Most Popular Blog Posts of 2011

Roundup of my most popular blog posts in case you missed them!!
by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Watercolor Fashion Illustration Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty

What inspires me to create my art, August 5, 2001
Have you ever wondered where artist like me get their ideas? This blog posts includes a montage video of how I take my ideas from conception to realized finished painting. For this look into my artistic process I focused on my Alexander McQueen inspired watercolors. Whether you were one of the half million people who saw the Savage Beauty exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or if you missed it, you will love this blog post about the fusion of artistic ideas.

Picasso Painted Watercolors, November 17th, 2011
Are you celebrating New Year's in the big apple? This blog is a review of the exhibit at the Frick Collection in New York which continues until January 8, 2012 in case you haven't seen it. A great outing for this weekend if you are in New York City  to see the ball drop and want to sneak in a little culture.

African Art, original watercolor paintings for sale

Decorating Inspiration, can you imagine these walls without art?
Are you looking to spruce up your home in the New Year? This video montage gives lots of great ideas of how to use art to decorate in you home. Many pieces features are still available in my etsy shop.

Artistic Symbols of Unconditional Love

Interview with Israeli Jewelry Designer Sagit Levi.

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Sagit Levi on Etsy

SchulmanArt: Where are you from?

Sagit Levi: I live in Ein Vered, an agricultural village at the Sharon, located in Central Israel.
 

SchulmanArt: Where did you study art and jewelry design?

See all rings by Sagit

Sagit Levi:I graduated The Design school in Tel Aviv on 1991.

SchulmanArt: Do you make your living as an artist ? Where else do you sell your designs?

Sagit Levi: My Art is my sole mean of income. My clients get to me by word of mouth which exposes me daily to many new people.  In the last few years I e-market my art via the internet to all over the world. Up until recently, I was connected to few galleries in San Francisco.
 

Sagit at work in her studio

SchulmanArt: What are your inspirations?

Sagit Levi: Living in the country, so close to nature with its vegetation and animals, is the main source of my inspiration. The music I listen to, the different people I meet, the poetry I read, the Kabbalah I study and the Bible, the book of all books, are big part of my creation as well.

SchulmanArt: I love the spirituality in your work and how you incorporate jewish mysticism in your jewelry designs. Could you please tell us more about how Kabbalah influences your jewelry designs?

Sagit Levi: For quite a long time I reside across the street from a Synagogue. Seeing people wearing white, praying, singing, rejoicing and celebrating their belief, deeply affected me. It brought me closer to the Bible and made me quote sentences from the Book as part of my Art.

Find Sagit on facebook!

SchulmanArt: What rituals do you have to get ready to create?

Sagit Levi: I begin my day by lightening a candle, brew my own coffee and sit to work at my own studio, at home. It is a spacious room, with big windows, open to the back yard with its trees and flowers. The room is a source of quietness and inspiration.
 

I listen to music from all over the world. The music is an essential essence of my life, drives me forward and certainly plays a great role at my inspiration.

Silver Heart Pendant - Unconditional Love

Being efficient and diligent, I can easily combine my work with my everyday tasks . Among my daily obligation I find the time to serve my kids lunch, to walk my dog and take care of the household.

Degas and the Nude at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

Blush in the Nude

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Edgar Degas, La Toilette (1884-86) Private Collection

Although Degas is best known for his frothy depictions of ballet dancers, the exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston offers a rare survey of the more PG-13 and R rated artworks in his oeuvre. The academic study of the nude figure was necessary for Degas to draw his realistic ballet dancers; however, this collection of art, which largely remained within the artist's own private collection, shows examples of brothel scenes, pornographic depictions of prostitutes with their clients as well as the more demure bathers.

Degas and the Nude thru Feb. 5, 2012
at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

In the large pastel paintings as well as oil paintings, Degas poses his models from the back to make them anonymous. The backgrounds are filled with the objects of everyday life such as a sink, tub, and other intimate accoutrements of grooming.

