As summer rushes on with all the fun activities, school is not too far off. Back to school season can trigger a flurry of activities – time to get new shoes, new clothes, new lunch bags, new backpacks, and new school supplies. For the educator, a new school year gives you the chance to decorate the room for a new batch of students. For the parents, you may be looking to decorate your child’s room with educational art. If you’re looking to use educational wall art, consider these pointers:

School is Cool

As a teacher, you want school to be enjoyable and fun for the students. You want to create an environment where the student is constantly learning, in obvious ways or not. A classroom that has eye-catching visuals will not only appeal to the students, but it will spark interest in them to learn.  Cleverly chosen posters can make the classroom conducive to learning, even without the child knowing it. From the alphabet poster to the history of the United States, you can make your classroom a learning haven.  And the best teacher ever!

Classroom Chic

If you’re into themes for classrooms and don’t mind changing the decorative art from time to time, you can transform the room to reflect the theme you’ve in mind. Want to take the kids to outer space, introduce them to the magic of math, or the wonder of science? Whatever theme you pick, there’s bound to be a category of educational wall art for it.

Grade Appropriate

An elementary student may enjoy the magical world of make-believe while a middle-school student may need to learn about the rules of self-respect. Age-appropriate educational posters abound. Take your pick – the selection is as varied as your students’ needs.

Your Kid’s Personal Space

Perhaps you’re a parent hoping to jump start your kid’s school year to a great start. You want to create a learning environment for your kid, right in his own space. Choose an eclectic assortment of educational posters or a cohesive theme of ideas. Surrounding your kid with educational posters will foster learning without trying too hard. The visual presence will impart knowledge, stimulate creativity and motivate your child.

At its inception, the pop art movement brought relief to those that had grown tired of works created by abstract expressionists. From there, it went on to become one of the most popular art forms of the rebellious 50's and free-wheeling 60's. Today, designers’ passion for decorating with pop art featuring Andy Warhol helps to keep the love affair going.

Warhol, for those readers that may have not been around during the early pop art movement, was born in the 1920's and died in the winter of 1987. His work was renowned the world over. The colorful, iconic images that he used helped to convey what was going on in pop culture, whether the activity was ultimately controversial or not. As such, his artwork often stirred strong feelings in fans and critics alike.

When decorating with pop art featuring Andy Warhol prints, there are several schools of thought to consider. For instance, some interior designers like to display Warhol’s art in areas that match the picture’s subject matter. Others prefer to put the artwork in unrelated, unexpected spots that help jolt viewers out of their rote activities. There are also those that focus more on the colors and patterns inherent in Warhol’s artwork than the actual subject matter.

Take Andy Warhol’s Knives, c.1981-82 picture as an example. It could be hung up in a contemporary dining room or kitchen that has pops of black and cream coloring throughout. On the other hand, it could also be placed in a study or office with his series of Guns artwork and Skull, 1976 to show a love of mystery novels and forensic sciences.

There are other Andy Warhol prints on the market today that feature the artist’s quotes and images. One of our favorites is the one titled, Think Rich, Look Poor. It would look great on display in a bedroom changing area or walk-in closet. As would prints like It Takes a lot of Work to Figure Out How to Look So Good, Diamond Dust Shoes and Two Female Fashion Figures c. 1960.

To learn more about decorating with pop art featuring Andy Warhol, please contact us today. We have many prints of the artist’s work in stock as well as several other pop art prints of note.

What do Billy the Kid, Hoss Cartwright, Jack Sorenson, Wyatt Earp and Charles M. Russell all have in common? The answer, “They’re all beloved figures that, in one way or another, represent the Wild West. Two of them, Jack Sorenson and Charles M. Russell, are Wild West artists that have managed to touch people’s inner cowboy or cowgirl with their creative visions. 

Born in the 1950s, Jack Sorenson’s wild west art was clearly influenced by his early years, which he spent part of working at his family’s dude ranch and frontier town. It was a popular tourist stop and Sorenson learned early on how to play to the crowd. As such, his Wild West artwork has a great mix of touching and humorous ranch family scenes. It also contains western landscapes, high intensity action shots and wildlife paintings that are sure to stir one’s inner adventurer.

Charles M. Russell, on the other hand, had a much different upbringing than Sorenson. Born in the late 1800s, he spent his teenage years employed by a working sheep rancher and living among the Blood Indians, with nary a tourist in sight. So his Wild West art tends to portray a very realistic view of ranch life in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It shows cowboys working and interacting with Indians, early explorers and animals. That said, art patrons who view his paintings often remark that they are like having a window into our country’s past.

Of course Jack Sorenson and Charles M. Russell are not the only men associated with Wild West art. There are many more and each understandably brings his or her own unique perspective on western life to the table. That’s part of what makes decorating with Wild West art so interesting. Depending on the artist and the subject matter, a wide variety of moods, interests or messages may be conveyed.

