Zatista The premier source for original art online

Here are some items I came across this weekend. Some are gifts, some are not. Either way, I thought I’d share them with you. Let us know what cool things you’ve found this holiday season, here on WallSpin.

1. Gift for the kids – What’s not to love about this modern doll house?

Brinca Dada Dylan Doll House from brincadada.com

2. Gift for the photo lover – Customize your own View Master:

Custom Viewfinder from image3d.com

3. Gift or brilliant idea for the cocktail party – A great way to keep track of your glass:

Chalkboard Wine Glass from chalkboardchina.com

4. Recipe for the holiday menu – This is a proven crowd pleaser:

Paula Deen's Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle from foodnetwork.com

5. Gift for the art lover, yourself or otherwise – There’s nothing better than the real deal from Zatista.com:

Looking South by Jan Ter Weele from Zatista.com

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As a writer, I am quite obviously a verbal person. I love words, I love how they look and sound and sometimes certain ones get stuck in my head like songs. My fiancee is my window into the visual world, she’s a painter and creating art is as vital to her as air and water.

One of my favorite things as a verbal person is to watch visual people struggle to utilize the more narrow constructs of written language to express what it is that they create artistically. Interestingly enough, some people excel at both creating and naming their work, while others hardly seem to have a hard time with the latter.

I’ve found that when naming pieces, artist tend to end up in one of three camps.

There are the literalists:

"Leaves and Styrofoam" by Mandy Hudson on Zatista.com

"Sisters Crouch" by Anki King on Zatista.com

And The Untitleds:

"Untitled" by Noe Badillo on Zatista.com

"410 Untitled" by Mary Lea Bradley on Zatista.com

But for me, art is at its best when the visual and the verbal are combined. Some artists just have a way with wording their titles, they fold together like poetry, adding an element of literary symbolism to the expressive aspects of the piece.

"Not Waving but Drowning" by Edward Zalinsky

"The Nine Front" by Kelly Rae Cunningham

Today I found myself wondering how I missed what fashion trendsetters deemed the hot color for spring. But in my quest for that answer I found something even more interesting: The Color of the Year for 2010, according to the Pantone Color Institute. Are you ready? Drum roll please…

“In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” explains Pantone’s executive director, Leatrice Eiseman. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky.”

Lonely Planet Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Eiseman elaborates, “Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively.

Nina Fuller "Boat in Negril" zatista.com

It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors.

Homes & Gardens March 2008

With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum.

Andrew Logan vogue.com

Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns,

prettyfoods.tumblr.com

complements reds and pinks,

thecraftpantry etsy.com

creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens,

houseofturquoise.com Noemi's Hungarian Home

and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.”

heathceramics.com

And it’s true, I’m seeing turquoise everywhere this year – in fashion, jewelry, magazine spreads, and more.

Jonathan Adler Mrs. Godfrey Chair

I love it, do you? If you do, make a statement with Turquoise in your home this year.

John Aquilino "Turquoise Sky" zatista.com

Whether your style is elegant or casual, Turquoise will always be a versatile accent color to include in your furniture, decor, or fine art collections.

I have a very fun design client who is often looking for artwork that’s a little unusual, a tad edgy, and a bit unexpected.

Yehan Wang "Density-058"

Her typical request is, “I want it to look like it’s from the window of Anthropologie!” or “I want it to make me say, ‘huh?’”

Yehan Wang "Density-056"

That’s not the kind of artwork you see everyday. But work by this zatista.com featured artist, Yehan Wang, fits the bill.

Yehan Wang "Density-063"

Check it out. I really, really like it. Does it make you say, “huh?”

Yehan Wang "Density-057"

His sizes are terrific and he lives in Vancouver, BC, which brings me to my next point:

How about Shani Davis, Lindsey Vonn, and Shaun White? Talk about inspiring. Go Team USA!

cherikopp.com "God Bless (Patriotism Without Rigidity)" made with 100% repurposed materials: plastic caps and lids

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.