making art work for you

From the Studio of Sarah Stevenson

Leave a reply

Sarah Stevenson, and her art, comes to us from Sydney, Australia. With an educational background in media arts and film as well as visual arts, Sarah’s thought provoking work is largely in the form of digital art.  She also enjoys working with acrylic paints, and has begun incorporating 3D elements to her paintings.  She has a vast range of styles but particularly enjoys contemporary abstract styles with an edgy feel.

What do you first do when you get to the studio in the morning? 

I turn on my music, lay out various images that currently inspire me, and set up my canvas whether it be digital or physical.

How many paintings do you work on at a time?

It varies, sometimes just the one, occasionally it’ll be as many as six, but usually it’s around two or three at a time.

Do you have a dream project that you would like to work on? 

Nature’s Horizon

There’s not specifically a dream project that I have in mind at the moment but I do strive to make work that’s able to produce a strong emotional response from the viewer.  I find making powerful pieces the most rewarding and my dream artwork would be one that encompasses that.

If you could paint with anyone, who would it be?

Aleksei Vinogradov.

What’s your favorite way of generating ideas and inspiration? 

I find scrolling through the web is a really effective way to inspire me and get my imagination going.  Whether it be the colours in a photograph someone has posted, or an emotion I feel when I see a video clip, I find it to be a great way for generating various ideas.

How has your art evolved over time? 

Over time the style of my art has changed quite a lot. I’ll be inspired by different styles over time and so the style I chose to do ten years ago has vastly changed to what I’m inspired by at the moment.  My work has become a lot more edgy with more grunge elements over the years.  We’ll see what it’s like in another ten years!

What do you like most about your work? 

Girl With Surfboard

The variety of style I bring to my work and that I’m not limited to just one look.

What is one word that best describes your style?

Eclectic.

Is there an idea you would like to explore? 

I would like to explore the idea of psychological freedom.

What is your favorite time of day to paint? 

In the afternoon.

Do you ever get “stuck” on a piece? If so, what do you do?

I do get stuck on pieces sometime. I find taking some time away from it to clear my head is something really necessary and then often when I come back to it I  can see it a little more objectively and clearly.  Asking for feedback from trusted individuals when I’m stuck is also something I find useful; as well as sometimes looking at something I feel inspired by can also be very helpful.

What is up next on your easel? 

Figurative Abstract

I’m inspired to work on a digital abstract piece next with greys and splashes of pastel, possibly incorporating elements of an adult face just subtly.

 

Sarah’s work can be found can be found in our Print-On-Demand collection on our site.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

5 Tips For Adding Metallics to Your Walls

Leave a reply
Liz Jardine’s “Starburst”

Add a little shimmer to your space! We are sure you’ve seen gold hardware, embellished fabrics, copper mugs, and silver light fixtures (just to name a few) taking over home décor trends. And with metallic accents having a big moment in design, we have the perfect images to embellish your walls and want to share 5 tips to help you incorporate some metallic into your space!

1. Opposites attract: metallics & earth tones

Adding just the right touch of metallic accents with warm earth tones is the perfect, polished pair.  Hanging an art piece with natural tones and a pop of sparkle can make the perfect statement and elevate a neutral space without over-doing it.

2. Metals do mix 

“Shining Example” by Liz Jardine

No matter what you may have heard, don’t be afraid to mix your metals.  One trick to mixing metals in one space is to hang an art piece that incorporates the different metallic tones you are using.  You can also highlight one metal and have smaller accent pieces of a different metal, like gold with smaller silver accents, to keep your space cohesive.

3. No room is off limits

Metallic hues can make any room feel a little extra luxurious, no matter the function.  While living rooms and dining rooms are popular spaces for incorporating the metallic trend, your office space, bathroom, or really any space, can use a touch of glamour too!

“Indigo Oyster Shells” by Liz Jardine

4. Pops of Color & Shimmer

Just because you add metallics to your room doesn’t mean you can’t add some color.  Even in a neutral space, having a colorful art piece with a metallic shimmer can be exactly what you need to enhance your space.  Or if your space already has a bit of color, finding the right art piece can complement it and also add some shine.

