{Decorating}: My Home

 Of course when It comes to decorating, I am no expert, and learned the way most people do, Trial and Error. We first moved in a couple of months ago, and recently re-arranged the entire family room. And I love it so much more now. The first picture is from the perspective of the front door.  We have vaulted ceilings, so lots of wall space that begs for art. However, I knew that if we did that, it would make the room much too busy, unless I had a sitting room for only art and could use minimalist designs to compliment the art. However, this is a family living space. So We went with big and simple. As you can see we have a very large painting above the TV. And I love it, it commands your attention and adds style, color and drama.

 This is the view by the front door. The family computer is in the family space, my husband spends lots of time on it in the evenings for his art, so It's nice to have it in a place were we can still 'spend time' together.

 (My two little monkeys love climbing on the sofa)

The next space that is finished, yet always a work in progress, is our wall of art. I love how it has turned out. We have a few small prints, originals and various works by my husband hanging in the space. It goes to our upstairs loft, where the art studio is, but can be seen from the family and dining room. Honestly, I didn't map this out as I should have, but I knew what I wanted where. There are also places I can still add some pieces to (i still have about 5 more prints and one original that needs framing, so there are blanks to allow room for that). Again, I couldn't be prouder of how it turned out, and all the beautiful works we have to enjoy, including my son's first painting on canvas (the white canvas in the center).

Great Info on 'How to Buy Art"

On J. Kirk Richards' blog, he wrote an amazing article on How to Buy the Right Art Piece. It has great tips that he expounds on and tells you why. He gives tips on: Buy a Piece you Love, If Possible buy Original Works, The Early Bird gets the worm (and this I KNOW is true from personal experience!).

He also says "Get to know the artists you love and want to collect from. Ask them, “How can I get one of your best pieces? Can I get on your preferred client list? Do you accept visitors in your studio?” Be prepared to tell them what your favorite pieces from their past have been."

You can see his blog and this article HERE.  And his website HERE.

image credit

Jeffrey Hale Fine Art

Jeffrey Hale Fine Art now has limited edition prints available at Ugallery's Paperworks!
Here's January's newsletter from Ugallery.com

Greetings Art Lovers, We welcome you back from the long holiday weekend with two prints that ooze exactly what the subject line proclaims - humor and class. Yeah baby. Jeffrey Hale adds some sophistication to our Papework collection with his Modigliani-esque portraits. This piece, "Lonely", captures one of Jeffrey's co-workers with the long mask-like faces, bold colors and elongated features reminiscent of the Italian painter. I had the opportunity to interview Jeffrey last April, and he's had a special place in my heart ever since. He told me about the art world in Salt Lake City, his unique take on color theory ("I don't agree with the concept that only certain colors are aesthetically pleasing together."), and his two young children that take up much of his time. He's a genuinely good guy, and we're proud to have him and his belissima artwork as part of our Paperwork community. Next up this week is Charlie Cawley, a Paperwork veteran contributing his second piece to the site. Charlie is a weird guy, and that's what we love about him. He embraces the quirkier side of life from within the frames of his camera lens. Many of Charlie's shots document humorous or surreal scenes that he spots from the window of his car. When I asked about "Caught!", Charlie responded: "sometimes I feel more like a hunter of images than I do a photographer." I loved that idea. Without futher fuss, enjoy the art and the rest of your short week. Artfully yours, Bailey

Lonely by Jeffrey Hale 8"x10" $20 | 11"x14" $50 | 16"x20" $100 | 20"x30" $250 | 30"x40" $500 This painting captures one of Jeffrey Hale’s co-workers. Jeffrey works as a medical data processor by day, and he relishes the opportunity to meet and interact with people through his job. With monochromatic colors and a sparse background, “Lonely” is a very personal painting for Jeffrey, a “self-reflection and my present experiences in life.” Jeffrey lives in Salt Lake City but grew up in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, with wife, his young son and daughter. Caught! by Charlie Cawley 8"x10" $20 | 11"x14" $50 | 16"x20" $100 While living in St. Petersburg, Florida, Charlie Cawley drove past this scene everyday. Each time, he "caught" this fish in the metal ring which had once been a street sign frame. Charlie grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with his wife and two dogs. His work has been shown at the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego, the University of New Mexico Museum in Albuquerque, the Florida Holocaust Museum, the Gregg Museum at NC State University and is in the permanent collection at the St Petersburg Museum of Fine Art in St Petersburg, Florida. He has a BFA from the University of New Mexico and is the author of The Adventures of Charlie and the Incredible Truth Machine.