New Art Around Our House

print of a watercolor painting for gallery wall around TV

I’ve been adding some new art around our house over the last few weeks—some from artists I know better than others. . .   I’m still working on putting together a collection on our TV wall and needed a big piece for the right side to help balance everything out.  Unfortunately, big art can be hard to find and pricey when you do find it.  So, I ended up ordering a 16x20 poster print of a painting from Zazzle for just $13.  It was my first time ordering from the site, but I thought the prices were really reasonable.

 

 

framed watercolor print 

If you look closely, the poster version in that size isn’t the very best quality but it’s suppose to be a watercolor, so it doesn’t have to be perfect, right?  And, for $13, I don’t feel obligated to keep it for the rest of my life, or until I find something I like better. 

(By the way, did you know IKEA now makes their Ribba frames in a glossy gray?  Me neither--until I got two of them home and realized they weren’t black.  But, I kind of like them.)

 

 

 

bookshelves styled with kids' abstract painting

 

I also replaced the black and white  framed photograph on our living room bookshelves with something a little more colorful.  I know the artist well.  In fact, I gave birth to her.  That’s the great thing about having kids.  It’s like living with little abstract artists at your beckon call :)

 

 

green abstract painting

(You might remember I commissioned similar paintings for the kids’ bathroom in our last house.)

 

 

 

Lisa Golightly,  Night Swim

 

And, I made a little impulse purchase from One Kings Lane this week (heavily motivated by some referral credit I had in my account).  It’s called “Night Swim” by Lisa Golightly, and I *think* I know exactly where it’s going when it arrives in three weeks. There’s something about her paintings of ladies in bathing suits that I really like (which is weird because this lady doesn’t particularly like wearing a bathing suit and has no desire to go for a night swim, ever).

 

 

Have you added any new art to your home lately?  Any favorite sources?

 

48 comments:

  1. Wow, I absolutely love that print - and what a great price! I think I might have to copy you!

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    1. I'm good with that :) There are actually several in that same series. Might be a pretty grouping.

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  2. Love the homemade art. I have some of that too and it makes me smile. Also love the OKL painting you got. Very cool!

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  3. those are beautiful! and love your comment about "having little abstract artist at your beckon call" LOL

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    1. That's not considered child labor if they ask to do it, right? :)

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    2. No way. I fully intend on forcing, I mean encouraging, Chloe embrace her artistic side. Love!

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  4. I have ordered invitations before from Zazzle, but didn't realize about the prints. That's pretty! I just did some "art" on our walls. They are nature/place images I liked from Pinterest, printed them at Target (not super high quality, but also very low cost, so it works well enough). I blogged about it yesterday if you are curious. :) http://cosycarolina.blogspot.com/2013/02/pop-of-color-project.html

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  5. For the past 15 years, I have been extremely fortunate to have a Granddaughter who has done large art for me. I mean large! 4' x 4' and 5' x 5' pieces! She did them to fit certain places we had. but amazingly they fit our present home just as well. I love Art on shelving. It adds so much. Your daughter's piece is perfect!
    I love your piece that's coming from One King's Lane!

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  6. Love the swimmers!

    Thanks for sharing.

    Emily

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  7. My favourite sources are my kids too. I have one daughter in particular who is quite talented. She even opened up an etsy shop (which she hasn't updated since the fall) but a few bloggers were so kind as to purchase some of her flower art! Here are the ones she sold: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueandBeyond/sold?ref=shopinfo_sales_leftnav

    I have used mostly my kid's art for my gallery wall for the 6 week challenge, the colours worked perfectly!
    http://www.markovadesign.com/2013/02/one-room-challenge-week-three.html

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  8. Etsy is my friend for affordable art. Michelle Armas and Siiso both have 'shops' on that site. I could pay $3000 for an original but $35-$45 fits my budget way better. And both artists are wonderful. Love my grandson's art -- the best. That is the best art gallery ever -- beauty at the heart of our homes.

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  9. not to be creepy but can you take a pic of your whole TV wall area? i basically have the same set up and my mom and i have been looking at your pics and the sconce idea is so clever. I don't have room for lamps but it's dark! I would love to see it in one whole picture!

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    1. Not creepy :) I've just been stalling on taking pictures until the whole wall is finished. Almost there--promise!

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    2. I am also excited to see that finished wall. I plan to shamelessly copy your ideas for our tv wall. ;-)

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    3. Can't wait to see it all put together! It looks awesome!

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  10. I have enjoyed displaying our children's artwork on bookcase shelves. My favorite is a family tree our 32 yr. old son created when he was in the fourth grade. Now our grandchildren provide us with their artistic touches.

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  11. Art work is the hardest, I think. I can't afford a zillion dollars but don't want things that look mass produced. I really don't care for the things at many stores. I have ordered several things from Etsy artists and been very happy.

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  12. Wow, thanks for introducing me to Zazzle! I love the print. It sort of reminds me of Mai Autumn on Etsy. Funny about the abtract art--I've actually tried some myself with so-so results. I think there's something about kids and their lack of self conciousness that makes for pretty good art. They just go for it with "trying too hard" like adults tend to do :)

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  13. I am big on commissioning my little ones as well. Totally cracking up about you not wanting to take a night swim. ;)

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  14. I like the artwork and the frame/mat. That's a substantial size for not a huge investment. I recently bought some 11x14 botanical prints at a flea market for $1 each. I like them but am having a hard time finding the right frames/mats. Hadn't thought of Ikea. Thanks!

