Hot Under {$100}: Fine Portrait Art prints

Beautiful art is definitely chic, but not cheap.  We are on a constant mission to fill our home with more art and it is both a long and pricey task.  Luckily, many artists offer prints of their work for a fraction of the price of the original illustration.  Home furnishings retailers also manage to print work in very large sizes
(the difference in prices between artwork of different dimensions are significant).

I have a few fashion portrait prints already and love that an expression can be captured and interpreted through watercolors, oils, and pencils.  Also, who wouldn't want to have an icon like Jackie O sitting in her living room right?

Here are a few portrait pieces I loved all for under $100:

1. Julie Print by Silver Ridge Studios, Etsy, $75

2. Emma Watson pencil art by Ileana Hunter, Etsy, $9.99

3. Jackie O Print, CB2, $99.95

4. Ink print of John Lennon by UniqueDigitalArt, Etsy, $19

5. James Dean Print, CB2, $79.95

Travel log/Worthwhile {Art} Visit: The Getty Center/Museum in Los Angeles

The Getty Museum is a place that breaks all your stereotypes of LA (no it's not just a city of materialism) and reinforces other ones (the weather and view can really be perfect here).

It is definitely a worthwhile visit if you're in the area (or the Getty Villa which I highlighted here).  The serene views, striking architecture, and surprisingly satisfying art collection are worth a drive away from the heart of LA.  My husband lived in LA for a few years and said that the Getty is all about the views.  The museum itself becomes part of the art experience.

Yes the views among the hills of LA are definitely a nice respite from the traffic and congestion below.

But the Getty also has a larger than expected and well curated art collection as well.  What I love about the collection is that it is not too large and covers every medium from sculptures and paintings to furniture (oh to have a room in this style at home!)

I particularly loved the impressionist selection (my absolute favorite style of painting!)  The light and movement in these paintings is captivating!  It is also wonderful to see a classic like "Irises" (and practice shooting paintings with no flash!).

Yes I'd return here again, perhaps with a small family one day!

Tip: There is a $15 parking fee per car so it is a great value if you visit with a small group and drive in together!

FFF - {Art} Fun Find - Paper Architecture and weekends in NYC

Happy Fun, free Friday lovelies!

{Art} Fun Finds
I am constantly amazed at the different materials that people use to create art.  I stumbled upon this paper architecture piece that brought me back to my hometown of NYC.  I love how Ingrid Siliakus created the Statue of Liberty, Chrysler Building, and Brooklyn bridge all out of paper (talk about precise cutting!)  I pinned another one of her works on Pinterest. Come say hello and let's follow each other there as we share more inspirational/fun images (let me know if you need an invite too!)

Otherwise, this weekend I am...
...flying to NYC for a brief visit.  I'm basically flying to NYC en route to Asia, but I am going to be happy to meet a few friends and get a nice dinner in with my family for Lunar New Year.  Good food cooked by my mom always makes me happy (and helps me get over jet lag, I am exhausted!)

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Fun Finds {Art}: Canstruction Art and Alexander McQueen in NYC

Art is no longer restricted to paint, clay, and stone.  An exhibit of "canstruction"uses canned food to create art (who said that you can't play with your food?)  These pieces include a few odes to the great Alexander McQueen and the armadillo shoes that will always be one if his signature pieces.  I also love the homage to the Brooklyn? Bridge and other whimsical creations.  This exhibit is taking place at the World Financial Center in NYC (I used to work there!) so stop by and relax in the Winter Garden if you're ever in the area.

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Fun Finds/Decor Thoughts: Wire art by Gavin Worth

I love finding examples of art that aren't limited to a canvas/frame and use untraditional materials (these Rob Ryan cut paper art creations are another example of unique art).  Gavin Worth has created wire sculptures that depict simple silhouettes.  The couples, hands, and solitary woman are all so serene.  I also love the 3-d quality of the pieces - wouldn't they be great in a living room or serve as lovely housewarming or even wedding gifts?

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Fun Finds.{Art Highlight} Waste Landscape

One man's trash can truly be another man's treasure.  Artist Elise Morin used 65,000 unsold or donated CDs to create this gorgeous landscape.
It makes you think: are there things that we don't use anymore but could be remade into something beautiful?

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{Art Highlight}/Fun Finds: Urban Outfitters Society6 Artists

Art should be accessible.  Urban Outfitters attempts to do just that by showcasing and selling works from Society6, an international community of artists.

The prints are well priced and eclectic.  This would be a fun place to shop for a gift or or a new edition for your home.