5. Go Bold

Go for it, and make a statement with your embellishment!  Metallics are sure to catch people’s eye, so don’t be afraid to go bold with pattern, deep hues, and shimmer in your wall decor.

Some of these pieces are available as originals with all the beautiful texture and metallic shimmer you’ll love, but all of the pieces featured here are available in our Print-On-Demand collection on our website.  We are also able to do hand embellishment on canvas prints so that your image will get that unique and customized metallic texture!

Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

We would love to hear, how would you design with the metallic trend?

Hello Summer!

Leave a reply
“Beach Days” by Randy Hibberd

Today marks the official start of summer, and we could not be more excited for it! With long, warm, and sunny days ahead spent relaxing by the shore, off on an adventure, or unwinding inside with the windows open (or AC blasting), we can’t wait for all that summer brings.  And we want to help put some of that summer sunshine on your walls with the perfect beachy, tropical, and summer-inspired images!

We love images that transport us to a warm, tropical destination, and palm trees, sandy beaches, and sweet fruit will do just that!

And this summer imagery has us a picturing those fun, sunny days lounging by a pool or wiggling our toes in the sand!

Summer, we are oh-so glad that you are here!

How do you love to spend your summer?

All of these images are available in our Print-On-Demand collection and Photography collection on our website.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

From the Studio of Linda Stelling

Leave a reply

We have another artist to share with you!  Growing up in an artistically-rich family of painters, craftsmen, musicians, and floral colorists, Linda Stelling was bound for the art world.  Her art career has taken her many different places, and now she is continuing the work she began as an abstract expressionist many years ago. She is fueled by her interest in color and the dream studies she has been exposed to for so long. Linda is in the studio every day, and when she’s not, she is planning and studying for the next artwork.

What do you first do when you get to the studio in the morning?

White Clouds Blue Sky

Stretch! I stand all day so it’s important to me to maintain flexibility. 

How many paintings do you work on at a time? 

It depends. Sometimes I concentrate on only one, especially if it’s really big, but frequently I have several going at a time.  If something stays in the studio unfinished too long, I tend to change it.

Do you have a dream project that you would like to work on?

Yes, to be given the opportunity to create for a really large space. I like my work to have ample room to breathe.  A nice large, open museum would work.

If you could paint with anyone, who would it be? 

Monet for sure. He and I have many of the same artistic principles and very much the same vision.  We share a similar color palette, subject matter, philosophies and family values.  He and I share a love of gardening and of a simple beautiful flower.

What’s your favorite way of generating ideas and inspiration?

I am always looking and thinking how my internal experiences can meld with my external creativity and perceptions.  I often take my dreams and use part or all of the memory to form the beginnings of an idea for a painting.  I try to parley the connection of our mental health, to our creative selves; which I feel we all experience on some level.

LA Pink Flower

How has your art evolved over time? 

For many years, I painted on a commission basis, which proved to be an incredible training ground.  I was able to work quickly and produce just about anything.  When I stopped, I was temporarily lost.  It was only when I began listening to myself and not caring what anyone else thought, that I began to be truly satisfied with my own work.

What do you like most about your work?

My work has so much energy and life. I am a colorist by nature and I enjoy making the color move to what has been described as a “Psychic Vibration.”

What is one word that best describes your style? 

Expressive.

Is there an idea you would like to explore? 

Seaflower

Anything curvilinear delights me!

What is your favorite time of day to paint?

Morning and afternoon – until I lose the light.

Do you ever get “stuck” on a piece? If so, what do you do? 

Turn it upside down!

What is up next on your easel?

I’m developing an abstract series based on Monet and his gardens at Giverney.

