Artwork of the Week: Yes

Yes by Tiffany Bozic

acrylic on maple panel, 44 x14 in

$4,200 via archimedesgallery.com

We are flying home tomorrow after a week and a half stuffed full of life-affirming visits with friends and family in New York. Though I had a great time catching up with peeps that I hadn't seen since we moved to Durham last August, I am completely wrung out by this trip. It felt like all of my waking minutes were scheduled, and even so, I unfortunately did not get to meet up with every person I planned to. But that just means those precious few will be at the top of the MUST SEE list for next time. 

Right now I cannot wait to get back home to a space that is not full of NO! DON'T TOUCH THATs and to the saggy bed that is my own. Then we've got the new house to contend with! I'm overwhelmed that it's all happening so fast, but totally excited. 

You can see more of Tiffany Bozic's work on her website: tiffanybozic.com

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: Kew Cacti House

Kew Cacti House by Alicia Galer

oil pastel, acrylic paint, watercolor pencil on paper, 41 x 29 cm, 2013

Bad news. I'm pretty sure my Venus Flytrap is no longer with us. The traps are turning black and dropping off like...well, you know. I even hand fed it a dead bug I found on our windowsill last week. I don't do that for just anyone. I'm thinking I might have to invest in some hard to kill cacti instead. These do look pretty nice. 

Alicia Galer's work is available for purchase through thegardenedit.com and you can see more of her art on her website aliciagaler.com

- Cathleen

Artist of the Week: Jeremy Miranda

Massive Ice Wall

8 x 10" archival print of original painting

$20 from jeremymiranda on Etsy

Jeremy Miranda is an artist born in Newport, RI who graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art in 2004 with a BFA and settled in Salem, MA where he paints acrylic on panel. All of that steeping in the dark New England tea has certainly influenced Miranda's choice of subject matter as well as his muted palette. His paintings are filled with crashing waves on rocky shores and chilly gray landscapes juxtaposed with warm interiors. His interest in nature vs. man-made architecture and focus on what's happening above and below the surface of things has a very science-fiction feel to it that I really like. 

The artist sells original paintings as well as more affordable signed archival prints of his work through his Etsy shop, jeremymiranda. You can see a wider range of Miranda's art on his website: jeremymiranda.com

Shelter

8 x 10" archival print of original painting

$20 from jeremymiranda on Etsy

Chasm

11 x 14" archival print of original painting

$40 from jeremymiranda on Etsy

Library by the Sea

8 x 10" archival print of original painting

$20 from jeremymiranda on Etsy

Greenhouse Interior

11 x 14" limited edition print of original painting

$40 from jeremymiranda on Etsy

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: Flowers for Susie

Flowers for Susie by Lulie Wallace

acrylic on birch wood panel, 16 x 20"

It was warm enough to pull on sweatshirts and go for a walk outside yesterday. It felt like spring was on the edge of the breeze as we bounded up and down the hills in our neighborhood. I even saw a few little shoots peeking out of a flower bed or two. Obviously these expectations will all come back to bite me when the temperature drops down below freezing again in a couple of days. It is still January after all. I get so sad seeing those premature pops of bright green on the ground knowing that those early buds will soon catch cold, some of their lives stamped out before they even had the chance to stretch and grow.

Let's shake off that morbid thought, shall we? This painting is an early shot of springtime in the face of the gloom that February probably still has in store for us. Lulie Wallace is a painter based in Charleston, SC who also produces some pretty textiles and lunch boxes. You can see more of her work on her website: www.luliewallace.com


- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: Devon Rex Cats

Devon Rex Cats by Krissy McLean

ink  and acrylic on watercolor paper, 9 x 12"

There are four cats that like to hang out in our backyard. If we were still living in Brooklyn they'd probably be considered "feral" but here we assume they belong to someone and just choose to spend their days stretched out in the sunny patches behind our house. There's a fat tannish-cream colored one that I've named "Marshmallow." And an orange striped one I have dubbed "Marmalade." And a mostly white guy with big gray spots that we call "Killer" as I have twice seen him trotting up our driveway with a STILL ALIVE chipmunk dangling from his mouth. As of yesterday, there's a new all-black variety on the scene that I haven't quite gotten a read on yet. I'm not much of a cat lady—I'm pretty allergic to most so I tend to only regard them from afar. But I have to admit that I do appreciate seeing these contented creatures slinking their way through our grass. I may feel differently once I discover they've turned our back 40 into a giant litter box, but until then...cats! Am I right?

Artist Krissy McLean from Toronto, Canada sells her very affordable original artwork on Etsy. You can see more of her work in her shop: KrissyMcLean.

- Cathleen

Artwork of the Week: A Lawn Being Sprinkled

A Lawn Being Sprinkled by David Hockney

1967, Acrylic on canvas, 96 x 96 in

Collection of Lyn and Norman Lear

It's been super warm and beautiful in NY these last few days, a welcome reprieve from a gray and cold winter spent cooped up in our chilly apartment. This painting is getting me excited for spring! I can't wait to take Graham on walks to the park for a roll in the bright green grass. Though knowing our park it will probably be more patchy and brown. I'll bring a blanket. 

- Cathleen