Green art is an excellent way to bring life into your home, and what better time to do so than one of the liveliest days of the year, St. Patrick’s Day? The color green differs in quality and mood depending on shade, creating an array of decoration possibilities that is practically infinite. Maybe you’re a St. Patrick’s Day fanatic or into the peaceful vibe nature brings, or maybe you just love the color. Whatever your motivation, adding green to your home décor adds a fresh note to even the drabbest of walls. It is a choice you won’t regret.

Quite a versatile color, green can evoke life in medium to dark shades or convey a more whimsical quality in brighter hues, such as lime. St. Patrick’s Day embraces green’s entire spectrum, with art offerings including a variety of colors that can all be considered called green. You’re not just limited to art, however—something as simple as adding a plant or two can do wonders on its own. Life speaks to life, and plants will surely bring the energy level in a room way up. If trying to engage family members in a lively discussion, place plants in your dining or living room. Each is a setting designed to put people at ease and socialize.

Born Lucky

What happens if you are a notorious plant neglector? Don’t let go of the lively family discussion ideal just yet—many things resemble or remind people of plants and don’t need to be watered twice a week. Check out plant-inspired artwork. For Saint Patrick’s day, this is easy—just sample any one of the many prints with four-leaf clovers and rainbows. Or, if you want a lot more green and a lot less rainbow, check out simpler art pieces that focus on that single color spectrum. Search for prints that convey only four-leaf clovers or prints with four-leaf clovers and other green items in the background (they exist—you don’t need to look hard to find them).

If you’re more career-oriented than family oriented, green is still a wonderful choice for you. Plants can make your study a more productive area, inspiring you to push through that last bit of work you’re sure you don’t have the energy to complete. If you dream of pots of gold, look for festive St. Patrick’s Day prints that incorporate them. Toss some good luck into your equation, too, with a bonus four-leaf clover or two. Some prints out there are stuffed with as many St. Patrick’s Day items as possible, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a print with your preferred combination. 

No matter what kind of a person you are, you’re likely to respond well to your greener environment. This is because green has so many qualities that work in different ways. Research has proven that green has an array of positive effects. Bring green into your home and note the effects on your mood.

We already said hello to 2016, but not many people have ushered in the colors of the year, serenity blue and rose quartz. In a world of political turmoil and everyday stress, these pastel colors can calm us down and speak peace into our lives. Now is the best time to incorporate the colors of the year into your home décor. Moreover, this is an ideal year for colors because there is not just one but two colors of the year for 2016!

Tranquility And Warmth

Rose quartz and serenity blue were chosen as 2016’s colors of the year for the feelings of tranquility and warmth that they evoke. We can all use a little more peace in our lives, so serenity blue is a timely color for the year. If the winter blues are getting to you, a touch of rose quartz will cheer you right up. Add these colors to your home décor for a greater sense of order and calmness. If you are looking forward to spring, or if you are looking for a piece of art that majors on the colors of the year, check out Sung Kim’s “Covered Bridge in Spring.” Blossoming trees highlight shades of rose in the distant Blue Mountains, and a silver-blue river flows peacefully under a covered wooden bridge.

A Duo For Relaxation

It is a bit unusual for there to be two colors of the year, but when you look at rose quartz and serenity blue together you will understand why they were chosen as a duo. These two colors complement each other perfectly, and together they accomplish more than they could alone. This is illustrated in Klaus Strubel’s “Paradise Dawn,” a glorious painting of a beachside sunrise. Swirls of rose quartz and serenity blue invite you to relax in the Adirondack chairs at the water’s edge and soak in the beauty of nature.

Accent With Frames

Since the colors of the year are so light, it is best to accentuate them with a frame. A gold frame will draw attention to the artwork and can be added to either of the pictures mentioned above as well as most of the artwork available from Fulcrum Gallery. You may also consider a black frame for a sleek finishing touch.

