Take a Chill Pill

Last week one of my childhood best friends, Sarah, came to visit New York with her mom and we all shacked up in my cozy studio.  Neither Sarah or her momma had ever been to Manhattan, so they had a packed schedule of events and sights to see while I was at work.  After work, we'd meet for a bite, go to a show (we fit in both a trip to Comedy Cellar and last minute tickets to the Broadway show Waitress), and inevitably I'd make them walk a lot further than they wanted to after a full day.  I'm famous for chirping, "one more block and we'll be there!" when in actuality we have 6 blocks left.  I believe it is all about positivity and encouragement when you are dragging NY tourists around far too many places.  On our last day, I showed them the Guggenheim and we stopped in for awhile to explore the gift shop.  While looking around, I fell in love with a piece by Ray Geary called "Pill Explosion":

I love any art form that has an irreverance and humor to it- especially if it pokes fun at society- and 30 colorful pills cast in resin are certainly no exception.  But that price!!  I imediately began contemplating whether or not I could re-create something like this myself (highly unlikely).  The DIY version would mean having to sweet talk a few old ladies on the subway in to opening their pill boxes for me- and that is no easy feat.  For now, I'll have to just remain an admirer of Ray's work:

{U.S.- Pills}

{Pill Circle}

I started researching other artists who'd made pills the subject of their art, and found some very cool stuff.

I love this Edie Nadelhaft limited edition print:

Pharmacy-themed silver wallpaper framed by Damien Hurst:

Society 6 has a lot of cool pill-inspired artwork, too- for very affordable prices:

And then I came across the work of Susie Freeman:

Moschino Pill Print Sweater Dress 

iPhone 6 Pill Phone case:

True Rocks Large "Two Tone Pill" Pendant:

Might I suggest you take a chill pill (or get a shopping high) to start your Monday?

XO,

Sam

Inexpensive Art Sources

I get asked by a lot of friends and aquaintances about inexpensive art sources.  Art is a tricky decor element, because not only do you want to find pieces that work within your overall scheme- but you also want to invest in pieces that speak to you personally.  It's hard to know why I might be drawn to a particular painting, but someone else might hate or even feel indifferent towards the same piece.  We all have individual internal biases that cause us to react differently to art.  That's why when you're in the market for new art, it's worth your time to look through several sources and choose the pieces that you love the absolute most.  Today I wanted to share a few of my favorite sources for relatively inexpensive artwork and photography.  I also shared a few pieces I love from each - but be sure to scour through each site's collection to find what you love.

1.) Chairish:

1971 Abstract Silkscreen Attributed to Peter Stroud, $475:

"Fluid Wind" Original Painting, $450:

"Purple Rain" Original Abstract, $97:

I also love objectry used as wall art.  It adds interest and dimensionality:

Maroon Geometric Plateau Basket, $60:

2.) Minted - they also have an exclusive collection with West Elm here.  Minted is a tried and true source for me- I always start my art search here, because they make it so easy.  They offer about 6 different frame style options when purchasing, which makes the dreaded framing step seamless.

"Depth" , Minted for West Elm, $199:

Pink Cacti, Minted for West Elm, $229:

3.) Uprise Art - I love that they have a whole section of art under $800.  This site always introduces me to new artists whom I end up following for their latest offerings.  In addition to paintings and photography, they also sell sculpture and mixed media (dying for this piece).

Wash 3 by Britt Bass Turner, $725:

"Converging Shadows" by Katrine Hildebrandt-Hussey, $725:

"Fleuron" by Erik Bathels, $245:

"High Hoop" by Erik Barthels, $180:

4.) 20 x 200  - A great source for affordable art and photography, with the option to frame any piece you purchase.  Most of the pieces are available in multiple sizes, which is nice.