Linda’s work is available in our Print-On-Demand collection.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

A Hint of Green: Botanical Trend

Leave a reply
Image by Alexandra Gorn

Today we are sharing a very popular, and watering-free, way to bring some more greenery into your space.  Adding natural and green elements to your design can have a soothing effect in your room, and PPG just announced their 2019 Paint Color of the Year: Night Watch- “a rich, luxurious, and classic shade of green allowing spaces to emulate the feeling of lush greenery and the healing power of nature”. With green on the rise, the botanical trend doesn’t look like it will be fading anytime soon, and we are not mad about it! Framing your plants is a great way to bring the beauty of the outdoors in and freshen up your space, no green thumb required.  So we’ve rounded up some perfect botanical images to add plant life to your walls and give your space a natural, chic look you’ll love!  

Botanical images are very versatile and can work in any space, no matter the interior design style.  Whether your room is tropical and beach inspired or classically styled, palm prints are a great way to give it a refreshed feel.

Framing photos of succulents and desert plant life can add the perfect boho chic vibes to your space.  And don’t be afraid to mix different types of botanicals in one space to create an eclectically sophisticated room!

But incorporating the botanical trend into your space doesn’t always mean you have to go green.  At Third and Wall, we can customize images to match your space, and that includes color changes.  Whether you are looking for a monochromatic style, a little pop of color, or a metallic shimmer in your botanical prints, we can help you find it!

We love the botanical trend and think that these images are a great natural complement to your space.  If you are really inspired by this design trend, you can pair botanical artwork with potted plants, printed pillows and fabrics, wall coverings, or a mix of other botanical features.  Besides color customization, we can print on a variety of substrates and create wallcoverings to help make your space uniquely your own!

And check out our Pinterest board for even more botanical interior inspiration!  

All of the artwork featured in this post is available in our Print-On-Demand collection and Photography collection on our website.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

What are your favorite ways to add greenery to your space?

From the Studio of Dina D’Argo

Leave a reply

Dina D’Argo

Let us introduce you to one of our newer artists, Dina D’Argo!  Originally from San Diego, Dina now lives near Nashville and enjoys life with her horses and dogs when she is not in the studio. With bold brush strokes, lush colors, and textural elements, Dina D’Argo captures the grace and beauty of her subjects. An animal lover and horsewoman, her focus is on celebrating the bond between ourselves and nature.  Dina works mainly in acrylic on canvas, with a refined yet dramatic blend of abstract and representational styles.

What do you first do when you get to the studio in the morning?

My studio is on the rural property where I live. I like to have my animals around me when I work, so I let the dogs in, get their beds situated near the windows where they like them, and I bring my 2 horses in from the pasture so I can easily see them grazing and relaxing in the yard.

How many paintings do you work on at a time? 

Coastline II

I use many layers of color and also a number or texture products. I usually have one piece that I am really concentrating on, but possibly 2 or three more either in “prep” or “finishing touches” stages.

Do you have a dream project that you would like to work on? 

Yes; My husband (who is a writer) and I are planning to collaborate at some point to create a book of equine stories and artwork inspired by mythology from different cultures.

If you could paint with anyone, who would it be? 

I prefer to paint alone, but I would love to walk in the desert finding old bones and sticks with Georgia O’Keefe.

What’s your favorite way of generating ideas and inspiration?

Connecting with nature; just looking at the sky or the relationships of color, shape, and light found on our beautiful planet.

How has your art evolved over time? 

Winter Birds and Branches

Over time, my work continues to become less defined and more intuitive. Simplification has become appealing to me, and I am compelled to “pare down” the subjects in my images yet still retain a sense of complexity in the overall composition.

What do you like most about your work?

To me, my paintings are simple on the surface, but have a strong sense of emotion to them.

I think I paint “feelings” more than images, and I love that people can connect in a powerful way and feel inspired or understood by one of my pieces.

What is one word that best describes your style?

Organic

Integrity

Is there an idea you would like to explore?

I would like to explore simplifying the landscape down to just the bare minimum of color and line, while still capturing the essence of the subject and the emotional connection to it.

What is your favorite time of day to paint?

Afternoon into evening is my favorite time to paint, as I have a beautiful view of the sunset out over the horse pastures. But any unfettered studio time is precious.