Color Pairings

What other shades can be paired with the colors of the year? Serenity blue stands out against dark blue and black; it can also be used with white or dark grey. For a different flavor, rose quartz can be matched with various shades of pink and red. Both serenity blue and rose quartz can be used with other pastel shades, such as green and yellow. Of course, the color combinations you choose will affect the mood of your environment. For example, a room done in pale yellow with the colors of the year will have a light and cheery air, while a room with white and pastel blue will seem nautical, and a room that adds the colors of the year to black or navy blue will feel serious and professional. Any of these combinations is magnificent; the choice is up to you and what atmosphere you want to create. Have fun and be creative with serenity blue and rose quartz this year!

“No Place to fall” is a beautiful, lively photograph taken by none other than William Vanscoy. Vanscoy believed that what was being expressed made photographic art rather than what was being seen. He merged together traditional and digital photographic landscape because he believed it was important to capture the beauty of life and nature.

Style Of Art

William Vanscoy did a wonderful job with making this piece one that is well sought-after. By capturing timeless and detailed scenery, his photographs look as if you are looking at the scenery in person rather than a photograph. Vanscoy uses digital capture and extensive digital post-production to make his photographs. Sometimes he combines multiple photographs to create one realistic image. “No Place to fall” made it clear that Vanscoy did not need to describe or give further explanation to his pieces; he rather lets them speak for themselves. This gives the viewer a wide range of imagination to explore while looking at this photograph. This piece creates a sense of:

·         Wonder.

·         Serenity.

·         Beauty.

·         Self-expression.

This photograph is not explained which leaves it up to you to interpret the meaning.

Accenting The Piece

“No Place to fall” is a very bold piece. Although it is a big enough statement on its own, it can easily use small accents when hanging in a room. This piece could go well in any type of room but would work very well in a living room. By using beige, brown or dark tan colors around the room, this photograph will pop even more. Making this the focal point of the room would be a bold choice and really pay off when your guests can’t take their eyes off of it. Pairing the photograph with a beige colored picture frame would contrast with the darkness of the painting and bring out the details of the work.

Unintentional Popularity 

Many owners of this piece describe it as “beautiful” and that is exactly what it is. Vanscoy captured this scenery perfectly. Some elements that reflect beauty are:

·         The sun shining through the trees.

·         The balance between light and dark.

·         The extreme detail in the photograph that Vanscoy captured.

·         The aspect of serenity.

Because of these elements, there is no question why this piece is so popular. Why wouldn’t you want to have this calming and beautiful photograph in your house or place of work? The only way to explain this photograph to a viewer would be to call it a “statement piece.” You could add other photographs around that complement “No Place to fall” but it could also work well standing on its own. This is such a bold piece; you could have bare beige colored walls with this, as your only hanging piece and the room would be beautiful.

Although the piece could be interpreted many different ways, one thing we can all agree on is the beauty is exudes. With the contrast, realism and serenity of this photograph, it’s no wonder it’s so popular and could work so well in many different settings.

As the hot summer months start to wind down and you hang up your swimsuit and sunhat it can be sad to say goodbye to the sunny beach vibes of summer. But who says summer has to end once the leaves begin to change and the weather cools off? Keep the sun and fun of summer going strong through out the changing seasons with some warm summer prints. Summer art is perfect for a tropical themed bathroom or a restful beachy guest room. No matter where you hang it, every time you gaze at them, it’ll be like you’re lying out on the beach in Hawaii sipping on a refreshing Mai Tai and feeling the warm sandy grains between your toes.

Tropical Beachside Tranquility 

Nothing transports you back to the relaxing feelings of summer quite like a serene view of a tropical paradise. Artists capture all of the warmth and relaxing vibes from tranquil paintings of beachside scenery. Artists capture both realistic scenes and create a dreamy view of paradise with vintage appeal. Feel like you’re lounging around in a gently swinging hammock surrounded by a tropical oasis all year long with Joe Sambataro’s painting “Summer Breeze.” In a very different style, American Flat’s fun vintage styled travel poster entitled “Summer Loving” jet sets you to the Hawaiian tropics, capturing the scene of a couple paddle boarding in the crystal blue waters of a private cove. These paintings make for great additions in the bathroom or guest room that will transport you to an island getaway every time you gaze upon them.