Take Jack Sorenson’s horse paintings, like The Bay and A Sound in the Timber for example. They would look lovely hanging in a room filled with saddle furniture, leather flooring and a working fireplace. On the flip side, Charles M. Russell’s Wild West artwork would look amazing hanging in a study filled with history books, antiques from the 1800s, animal hide throw rugs and saddle blankets.

To learn more about Jack Sorenson, Charles M. Russell and other wild west artists’ notable pieces, please visit  Fulcrum Gallery today.

Are you looking for art pieces that are classy and chic? They hold style and elegance and are perennially pleasing? Classy/chic art may not scream for attention but they draw you in with their understated charm. If you're looking to decorate with classy and chic art works, here are some pointers:

What’s Your Theme?

Do you have a theme in mind? You want a theme that withstands the test of time and doesn’t look jaded with the passing of time. Consider themes that are timeless – for instance, art pieces that celebrate the beauty of nature - flowers, plants, landscape, garden, seasons, or the beach. Bring the sun and surf into your house and allow the beach theme to dominate and transport you somewhere where breezes caress and the waves soothe. 

Color Scheme

While there are no strict rules for color scheme for your home, some colors will withstand the whims and fancies of time better than others. For instance, psychedelic may be reminiscent of the 60's, where funk and bold collided in a surge of cultural beauty. If you’re decorating a space to reflect that time period, it will work well. However, if you’re striving to decorate a space that will still look classy with time, opt for colors that are more neutral. With a basic neutral color, you can then choose to play it up with a main color or an accent color. Choose art pieces that complement or contrast your basic room color.

Style of the Artist

Perhaps you’re a fan of a particular artist. Their art works speak to you and feel most like you. Find a number of pieces and build a collage with them or use that one piece to define a room or space. For instance, Cheri Blum, an American painter uses simple lines and shapes to create a sense of peaceful balance in her art. Another popular impressionist artist, Barbara Mock, puts her strong sense of design to good use when creating pieces that capture floral theme, charming birdhouses or delicate teacups and whimsical landscapes. And what about the contemporary artist, Carol Robinson? She offers renditions of beach scene, kitchen décor and landscape with style and splendor. Because their art pieces are classy and chic, you may get more mileage out of them in the long run.

For more information on how you can use art pieces that are both chic and classy, feel free to contact us.  

Warm up a rustic kitchen or family room with the earthy hues of Tuscany. From neutral wall paint colors to cultural art, you’ll feel like you’re relaxing in a foreign land. The best part of travel art is that it creates a home that is both cozy and worldly.

Tuscan art for your Kitchen

When decorating the kitchen with travel art of Tuscany, focus on images of wine bottles, grapes, apples and lemons. Or go for the bigger picture with a garden landscape. The blue skies in garden art complements the warm brown and orange tones of the Italian landscape.

Decorating ideas:

* Clay tiles, from your local home improvement store can be used as a back splash, or use the individually as drink coasters.

* Wooden decorative objects in the shape of pears, pepper mills or wine bottles add to ambiance.

* Try your hand at decorating a small area with a leafy green stencil. Keep linens including table settings and window treatments in off-white hues.

* Upgrade cabinet hardware French Country knobs and handles.

Black wire baskets and candle holders finish out the Tuscan look in your kitchen.

Tuscan Living Room

For a Tuscan theme, consider your rooms with beige or golden mustard walls. For pops of color in the room, use large golden yellow or burn orange candles.

Add details to every corner:

* Use small garden statues as bookends.

* Spice up the room with coffee-colored furniture or decorative objects.

* Decorate the largest wall with multiple pieces of Tuscan art.

* Use small images in wooden frames on shelves and end tables, to resemble personal travel photos.

* Decorate windowsills with leafy vines in stone vases.

* Create a focal point in the room with a tall garden vase to complete the worldly transition.

Shop your favorite Tuscan art today and save 50%! For more information on decorating a with culture art, please contact us. 

Abstract art is an exciting form of contemporary art that expresses independence and innovation. Popularized in the U.S. in the early 1900's by Pablo Picasso and other famous artists who challenged tradition, abstract art ranges in style from imagery that departs slightly from normal representation of objects and people to imagery that defies reality.

Often characterized by shapes, abstract art calls attention to lines and colors that evoke emotional responses and inner creativity. When viewing abstract art, the observer becomes involved on a personal (and often subconscious level) and is quite likely to see extremely varied scenes and images that just seem to pop-out.

Abstract art is said to mirror the ever-changing and highly technological aspects of post-modern society. On a very basic level, abstract art values the energy of subject matter over and above the physical form, which also complements new theories in Quantum Physics and even spirituality, from parallel dimensions to the practice of deep meditation.

In 2013, The North American Journal of Psychology published an article that explored the “Preference for Abstract Art According to Thinking Styles and Personality.” Researchers found that people who prefer abstract art over traditional art enjoy new things and are “particularly sensation seeking, open-minded, field-independent thinkers.” Those who preferred abstract art also showed a natural inclination toward abstract thinking and higher levels of enjoyment for new and unusual foods and music.

