"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?

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…)

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

]]> http://www.zatista.com/blog/2010/02/turn-up-the-warmth/feed/ 1 http://www.zatista.com/blog/2010/01/original-art-for-all-seasons/ http://www.zatista.com/blog/2010/01/original-art-for-all-seasons/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:00:38 +0000 Jaime http://blog.zatista.com/?p=649 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?

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

Canoes at Sunriver Oregon by Photographer Michael Axel on Zatista

In most peoples’ minds, the words “art” and “collection” are synonymous with “cash” and “money.” For this reason, many people often put off starting their own art collection because they are afraid it will somehow become more of an expensive hobby than they originally intended. Now, I’m not going to lie to you and say that collecting art is a hobby with a budget similar to that of kite flying (though some of those professional kites can cost more than you think). But starting an art collection is possible for those of us operating under somewhat tighter budgets. In fact, the time to start an art collection is now, as the value of what you purchase can and will appreciate over time. An undiscovered painting purchased today could be part of a famous artist’s body of work tomorrow.

Ready to get started? Here’s how:

Know thyself, know thy art. If you haven’t done this already, get yourself to some local art galleries and figure out what turns you on and what leaves you hitting the snooze button. Are you attracted to the brilliant colors of larger-than-life photographs or are you enraptured by the textures of mixed media? Take notes, keeping track of colors, styles, and sizes that stop you cold and leaving you thinking. Try this several times at various galleries and on Zatista before making your first purchases.

Be clear about your intentions. Are you looking to make some cash on the side or to fill up some blank wall space? Know why you want to plunk down your dollars before you commit your time and money.

Know where you plan to store your new treasures. It’s one thing to fall in love with a massive art installation. It’s quite another to try and fit it into a studio apartment in Brooklyn. If you don’t have a great deal of space to work with, start small. As your collection grows, you may decide to purchase gallery space alone or with a friend.

Decide what you can afford. There’s nothing fun about falling in love with a piece of art that you can’t afford. If you set some budgetary boundaries, you’re always end up playing on a fair field. That’s why on Zatista, we have the option to search by price, whether it be under one hundred dollars or over one thousand dollars.

Don’t pressure yourself. Just because you’ve decided to start an art collection doesn’t mean that you have to start buying right away. Galleries can be high pressure environments that often leave you feeling like you just went to bed with a used car salesman. If you like a specific piece, ask for information and then sleep on your decision. Unless your coveted piece is a one time offer (“only $9.99 plus shipping and handling if you call NOW!”), you’ll feel much better knowing that you’ve given the decision time to marinate. Of course, if you shop online, you can take your time deciding without having to worry about talking to any pesky gallery owners. Brilliant!

Complexity is a good thing. While complexity is a headache when it comes to tax returns, it’s a slam dunk in the world of art. When deciding on whether to purchase a piece of art for your new collection, make sure to consider complexity. A valuable piece of art is tireless, always offering a new viewpoint every time you come around the corner.

Take risks. One of the benefits of purchasing art from emerging stars is simple: you get the good stuff for a reasonable price before your artist rises to the top. If you see a piece you love but don’t recognize the artist yet, go with your gut. You may be the first to discover the next Sylvia Plimack.

Get inspired. Still don’t believe you have the financial chops to create a collection worth remembering? Check out the movie Herb & Dorothy if you need some inspiration. The film documents the true story of postal clerk Herb Vogel and his wife, librarian Dorothy Vogel, who together established one of the world’s best personal art collections without the help of a six figure budget. As mentioned above, the couple took risks, buying pieces from artists who had yet to establish themselves.

What caused you to start your art collection? What criteria do you use to determine what pieces will be added to your collection?

Painting by Sharis DeJaynes- Zatisa Artist

It’s no secret that many (maybe even most) couples live together before they tie the knot. This means that the acquisition of flatware, plates, and vases is often set aside in favor of more creative wedding bounty, ranging from honeymoon registries to cash donations.  Whether you’re trying to decide what to ask for on your wedding registry or scratching your head about what to get your Cousin Al as a wedding present, original art could be the answer.