The brothel scenes are done in an intimate size as monotypes. These small works are beautifully framed and quite erotic showing both prostitutes with their clients as well as enjoying each other without them.

Two Bathers on the Grass, about 1895
Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917)
Pastel
*Paris, Musée d'Orsay

Many of the dancer paintings we are familiar with were created from live nude models. Degas added the tutus later. His work with the nude continues throughout his life largely unexhibited and unexamined.  The influence of modern masters, Matisse and Picasso, can be seen in these later works. In the end, Degas loses all pretense of depicting women in modern life and showing his nude women in a realistic scenes, such as bathing, and shows the nude women on abstract color planes.

 
See related blog post: Degas Day Trips

Fine Art Nudes by SchulmanArt for sale online!

Personally, I have painted and drawn from the nude figure as it is usually part of most serious portrait artists training and continue to do so. I got my start selling online by listing my life drawings for sale. I am please to announce the opening of a new online shop to sell fine art prints from my female nude watercolor paintings. Now you have the opportunity to own a signed fine art print, or an original watercolor painting or nude drawing.

Decorate with African Art for Kwanzaa

Celebrate the Unique Heritage of Africa

by MIriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Art of Africa

Everyone has heard of Kwanzaa, a unique holiday that celebrates African culture, but do you know that the holiday includes the celebration of arts? Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday that is celebrated around the world that takes place between December the 26th and January the 1st every year. The holiday celebrates African culture and history. The Kwanzaa originated in the U.S.A as a holiday  just for African Americans. 

African Art

People decorate their homes in African colours and put up pieces of African art. Some people attend a Kwanzaa ceremony that has African drumming and music. One of the most important parts of Kwanzaa is a special feast called a karamu. Family and friends get together and celebrate who they are. If you go to a karamu, you should say “Habari gani,” which is Swahili for “What’s news?”

Tribal Art of Africa

Kwanzaa celebrates Nguzu Saba, which means "The Seven Principles of Blackness". Each of the seven days represents a different principle. The principles are unity, self-determination, working together, cooperating in business, building the nation, creativity, and faith. People who celebrate Kwanzaa light candles in a special candle holder called a kinara.

The African tribal paintings featured in this blog were created from studying an original African art sculpture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The original charcoal drawings were painted with watercolor, The tribal wall art has a wonderful abstract quality giving it a modern sophistication. The watercolor paintings were given an additional texture to add to the visual appeal. Check out all the African art available for sale online.

What's news?

Making art from insignificant moments.

Interview with artist Carrie Bagalio

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Buy art on line in her etsy shop

SchulmanArt: How long have you been an artist?

Carrie Bagalio: Really always.... If you had asked me at 5 what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said "An artist!" I went to college to study art, and I've been pursuing it ever since. 

SchulmanArt: Where did you study art?

Carrie Bagalio:I attended Green Mountain College in Poultney Vermont & Studio Art Center International in Florence, Italy. 

I like to draw attention to the seemingly insignificant moments we all experience, that make life beautiful, uplifting and significant.~Carrie Bagalio

Find Carrie on Facebook

SchulmanArt: Your work seems very autobiographical. How do you get your ideas?

CB: They are defiantly autobiographical! I get inspiration from everyday life, almost like a visual journal. One of the best compliments I have received, someone said I was like a "modern day Rockwell" I like to draw attention to the seemingly insignificant moments we all experience, that make life beautiful, uplifting and significant. 

SchulmanArt: Do you make your living as an artist?

CB: I'm working hard towards that goal but not yet...I work full time as a waitress, but this year I think I am at the point where I can cut back my hours and get more income from my art sales.

SchulmanArt: What rituals do you have to get ready to create?

CB: I try to get all my chores done for the day first. I paint at night because I can relax without that nagging feeling that I have to stop at a particular time to go do something else. I like to listen to anything I will sing along to. Makes it more fun!

Artist studio. Website: http://www.CarrieBagalioArt.com

SchulmanArt: What is your studio space like? what is the view out your studio window?

