"What Gives a House Soul?" by Julie Mayfield

“Surround yourself with what you love, so that your house has soul. Collect, don’t decorate.” – Christy Ford

Houses are one of my love languages. And while I love a beautifully decorated house as well as the next person, my favorite houses are those with a lot of soul. Houses that give you a real sense of the people who live there. Houses that feel like they’ve evolved over time.

In my experience, houses with soul aren’t often trendy. They happily break decorating rules. They’re comfortable and imperfect.

What gives a house soul is hard to describe, but I know it when I see it. Usually, I find that a house with soul has most, if not all, of the following elements. Read more…

"How to Start Collecting Art: A Beginner’s Guide" by Margaret Carpenter

Regardless of your knowledge or experience, collecting art can seem daunting and intimidating at the beginning. However, it shouldn’t be and certainly does not have to be. We have a few suggestions to make the process more enjoyable, and also make you feel more confident and knowledgeable in this endeavor.

How to Start Collecting Art: A Beginner’s Guide - Artwork by Belle Roth

There is a myriad of reasons for you to start collecting contemporary art; not only does great art push you to think, feel, and see in new and interesting ways, but it allows you to get in touch with your creative side. Art collector Michael Audain put it simply: “I started collecting art… simply because I wanted pictures to hang on the wall. I noticed what a difference a picture could make to the ambiance of a room, and indeed how shifting workaround could change a room’s whole feeling.” Read more…

Your Guide to Understanding Abstract Art

Have you ever stood in front of a painting, taken by its visual power and yet absolutely bewildered by its meaning? Is it a giant snowy mountain shining brightly under the sunlight, or is it an intimidating volcano bursting through the sky? Is it even supposed to be anything? If questions like these have ever crossed your mind while viewing a work, you’re in the right place.

The Magic Hour, Acrylic on Canvas by Rebecca Katz

What is abstract art? Here, we discuss how to understand it and comprehend the artist’s intention. By appreciating the art form for the freedom it inspires in making individual visual connections, we’re attempting to navigate every step toward understanding abstraction. Read more…

"Reinventing our Relationship with Culture: Gallery Hopping in the COVID-19 Era" by Margaret Carpenter

Just a few months ago, the world was devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities across the globe have experienced struggles and restrictions on their freedom of movement more than ever seen in modern times. Despite these challenges, people have come together, resiliently, to do their part. We continue to celebrate the heroes working on the frontlines, from doctors to grocery store workers, and everyone in-between. We celebrate essential workers in every field, as well as the everyday citizens who do their part by socially distancing, wearing masks, and doing what they can to keep others safe.

Countless conversations have been had on what activities are safe and essential to communities right now. As cities around the world are slowly and cautiously reopening, the health and safety of visitors and locals at the center of importance to all businesses. One particular group of institutions has been highlighted recently as being both essential and safe to engage with, and those are cultural institutions. A group of physicians from the Committee on Infectious Diseases’ COVID-19 Task Force recently released a ranking of activities based on their associated risks with the spread of COVID. Visiting a museum, art gallery or library was listed as a low-risk activity, along the lines of going on a walk with a friend. Read more

Online Art Classes: Art as an Educational Tool at Home

For millions around the globe, the past months have been defined by a change in the day to day life. Are there ways for us to channel this disruption and shift the way we connect to others? Experts are saying that the ones who will adapt best to all these changes are the ones who will learn how to get through this time stronger and better, ready for an altered future. So, what if we tell you that art can be that tool that can open your mind, facilitate your adaptive journey, and help you realize your creative way forward?

Art for social emotional well being

This superpower of art cannot be stressed enough (no pun intended). When the world is going through a global crisis and humanity fights unitedly against the same unseen enemy, art offers a fun, symbolic means of communicating beyond any language or culture. When people are going through uncertainty, it is very important to express their feelings and art is a great liberating way to do so. Read more…

"Under-painting: Why You Need to Do It" by Jerry Sartarama

Develop Contrast and Values Before Color

Sometimes when starting a new oil painting, nothing can be more intimidating than a big white blank canvas staring you down. Each paint squeezed out on your palette looking more vibrant, vivid and intimidating. If you’re the type of person who see’s that blank canvas and it terrifies you like a killer clown in white makeup, then maybe under-painting might be the answer for you!

Underpainting and Finished Worked, Evening Flight by Jan Blencowe

In painting, an under-painting is a first layer of paint applied to a canvas or board and it functions as a base for other layers of paint. It acts as a foundation for your painting and is a great way to start your painting off with some built in contrast and tonal values. It’s a technique that was widely used by the old masters as a way to develop a plan for future color placement and to establish certain values and tones within a painting’s color palette. An under-painting, if used correctly, is a great way to unite color values in the overall painting and add a subjective color key to the painting that will create a tonal dominance of the painting. Read More…