If you're open-minded and a free-thinker who doesn't believe everything is exactly how it seems, then abstract art is the ideal choice for home decoration to get your creative energy flowing. Consider the Four Meditations art print by Ian Scott Massie, which depicts gorgeous gradients of color and abstract windows that are sure to expand your senses. From reaching human arms to sea creatures, you're likely to find a myriad of images that speak to you over time with Peach Season 1 – Grande by Maureen Love, which highlights a minimalistic approach to create an earthy sort of inner chaos.

With uniquely modern hues, imprints of shapes, and the universal symbol of the circle, The Gathering Shore by Heather Ross would be an excellent abstract art statement piece for your living or dining room. For more examples of fine abstract art prints, visit Fulcrum Gallery online.

Whether it’s your first or your fifth, having a baby is a special time in a family’s life. There is typically much to do, including decorating a nursery. There are various ways to go about decorating a nursery. Some parents opt to go with a theme and others do not. If you hope to go with a theme for your baby’s nursery, the following artists’ prints may help further your efforts:

Francis D. Bedford

When it comes to decorating a nursery, artist Francis D. Bedford’s work would be perfect. Bedford spent part of his life creating charming illustrations that appeal to children. Among them are a whole series of illustrations devoted entirely to the world’s beloved, classic nursery rhymes. His framed illustrations also typically contain the nursery rhyme itself, which makes them suitable for toddlers and preschoolers’ rooms too.

Blanche Fisher Wright

Another children’s illustrator’s work to consider is Blanche Fisher Wright. Perhaps you received a reprint of her book, The Real Mother Goose, at your baby shower. Although it was published decades ago, it remains popular with parents today. Some of her illustrations from the book have been turned into framed art that could be added to a nursery or playroom’s wall.

Stephanie Marrott

For a more contemporary representation of classic nursery rhymes, we’d suggest looking at artist Stephanie Marrott’s collection of artwork. It includes colorful prints featuring the traditional rhymes' text and modern day graphics. In addition, she’s created non-nursery rhyme artwork too. Examples to consider are Goodnight Sweet Princess, Butterfly Kisses, Lucky Bug, The Prince Sleeps Here and My Honey Bee.

Lila Rose Kennedy

Artist Lila Rose Kennedy is a wonderful artist as well. Her collection of work includes adorable, colorful pictures of things that most children adore. For example, if you are having a boy, her pictures titled Concrete Mixer, Fire Truck, Train, Soccer, and Moon Rocket may prove to be ideal choices. Her work also includes cute pictures of barnyard animals and butterflies too.

For a closer look at these and other artists whose work would be ideal for decorating a nursery, please contact one of our professional customer service representatives!

With nearly every breed of dog represented in some way, artist Stephen Fowler approaches pet art in a fun contemporary style. If you're a dog lover, you NEED a piece of this art for your home or office, here are five reasons why:

1. Man's Best Friend - Pets bring many people a sense of responsibility, happiness, and connection to life. When we see pictures of dogs that remind us of our own beloved animal(s), those same feelings arise and bring a moment of meaningful interaction to the day. Man's best friend needs a place on your wall, whether you currently have a dog, want to, or used to.
2. Color - Stephen Fowler brings a fresh look to his dog art with delightful colors and dynamic text and patterns. The colors in his works will help set the mood in whatever room it is placed.
3. Price - With prices starting at $9 and up for a print, these pieces of art are truly budget friendly.
4. Size - Most of Stephen Fowler's dog art pieces are smaller in size (generally around 12"x12"), meaning you can surely find a nook or place to enjoy this work in your home or office.
5. Conversation - The combined text and images on these artworks are sure to encourage some spontaneous conversation amongst your family and guests. Take pleasure in the discussions likely surrounding themes of pets past and present.

Fulcrum Gallery offers an assortment of Stephen Fowler art prints and many other great styles from similar artists too! Take a look at what our offerings can bring to your decorating style.

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with some inspirational art? Whether your relationship is brand new or you have celebrated many years of wedded bliss, your loved one will be thrilled with a gift of art for Valentine’s Day. Here are a few suggestions from our gallery:

• Go with tradition. We have a number of images with hearts on them, including Zebra Love and Barn Star with Heart Wreath. These pieces clearly state your message of love on Valentine’s Day.
• On the other hand, you may want to give a gift that says something more. We have heart art with all those words that you have trouble remembering “in the moment,” so check out Love Words, Prayer from the Heart or Let There be Love if you wish your art to carry your message for you.
• Maybe you feel the need to remember those important messages of love with your gift. We have a wide range of possibilities for loving reminders, such as Love and Peace or Love Never Fails.
• Possibly you want to give a gift to that special someone who is not a spouse or partner. A simple search will yield some lovely heart-oriented art for Grandmother, Rocker Moms Rule, and A Mother’s Heart.

This is but a small sampling of the inspirational art that is available in our galleries for your Valentine’s Day gifting. Start searching and we are certain you will find something to tug at your heart!