CB: The second floor of my apartment is my studio space. It has a cool spiral staircase up to an attic like space. I try to put inspiring things on the walls, art, magazine clippings, famous quotes....even the soles of my old hiking boots!  The view from my window is awesome, Vermont mountains, including Mansfield :)

SchulmanArt: What are you working on next? What's on your easel?

CB: Just finished a dog commission tonight, have some in the works for kids, dogs, and a farmers market.  But in between for my own enjoyment I've been very interested in reflections. I think I may have so paintings of shinny objects reflecting the things going on around it. 

Where do you go to get creative?

Have you thought about Gift Certificates?

Personalized Gift Certificates for Personalized Art!

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Pick any 8x10" fine art print

Gift certificates make the best presents for procrastinators! My gift certificates will be emailed directly to you as a printable file for you to print yourself to give to your loved one or to forward on to that faraway friend or relative. Each certificate will be marked with a unique transaction number. The certificate will have instructions for the recipient to complete their personalized portrait.

Cat Portrait Gift Certificate

Gift certificates are not impersonal when you can select a custom portrait. If you know someone who has just moved, they may want a house portrait. Also, new home owners need art for their walls! Perhaps, they just got a new puppy or are mourning the loss of an old pet. Professional fine art portraits are something that they will never forget. If you are still not sure what they want. you can also purchase a certificate for them to pick out a print.

Child Portrait Gift Certificate

If you know someone who just had a new baby then a gift certificate for a baby portrait will be a wonderful way for them to celebrate their new family member!

We all know somebody important in our lives who would benefit from a custom portrait painting -- and they'd forever thank YOU for it.  So if you're stumped this season, email me. If you don't see something here that exactly fits your needs or budget I will work with you to come up with that perfect something in the nick of time. I can help you create one that fits your gift giving needs.

House Painting Gift Certificate

Dog Art Gift Certificate

Click HERE to see all gift certificates available from my etsy shop.

Check out all these gift certificates being offered by other etsy sellers!

Handcrafted Hannukah

Order these special treats and get them by the last night of Chanukah!

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Chanukah Party, fine art print for sale

Tonight marks the first night of Chanukah, and if this holiday crept up suddenly on you and you are unprepared have no fear. This traditional celebration lasts eight nights so you still have a full week to order presents and decorations for your holiday table. Many Jewish people make a bigger deal out of the last night when all eight candles light the menorah. Some interfaith families combine Christmas and Chanukah celebrations. Tomorrow is the United States postal deadline for priority mail shipping to receive by Saturday December 24th so be sure to fill your virtual shopping cart with some great finds for gifts or your home.

White Porcelain Menorah
By Ceramic Artist Celeste Welch

This one of a kind, very special Hanukkah candelabra has been beautifully designed, sculpted and signed by the artist.  The glaze finish on this piece is a glossy white which catches the light and reflects it beautifully.This menorah has an heirloom quality and will be cherished and enjoyed for years to come. The copyrighted image on this hand crafted sculpture from renowned ceramic artist Celeste Welch has adorned living areas across the country and has been featured in the giftshops of both the Hirshhorn Museum in (Washington, DC) and the LA Museum of Modern Art.

Soap & Crafts by Gina

A great gift appropriate for people of all ages are these dreidel soaps! They are about 2 inches wide and about 2 inches tall. They would be great for your decor, kids' bath time or for an unusual Hanukkah hostess gift!

Iced Gingerbread Chanukah Cookies

A delightful set of Hanukkah cookies will make the Festival of Lights even brighter! Order a set of delicious gingerbread cookies iced in pale blue, gold, and white almond royal icing, accented with glittering sugar! This set includes cookie menorahs, Torahs, dreidels, and Stars of David. All cookies are made fresh to order and decorated by hand.The cookies are wrapped in cello bags and safely nestled in tissue and all tied up in a recyclable box. This is a great gift to have shipped direct to that faraway grandchild.