 Chilling Zone by Klaus C. Dietrich

Classic Summer Scenes

Summer art doesn’t have to be all about the beach and artists do this through capturing a variety of summer scenes. Classical paintings that evoke the feelings of summer from a breezy picnic to a romp through a field of sunflowers can be appreciated all year round.  “Summer Breeze” by Richard Judson, is an impressionistic styled painting of a woman in a white dress carrying a parasol, a warm breeze ruffling her hair as she turns to look back at her young companion. “Summer Blooms” by David Short captures a rustic Tucson scene of rows of cheerful yellow sunflowers, a bright blue sky hanging overhead, and a white Tuscan farmhouse sitting in the background. With bright and vivid colors, these summery paintings are perfect all year round.

Summer Blooms by David Short  

Bright Artwork for Every Season

Fall and winter are beautiful seasons, but sometimes the dreary cold weather can get you down. Summery artwork can help beat the winter blues. Featuring bright and vivid scenery, you’ll feel the hot summer sun beating down and warming you up even when it’s a rainy downpour or a blizzard outside. The clusters of red wild flowers blossoming up from the wispy grass in a field in Ian Cook’s painting “Summer Begins,” is like summer breaking through the cloudy skies on a cold winters day. Lift your spirits and listen to a tree full of bright birds twitter in the summer sun with William Vanderdasson’s painting “Summer Friends.”

Summer Begins by Ian Cook

Sepia tones weren’t always looked at as part of up-to-the-minute, design schemes. They started out as a necessity. People harvested cuttlefish from the sea and used some of them to make ink. Over the years, the ink was used to create many different things. As such, it eventually found its way into the hands of photographers. They added it to their work in the hopes of increasing visual interest and longevity. Their efforts paid off and sepia toned pictures became very popular. Today, people are still using them to decorate their homes and offices. Although there are no framing or matting rules, most people choose to keep the overall look down-to-earth. Thus, sepia photography is often paired with frames and matting that matches or compliments the images’ natural tones. Also, people no longer feel the need to restrict their displays to images of the past.

Golden Gate Bridge II

Alan Blaustein

Consequently, sepia tones are creeping into contemporary artists’ photos too. For example, it is common to find them in collections of wildlife photography by artists like Susann Parker, Barry Hart, Monte Nagler, Tony Stromberg and Wendy Caro.  It is also seen in bodies of work that focus on flowers, trees, architecture, waterscapes, transportation, business and more. So modern minded decorators have no shortage of geometric shapes, tones, textures and themes to work with when it comes to sepia photography. Of course the tones are still used to recreate the feel of bygone days as well. The list of fine examples includes Al Capone’s Wanted Poster, Tennis on the Wings, Vintage Football, Rosie O’Grady Firetruck and Jim Christensen’s Train Series. Each would certainly have a place in homes or businesses with a penchant for nostalgia. For instance, the Tennis on the Wings photo might look good next to model planes, antique altimeters or vintage rackets.

Tides and Waves

Alan Majchrowicz

Ever since the creation of the first camera in the 1800’s the new art form of photography has been rapidly growing in popularity. Once a cumbersome and difficult device to use, camera’s have advanced well beyond their original design and purpose. Photography has given way to allowing artists to capture real life instances and things that gather and evoke just as much emotion, if not more so, that paintings can produce. Photography is not limited to a canvas, as it opens up the possibilities of capturing the world as it is, documenting historical events, and offering human reflection as a picture is worth a thousand words.

Captures The World As It Is

Photography captures the wonder and beauty of the world and offers it to everyone to experience and see. World wide traveling photographers offer windows into exciting new places and environments by shrinking the world and making it more accessible. Ansel Adams was known for photographing the natural wonders of the United States in breath taking photographs that pull the viewer right into the scenery of winding canyons, as in his stunning black and white nature photograph, “Canyon de Chelly National Monument.” Wildlife photographs like Ron D’Raine’s endearing photo of two Giraffes entitled “Makulu” captures the tender heartedness of the animal kingdom.

