making art work for you

From The Studio of Scott Brems

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We are excited to introduce one of our newest artists, Scott Brems!  Scott studied painting at Arizona State University and Scottsdale Artists’ School, and he works in acrylic and mixed media painting in his Arizona studio.  His work explores the deeper emanations of the natural world, breathing new life into traditional landscape.   Enriched by a lifelong relationship with the American West, Scott’s naturalistic reimaginings reach beyond the visual experience to evoke the visceral.  We love the bold brushstrokes and colorful shapes in his work, which encompasses a diverse range of styles.

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

I usually turn on music and evaluate the current paintings to get my direction for the day.

How many paintings do you work on at a time?

I like to have several paintings, 5 or 6, going at once.

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

Passages

One dream project is a painting expedition involving a mobile studio and outdoor adventure. It would be the painting studio meets Desert Solitaire.

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

Edward Abbey

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

My favorite inspiration and ideas often come to me during hypnagogia–the transitional state of consciousness between wakefulness and sleep.

How has your art evolved over time?

I started with a traditional background and education, which I still draw from when creating contemporary abstract work.

The Chant

What do you like most about your work?

I like the fusion between traditional and contemporary elements.

What is one word that best describes your style?

Eclectic best describes the variety of work I create.

Is there an idea you would like to explore?

I have some ideas incubating that involve using new mediums and materials.

What is your favorite time of day to paint?

Discipline is healthy.  I try to keep a regular 9-5 schedule in the studio.

Guardian

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

This is why I like having several pieces going at once; I can move on to another painting.  However, I do take a break when needed and get out of the studio, and then I come back with fresh eyes.

What is up next on your easel?

On deck is a series of contemporary figures.

All of these images by Scott Brems are available in our Print-On-Demand collection, and stay tuned for new images 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 Playing With Prints & Pattern

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“Pattern” by Randy Hibberd

Bold patterns and deep hues are taking over the minimalist interior trend in favor of more eclectic spaces.  While an ultra-clean and sleek space is always classic, we love how adding prints and pattern to a room can bring a whole new energy and show your personality.  Incorporating pattern is easier than you might think, and we are sharing some tips and tricks for playing with them in your space!

1. Geometric patterns

Geometric shapes are an easy and chic way to add a contemporary element to your space.  They are great for big scale patterns in your room, such as a big feature on a wall, or you can always start with small doses of print to ease into it.  Geometric shapes are popular on throw pillows or rugs, as planters and light fixtures, or in artwork and wall decor. As a big home decor trend, it’s easy to find the perfect way add geometrics in your design.

2. Mixing Patterns & Prints

Don’t be afraid to mix prints or patterns in your space!  Although there are no hard-and-fast rules, some things to consider when incorporating multiple patterns are: the types of patterns, the size & scale of each, and the proximity to each other.  Finding patterns that complement each other is key, so think about pairing one bold, busier pattern with other simpler patterns.  And to help keep the space balanced, integrate patterns in different sizes throughout the room, like a large printed wallcovering paired with medium and small patterned fabrics and home decor pieces.  If you use a few similar patterns, try varying the scale of each print to create a fluid and eclectic harmony.  Even though mixing patterns can seem daunting, spacing them out in a room with solid colors and neutrals will help keep the space cohesively mismatched.  But one of the best things about mixing pattern and prints is that you can make it entirely your own!

piece by Parker Jones

3. Wallcoverings

Want to make a big impact with your pattern and print? Adding a patterned wallcovering to your room will make a striking statement, and accenting it with other pieces in solid colors or subtler patterns will keep the room from feeling overwhelming.  Whether you cover all of your walls or just one, stripes, classic floral prints or modern geometric patterns are sure to transform any space.  And did you know that here at Third and Wall, we are able to customize a wallcovering to fit your needs?  So go big, because you are already home!

4. Curved Patterns & Circles 

When deciding what patterns to use, sometimes going for circular shapes can help soften the room.  The shapes and pattern will still liven it up, especially with some bright color, but the curves bring a different dimension and depth.  And even better, circular patterns and prints play well with others, so go ahead and mix things up!

5. Color & Pattern

One of the biggest tips for incorporating pattern into your space is to stay mindful of the color palette, whether keeping it unified or intentionally mismatched.  Being strategic about the color family of your patterns will help make sure your room blends and stays cohesive.  Patterns work well in neutral tones or with bold & bright colors, so don’t be afraid to show your personality & style in your space and have fun playing with pattern!

How do you use pattern when decorating your spaces?

The images featured here 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.

Art Highlight: Encaustic Painting

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You have probably seen encaustic artwork, but how much do you know about the painting medium?