Another great gift idea are candles! What ideas do you have?

Watercolor on Canvas Painting Demonstration

Dragonfly art takes flight

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Dragonfly Art great gift idea for garden and nature lovers

Would you like to enjoy the beautiful luminosity of watercolor without having to display the art under glass? I noticed a lot of collectors did so I worked hard to develop an archival technique for creating fresh and colorful watercolor paintings on canvas.

Check out this video for all the secrets and how-tos for painting watercolor on canvas. Whether you are an artist or just an art appreciator, I think you will enjoy seeing the behind the scenes creation of these dragonfly paintings. If you order by December 20th you can still get one in time for Christmas since I ship all packages priority mail. Click here to see all dragonfly art available in my etsy store.

What do you think makes a good gift for a garden lover? 

Dawn Chambers from etsy shop  BeachDawn curated this beautiful collection of garden inspired items for yourself, home, garden, and for gift giving

Symbolism in Figurative Painting

"Garden Path with Sophia"

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Garden Path with Sophia

The watercolor illustration of an Alexander McQueen design makes a great fashion gift for the fashionista in your life.

The abstract interpretation of a fashion illustration also is a chic decorating idea to enhance your room decor with modern wall art that is a conversation piece as well has a fashion statement. The fashion drawing can be displayed on its own or collected and displayed in groups. Fashion sketches are an affordable way to enjoy couture style in your home.

Alexander McQueen on display

The watercolor illustration is derived from the runway show Voss which featured a turbaned woman in a ornately embroidered red dress. (actual dress to the left) This dress was on display in the Savage Beauty exhibition during the summer of 2011 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The dress on the model in the runway show had a hem of black feathers. in another show. This fashion design reminded me of two of Gustav Klimt paintings, Garden Path with Chickens and also The Girlfriends. The dominant colors in this fashion painting are red, green and gold. There is also metallic gold acrylic details in addition to the luminous transparent watercolors.

Garden Path with Chickens by Gustav Kimt

There is a lot of symbolism in this piece. The title "Garden Path with Sophia" is derived from the Klimt title "Garden Path with Chickens" Sophia is a name of a girlfriend of a friend of mine who is represented by the rooster in the right hand corner. 

The Girlfriends, by Gustav Klimt

This rooster imagery is derived from the Klimt painting "The Girlfriends." The Girlfriends painting is a homoerotic piece depicting a nude woman with a turbaned woman and a rooster. The black chickens on the garden path symbolize other women who are in my friends life. Although the art is rich in meaning, you will enjoy this artwork for simply for its beauty and rich color.

There are more watercolor fashion illustrations in this Alexander McQueen series where art meets fashion and fashion meets art.

_______________________________________________________

Details of Artwork:
Title: Garden Path with Sophia
Size: 7.5x11" watercolor
Media: Watercolor on Paper
Frame: Frame is not included. your choice of framing will increase the size of the overall artwork. A simple black one would complement the art nicely.
Price: see listing

Woman in Turban, detail from watercolor	detail flowers from watercolor painting
detail of black chicken from illustration	detail of rooster from artwork

What do you think is a great gift for a fashionista?

Creative Gift Ideas for Gym Pals & Gals

Let them know you appreciate them just the way they are...

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Bike Chain Bracelet by The Empty Nest

This year I became addicted to my bike class. Not just any spin class, but that overpriced, I-can't-believe-I-pay-this-much-for-one-class soul-cycle class. To thank the instructor who keeps it fun, makes me work really hard so that it's worth every penny I wanted to get a special gift. Men are really hard to shop for, and I didn't want to get him something too personal or intimate. For my male bike instructor, I found this really funky bike chain bracelet on etsy. This most spectacular punker bracelet is made from a discarded bike chain that has been degreased and cleaned. It wraps around your wrist as easily as it used to spin around sprockets! The spin enthusiast or biker in your life will love it too.

