Everyone loves popular color trends when they decide to remodel their home or renovate! It's fun to change your decor every once in a while to keep up with current popular color schemes. A very popular color for home decor, especially for this autumn season, is gold. Gold represents a meaning of success, achievement, and triumph. We often associate the color gold with money or wealth, but the color gold has so much more to tell us than just wealth. Many people have linked the color gold as a way to feel empowered and choose to think gold can give off a vibe of positive energy. Some also believe that gold can bring good wisdom, understanding, and enlightenment.

 Represents a Meaning of Success, Achievement, and Triumph!

Often we see gold metals for the winner of a race so we connect the color gold and it's meaning to the winner's metal. This color draws attention to itself, it is eye-catching, passionate, and confident. Gold is a color that is often overlooked when choosing decor because of the flashy and wealthy vibe it shows. Decorating an office with gold art, or neutral colored prints with a gold frame, can give one a sense of empowerment and success. Getting gold art, art with a gold frame, or art on canvas with gold painted sides is not only suitable for your office. These will also raise your feeling of success in a library or study room. 

Perfect Decor for Autumn Season!

Not only is gold great decor for offices, classrooms, libraries, and study rooms, but it is also great for general home decor during autumn season! Decorating your home with paintings and photographs of golden autumn trees and the golden kissed sky during sunset is a great way to bring the beauty of autumn into your home with out having crunchy leaves. Gold autumn decor helps a room pop with color and come to life. Golden touched autumn art is especially a great decor choice for those who find themselves who favor autumn over other seasons. If autumn season is your favorite, why not leave the autumn decor up year round to keep your favorite season around!

Although gold is a popular color to decorate, you want to make sure to not overdo it. Having too much gold decor in your home can be overwhelming since gold is such a bold color. If the room is painted a solid color that compliments gold, just decorating with gold is perfectly fine! But remember, gold is a loud color that does not need help standing out and making a statement. Too much gold decor can ruin the statement you want to make. If done correctly, gold decor can be the perfect inspirational art, or the perfect seasonal art!

Fall is almost here! As the temperature drops and the days grow shorter, nature follows suit with a change of colors. Yellow, orange, gold, rust and red take over the landscape, diffusing autumnal spell. An irresistible spell. A spell you want to bring inside your home and spread the magic all around. Here’s how you can bring the colors of fall into your home:

Celebrate the Colors of Fall

Fall means the orange of pumpkin, the red of corn, yellow of gourds and the rust of fallen leaves. Often, they don’t come in one shade but myriads of shades and hues – a subtle yellow, a bold red or deep burgundy. Fall celebrate colors, perhaps nature’s way of cheering the beginning of colder weather. Fall colors are warm and inviting and what better way of duplicating these hues than inviting them into your home. How? By using fall art and prints that capture the essence of the season. For instance Bright Autumn Day showcases trees touched by the glow of orange and red while Autumn Embers captures a more subdued autumn. What you pick depends on the mood and feel you’re going for.

Celebrate the Season 

In America, fall calls for celebration – pumpkin patch, hayrides, harvest fest, Halloween and Thanksgiving. Often, fall décor is employed to amp up the ambience. Apart from using pumpkins and gourds and fall flowers to build the atmosphere, consider using fall art and prints to add layers of interest. Transform the kitchen into an autumnal landscape of irresistible warmth and colors. Consider pictures of fall harvest such as playful Sharing the Harvest or thoughtful Harvest Blessings. Choices abound with pictures of wine, olives, prairie landscape and Tuscany harvest. 

Celebrate Fall One Room at a Time

Think of how many ways you can use fall décor and how many places you can go with that. We’re talking rooms in your house. The kitchen may be the most obvious place to deck out fall décor but don’t limit your fall magic to just one room. Cozy up your family room with autumn flowers or autumn landscapes or abstract art. Or the living room or the den for that matter. Follow your fancy and allow fall magic to invade your living spaces.

Use art to celebrate fall in all its glories!

If you're one of the many who favors sitting in the golden sun and hearing the waves crash against the sand rather than ice covered roads and freezing temperatures, you're probably dreading these next couple weeks as summer is changing to fall. Instead of counting down the long days until next summer, create summer in your home to help you last through these cold seasons. There's nothing quite like coming in from a cold blistery drive to a warm house with summer paintings and colors to bring you back to the warm summer ambiance. 

Creating a summer atmosphere for your home is easier think whether you like summer wildlife, beaches, fields, or gardens best. The first step to creating a winter long summer is to figure out which scene you like the most. Let's say summer beach art is your favorite for example. Here are some tips to decorating for the winter with beach art. 

Ask yourself, what color of beach art would compliment the color of your room. If your walls are a neutral color, you may want to go for beach paintings that are full of color and life.  Keep in mind not only the art you like, but how it will look on your walls if they are a bright color. Winter is a season that is usually associated with dark colors so don't be afraid to go out of the box and be a little daring with bright oranges and blues.

If you are someone that needs more than just a pop of color to make thing exciting, try looking for dolphin figurines or even drape a fisherman's net above the mirror to create a tropical vibe to your beach and ocean scheme. Depending on the room can help you with unleashing your creative streak and really go all out with the decor.