Do you ever get “stuck” on a piece? If so, what do you do?

This is a big challenge for me! I have found that rather than trying to force myself when “stuck”, the resolution will often come if I just relax and let it happen spontaneously. I am working on being more forgiving and flexible with myself, and allowing myself to put a piece aside if it isn’t flowing easily. But I haven’t gotten there yet 😉

Last Day of Summer

What is up next on your easel?

Two very different things are “in the works”: One is the second in a series of loose landscapes focusing on a brilliant sun, as in my “Last Day Of Summer” piece. The other is a figurative piece I was asked to create for our community on the Tennessee/Kentucky border to celebrate the solar eclipse.

 

All of these images by Dina, and more, are available in our Print-On-Demand Collection.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

We love our pets!

Leave a reply

At Third & Wall, some of our best friends are furry and walk on four legs.  Of course we’re talking about our beloved pets who are always by our side, no matter what.  They keep us entertained, give us lots of cuddles, comfort us, and sometimes make us go a little crazy, but we would do anything for them!  And because May was National Pet Month and we love (talking about) them so much, we wanted to share our pets with you!

Mee Mee

 

Debbie, an Account Manager at Third & Wall, has a sweet dog named Mee Mee May who is a 5 year-old Morkie.

 

Akira and Sadie

 

 

Account Manager Melissa has two babies are Akira and Sadie. Akira is almost 11. “I got her when I started with Third and Wall because I needed company at home. She is a feisty ‘old lady’ who does what she wants, when she wants but never leaves my side. She use to feel bad when she did something she knows she shouldn’t like getting into the trash or eating something off the counter but now she will just lick her chops and walk away.

“Now, Sadie, the best way to describe her is that she LOVES LOVE. She doesn’t care who it comes from, she will gladly accept all forms of attention. These three faces are how she sits and looks at me… on and off all day when she needs love. She is a big baby and hates thunder/fireworks and has been known to let herself out of the house and ONTO the roof to try and escape. She is a troublemaker and when she is not happy or feeling neglected, she will find a way to make it known.”

 

 

Our Creative Director Aimee’s dog is a one and a half year old lab. She is a high-energy dog who loves the outdoors!

 

 

Patti and Pippa

This is Patti’s little chihuahua/pug mix Pippa, getting ready to go out into the Buffalo winter and not very happy about it!  Patti, who’s our production specialist and Third & Wall artist, also has 2 cats and another dog, but she can’t get them all together for a group photo!

 

 

 

Alfie

Marisa, who works on our production team, has a rescued goofball of a pitbull mutt, Alfie. He loves mud, chomping on sticks, making friends with EVERYONE, and will roll over for belly rubs at the drop of a hat. Alfie thinks it’s his job is to

Marisa and Alfie

chase all the seagulls. Keep your pastries away from him, as he’s a notorious croissant thief. He’s also a scaredy cat and is afraid of kids, bath time and llamas.

 

 

Lupin

Zelda

Our Office Administrator Kayleigh has two kitties.  Zelda is a 7 year old female tabby and Lupin is a 5 year old male gray shorthair mix.  They both love to play and chase laser pointers.  She and her husband have taught them to do tricks for food, Lupin gives kisses and Zelda shakes. “Zelda went missing 5 years ago and was gone for 6 whole months before we found her.  Lupin has been described as the most muscular cat our vet has seen and Zelda is super soft and cuddly.  They both love bird watching and sleeping. Zelda’s favorite food is tortilla chips and Lupin’s is anything dairy related (he goes gaga over butter, cheese and ice cream the most).  We are sure not to give them much of either but boy do they think they deserve it all the time.”

 

We also have the cutest animal images in our Print-On-Demand collection and Photography collection, so you can celebrate your beloved animals all year long!

Do you have pets?  Tell us about them!

From the Studio of Julie Denise

Leave a reply

We have been so busy at Third and Wall that we haven’t had a chance to update our blog in a while.  But we are back and excited to introduce one of our artists to you!

