abstract artwork Archives

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 [email protected]

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 Doyle, Prada 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 Katz, Cottonwood, 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 Norod, On 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

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 Magazine Photo 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

• • •

ARTmonday: 8 Affordable Artworks from the Minted Summer 2015 Collection

As anyone who reads my blog knows I have a a great love affair with art. Other women buy shoes, I come home with art. (Longer shelf life, and often less expensive these days). In addition to supporting local organizations like the School of Museum of Fine Arts and MassArt in Boston, and Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill and Provincetown Art Association & Museum in the summertime, I pick up a lot of appealing affordable artwork from sites like 20×200 and StyleCarrot partner Minted.

You are likely familiar with Minted for its invitations, but they have quite the selection of affordable limited edition art prints as well. There’s even a crowd-sourcing function where you can vote on how much you like the designs that I may be a tiny bit obsessed with. The Minted Summer 2015 Collection is full of colorful affordable art prints by emerging artists that you can purchase framed or unframed. I picked my 8 favorites here, including the framed print they sent which looks cute on the art shelf above my desk.

Pineapple Photo By Joni Tyrell Minted x West Elm

Joni Tyrell, Pining for Pineapple from Minted’s Summer 2015 Collection
I love the way this framed pineapple still life photo from Minted looks on the shelf above my desk in Boston, especially beside the little Grass Vase by Normann Copenhagen. I shot this one for my Instagram, but I’ll take others and post when I’m back home this fall. Minted’s Instagram is worth a follow too with tons of cute affordable art in pretty interiors and and stationary vignettes.

minted-x-west-elm-lady-noble

Lady Noble • Pink India Fly

minted-x-west-elm-watermelon

Lindsay Megahed • Slice of Summer

minted-x-west-elm-pink-landscape

Emily Jeffords • Leave Behind the Shadows

minted-x-west-elm-jaime-derringer-1

Jaime Derringer • Composition 4
(Scroll down for the Jaime Derringer I have hanging in our Florida condo.)

minted-x-west-elm-oars

Suwachi • Let’s Get Paddles

minted-x-west-elm-birds-on-a-wire

Lindsay Megahed • Birds of Different Feathers

minted-x-west-elm-ocean-waves

Sylvieceres Designs • Marbled Wake

minted-x-west-elm-pineapple

Joni Tyrrell • Pining For Pineapple

Jaime Derringer Design Milk Art Available At Minted

I used to work for Jaime Derringer on her contemporary design site Design Milk. So of course, I had to have on of her original watercolors, which I hung in our Florida condo. It’s the drippy vertical abstract in the middle. Here’s what she’s got for sale on Minted.

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Find limited edition abstract art prints at Minted >

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ARTmonday: 20 Original Affordable Artworks Under $500

I have a tendency to buy smaller works of art, because they are more affordable artwork and they’re easier to take in, and now, because we are running out of wall space. I’d love to get an oversize piece of statement art, particularly a photograph, or maybe an abstract, but it’s hard to devote thousands of dollars on a single luxury purchase (for me, anyway).

That said, money is no reason to live with bare walls or posters left over from college. There is so much affordable original artwork available online. You can buy small pieces whenever you find a bit of extra cash, or happen upon one you like, and over time, build up an impressive and eclectic gallery wall of art.

Here are 20 original affordable artworks available to buy at Saatchi Art, Etsy, UGallery, and Serena & Lily. They’re paintings, watercolors, and mixed media works; none are prints. It’s nice to be able to live with art on which you can see the artist’s hands; the texture, color varieties, and depth. Not that there is anything wrong with prints, mix those in too (there’s a shopping strip at the bottom of the post for prints under $150).

“Perspective Drawing,” Clement Tsang • $300 at Saatchi Art

“Relaxed Nude From Behind,” Rip Matteson • $395 at Serena & Lily

“The Blue Parasol,” Steve Mitchell • $251.30 at Etsy

“Breath In,” Alina Cristina Martin • $180 at Saatchi Art

“White on White 3,” Justin Simcik • $300 at UGallery

“When your face doesn’t fit,” Fabienne Jenny Jacquet • $500 at Saatchi Art

“DD 4.4.2013,” Astrid Oudheusden • $225 at Saatchi Art

“Quartz,” Ferm Living • $148 at Burke Decor

“Untitled,” Jim Harris • $350 at Saatchi Art

“The Sun Is Shining,” Robin Hiers • $250 at Saatchi Art

“My Personal Space 3,” Lucie Jirku • $270 at Saatchi Art

“Little 007,” Jenny Prinn • $100

“Deep Green -The identity and relation of 12 complexion,” Tomomi Maruyama
$300 at Saatchi Art

“3475,” Hang Nguyen • $300 at UGallery

Thevysherbarium • $60 at Etsy

“Untitled 0022,” Katia Borges • $200 at Saatchi Art

“Urine Hell,” Chad Kouri • $500 (framed) at Uprise Art

“At Sea,” Julia Rymer • $225 at Serena & Lily

“Stained Glass Window #11,” Marc Ellen Hamel • $250 at Serena & Lily

“Mid Century Ink & Tape Hard Edge Study,” Dellar Cassity
$385 at Serena & Lily

Shop art prints under $125 >

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ARTmonday: Jenny Prinn

I noticed last week that Jenny Prinn, who describes herself as “mommy, artist, and stylist,” started following StyleCarrot on Instagram. (I’ve been trying to beef up my account, so I hope you’ll give me a follow too.) When I clicked through to Jenny Prinn’s Instagram, I was thrilled to discover that she’s a Maine artist whose work I’d admired on Serena & Lily.

Jenny Prinn’s abstracts are colorful and uplifting. Some are truly abstract; others are abstracted landscapes. Her statement says she is “intrigued by the fleeting moments and feelings in life that are often overlooked or forgotten.” She creates “the small pulsing, transient moments and sensations that strike deep within our core for just a moment and then are gone.” She works in acrylic and mixed media on canvas.

The artwork is beautiful, and the prices accessible. Most of these are still (at the moment) available for purchase. (I may need one for the Delray Beach condo.)