s Vintage Table Setting Still Life, $355  

Vintage Watercolor of Girl with Orange

Vintage Watercolor of Girl with Orange, $495 

Mid-Century Modern Architectural Watercolor Painting

Mid-Century Modern Architectural Watercolor, $495 

Arthur Krakower "So Cold on the Riviera" Monotype

Arthur Krakower “So Cold on the Riviera” Monotype, $445  

Abstract Figurative Painting In Greens by Dana Zivanovits,

Abstract Figurative by Dana Zivanovits$225 

Vintage 1940s Figurative Nude Porttrait

Vintage 1940s Figurative Nude, $225 

Mid-Century Lady in Turquoise Gown Portrait

Mid-Century Lady in Turquoise Gown Portrait, $450 

Portrait by Victor Haagen-Müller

Portrait by Victor Haagen-Müller, $440 

Portrait of a Woman by Kovalchuk O

Portrait of a Woman by Kovalchuk O., $440

Mid-Century Oil Portrait of Woman Changing

Mid-Century Oil of Woman Changing, $225

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ARTmonday: Art + Cocktails Truro (Paintings, Collage, Mixed Media)

Last weekend I held a pop-up art gallery event on the Cape. My husband hung 96 works of art on our very bare white walls. It was so much work, but it looked fantastic, and ultimately everyone had fun. We even sold some pieces.

We hung oil paintings, acrylic on board, ink and pastels on rice paper, collage, acrylic on canvas, encaustic, and others. Styles included graphic abstracts, abstracted landscapes, portraits, marine-inspired abstracts, and more. We also had a lot of photography, which I will post next Monday.

Here is a sampling of work we displayed from 18 different artists. You can check out some installation photos on my StyleCarrot and StyleCarrotCurates Instagram accounts, as well as some artist’s feeds; we used #artandcocktailstruro. If you’re interested in learning more about or purchasing any of these pieces, email me at stylecarrot@gmail.com

Kristi Kohut Striped Rice Paper Painting

Kristi Kohut, Chromatic Harmony #12
Acrylic, ink and pastels on Mulberry rice paper, 11.5×16.5 inches, $840

Abstract Painting By Maine Artist Jenny Prinn

Jenny Prinn, Sun on the Shore
Acrylic on canvas, 24×24 inches, $1,100

Abstract Landscape By Boston Artist Carolyn T Burns

Carolyn T. Burns, Can We Get a Puppy? 
Acrylic on canvas on panel, 10×8 inches, $400

Kishore Kumar Abstract Forest Contemporary Indian Art

Kishore Kumar, Exuberance 1
Acrylic on canvas, 12×12 inches, $250

Venetian Lantern Paintings By Boston Artist Lee Essex Doyle

Lee Essex DoylePrada I Palazzo Papadopoli Turquoise, Venice
Mixed media, 12×12 inches, $2,000

Portland Maine Artist Amanda Hawkins Abstract Landscape Painting

Amanda Hawkins, Untitled 2015
Acrylic on canvas, 14×14 inches, $375

Striped Abstract Painting Taffy By Boston Artist Maureen Holub

Maureen Holub, Taffy
Acrylic and mixed media, 24×18 inches, $850

Collage By Portland Maine Artist Darek Bittner

Darek Bittner, Leaky Boots
Collage, 10×8 inches, $400

Marine Inspired Mixed Media Artwork By Providence Artist Jenny Brown

Jenny Brown, Sea Fairy
Pen, ink, & collage material on card paper, 11×8.5, $275

Abstract Art Affordable Art Jaime Derringer

Jaime Derringer#140821-1
Acrylic, marker, and pencil on paper, 12×9 inches, $350

Landscape Painting By Cape Cod Artist Judyth Katz

Judyth KatzCottonwood, Abiquiu Inn
Acrylic on Arches paper, 30×22 inches, $3,500

Marine Inspired Abstract Painting By NYC Artist Sarah Lutz

Sarah Lutz, Rapture
Oil, resin, spray paint and paper on linen, 48×36 inches, $7,500