Here are a few favorites:

Towering Eiffel Tower by Ewan Arnolda, 7"x10"-$15 

Pinkture by Jean-Marc Gething, 7"x10"-$15 

All you need is Love by Nicole Duquette, 8"x9"-$15

A Streetcar named Noir by Michael Mitchener, 8"x8"-$15 

{Art Review}/Etsy Find: Cate Parr/Silver Ridge Studio Fashion Watercolor paintings and prints

I've always had a deep appreciation of artists and their ability to design a visual story. My mother also has this innate gift for creating beautiful illustrations of nature scenes and animals - unfortunately that ability got lost somewhere (err, maybe next generation especially since my husband's father was a great artist too?)

I've appreciated art even more while attempting to decorate our home here.  I discovered Cate Parr (Etsy shop: Silver Ridge Studio) when I saw one of her watercolor paintings featured in a Lonny gift guide.  I was smitten with her surreal and colorful watercolor work and ordered a few original paintings; her collection features high fashion figures, homages to classic magazine covers, and whimsical scenes of luxury and life.  As Cate says "Fashion is all around us!"

It evokes my post from yesterday that glamour can really begin at home with a small touch from a lovely gown to a beautiful painting or print.

Here are a few favorite pieces:

Dancer 1 with heart, Etsy, $35

Deutsche Vogue Cover, Etsy, $75

French Champagne, Etsy, $35

I was fortunate enough to receive a print from Cate along with the paintings that I had ordered (does it look familiar :)? )  I was blown away by the quality of the print.  It is a professional archival Glicee print on BFK Rives paper.  The colors are extremely vibrant and the lines distinct.

I placed the print next to a small watercolor painting - while the shading is more nuanced in the original painting, the colors are even more striking on the print.  This is a definitely a chic 'n cheap way to infuse color into your home!

Stay tuned for a giveaway soon featuring Cate's work!

Fun Finds/{Art Highlight}: Paul Villinski Butterflies - from Gossip Girl and beyond

I may not have a Mariah Carey level of passion for butterflies, but I do indeed find them beautiful - how can you not be captivated by the colorful fluttering of a delicate creature that migrates thousands of miles to reappear to us in the spring?

Paul Villinski is a  New York based designer that has likely found a new level of fame among the well-heeled female set for his art appearing in "Gossip Girl"  He has a collection called "birds and butterflies" that is made entirely from found beer cans (and sometimes vinyl records).   Butterflies are a perfect symbol of how a somewhat rough item such as a beer can be transformed into something beautiful.

Here are a few favorites:

"Paradigm" - similar to the one he designed for Serena's bedroom in "Gossip Girl"

"Vessel (For Amelia)"

"On Final (For Saint-Ex)"

"Diaspora"

"Wish"

All images from Paul Villinski

I love how the ordinary can be converted to something quite extraordinary.  It's definitely inspiration for DIY projects at home as well.

What do you think of Paul Villinski's work?  Is it something you'd display in your home?

CnC Living Recommends: Websites for affordable art prints

* Remember to enter the Night Owl Paper Goods giveaway for your choice of wooden or letterpress stationary here*

Are you constantly decorating or searching for ways to spruce up your home (or is that just me and my super slow home shopping ways?)

Art prints are a Chic 'n Cheap way to build and enhance your art collection.   Look for prints that are laid out on archival paper, use quality inks, and have fun discovering new artists or uncovering old prints.

Here are a few favorite websites and images:
Poster Cabaret

Runaway Girl by Robert Lee, $30

20x200

Sugarcoat by Michelle Hinebrook, $20 - $1000 depending on size

Thumbtack Press

Life by Adonis Werther, $69.99/set of 4

Yeehaw Press

Jazz Poster Alphonse Mouzon Letterpress print, $35

Renegade Handmade

Lucky Bear Wall Hanging, $60

Etsy of course has a huge variety of great print shops as well and you can always search eBay if you're looking for a specific print.
Here's a great list of a few more websites for great prints.

Where do you get your art prints?

Fun Finds: Love Paper Art

It's amazing what artists can do with simple pieces of paper.

Fedrogoni sponsors an annual contest in which artists use Fedrogoni paper to create graphic and editorial content.  I love the dimension and pops of color.   

All pictures courtesy of fubiz

I'm no artist, but at least I know I can do something like the floral paper wall myself!

Photo Love: Jump with no reservations

The artist Philippe Halsman said that when you ask someone to jump for the camera "the mask falls, so the real person appears."

I love the girly and playful jump by the always lovely Audrey Hepburn above.  The lady is still there, but she is leaping without a care in the world - no poses, no thoughts about the perfect angle. 

Life isn't always picture perfect, but it can still be beautiful.  Here's to celebrating those candid and true moments...

Lucky New Yorkers, there is an exhibit of famous figures jumping photographed by Philippe Halsman.  “Philippe Halsman: Jump” continues through Friday, May 28th at the Laurence Miller Gallery, 20 West 57th Street, Manhattan; , laurencemillergallery.com.