Recently married, I was more than pleased when several of my friends opted to give us beautifully framed photographs and original wall art for our new apartment. Over the mantle hangs a gorgeous shot of our hometown landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge. Next to my desk, a black and white architectural shot is displayed, a gift from my sister-in-law. Just outside of the kitchen, an original painting of the Napa Valley (courtesy of Aunt June) welcomes all who dare to cook in our oh-so-small galley. Every time I look around our apartment, I see hints of the beautiful friendships that my husband and I have been blessed with over the past several years.

If you want to buy art for a newly married friend or family member, it doesn’t have to be an ordeal. As you browse through the original paintings and contemporary wall art on Zatista, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do your friends prefer original paintings, art prints, or photographs? If you’re not sure, take notice of what your friends currently choose to hang in their homes and offices.

• Is there a particular color or tone that the couple enjoys? Use the couple’s wedding colors as a jumpstart to get you brainstorming.

• Does the couple enjoy a specific theme? For example, my husband and I like original photographs that have a California feel. If you’re unsure of what your friends might want, feel free to ask the couple what subjects they’d prefer.

If you’d like your friends and family members to consider giving you original art as a wedding gift, make sure to let potential gift givers know what mediums you prefer. Create a Zatista profile that highlights your favorite pieces so that your friends and family members can get a better idea of what you’re interested in owning.

Photograph: Adam Regan - Zatista Artist

Are you the girl who matches her earrings, bag, and shoes just to go to the grocery store? Perhaps you’re the guy who hangs your business shirts by cut and color. People might tease you and call you OCD, but in the end, your matchy matchy tendencies can be a great asset when it comes to choosing wall art for your home.

Here’s why:

Matchy matchy art creates a sense of flow. By coordinating the shapes, colors, or themes of your wall art, you will invoke a feeling of serenity and calm as you walk into each room.

Matchy matchy art jumpstarts conversations. Finding a series of complimentary paintings and photographs that tell a story ensures that your pieces will become instant conversation starters.

Matchy matchy art equals future possibilities. When you choose pieces of art that share something in common (colors, themes, shapes) you open the door to utilizing your pieces for years to come. A series of prints in the kitchen can easily become guest room wall art when you move into a new space.

Matchy matchy art is easier to sell. Tired of the three painting series you bought five years ago? You may find that selling off the paintings as a set may put money in your pocket faster, as you’ll be providing a full wall solution to someone with white space anxiety.

Misty Nile (1995)

Not sure how to begin creating a unified look for one of the rooms in your home? Follow these easy steps.

1. Start your search by clicking here .
2. Decide which color you’d like to be the primary focus of your palette.
3. If you are interested in a certain theme (ie: ocean, floral, countryside), enter your keyword in the keyword box.

I combed the restaurant until I found someone who would share the name of the photographer. Given that I was traveling at the time, I knew I couldn’t drop a few thousand dollars on art and then turn around and stuff it into a suitcase. Vowing to bring home at least one of the shots once I was back home, I jotted down the name of the photographer, Elena Dorfman. Two months later and having just moved into a brand new, white-walled apartment, I’m dreaming of horses once again.

Like falling in love with your next great love affair, you’ll know it when you’ve met the newest addition to your growing art collection. A great piece of art stirs your soul, opens your heart, and speaks to you every time you catch a glimpse.

Not sure how you’ll know it when you see it? Here are a few other clues that you’ve found “the one”:

You won’t be able to forget it. When you experience a piece of art that truly speaks to you, you’ll find it impossible to get the image out of your mind.

You won’t feel the need to justify your purchase. With the right piece of art, you won’t waste time giving your friends the financial play by play of why you decided to make the purchase. Instead, you’ll be sharing the story about how you felt when you first saw the piece.

You know exactly where it will live. We often connect with art that fills an emotional or physical void in our home or workspace. If you see a piece that resonates with you and you have a reasonable idea of where it will go once you’ve purchased it, you’re on the right track.

It’s not just “wall decor”, it’s a show piece. If you’ve really fallen in love with a piece, you’ll find yourself wanting to introduce it to everyone you encounter.