Marine Inspired Abstract Painting By Patricia Spergler

Patricia Spergel, Enthralled
Oil on canvas, 20×20 inches, $1,500

Abstract On Wood Panel By Boston Artist Hilary Tait Norod

Hilary Tait NorodOn the Horizon
Oil and mixed media on panel, 40×30 inches, $2,000

Small Portrait on Wood By Boston Artist Stephanie Todhunter

Stephanie Todhunter, Pamela
Photo transfer, metal leaf, oil marker, 6×4 inches, $40 (sold)

Abstract Painting By SF Artist Ellen Levine Dodd

Ellen Levine Dodd, Within Grasp
Mixed media on canvas, 60×48, $4,800

Small Abstract Painting By Portland Maine Artist MP Landis

MP Landis, 16.20
Mixed media on canvas, 10×10 inches, $700

Abstract Encaustic By Boston Artist Linda Cordnor

Linda Cordner, Ocean Morning
Encaustic on board, 12×12 inches, $600

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Scheming: My Spring Inspired Living Room

Find Spring Inspired Home Furnishings At Wayfair

When Wayfair asked me to create a post touting spring style, the sun was streaming through the bay windows in the living room, and I had just received the new May issue of HGTV Magazine which happens to feature our Boston condo. My favorite photograph is the one of our living room. It looks so bright, cheerful, and well, spring-like. So yes, this post is about my spring inspired living room.

Our walls have always been a spring-y shade of green. We first used this color in our dining room in Chevy Chase, and the first thing we did when we moved to Boston was paint our living room a similar shade. We’ve been here 13 years and I haven’t tired of it. And given that my office is in here, I spend a lot of time in it. That it is spring inspired space is important to me. It lifts my mood, especially during the long, gray Boston winters.

StyleCarrot's Art Filled Living Room In HGTV MagazinePhoto by Annie Schlechter  |  Styling by Elizabeth Demos

The plush, sculptural rug by Angela Adams grounds the space (we are blessed with high ceilings) and renders a lush, garden feel. The sofa is ivory, as is the woodwork; the  pillows, books, accessories, and artwork add the color. Yes, I realize the palette is somewhat limited. Flowers and planters add an occasional jolt. I don’t really subscribe to the idea that the room needs a spot of a complementary red. It’s more of a busy monochromatic effect.

Rather than start from scratch creating a spring inspired space for this post, I decided to be (I hope not too obnoxiously) self-referential and create a scheme that echoes the look and feel of my living room. And now that I have a professionally styled and photographed image, life is grand.

Finding similar pieces on Wayfair to create this spring inspired space was simple, given its array of decor and styles. My son confirms that I did a really good job, especially with the rug. Here is my scheme that recreates our spring inspired living room using items sourced on Wayfair. (Links below or in Spring Inspired Style Idea Book on Wayfair.)

G E T  the  L O O K 

StyleCarrot's Living Room As Seen In HGTV Recreated With Wayfair Products

S H O P P I N G 

1 Parvez Taj Canvas Landscape Print

2 DwellStudio Indigo Arches Artwork

3 Gustav Klimt Female Nude Print

4 Jonathan Adler Brass Table Lamp

5 Cast Iron Modern Bird Candlestick

6 Brass Candlesticks

7 Cactus in Cement Planter

8 Blu Dot Strut Table

9 Jonathan Adler Tufted Sofa

10 Aqua Bloom Water Blends Rug

11 Pineapple Throw Pillow

12 Round Coffee Table

13 Faux Cactus Plant

14 Copper Geo Tray

15 Angela Adams Soy Candle

16 Iittala Nappula Candlestick

17 Jonathan Adler Upholstered Bench

18 Modern Sideboard

19 Copper Shaker

20 Martini Glasses

21 Serving Tray

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