It's an original..

Art is a wonderful form of self-expression. And by now, you can tell it is a key component of our design. Most often people assume that art comes with a unattainable price tag and it deters them from even beginning their hunt for the perfect piece. We're here to tell you that couldn't be further from the truth! All it takes is getting a bit creative!

The piece featured above was purchased at a student silent auction at the University of Alberta. Students chose to participate in a fundraiser for the art department and each donated a piece they had completed. We fell in love with the portrait style of this 'unfinished' piece. To us, it did just what we want all our art to do.. it let our imaginations run wild!

One of the biggest takeaways here is that people can spend hundreds on art prints - versions of the originals. And sometimes, yes it makes sense..if there is a print you love (and the original sits in the Louvre!) or perhaps if it is a graphic piece with a bold text statement. But truth be told, there is something to be said about owning 'original' art - that only hangs on your walls. It becomes apart of your story, it becomes a form of your self-expression and most importantly, you get to show it off to all of your house guests! So next time take a chance on an 'up and coming' artist..chances are they are full of talent and the moment others discover them you'll never be able to afford their original works anyways!

Our hearts are in Cuba..

We love art and quite frankly, we're collectors. More is more. And we want more ALWAYS! Cuban art is one of the most interesting flavors of the art world. It is loud, it is colorful, it is uncomfortable and it is eclectic at best. And for all those reasons, we're fans! Cuban art is as culturally diverse as imaginable.. it's a mix of African, South American, European and North American elements, reflecting the diverse demographic makeup of the island itself. These dynamic elements make Cuban art thought provoking on the best days. And that's something we can all get on board with! 

View fullsize

View fullsize

Cuban art is deeply meaningful and often times relays a story. The story of the Cuban people has been one of hardship and mixed emotions, with their happiness comes great sadness. Artists leverage these elements within their art to show the battle of these paradoxes and often depict a sense of fantasy in their paintings. Cuban art makes you feel something - it is complex, intricate and makes you stop in your tracks.

In the pieces featured above, a local, street artist depicts nature in the most human-like form. The human form takes on the liking of strong and ruthless winds that the island is subject too while featuring the cat as a symbol of something unwanted. In Cubans macho culture, cats were often neglected and left out in the street rarely being considered pets.

The vibrant colors used in all original Cuban art contribute to the playful nature of the artists style. It becomes a well recognized feature that adds value to any interior space that displays it. Our pieces were all collected on our vacations to Cuba within nearby art galleries that are flooded with original pieces often waiting to be stretched onto canvases. The secret to finding the perfect piece is really to keep digging through the piles of talented and unknown artists to discover what will work best in your home.

Now keep in mind that every country has rules and regulations when it comes to exporting works of art out of their country. So make sure you are well aware of what those restrictions are before you begin your art hunt for the day!

Collecting art from various corners of the globe is a true privilege and it is one we are fortunate enough to partake in. However, make sure you become aware or your surroundings.. sometimes going to your local flea market can do the trick and you'll come home with a piece that is just as interesting! Happy collecting!

Our little treasure!

Treasure (from the Greek word θησαυρός - thēsauros, meaning "treasure store", romanized as thesaurus) is a concentration of riches - often those that originate from ancient history - that is considered lost and/or forgotten about until rediscovered. For us, it's no secret that we consider art to be one of the greatest treasures of all. And like a real treasure hunt, the best part of the story is how you find and collect your treasure!

The common thread in our art collection is travel. Of course not all of our pieces are purchased while being away from home - but inspiration does seem to strike while under the sun soaked coastal towns of the Adriatic sea. And our favorite little town on the Adriatic coast can be found in Croatia. Rovinj, also referred to as Rovingo (in Italian - this town is bilingual!) is a charming town with plenty of cobblestones streets and beautiful beaches and store fronts around every corner.

On one of our very first trips to Rovinj we explored the narrow streets day in and day out until we found one of the most talented local artist. She is the artist behind the horse painting we have chosen to feature in this blog - and behind many others (you have yet to see!) that line the walls of our family home. Besides having a degree in Fine Art and being a well known artist within Croatia, our fascination with her art began far before we began digging through her canvases.

This is something that happens often - before you fall in love with a piece of art, you fall in love with the story behind the painting or you gain a deep sense of appreciation for the artist behind the work. In return, it makes the piece you admire much more meaningful. This concept falls into one of the most common pieces of advice we give our clients - use your next vacation destination to really get to know the culture, the art, and overall, the heartbeat of where it is that you find yourself. It is one of the best ways to build your art collection and one of the most interesting ways to share stories behind the pieces that fill your walls.

It helps that this truly is one of our favorite pass times when we are on vacation - whether it be in Croatia, Cuba or England you can find us in a gallery, antique store or artist atelier searching for our next treasure! So next time you're laying on those sandy beaches, take the long way back to your hotel and get distracted by the beauty that is art.