Every Outdoor Basketball Court in New York, Jenny Odell, $60-1,200:

Old Phone by Todd McLellan, $60-1,200:

Praia Piquinia by Christian Chaize, $60+:

Other Worthy Art Source Mentions:

One Kings Lane

Viyet

Artsy

Etsy

Inspired by: De Kooning

This past Saturday, I finally had the opportunity to visit the new Whitney Museum of American Art in the meatpacking district with my roommate Kate.  If you live in NYC or are visiting soon, it is not to be missed.  We spent several hours wandering through the 7 floors (and taking pictures on the 8th floor rooftop), and I left more inspired than ever.  The current exhibition, "America is Hard to See", showcases artworks from well-known American artists and amateur artists alike throughout the twentieth century.  Walking through the exhibition was a refresher in U.S. history, as many artists were reacting to social and political issues of their time- the Industrial Revolution, World War II, the Vietnam War, the AIDS epidemic, and of course, the mid-century surge in consumerism and materialism.  My favorite part of the exhibition was the movement that put American art on the international map for the first time- the abstract expressionism works.  From Pollock to Gorky, I love the intense, wild brushstrokes and energy of the style.    I particularly loved Dutch-American artist de Kooning's paintings that were on display.  The colors are so vibrant and inspiring. My favorite work shown was Door to the River, which he painted in 1960:

Shop This Board:

Bauble Bar Dreamcatcher Bib Yellow Necklace $22/Arteriors Nina Lamp $360/Soane Venus Chair $Price on Request/Satin Stripe Turban $38/Cashmere Scarf in Ivory $98/Monica Flat $119/

Abstract Expressionism was a post-World War II art movement that took inspiration from Surrealism- emphasizing spontaneous, automatic, or subconscious creation. 

Chic Site Alert: NG Collective

This past weekend I finally got to catch up on some of my favorite glossies.  With Domino back in the mix (my very favorite shelter mag), I devoured their Summer 2014 issue and nearly earmarked every page.  I know we pretty much all love them and their praises have been sung ad nauseam, but they do such a beautiful job of mixing high end pieces with accessible decor in an effortless way.  One new-to-me company I learned about in this issue  is NG Collective.  Started by sisters and artists Laura Naples and Kristin Giorgi, NG Collective features their artwork, as well as graphic textiles, books, and pillows.

The sisters run their online store together, despite living halfway across the country from each other.  Laura lives in Hudson, Ohio, where the sisters grew up, and Kristin lives in Atlanta.  They feel that the distance between them helps each of them bring a unique perspective to their collective work.  Here are a few of my favorite pieces from their shop:

1.) Painterly Dyptich $Price on Request/2.) 5" x 7" NG Mini.9 Print $50/3.) 4.) 20" x 20" Hand Painted Pillow in "Korthos" $125/5.) 18" x 18" Klara $Price On Request/6.) Kolette Print $Price on Request/7.) 22" x 30" Kosta Print $Price on Request

Some of their watercolors remind me of artist Sally King Benedict's works (who was also the cover girl of this month's Domino!).  I love the free flow of them.  Finding unique and affordable art that speaks to you is not the easiest task, so I'm thrilled to have discovered NG Collective.

Any favorite artists or art resources?  Share them with me in the comments!  I'm always searching for new inspiration.

Art I Heart: Paule Marrot

I am always on the hunt for new and interesting art, and especially art through different mediums.  Of course I love abstract paintings on canvas, but I also love mixed media, charcoal, and textiles, especially because they add an element of interest to a space.  So when I saw the textile art of Paule Marrot available on Natural Curiosities, I was immediately drawn in by her bold use of color and the chinoiserie feel to many of her pieces. Paule Marrot was a French artist who created most of her textile works from the 1920s-1950s.  Marrot’s bold use of flowers, color and patterns reflect a compositionally modernist style classically associated with the Art Deco movement.  You might be familiar with the Feathers piece.  I have seen it featured in a few highly publicized rooms (and I absolutely LOVE it!):

{Feather}

{Peppermint Bliss}

Here are a few more favorites of mine:

{Doves}

{Red Sea}

{Tulips}

{Paule Marrot Spring}

{Daisies}

{Fuscia}

They are all just so fun.  I could see them working equally well in a modern living room or a kids play room.  In fact, I've been debating on whether or not I want to purchase Feathers for our house.  I feel like it is a bit overdone at this point, but it's so beautiful and would be perfect for over the couch.  Each print is ~$1000 framed or ~$400 unframed.  I believe Natural Curiosities is to the trade only, so if you want to purchase a piece, email me and I can get it ordered for you!

Seen any interesting art lately?