Zatista The premier source for original art online

Venetian Mask by Anthony Dunphy on Zatista.com

There seem to be all sorts of rules about color choices, from the by now fully disproven edict that redheads should never wear red, to the suggestions to visual artists that there are just some colors you should never put together, to the dos and don’ts of how to decorate your home or office to achieve a look that not only looks good but also promotes well being.

Collaboration by Lynne Cunningham on Zatista.com

But rules are meant to be broken. Artists have long played with unusual contrasts and seemingly wrong combinations to stunning affect. Designers have made bold decisions creating a unique décor from ideas and items you would never have believed could work in practice.

Colors of Summer 5 by Konnie Kim on Zatista.com

So what is it that makes art that breaks the rules succeed so surprisingly well? Is it just that we expect not to like it and then when we do we are charmed all the more by the fact that whoever had the courage to create it actually pulled it off?

Strange Attractors by Marilyn Fenn on Zatista.com

Are we naturally more pleased by something confident in its strangeness, that draws us in and changes our minds in spite of ourselves, than something that just does what it’s supposed to do and no more?

The Green Room by Robert LeMar on Zatista.com

Whatever the reason, the next time you are looking for some original art for your working or living space, instead of following the conventional wisdom or making safe choices, why not try something different that doesn’t seem as if it should work at all? You might just end up with art so wrong it’s right.

Brian Sylvester is a guest blogger on WallSpin, and an artist on Zatista.

Related articles

• The Art of Sharing
• Art That Goes in Circles
• Seeing Green
• Big Art

Raw emeralds

It seems to come earlier and earlier each year. Even before 2013 landed, Pantone announced it’s Color of the Year 2013: Emerald.

Elizabeth Taylor wearing Bulgari emeralds

According to Pantone, “Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. Since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions.”

Florescent green Masiero chandelier Photo: Ital Design Furniture

“Also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity, no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.”

green napkins photo: Pantone.com

“The most abundant hue in nature, the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.

Green cups photo: Pantone.com

“As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally-appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.”

photo: Pantone.com

photo: Pantone.com

photo: Pantone.com

Enough said. Get your green on!

Related articles

• Emerald Green – Pantone’s 2013 Color Of The Year.
• pantone color of 2013: emerald
• emerald

Let yourself get inspired by how people bring art into their homes and display art on their walls.

photo: Simon Upton via Elle Decor

You don’t have to have a fancy house, or a lot of wall space – just a love of making artwork a part of your life and living space.

photo: William Waldron via Elle Decor

Of course, if you have a hallway, you can have a gallery:

photo: Eric Piasecki via Elle Decor

If not, consider going for crazy for color:

photo: William Waldron via Elle Decor

Or simply flaunt your collection:

photo: William Waldron via Elle Decor

Your walls don’t even have to be white:

photo: William Waldron via Elle Decor

Share with us the bold moves you’ve made with your walls, here on WallSpin.

Related articles

• Guest Curator Interview: Eve Ashcraft (zatista.com)
• Artist’s Books (zatista.com)
• Small (Think Nano) Art (zatista.com)

If you haven’t heard about Pinterest yet, take a few minutes today to check it out. As lovers of all things visual, especially original art, we naturally love the site.  In the words of Pinterest:

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

Best of all, Zatista is pleased to announce we’ve got some great boards going where we regularly post a selection of the amazing works on the site.

So head over, check out Pinterest and follow our boards!

One thing I look forward to each January is the announcement of the Color of the Year selected by the Pantone Color Institute. Some may think having a Color of the Year is a silly concept, but I’m fascinated there is such a thing. OK, ready for it? Drum roll please…

Tangerine Tango!

Prada in Tangerine Tango image: GoRunway/Indigital

Eiseman continues, “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Pantone comments, “Over the past several years, orange has grown in popularity and acceptance among designers and consumers alike. A provocative attention-getter, Tangerine Tango is especially appealing in men’s and women’s fashion.”

“Tangerine Tango is a bit exotic, but in a very friendly, non-threatening way. Tangerine Tango is a complementary opposite that flatters blue or green eyes. When paired with brown, it brings out an amber cast,” says Pantone.

Pantone suggests, “Energize interior spaces with Tangerine Tango patterned home accessories. Pillows, bedspreads and tabletop accessories in this high-impact hue add spice to any room. Or incorporate Tangerine Tango appliances and personal electronics for an unexpected pop of color.”

Related articles

• Color of the Year 2011 (zatista.com)
• Color of the Year 2010 (zatista.com)
• Pantone names orange as its colour of the year (money-gurus.com)
• Yellow is the New Red (zatista.com)