Tropical Sunset

Documents Historical Events

Photography has aided in capturing some of the most profound moments in history so that those who may not have been able to experience that moment may see for themselves the historical gravity of the time. One of the most famous photographs ever taken, Charles C. Ebbets photo, “Lunchtime Atop a Skyscraper, c.1932,” forever stiles a moment in time, as construction workers take a lunch break from atop the unfinished Rockefeller Center, their feet dangling over the city of New York far below during the Great Depression. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential and inspiring men in history, and his speeches were captured on film like in the black and white photograph “Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Speaking (#8)”.  There are so many more important and breathtaking historical photographs that inspire and evoke change.

New York Firefighters/Ground Zero

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

As cliché of a saying as it is, photography produces pictures that raise question and wonder about the movement and found within a photograph. Photography has documented the human condition in its rawest and purest form. Captured in a hotel room, the scene backlit through bright curtained windows, the photograph “John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy” by Hank Wlaker, conveys the late President sitting on the edge of a bed across from Robert F. Kennedy, both shrouded in the moody dimness of a shadow. The photograph, “Hot Italian Pizza,” by artist unknown, is a beautiful representation of humanity, as an Italian pizza shop owner is captured through the neon lit and advertised window of his pizza parlor, a young woman looking over his shoulder as he works. The collection of black and white photographs is certainly worth a thousand words.

Hot Italian Pizza

It is clear that photography is a vast and encompassing art form. It has no limitations, capturing some of the most breathtaking scenery and wildlife from around the world, to documenting key scenes from important events in history. The greatest part though, is that each picture  is worth a thousands words and allows for endless wonder and interpretation to abound. No matter what style of photography you prefer, there is sure to be a photograph that you will want to proudly display.

When it comes to French commercial artists from the Art Nouveau period, one would be remiss to skip over Jules Cheret. Despite having passed away in the fall of 1932, his work continues to mesmerize art and advertising students alike. Here’s a snapshot of his career and some of his famous framed art:

Born in the late spring of 1836, Cheret officially began his artistic career in 1849. He started with a brief apprenticeship in France and later moved on to England. Once there, he focused his attention on London’s most famous entertainment venues. Among them were the now iconic Moulin Rouge, Olympia, Palais Garnier and Folies Bergere. During that time, he created a highly visible and coveted series of posters. Many of them featured dancing girls designed to promote the venues’ assorted shows. The collection of framed art produced for such venues includes the following prints:

• Folies-Bergere Le Miroir
• Pantomimes Lumineusses Theatre Optique of E. Reynaud
• Folies Bergere La Loie Fuller
• Alcazar d’ Ete Kanjarowa

The much sought after posters were not the only works he produced throughout his career. Cheret was also known for his paintings, book jackets and extensive advertising work with a variety of commercial enterprises. They often included elements like great coloring, watercolor washed backgrounds, floral designs and engaging subjects like actresses. Among the ones immortalized in Cheret’s works are Rene Maizeroy and Sarah Bernhardt. Examples of his commercial work include advertisements for the following companies:

• Monaco Parfumerie Distillerie, Iris Villa Monte-Carlo
• Quinquina Dubonnet Aperitif
• Saxoleine, Petrole de Surete
•  Vin Mariani, French Tonic Wine

Because of his large body of impressive artwork, he later went on to win the prestigious Legion d’honneur (1890).

April is National Decorating Month but that’s not the only reason to shop for wall art in the days ahead. There are a lot of funky holidays scheduled to take place throughout the month and we’ve got several framed art pieces that can help you celebrate them in style. We’ve picked out five unusual observances to help you get started:  

Straw Hat Month

It’s Straw Hat Month. So why not celebrate it by decorating your home or business with paintings featuring people wearing straw hats? Famous artists Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin and Pierre-Auguste Renoir have created several paintings that would blend into a straw hat theme. There are also full color photos that celebrate straw hats too. They include Susie Boyer’s Working Day is Done and Walter Bibikow/Danita Delimont’s Cuba, Sancti Spiritus, Trinidad, Cuban Straw Hats.

National Kite Month

National Kite Month is another reason to redecorate in April. Try setting up a display wall featuring artist Jack Sorenson’s Flying Kite with Friends or Paul Brent’s series, Beach Kites. Brent’s series would pair perfectly with artist Katharine Gracey’s Beach Houses collection or Michael Paraskevas’ My Seven Aunts. They feature flying kites too.