Initial Earrings by Earrings by Susan

Since I go to this place so much, I also felt I wanted to thank the studio manager who never gives away bike, remembers my name and signs me in. Since she always remembers to sign in my initials I decided to give her "initial" earrings. These Scrabble Earrings are on non-allergenic surgical steel french hook earwires. All letters are available in any combinations. Choose initials or spell a two letter word like "HI" or an abbreviation/symbol like XO or RN (for nurses). Think up something cool for yourself or a loved one.

Original Abstract Nude Pastel Drawing also available as a print

For a more intimate present, your lover will love this emotive study of a nude woman executed in charcoal on toned pastel paper. Women love to give their men art that depicts women who are not too skinny to celebrate a realistic body image. Men will love this gift and guess what, women love this gift too. This is a classy way to let her know you think she is sexy just the way she is. I created this drawing using live model in a life drawing setting. The vibrant shade of turquoise contrasts with the nougat flesh tones in this fine art nude. The art will complement most decors and is a one of a kind signed piece. The art will be rolled into a rigid mailing tube for shipment. The sensual pose makes a great gift for your lover, a yoga enthusiast or just a wonderful piece of art to decorate your own room with empowering feminine artwork that celebrates the female form.

And more ideas for all the yoginis in your life, there are a plethora of gifts large and small...

mentioned in this article @schulmanArt, @etsy, @soulcycle

Inspired by NYC

Interview with Artist Blair Jost

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt 

Photo by Blair Jost

SchulmanArt: How long have you been an artist?

Blair Jost: If you ask my mother she would say all my life. She's the one who always embraced my creativity. In the last year or two I've decided that I wanted to do it for a living.

SchulmanArt: What are your inspirations?

Blair: Man, I'm inspired by everything! NYC is a very inspiring place to live as well. I'm lucky to live there. I get inspired mostly from other artists.

Fan SockMonkey on Facebook!

SchulmanArt: What is your best selling item? What type of custom orders do you do??

Blair: I actually have two stores on Etsy. Entertaining ornaments started as just ornaments, but after the holidays I have all sorts of Ideas for Map related jewelery and other things. I created a NYC map bangle for a friend of mine for her birthday. I will probably add it to the shop after the holidays. As of right now, the star ornaments are the most popular. I've done a few custom orders. Someone wanted an ornament with the Chicago L on it. Luckily, I had a friend who lives there and sent me some maps. My other shop Sockmonkeys4everyone is all greeting cards with a sock monkey I take pictures with.

Check out all things Blair at www.Beezartist.com

SchulmanArt: What rituals do you have to get ready to create?

Blair: I live in a small NYC apartment. My apartment is my studio/Living room/Dining room.  I'm a starving artist. But my whole apartment must be clean before I can create. Everything put away. Dishes done. NO TV, just music. Depends on my mood, but usually I listen to classic rock when I create. Pearl Jam, Sound Garden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cold play.

Tweet Blair @s0ckmonkee

SchulmanArt: What is the view out your window?

Blair:  I have a killer view of my street which is in the East village of NYC. Very artsy part of town. Always something going on outside my window.

Serious gift ideas for the little monkeys!!!

Frozen Assets or Occupy Wall Street?

Frozen Assets, mural by Diego Rivera 1932 on display at MoMa

Diego Rivera at the Museum of Modern Art in New York 

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

This weekend my daughter and I went to see the Diego Rivera Mural exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art which is on display until May 14, 2012. What  struck us about the Mexican's art was his affinity to his cultural roots, his political leanings toward communism and most importantly how relevant his art still is today. My daughter and I attended a group discussion as part of the MoMa's Tours for Tweens series. One of the parent in our group, who was of Latino descent, pointed out that the  artwork was created by a Hispanic man, maintained largely by minority custodians and security in the museum but the visitors and consumers of the art are for a largely white audience. A Russian visitor in our group passionately hypothesized that had Rivera lived into the later part of the last century he would have quit painting when communism collapsed.  Although his work was inspired by communist sympathies at that time, Rivera would have found plenty of social commentary in today's world as well.