“Redscape” by Laura Van Horne

The use of hot wax and damar resin (crystalized tree sap) gives encaustic painting its vibrant layers.  Artists use a wide variety of techniques to create a range of styles in this medium, and on substrates such as wood.  The hot wax is brushed on the substrate and can be layered for a more opaque effect, combined with pigment for color or collage materials, or scraped for different finishing textures.  The endless creative possibilities of the encaustic process can be especially fulfilling for the artist, and the works of art they produce can really resonate with the viewer.  Our artists Laura Van Horne and Corrie LaVelle create gorgeous encaustic paintings, and we wanted to share their experiences with painting in this medium.

“Chatoyer” by Corrie LaVelle

In a personal statement, Laura Van Horne shares what draws her to encaustic work, “I find encaustic wax paintings very satisfying to work on as they are multi-sensory. The smell of the wax, the texture, the sound of the hotplate cracking as it heats up or cools down, the vibrancy of colors, and the sheen of the cooled wax entice me”.  These encaustic paintings by Laura Van Horne (below) exemplify the vibrancy and texture in her encaustic painting that we love!  With so many different colors and styles, you can easily find encaustic artwork that will make a gorgeous statement on your wall.

We love how beautifully Corrie LaVelle describes her personal experience as an artist and why creating encaustic art is so meaningful to her, “Encaustic art is necessary to my life. It is where I spell out my personal journey into every piece. To have the ability to share that experience, and allow the viewer to choose their interpretation of and apply it to their own personal path is a joy”.  Corrie LaVelle’s beautiful encaustic work (below) has a distinct style and makes a stunning statement with its fluidity and layers of colors!

The encaustic pieces featured in this post–and lots more!–are available in our Print-On-Demand collection and Poster collection.  We also have some original encaustic paintings available on our website, with the unique texture and depth that an original encaustic piece offers.

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 do you love about encaustic artwork?

Coastal Style

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“Long View” by KC Haxton

As we get into the dog days of summer (hello August!), relaxing in a beautiful beach house sounds just about perfect. The serenity and simplicity of the neutral color palette, clean lines, and oceanside vibes are enough to lull you into a summer trance. Coastal interiors are perfect for curing any of your summer blues, no matter the season. And whether you live by the shore or thousands of miles away, we are sharing some of the best images to help you create that same soothing seaside energy in your own space!

There are lots of ways to make the coastal design trend your own, and it doesn’t have to mean a kitschy style with seaside trinkets galore. It can transform your room into a simplistically elegant oasis with a natural color palette, different textures, and modern accents.

“Hope” by Dina D’Argo

For a calming, coastal-chic space, start with a neutral base for a color palette, with muted and pastel tones like tans, off-whites, and soft grays & blues.  Taking a minimalist approach with furniture & decor and mixing some traditional pieces with modern accents can give you the perfect balance of a relaxing, sleek space.  And incorporating imagery of sand, sea, and sky is an easy way to elevate your space to make it contemporary and inviting.  We love how a beautiful shore painting transports you to the peaceful waves!

But a coastal style doesn’t always have to mean complete tranquility.  Fun and beachy vibes can be perfect for a kid’s room, bathroom, or any space you want to bring some more energy to.  By adding brighter and bigger pops of coastal-inspired color, such as aqua, coral, or deeper blues, to a mostly-neutral space, you can liven up a room while keeping the coastal inspiration.  Hanging imagery of cute sea creatures, shells, and beach life will bring the fun of the beach to your space without tracking in any of the sand!

No matter how you choose to incorporate some coastal vibes into your design, we hope this artwork helps bring you a little closer to the shore!

All of these images and photographs (and lots more!) are available in our Print-On-Demand and photography collection, and some are available as originals.  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 K. Nari

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Meet one of Third and Wall’s newest artists, Nari! Originally from Seoul, Korea, Nari moved to Los Angeles with her family when she was eleven years-old.  With a naturally creative talent, she studied fine art throughout her childhood and into college.  Her career as an artist has taken her from editorial illustrations for magazines and publishing & record companies to becoming an independent artist, currently.  The subject matters Nari enjoys most are florals, abstract, transitional, and landscapes, but she also enjoys exploring a variety of other subject matter. Textile design, fashion and interior design are the primary inspiration for her artwork.

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

I make my parlettes and make sure the canvases are prepped and ready to go.

How many paintings do you work on at a time?

Usually two to three.

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

“Iridescence Peak”

I’d like to paint large-scale murals

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

I would paint with Michael Bond. I would like to see and learn his painting techniques.

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

I look through interior design and fashion magazines and sites.

How has your art evolved over time?

With an illustration background, I used to do a lot of portrait painting. Now I love painting floral, abstract, and transitional art.

What do you like most about your work?

The movements and layers of paints.

What is one word that best describes your style?

Modern

Is there an idea you would like to explore? 

“Rolling Hill”

I would love to explore textile design.

What is your favorite time of day to paint?

Mid morning and late evening

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

Yes! I walk away and work on something else until I figure it out.

What is up next on your easel?

I am recreating an abstract painting on canvas, which was originally done on paper in a smaller size.

 

All of these images by K. Nari (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.