Meet Julie Denise!  Although originally from California, Julie has lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1991.  Julie paints from the landscape, combining gestural brushwork and knifework into a distinctive, semi-abstract style.  With a detailed eye for composition and light, she captures the spirit of the landscape she paints.

What do you first do when you get to the studio in the morning?

I open the window, turn on the fan, and make some tea. Then I select my music. Billie Holiday is a favorite, especially on rainy days in Seattle. Or a collection of women jazz vocalists. 

How many paintings do you work on at a time?

I like to focus on a single work at a time, but there are times when I’ll have two or three paintings going.

Do you have a dream project that you would like to work on?

I’d like to paint something enormous that is luminous and inspiring. An abstract landscape that is life size—one you feel you could walk into. And I’d like it to live in a public space where many people could experience it. 

featuring “Territory” by Julie Devine

If you could paint with anyone, who would it be? 

Oh, that is a good question! There are so many artists I’d love to paint with. If I had to choose a living painter, my first thought is Eric Aho. He paints these amazingly gestural, bold landscapes that bridge traditional and contemporary art. If I could paint with an artist who has passed, I might choose to paint in plein air with Van Gogh. I adore his tree landscapes and his aim to paint the life energy of his subjects. Louisa McElwain would be another contender. She painted Southwest canyon vistas on giant canvases in plein air with a speed and confidence that is astounding. 

What’s your favorite way of generating ideas and inspiration?

“Honey Canopy”

Recently I’ve been paying a lot of attention to composition. When I see something in nature that interests me, I photograph it, then work with the photograph online or in sketches. I also like to look at master works and determine why they work so well. I read this excellent book a couple of years ago – Composition of Outdoor Painting by Edgar Payne. He demonstrates several successful strategies for arranging objects in a landscape. I think about these a lot as I’m planning a painting. If the composition isn’t strong, why bother creating the work! 

How has your art evolved over time?

I trained at Gage Academy of Art and started with an academic approach to painting. I paid close attention to achieving a likeness of my subject, creating a sense of depth, light, and temperature. I painted carefully and focused on observation and color mixing. Gaining these skills takes time. Once I felt I had these under my belt, I experimented on my own. I travelled to Southern California and New Mexico and saw work inspired by Russian impressionism. The paint was bold and thick, the style was expressive, and yet the work remained true to the effects of light. I also spent time with Abstract Expressionist works. Joan Mitchell, Arshile Gorky, Lee Krasner, and Perle Fine are some of my favorite artists in this style. What I admired most about the art I saw was the confidence and bold use of paint. Over time, I have found my expressive style.

“Fresh Shore”

What do you like most about your work?

I like the shapes in my work. I also like the confidence and the gestural quality of the paint handling. I like the subtle shifts in color temperature that create vibrancy.

What is one word that best describes your style?

I think of them as “spirited.” I hear “luminous” come up a lot from collectors and people who follow my work.

Someone once described my work as “spiritually kind.” I love that description! 

Is there an idea you would like to explore?

Yes, right now I’m exploring large rocky landscape formations.  I’d like to explore these on a very large scale.

What is your favorite time of day to paint?

Anytime is a good time. 

Do you ever get “stuck” on a piece? If so, what do you do?

Yes. It happens less often now that I spend a lot of time working out a composition before I begin to paint. But when I get stuck, I take a look at the work in a mirror. Sometimes seeing it backward will reveal problems in its composition. The mirrored image helps me see the image with fresh eyes. I’ve also been known to take it to my kids for their insight. They are very candid, and my older son has a good sense of design. He’ll say things like “this part looks good, but it’s messed up here.”  

What is up next on your easel?

A wolf portrait that’s being commissioned, and a semi-abstract, horizontal mountain landscape in a high color key.

Julie’s paintings live in international private collections and have been exhibited in the Pacific Northwest.  Seattle’s Group Health Hospital has acquired several pieces of her work for their permanent collection.

All of these pieces featured and more works by Julie Devine are available in our Print-On-Demand collection, and some of her originals are also available on our website.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.