For example, in Frozen Assets, Rivera juxtaposed his appreciation for New York’s distinctive vertical architecture with a powerful critique of the city's economic inequities. The panel’s upper register features a dramatic sequence of largely recognizable skyscrapers, most completed within a few years of Rivera’s arrival in New York. The central skyscraper is the Rockefeller Center building which was under construction during Rivera's arrival to New york. Other building in the compressed skyline are the Chrysler, Mc Graw Hill, Wall Street landmarks such as Banker's Trust and Irving Trust, Daily News and the Empire State Building.

In the middle section, a steel-and-glass shed serves as a homeless shelter for rows of sleeping men who probably also acted as the chief laborers in building these giant skyscrapers. Below, a bank’s waiting room accommodates a guard, a clerk, and figures inspecting their money. As on the Museum's website "Rivera’s jarring vision of the city—in which the masses trudge to work, the homeless are warehoused, and the wealthy squirrel away their money—struck a chord in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression." This artwork reminds one of the tented and sleeping figures in "Occupy Wall Street" just outside today's same buildings. 

During Your Visit

Diego Rivera is a small exhibition so until January you can also see the deKooning exhibit on the top floor. The MoMa cafe is a favorite treat of ours. We love the gourmet food and sitting at the museum's windows on the second floor. A short walk from Grand Central, you can pass the Rockefeller Christmas tree on your way out. Don't forget that Diego Rivera has gorgeous murals inside the lobby of Rockefeller Center, a must see.

Looking for a New York Gift? Check out paintings and prints of New York!

What do you love about holiday time in New York?

Decorating Rooms that are Peaceful and feminine and nostalgic

Dragonfly Decor Takes Center Stage

by Miriam Schulman 

 

Dragonfly Decor in room decorated by Nick Olsen

A set of four original dragonfly paintings hang over a white love seat in an apartment decorated by Nick Olsen for his friend's studio apartment. The original photo by Björn Wallander appeared in House Beautiful July 2011. In this version, the client's large photograph is replaced by the soft and feminine dragonflies. You can get a similar look at home. Start with painting your walls in Ocean Spray by  Benjamin Moore  You can slip cover your old sofa with cotton twill fabrics from New York Elegant Fabrics.

Green leopard print pillow by Cody and Cooper Designs

The pillow in the room above was custom designed with leopard pillow fabric in  Sabu in Green by Rose Cumming for Dessin Fournir. You can steal this look with a pilllow by Cody and Cooper Designs on etsy! The plug-in swing arm lamps are a look you can get yourself without calling an electrician. Order "Brushed Steel Plug-In Swing Arm" directly from Lamps Plus. The lamp shades add the essential touch of black that every room needs. The shades are paper Empire shade in Black from Just Shades.

Silver Nut Bowl by One Half Dozen on etsy

The silver bowls on coffee table are from Ralph Lauren but there are so many vintage silver nut bowls from etsy, I suggest you go there instead. I particularly like the home decor finds from One Half Dozen.

To take of a tour of this fabulous studio apartment led by the designer, check out this video courtesy of House Beautiful:

Dragonflies are not the only insects that make for interesting art and decor...

mentioned in this article: @housebeautiful, @benjamin_moore, @nyelegant, @lampsplus

Soar with the dragonflies!

On The Wings of Dragonflies

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

I stumbled upon this beautiful story on a website for eulogy poetry. The story  is very comforting to think about our loved ones who have passed on this spiritual way.

Dragonfly Painting: Starry, Starry Dragonfly!

Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruptions. Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their friend was dead, gone forever.

Dragonfly Decor: Sugar Plum Fairy!

Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top. When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue-tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying.

Dragonfly Art

So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed. Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended. But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life!

Original Dragonfly Artwork: Dragonfly Dance!

Click HERE to view all my dragonfly artwork

Do dragonflies have a special spiritual meaning for you?