i heart your art (and design!): tia zoldan

My wishlist in Tuesday's Recently guest post featured some original pieces of art I've been uber lusting after, and judging from your comments, y'all agreed they're pretty killer! So today I thought I'd bring you a little more about one of the lovely ladies behind the pretty (namely that black and white stunner) - Miss Tia Zoldan.

I was first introduced to Tia through her gorgeous interior design work, but a quick google search revealed that she's also the talented painter behind the gorgeousness above (of which there is so much more)! In fact, almost all of her interiors feature at least one of her original pieces. I don't know about you, but that's my kinda two-fer!

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What I love most about Tia's work is how wildly experimental it is. While it's all abstract, there isn't really much more of a common theme throughout. She doesn't seem to have a particular 'style', and I'm diggin' that about her.

She also happens to be the designer/owner of what might just be the most pinned kitchen of all time:

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So, um, here's a question: how come some of us get to be so damn talented? Riddle me that, Tia Zoldan.

I call bullshit.

i heart your art: janet hill

Ever since asking for your help with my living room, I've been really considering switching the whole thing up. Essentially cutting my losses with the kantha and going for something far more sophisticated (think velvets and touches of black). Not sure it's the right move - mostly given the cost, which is why I didn't do it in the first place - but it's definitely been on my mind.

One of the key elements of the new scheme would be moving the art over the sofa to the hall and bringing in a couple new pieces. So when Chassity of Look Linger Love posted about (Canadian!) artist Janet Hill on Wednesday, it was like fuel to my impulsive, money-spending fire. Her gorgeous work might be just the pop of sumptuous moodiness the new room would need . . .

i heart your art: lulu dk

Um, holy crap. 

I knew about Lulu DK's fabric and wallpaper, but had no idea she was a painter as well. That is until I found the beauties below on Pinterest. 

It's like Lulie Wallace's work but even further deconstructed. Mix that with bold bold colours and it's pure win:

{All images via Lulu's blog}

Apparently she only sells her originals through One Kings Lane, letting her blog readers know beforehand when a sale is coming up. I am going to be realllly interested to see what her prices are like . . . 

i heart your art: kate long stevenson

A few weeks ago a friend of mine noted that all of the art I love shares a really similar aesthetic, and that he's never surprised by the pieces that catch my eye. Looking through my inspiration folders I can see what he means. A lot of abstracts, a lot of unconventional portraits, and a lot of pink. A LOT of pink.

What can I say, I like what I like.

Strangely enough, when I thought about it I realized I could pinpoint the moment that I figured out what kind of art was truly "me". A few years ago I was reading one of my favourite design magazines (I think it was House & Home) and came across a feature on Kate Long Stevenson. I literally had an "aha" moment. For the first time in my life I considered saving up every one of my pennies just to own an original piece of art (something I now consider all the time).

I was intensely drawn to everything about Kate's work - from the saturated colours, to the broad and unrestrained brush strokes, to the beautiful yet oddly off-kilter silhouettes. I still am.

Aren't they beautiful? The similarities to some of my current faves are uncanny.

P.S. I wish I could find that original article in my mag collection. My next organizational project should clearly be cataloging. 

P.P.S. That's never going to happen.

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i heart your art: ryan pickart

I may not love all of Ryan Pickart's work (some of it is a bit too cold for my taste), but what I do love I love a whole, whole lot. Anything with this much Klimt in the mix can't help but be amazing: 

I'd love to put these against black walls, especially the fourth one. I think it would be so striking.

I also really appreciate that he sometimes posts "in progress" shots of his work, like this one:

For someone who can't draw or paint to save their life (unless it's a new coat of spray paint on a chair), it's truly fascinating to see gorgeous works of art like this mid-process. It makes it feel so much more tangible, doesn't it?

{all image via Parlour Blog, PICKART and aestheticshelter}

i heart your art: francois de felice

Once again, Pinterest has brought me a jewel. I think that Francois de Felice's artwork is some of the most exquisite that I have seen in a long, long time. 

It's all so incredibly interesting, layered and lush. Beautiful and yet somehow also deliciously morbid and creepy. Like a science experiment on a peacock. 

As I was going through the images I kept picturing rooms built around each piece, so just because I couldn't resist, here's a little design based on "La chambre du miroir". It's hard not to be inspired by this kind of beauty and creativity, isn't it?

{sconces, sofa, rug, table}

(Note to self: if you're just learning how to remove backgrounds from images don't start with the most finicky coffee table and sconces ever. Especially not at 2am. Oh. Lord.)

i heart your art: lulie wallace

So in my last post I mentioned Lulie Wallace, and even though her work has been all over the blogosphere and back again recently, I thought I would be remiss if I didn't follow that mention up with an "i heart your art". Because lord knows I do. Heart her art that is.

Lulie's schtick is deconstructed/abstract florals, à-la-this:

 

That second one is calling my name. 

Now I can totally understand why some people wouldn't 'get' these. They are unapologetically feminine, and yes, I see it, just a little bit granny. I'm not going to argue with you. But they also have an inexplicable edge to them, and they're so, so much bolder and quirkier than your standard floral still life. I can't even put my finger on what makes them so special, I just know they are. I'm seriously smitten. 

Coincidentally, the new Society Social Magalog came out on Monday, and lo-and-behold, Lulie's work was featured in one of the rooms (designed by Tiffany Richey):

By the way, um, could someone, um, maybe please mail me that pink and gold chest? I might need it very badly. Maybe.

Oh god someone send that to me now.

i heart your art: harland miller

I first happened upon Harland Miller's work when this photo (which I think is from elle decor) popped up on my Pinterest feed a GAZILLION times. 

Suffice it to say, I quickly became obsessed with getting a print of that art in my home. I mean, it's fuchsia goodness and surprisingly inappropriate. Girly girl with a trucker mouth. CLEARLY we were made for each other.

Unfortunately that sweet thing does not exist in poster form, as I learned through the OCD'esque research that ensued. The artist - Harland Miller - has some limited edition prints of his works, but even those cost thousands, and originals are in the tens. 

Le Sigh. 

I did get to ogle some more of his deliciously crude masterpieces though. Feast your eyes on this awesomeness:

My favourite is still that original one though... oh what I wouldn't give...