International Guitar Month

International Guitar Month also falls in April. That said, you might want to hang a series of guitar themed artwork throughout the house. The list of artists whose work contains great images of guitars includes, but doesn’t end with Pablo Picasso, Tang Ling, Edouard Manet, Adam Perez and Deann Hebert. Of those five, Tang Ling’s collection includes a series of black and white photos taken at a guitar factory. In our opinion, they’d look fantastic on display in a music room.

Car Care Month

Fans of vintage motor vehicles rejoice! It’s officially Car Care Month as well. So hang up framed photos of classic cars, racing posters, race drivers and more. We’ve got more than 700 pieces of car art to choose from, including works by artists Antonio Massa, Scott Westmoreland and Keith Mallett.

National Card and Letter Writing Month

Lastly, April is prime time to pay homage to the lost art of letter writing. Yes, it’s actually National Card and Letter Writing Month. Celebrate it with movie posters like Letters to Juliet or contemporary prints like Wild Apple Studio’s Letters Series. Other artists who’ve creating pictures featuring letters are Deam Millman, Albert Ludovici, Cristin Atria and Alma Lee.

If you have any questions about purchasing artwork that fits right in with these and any number of April’s funky holidays, please contact us!

Black & white photography is timeless. It adds depth to its surroundings and can bring an instant element of class and elegance to a room. However some people shy away from the idea of using black and white photos for decorating, afraid it will look dull and lack creativity. This could not be more untrue. Black and white is the perfect medium for decorating with pictures in any room in the house; even a child’s bedroom. The key is in knowing how to use it.

 Tips for decorating with black and white photography:

Tip 1: Black and white photos are ideal for decorating brightly colored walls because they won’t conflict with the surrounding color. Use the same frame style and color for every picture to prevent competition, while drawing one’s eye to the subject of the photo. Solid black or white frames with white matting work well with vivid backgrounds. 

Tip 2: Adorn a child’s room with black and white prints of a subject they love. Baseball fans will be thrilled by the variety of vintage shots featuring famous sluggers and well-known stadiums. For a child who adores animals, black and white pictures of puppies, kittens or horses play well against pale blue or pink walls. 

Tip 3: Teenage girls enjoy themed decor such as Paris, glamorous movie stars or dance. Paired in brightly colored or black frames against white or cream walls, black and white photos will blend in beautifully with her inspiration.

Tip 4: Neutral colored walls in a living space form the perfect pallet for black and white art. Photos of the beach or ocean framed in distressed white, light blue or natural wood give a special touch to a coastal themed room. A more modern and chic look can be achieved by combining photos in both black and white frames in a beige room with white trim and shelves and black wrought iron wall hangings, candle holders and lamps.  

Black and white photos can be dramatic, playful, elegant or glamorous, bringing tremendous beauty and infinite possibilities for decorating to a home. Consider the possibilities in your own home and then browse our large selection of black and white photography.  

Christopher Bliss's photography is a great addition to any decor style. Growing up in the beautiful city of New York, Bliss's work reflects the architecture and skylines he grew up with. His work is mostly in black and white making the contrast able to work with most decor. The architecture and contrast of the photographs are striking and subtle allowing them to work in any environment. Architecture photographs are able to play off the light in any room, naturally or artificial lit. 

You have your choice of scenery in color or black and white and of architecture or nature, and even your choice of city. From a bedroom sanctuary to the busy kitchen, his work can fit right in. If you adore the city or nature, he has art to suit your home. Christopher Bliss finds inspiration in the invigorating city, and you can too with his photographs.

Originally trained as a concert pianist at the Vienna Academy of Music, the Manhattan School of Music, and the University of Southern California, and now turned photographer, Christopher Bliss's art is truly beautiful. Christopher Bliss Photography reflects this as the photographs are as detailed as a piece of beautiful music.

His photography is held in high esteem and he is often sought after. His work can be found in several galleries and even in two separate photography books, one of which is on the beautiful New York City. Some of his work is even in the permanent collection of the Museum of the City of New York.