Serena & Lily Archives - Page 5 of 9

ARTmonday: Ellen Levine Dodd

Earlier this summer I caught up with San Francisco Bay Area-based artis Ellen Levine Dodd, whose work I discovered at Serena & Lily. Last year, after I had featured some of Dodd’s colorful paintings, she emailed me to say she was headed to Provincetown. I wasn’t in town then, but she came back this year, and we met (in real life) at Chequessett Chocolate, a new funky coffee and chocolate cafe in Truro.

We chatted about art and the web, the growing opportunities for artists to sell work online (Serena & Lily’s gallery model has been fabulous for her), and life in general. She showed me images of her newest works on her iPad, and a delicious smoothie later, we parted,promising to catch up again next year. Of course, if I’m ever in the Bay area I’ll be sure to drop by her studio too.

Dodd’s a local Massachusetts gal. She grew up in Newton, went to Clark University on an art scholarship, studied painting at the Worcester Museum School, and photography at the Worcester Craft Center. Following a year abroad, she studied photography and printmaking at Massachusetts College of Art.

Dodd has a rich work history in the arts. She worked as a studio assistant in the paper mill at Sonoma State University, creating paper pulp for many artists including Sam Francis, has curated exhibitions, and consulted on business matters with artists.Currently she works full time as an artist, photographer, and digital fine art printer .

I’m drawn to the bold colors, textures, and shapes in Dodd’s layered pieces, on which she paints, scratches, sands, carves, and draws. Here are abstract and landscape multi media paintings by Ellen Levine Dodd.

Dodd’s iPad with images of her new work.

Postcard and plant at Chequessett Chocolate.

A Loaf Of Bread A Jug Of Wine
Acrylic and mixed media on wood panel, in handmade basswood frame
12.75″ x 12.75” • $750

Island In The Sky 2
Acrylic, mixed media on wood panel
12.75″ x 12.75” • $750

Keep Your Chin Up
Acrylic, mixed media on wood panel
12.75″ x 12.75” • $750

Music In The Garden
Acrylic, mixed media on wood panel, framed by the artist
16.75″ x 16.75” • $995

Pebbles In A Pond
Acrylic, mixed media on wood panel, framed by the artist
2.75″ x 12.75″ • $750

Striations I
Acrylic, mixed media on wood panel
8.75″ x 8.75” • $495

Wanderings 3
Oil, oil sticks, mixed media on wood panel, framed by the artist
12.75″ x 12.75” • $750

Which Way Is Up
Acrylic, mixed media on wood panel
16.75″ x 16.75” • $975

Marina
Acrylic, mixed media on board
16.75″ x 16.75” • $975

Headlands 1
Acrylic, mixed media on cradled wood panel
6″ x 6” • $275

Breaking Ground
Casein, and mixed media on cradled wood panel
29.5″ x 22.5″ • $1,900

Carmel Beach Sand
Casein, acrylic, beach sand, mixed media on cradled wood panel, framed by the artist
11″ x 7″ • $385

Postcard and cactus.

More new work on Ellen Levine Dodd’s iPad.

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Shop original artwork at Serena & Lily >

Saturday Say It: Take a Hike

“Take a Hike” • CD Ryan • Serena & Lily

Created by artist Christopher David Ryan in Portland, Maine

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Shop the Quote

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ARTmonday: 11 Retro Style Campers

Everywhere you turn there’s a vintage retro camper, or glamping scene. Granted the two are totally different, but still, two sides of the same coin. While I could be convinced to glamp, you won’t catch me in a camper, ’50s style chic or otherwise. I am, however, charmed by some of the images. I also kinda love the idealization of the old-fashioned camping trip, in artwork mind you, not in real life, thank you very much.

A few months ago Rise Art asked me to curate a summer-themed art collection—”Summer Is Coming“—which features some camp and road trip inspired artwork. One of my favorites from that collection is this first piece, a technicolor blur of a family camp scene.

I searched for other similar images, but wound up finding illustrations mostly vintage campers, so I figured I’d just go with it.

Camping • Jack Addis • Rise Art

Camper & Mountains • Amy Lighthall • Etsy

Camper Trailer RV • Cece & Coco • Etsy

Camp Hawk • J. Austin Ryan • Etsy

Campfire Retro American Landscape • Jazzberry Blue • Etsy

Happy Camper • Susanna Jarian • Etsy

Vintage Camper • Paper and Canvas • Etsy

Vintage Camper • Just Print It

VW Camper • Wyatt Design • Society 6

Wallowa • Rachel Austin • Etsy

Boler Camper • O’Reilly Ink • Etsy

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide, Part II

After a morning (ok, and an afternoon) cavorting along Newbury Street and enjoying a lovely lunch al fresco, I’ve gathered ten more pretty items perfect for Mother’s Day. Here’s the StyleCarrot Mother’s Day Gift Guide, Part Deux.

S H O P P I N G

1. Stella & Dot x May Designs Patterned Notebbooks

2. Mar Y Sol Crocheted Clutch

3. Lucite Tape Dispenser

4. Woven Striped Rope Bracelet

5. Half-Dipped Mugs

6. Pomegranate Bud Vase

7. Stephanie Sherman Grand Waves Photo Print

8. Hand Carved African Bowl

9. Jennifer Meyer Diamond & Gold Circle Ring

10. Baggu Boat Tote

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Shop Mother’s Day gifts at Biscuit Home >

Gift Guide: Mother’s Day

Nothing like waiting until (almost) the last minute to find a Mother’s Day gift, let alone put together a Mother’s Day Gift Guide. I usually order fresh flowers, which are easy, last minute proof, and a special treat (though kinda pricey.)

I was born on Mother’s Day, so I spent many years worrying that I was going to be cheated out of a holiday. Turns out we don’t make a big deal about Mother’s Day, though I do insist we honor it in some way, just in case my sons’ future wives expect a fuss. Last thing I want to do is raise boys that badmouth honoring moms. It’s actually nice that my birthday falls around that time, because it makes both occasions a lot more meaningful.

I especially didn’t want the boys to be at preschool and elementary school and spread the word that it’s a Hallmark holiday, and therefore not important, etc. I can just imagine the call I would get from the school. Believe me, there have been similar occurrences regarding the tooth fairy. I kid you not. And here I thought it was discussions of God that we told them to avoid. Who knew.

I always send my mother-in-law flowers for Mother’s Day. Winston Flowers in Boston does an amazing job finding florists in other areas that align with their aesthetic. I send my own mother flowers too, though sometimes it’s cookies or brownies from a local (very yummy) company Dancing Deer. If I were to buy them non-consumable presents, or get tokens of appreciation for friends, I’d opt for sweet, design-y things, like the ones arrayed here, and above in Mother’s Day Gift Guide Part Deux. Trinket boxes or trays, bubble bath, a breezy scarf, pretty notebooks, an art print, bud vase, canvas tote, or straw clutch. (Feel free to use this as a birthday present guide too.)

It might be too late to order some of these (though not all!), but hopefully it will at least give you ideas so you can get into a store and shop efficiently.