One of the hottest decorating trends right now is creating a gallery wall filled with personal photos on canvas. When they are done right, the pictures are vibrant and resemble fantastic, realistic paintings. And perhaps best of all, creating photos on canvas is fun and easy. Here’s a lens cap full of information to help you get started:

Go through your family photo album and select your favorite pictures. Choose wedding photos, pictures of the kids or whatever else strikes your fancy. Just keep in mind that no matter which ones you choose, they’ll need to be converted into JPG, PNG, TIF, BMP or GIF format and sport an optimal DPI of 250. If you absolutely can’t get the photo to have a 250 DPI, you could try using one with a DPI that falls in the 249 to 100 range. We would not recommend going lower than that. Otherwise, the photo’s clarity will decrease.

Consider using photos that show progression through time or panoramic ones that may be stretched out over more than one canvas. They tend to make a heck of a visual impact, especially if the photos on canvas, do not have a frame, and feature wrap around sides. Speaking of which, after settling on a series of photos, you’ll need to decide if you want to frame your photos on canvas or leave them just on canvas.

If you decide to go with a framed one, be sure to choose regular stretcher bars. They tend to be less than an inch thick, which allows for the use of a high quality frame, acid free mat and glazing. There are a handful of glazing options to choose from, including those designed to reduce glare. They are perfect in areas that get a lot of natural sunlight or are illuminated using harsh, overhead lighting.

Thicker bars are best when you want to go with a museum wrap or a very large gallery wrapped picture.When deciding to do a gallery wrap or museum wrap, consider the color of sides that would look best. In our experience, either option will give a gallery wall display a contemporary feel. The colored sides, however, can provide nice contrast between the wall and the frame. So they are a good choice if you want to create a particular pattern to tie into an overall theme.

Barn Owl Primitives started out small. Christi, the creator, started out making handcrafted Christmas gifts, specifically hand-painted, door-hanging snowman, when money was tight. Friends and families became her first customers but, then, the word got out…and friends of friends started placing orders as well. Since snowman is rather synonymous with winter, Christi started other ideas that weathered seasons: word art that are perennially appealing. Barn Owl Primitives was born and “signs to decorate your life” becomes her signature motto. Since then, her Barn Owl Primitives has birthed various categories of word art:

Family Rules

It’s true every family has its own rules, but some rules seem to be universal. Short of repeating yourself often, it would be neat to have these rules written out and place in strategic places as reminders. Need help to maintain order in the playroom? Enlist the help of Playroom rules word art – all the gentle reminders conveniently placed on the canvas (or neatly framed) – a great way to reinforce rules without nagging. How about kitchen rules? Barn Owl has a series of that too: Sit up Straight or simply entitled “Kitchen.”

Encouragement

We could all use a little “pep” talk now and then, a little pick-me-up encouragement. What better way to motivate yourself or others than a word art décor? Whether you want to be brave (or reminded you’re brave), strive to be real or just want to love and be loved, Barn Owl primitives have a range of selection to cater to your needs.

Holiday Signs

Want to create a festive mood? Or get into the holiday spirit? Holiday word art can help you do that without really trying too hard. Hang one up and allow the magic to diffuse the room with that seasonal joy and longing, a little nostalgia or warmth. Christmas, Halloween or just to welcome a new season, take your pick. Order up some holiday cheer, it's that time of the year.

Sports

Know a husband, a father, a son, a brother or a friend who loves sports? They live, eat and breathe sports and you may experience a little neglect when the sports season is on? They would love one of the word art on sports. Football or soccer, these word art will make great gifts for sports fans.

Using Barn Owl Primitives word art for decor is a great way to add character, swag or mood. Buy them for yourself or to give away as gifts. Feel free to browse our website or contact us for more information.

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.  

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.

The unique lobster has been crawling around on earth for about 100-Million-Years! Lobsters are amazing animals with extremely weird characteristics: they have kidneys in their heads, teeth in their stomachs, brains in their throats, and they grow throughout their lifespan by shedding their shells! They also taste things with their claws and hear stuff with their legs. Lobsters live alone and love to hide on the ocean floor amidst sea flora and rocks. Like birds, they even navigate by sensing earth's magnetism!

Lobsters are also much more than just expensive food! During the Medieval and Renaissance periods, lobsters were pulverized and utilized as medicinal cures for epilepsy, kidney stones, and eye inflammation. Plus, lobsters are steeped in ancient symbolism that connects to transformation, longevity, protection, independence, and solitude. It is said that those who feel a strong connection to the lobster are adept at letting go of the outer world, focusing on the inner world, and experiencing a true sense of freedom from societal labels and restrictions.

 In ancient Greece “the lobster was generally esteemed sacred by the Greeks and was not eaten by them; if the people of Seriphos caught a lobster in their nets they put it back into the sea; if they found a dead one they buried it and mourned over it as over one of themselves.” Lobsters have also been a persistent symbol in animal art history, from adorning mosaic images on Roman floors to being showcased in Japanese paintings. Salvador Dali used lobsters many times in his Surrealist art.

If you feel drawn to the unique mystery of lobsters and want to connect with their powerful symbolism, consider lobster themed fine art for your home. For a rustic lobster look that expresses their function as revered food, the “Red Horse Signs Lobster” print is an excellent choice. For a more whimsical look that expresses the dynamic character of the lobster and its ocean environment, “Sydney Wright Ocean Lobster” will beautify and energize your walls in no time! If, however, you prefer a highly artistic take on the lobster and its connection to independence, the fine art print “Andy Warhol Lobster, c. 1982” says it all!