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  15. This Etsy artist has some beautiful portraits, and some really affordable options too: http://www.etsy.com/shop/mfrancoart

    he can do special requests as well( which is what I did, my Venice pix is awesome)

    Oh and I love the bathing suit painting!

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  16. Zazzle and ETSY are both great. I just did a post on some fantastic artists who have ETSY shops on my blog the other day! So many talented people out there...and the art is so affordable!

    Susan
    simplymodernhome.com

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  17. Love your new art, especially the one from the family's artist! We use the side of our pantry closet which is large and white to hang the art the boys bring home from school - the "exhibit" is constantly changing and fun!

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  18. Ha! That last line made my laugh. The new artwork is great- loving the green you're bringing in the room and can't wait to see that gallery wall around the tv area.

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  19. The new art is great! My favourite is by the talented young artist who lives in your house :)

    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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  20. Aww your daughter's work is so sweet! I can't wait to start hanging some of Mila's work on our walls! :)

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  21. Love all of it! Your daughter is very talented. I live very close to Lisa Golightly and have met her at events- she is just incredible! I'm sure you'll enjoy the new piece.

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  22. I love Lisa Golightly's work! She has an etsy shop too...

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  23. Oh my word, I love the art especially "Night Swim" by Lisa Golightly. I've got to check her out.

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  24. I've collected so much (nothing expensive) that I don't have room for what I already have. I like to be eclectic in my artwork. A little of this, a little of that. Makes it more interesting I think.
    Brenda

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  25. Can you share the source for your gold light fixtures? Looking for something similar for my master bedroom! Love how the wall is shaping up!

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  26. I really like Zazzle also because they let you choose differing papers for your print and even have a canvas choice. I really like the watercolor you choose, and your daughters painting adds additional color and personality. Looks very nice.

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  27. Check out RozArt on Etsy. She creates these whimsical jump paintings that are somewhat personalized (yet faceless like your swimming beauties.) I'm considering commissioning a painting of my four little boys to capture these crazy days. :)

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  28. I do the same thing! I have my daughter do some art for me as well. Kids just have a freedom in creativity and I just love it! Beautiful artwork you have purchased as well.

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  29. I love how eclectic your gallery wall is turning out, and that watercolor is a beautiful choice. Personally, I am an artist, so my favorite source for artwork is me! Seeing my art on a daily basis inspires me to keep creating, and I definitely need encouragement to do that.

    You can catch some glimpses of my work in this Rate My Space post of my new family room:

    http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Living-Rooms/IKEA--me-Family-Room/detail.esi?oid=30255240

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  30. Etsy.com all the way!!! I just commissioned my first painting...I love nothing more than made in US, supporting another person using their talents at home and I seriously love supporting the Arts. I just hung this painting in my dining room and oh, do I fall into it everytime.
    The lady I found just happens to love to paint beaches, france, Italy, landscapes and clouds. While looking through her things, I found one that completely caught my eye and it was titled "Carolina sunset". Living in NC....I knew it was mine!

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  33. Love the art!

    Have you mentioned where your wall lamps are from? Would love to know, they're gorgeous!

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  34. I just painted my powder room charcoal and had been pondering what to do with art. The trim, sink, toilet, and medicine cabinet are all bright white. I could go colorful with some bold abstract art, which is usually the route I take. Or I could stick with black and white photography. Being someone who likes to do the unexpected, I found a B&W photo of a buffalo, and am working with the Etsy vendor to crop it so that the buffalo's face is BAM right there in YOUR face. I'm going to hang it above the toilet. Strange, I know, but I think it will be totally cool.

    But here's my new dilemma. I'm going to have the photo printed at 24x20 size, and I'm going to use a really thin black aluminum frame. The question is whether I should mat it or just let it fill the frame. I'm wondering if the mat will destroy the in-your-face idea.

    Anybody have a thought?

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    1. Personally I would consider doing a gallery wrap on canvas. That way nothing will distract from the 'in your face' quality you're looking for.

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  35. Yes, I have some of my own art in our office. I love to take architectural photos then turn them into B &W or sepia tone on the computer. Framed up, they look pretty dang good :-)

    I really do miss using a high quality film camera though...We have allllll sorts of lenses, filters, and flash attachments that would cost a fortune to get for a digital camera of the same quality. And no, they won't fit on a digital camera...we've tried :-( So for now I'm stuck with a decent point and shoot digital.

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  36. What paint color is your wall?? So many paint choices. I'm having such a hard time choosing paint for our home we just purchased. Right now, it's all beige with a hint of pink oh and also has several scuff marks all over from the previous owner. I need some serious paint help! lol :)

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    1. It's Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams :)

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  37. You are so right - it's so hard to find large scale art at a decent price. I may have to check out zazzle. I've been on the hunt for something for the guest bedroom forever!

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Your comments make my day! If you have a question, I'll try to answer in the comment section by the end of the day. Or, you can email me at emily@emilyaclark.com.

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