The other day I was wandering through one of those sensory-overload home décor stores. I do love those places when time permits it. The number of colour choices for holiday accessories and decorations was impressive.

Since colours and patterns always attract my attention, I started thinking how the number of available colour choices for Christmas decorations have really evolved since the days of Red, Green and White. In my experience, those three are typically recognized as the colours of the Christmas holiday season.  Well maybe throw in or substitute a silver or gold to add some bling and there you have it – festive colours of the season.

Then I got to thinking…why those colours (Red, white, green)? Do they have special meaning related to Christmas and the holiday season?

I couldn't resist sharing this photograph of an incredibly appealing interior design.

I love this room and space.

It got me thinking about furniture placement in relation to your art.

Several years ago Pangaea of Pangaea Interior Design (a west coast US firm) wrote a great article in Houzz about design strategies for art lovers. 

Her message is simple and echoes what I always recommend to my clients. 

An organization called The Pantone Color Institute advises the fashion, product, interior and packaging design industries on the use of colour in design. 

In doing so, they choose a colour of the year to reflect economic, social, environmental and worldwide trends.

They have been taking on this role for many years now. 

This year they chose the colour…

Buying art is exciting.  I love it when clients find a piece that connects with them.  Maybe you are like many art buyers who feel a bit stressed about the part that comes next: choosing mats and frames or standing in front of your unblemished wall with a nail and hammer in hand, frozen with indecision.

My services speed you through this part like a breeze.  So if math is not your thing or you do not have enough time or energy to deal with it, just call or email me to get it done.

However, if you are a do-it-yourselfer,

Read on…

The work schedule that keeps Darlene Winfield on top of her game explains her evolution from unknown to award winning in a record passage of time. Following a passion for inspiring Canadian landscapes, Darlene paints with texture and emotion in a representational style that continues to intrigue art collectors far and wide.  Darlene's spirit is engaging and her knowledge of the art market is admirable.  Read on about Darlene's background, her inspirations and goals.

Artist, teacher, explorer, innovator, and abstractor are a few of the words you would use to describe Sharon Kirsh.  Her art is equal parts strong and bold and brave, all based on themes of nature and poetic metaphors.  I truly enjoy conversations with Sharon, which include deep conversations about colour and the creative process. I know you will enjoy Sharon's feature, because she is very descriptive and able to put into words what most artists can only achieve with their paintings.

In this article I provide a method to calculate how much you would budget to buy art for your home and let you know what type of art you can buy for that amount. Basically, the same math used for budgeting home décor projects can be used to establish a budget for wall art. Then you can make a decision and set up a plan to accomplish the completion of your spaces with artwork.

Read On...

The artwork of Cathy Groulx is exquisite with rich hues of intense colours laid down in dozens of layers of oil paint - the oil glazing method.  The technique succeeds in drawing the viewer into the scene, like you are there experiencing the intimate quiet serene scenes that Groulx presents to us.  Groulx is a master painter, Ontario Society of Artists member, at the top of her game.  I was so thrilled to begin working with Groulx in 2016.  Read more about Groulx as she answers my interview questions.

Annie lives in Quebec City, one of my favourite places in Canada.

Her art is a wonderful combination of spirit, joy, emotion and whimsy.

Lots of layers work together to create movement and depth in her abstract paintings.  And I really like the stories behind her art.

Read more about Annie...

It's as easy as apple pie...

Buying artwork online.

In case you are new to the online art buying experience...

The following will prepare you for taking that step. 

You are in good company.

The reported size of the worldwide online art market in 2017 is...

 

The brevity of Canadian summers is always top of mind for me, growing up in Northern Ontario.  So when the weather warms up and the schools are closed for a few months I am all about summertime!  I spend as much time outdoors as I can. 

Brigitte and I met years ago and immediately discovered we love the same things.  Her artworks feature:  the outdoors, summertime, Canadian landscapes, lakes and scenery, canoe trips, summer movies, sunny days and healthy lifestyle. 

Read on about what inspires Brigitte and her artistic development.  

No matter the price point,

Your art is precious to you.

You chose it and you enjoy having it in your home...

If you also enjoy switching up your art collection to match your mood or the seasons,

Occasionally I hear from art buyers...

“My walls are filling up” or

“I love it but I don’t want to commit to a snow scene all year round”. 


More often however, I hear... 

 

Pull back the curtain to discover how colour trends are developed and how these annual fresh palettes affect every product you touch...

Artwork too.

Whether you are aware of it or not, colour is an inspiration, a catalyst and a motivator that plays a role influencing your preferences and purchases. 

So who is in charge of these trends anyway?

Metallics work for any season and any space, done in the right amounts of course.  Metallics include gold, silver, pewter, platinum, nickel and copper, plus...

Any combination of these with all the other colours.  

So even though it is summer season, a time for bright pinks, purples, reds, yellows and vibrant greens... 

I thought to spend some time on the virtues of one of my favourite metallic colours - COPPER.

So I wondered what was the history of copper paint and how do they make it now...
 

Matt Jenkins has a passion and love for nature and its preservation.

He uses his photography to draw our attention to the beauty of the outdoors; something we often forget about in our daily lives.

Matt believes in the healing power of nature.  

With each piece he succeeds at capturing nature that seems and maybe is untouched by humans. He has used his skill and work to help a number of nature organizations making him a photographer as well as a conservationalist. 

Vanessa Drew is based in Burlington Ontario.  Her work has wide appeal, being vibrant, alive and most noticeably happy.

Her flowers feel like they are bursting with joy and happiness.

Obviously her love for what she does shows through with every piece and colour theme she chooses.  We are excited to see more from Vaness with her desire to head in a more abstract direction. 

I had the opportunity to meet up with Vanessa and get to know her...

The best part about an art collage is it behaves like a large piece of customized art.  The installation of most artwork is fairly straightforward with the occasional challenge of sets and groupings; however, an art collage wall can be particularly tricky to pull off.  Have you always wondered why your collage wall looks thrown together?  How do the professionals make them look perfectly?  Read on for tips on how to make yours a success.

Sanjay B. Patel is one of the hardest working contemporary artists of today.  Not only does he produce his art often and quickly for his commissioned clients, but he is busy with the business of the local (and often beyond) art scene.  He is an art performer, capable of competing in Art Battles as well as private live art events.  He's a creative force for sure so it is my pleasure to feature Sanjay and his art. 

“Illustrative of flourishing foliage, the fertile attributes of Greenery signals one to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate.”  What a perfect message for stressed out Americans and Canadians alike.

I interviewed Mari recently (January 2017) and was entertained by her lighthearted and many times humorous and self-deprecating comments.  I was drawn to her story because of her deep connection with music and how it comes to her in colours and textures; not to mention all her stories of living life and raising a family in so many places.

SavvyArt Market is pleased to feature Ernie Francis, Watercolour Artist.  His style is broadly eclectic ranging from Classical tradition to the contemporary. I enjoy his wide ranging selections of subject matter from still life and nature to figurative work, sometimes blending in calligraphy that is often rough and bold, sprinkled with the immediacy of graffiti.  One of my favourite tasks is getting to know the artists and discover their inspirations and ambitions.  I would like to share this interview with Ernie, who was so gracious and patient to answer so many questions from inquiring minds.... 

Like in any other business CLEAR communication is key when commissioning work, in this case artwork.  Artists do art for their job - their work/business - so the best strategy is a more formal approach versus a less formal one.  Read on for helpful tips.

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to write articles for a great local publication, Neighbours of Olde Oakville, about art, artists and asthetes.  This article appeared in the October 2016 edition ~ Karen Mayer, SavvyArt Market.