Zatista The premier source for original art online

First, a little history lesson. When pop art entered the scene in the late 1950s, it swiftly became the art of the masses. Common objects like Campbell’s Soup Can labels and boxes of commercial soap were used to inspire feelings of romance, sentimentality and humor. Leading the movement was Andy Warhol, an American painter and filmmaker. Warhol was in love with the cult of celebrity and enjoyed infusing the images of some of America’s most beloved icons into his work.  One of Warhol’s famous pieces, “Eight Elvises,” recently sold for a record $100 million. In case you’re wondering what $100 million looks like, here you go:

"Eight Elvises" by Andy Warhol (courtesy of Upper Playground.com)

Thankfully, you don’t have to be a millionaire to infuse your home with the flavor and fun of pop art. Here’s a perfect piece for your TV room- especially if you’re a fan of Transformers (because clearly, that’s why everyone is into Megan Fox):

"Megan Fox" by Dan Griffin-Hayes, a Zatista artist

Instead of hanging one of those country kitsch “restroom” signs that have become so popular, why not hang a referential Vaseline Hair Tonic magazine ad?

"Oh-Oh Dry Scalp" by George Fryne, a Zatista artist

If you’re looking to ignite discussion, there’s nothing like an image of Fidel to stoke the conversational fires…

“Fidel” by Martin Wachter, a Zatista artist

Of course, some naysayers believe that pop art is a hackneyed, juvenile hobby for artists who can’t execute their visions using traditional mediums.  While I strongly disagree, do you consider pop art a valid form of artistic expression?

There’s a reason people don’t like hospitals. Okay, that seems rather obvious. People don’t like hospitals because of pain, death, and everything in between. But there’s one aesthetic reason that causes people to really dislike hospitals: fluorescent lighting. Besides being unflattering (have you ever looked at your pores in a mirror accented by fluorescent lighting? Yikes!), fluorescent lighting makes everything around it look flat, dull, and uninteresting. Even the most brilliant Van Gogh would look like IKEA art in the hallways of County General.

Take this concept and apply it to your home. While you might not be using fluorescent bulbs as your primary overhead illumination, here are just a few ways to turn your home lighting from hospital bleak to city chic:

"Bounty" by Tracy Mewmaw, A Zatista artist

Hang “light” art. If you’re looking to brighten your space, find prints that “pop” right off the wall. Prints that include light blues, yellows, and tangerines work well to lighten up an otherwise dark space.

Use task lights. Overstuffed chairs, small work-spaces, and chaise lounges all look fantastic when accompanied by you, a book, and a well-appointed task light. Make sure the light reflects your personality and has a story you can share. For example, my aunt has a gorgeous Tiffany lamp that she bought in New York that required three taxi trips, a plane flight, and a train ride home before it found it’s place on her writer’s desk.

Learn the language of accents. Accent lighting is the number one way to add a bit of drama to a dull room. Accent lights also play the secondary role of adding pockets of warmth to a room without flooding the entire space.

Hot Air Balloon Chandelier (Chateau Sonoma)

Unscrew the overheads. By adding task lights, accent lamps, and strategically-chosen art, you almost eliminate the need for any basic overhead lighting. If you’re still using the lighting that was initially installed in your apartment or home, consider unscrewing the bulbs and letting your personal artistry speak for itself. If you can’t imagine a world without overhead light, replace any outdated, standard coverings with fun, alternative options, like the Hot Air Balloon Chandelier that I saw while shopping in Sonoma, California this past weekend.

How have you used light to create warmth and enjoyment in your own home? Have you ever gotten nasty letters from your landlord when he found out that you removed all the light covers and replaced them with open umbrellas? (Okay, maybe that’s just me…)

Fact: Locations that have plain white walls…

Prisons
Interrogation rooms
Hospitals
Sanitariums

Question: What do these four locations have in common (besides being the setting for every episode of CSI)?

A lack of warmth.

That’s right. You don’t go to the local prison to share a feel good moment. Sure, the subject matter might have something to do with it, but consider this: if the walls of your home feature little more than an IKEA bulletin board and a couple of old AC/DC posters, your home is probably about as a warm as the set of a detective show.

Warmth Tip #1: Art is where the heart is.
If you find a particular piece of art moving or inspiring, chances are your friends and family will feel the love as well.

"Silhouette in Arches" by Jose Azel, a Zatista artist

Warmth Tip #2: Choose wall art that represents your values and interests.
For example, if you’re a travel fanatic, showcase a series of sunsets from around the world.

"Homeward" by Tracy Mewmaw, a Zatista artist

"An Icelandic Boy" by Peter Guttman, a Zatista artist

Warmth Tip #3: Tell a story.
Find three photographs that can tell their own story when hung in sequence.

"Michael's Memory" by Jennifer Childs, a Zatista artist

"Words" by Jennifer Childs, a Zatista artist

"In the Crowd" by Jennifer Childs, a Zatista artist

Warmth Tip #4: Add a splash of color.
Vivid Reds, oranges, yellows, and deep greens automatically add warmth to any room.

"Waiting" by Jeremy McKane, a Zatista artist

This morning as I was perusing the latest Zatista original art, I encountered a painting that fit my mood perfectly:

"All Wintered Up" by Michael Bailey

There’s something about January that makes me want to hibernate until March, contemplating the stark realities of the New Year over endless cups of hot coffee. If “All Wintered Up” was on the wall above my desk, I think I’d feel more peaceful about this transitional time. However, it’s probable that I wouldn’t want “All Wintered Up” on my walls past March, so I’d likely replace it with a little optimism:

"Spring Rain" by Sharis DeJaynes

Where I live in San Francisco, spring rain is not just likely, it’s guaranteed. Clacking away on my keyboard, I think I’d find some hope and renewal in staring at the blues and greens of “Spring Rain.”

The delicate spring can only last for so long before I want to bask in the sun and enjoy my favorite time of year, the summer. So “Spring Rain” might join “All Wintered Up” in hibernation while I adorn my wall with yet another season.

"Independence Day" by Pablo Jones

This choice for summer might surprise you. For me, the mood of summer is independence and freedom, typified by the greatest holiday of the year: the Fourth of July. I can imagine “Independence Day” above my desk for the long summer months, inspiring me to do great things and enjoy the warmth of family and friends.

"Fall Leaves, Pond #2" by Michael Wilson

But summer always seems to end too quickly, leaving me contemplating fall and the transition into a quieter, more reflective time of the year. As you might imagine, San Francisco doesn’t offer much in the way of changing leaves. By hanging “Fall Leaves, Pond #2″ above my desk, I would be reminded of the resplendent colors that start to appear in early September.

Maybe you prefer to hang your original art once, never moving it until it’s absolutely necessary. But consider this: you are a unique individual whose interests and desires change as the year progresses. Why not consider changing your art to match the seasons?

I have to admit, I didn’t expect to find my new favorite photographer while browsing in touristy downtown Sonoma. Free wine tastings, useless trinkets, and gourmet cooking utensils, yes. Arresting images, stunning subjects, and a gorgeous color palette? Not exactly.

And yet… there it was. Sandwiched between a wine bar and a boutique, the Lisa Kristine Gallery features world images that will have you itching to add more pages to your passport. I wandered through the gallery for the better part of an hour, mouth agape, stunned by each image.

Stripes by Lisa Kristine

Twilight #1, Zanzibar by Lisa Kristine

Lisa Kristine is a San Francisco based photographer who focuses on  “capturing the essence of indigenous people.” For the past twenty-three years, Lisa has traveled to more than sixty countries, working closely with translators to earn the trust of the subjects featured in her photographs. The bulk of the photographs on her website and in the gallery were shot using a K.B. Canham 4X5 field view camera with Nikkor lenses. She never uses telephoto lenses, as she “prefers to be intimate with [my] subject.” According to the gallery owner in Sonoma, none of her photographers are digitally enhanced.

If, like me, you can’t afford to own your own Lisa Kristine piece, you can still find amazing world art right here on Zatista. Type your country or international city of interest in the search box in the upper right corner  to find your next great photograph, painting, or mixed media piece.  Here are a few of my personal favorites:

River Spean by Ian Porter, a Zatista Artist

Naples Fishing Pier by Brian Methven, a Zatista Artist