ART TALK : How to Hang

One of the questions we get asked most often here at the gallery is, "Where do I hang a painting?".

"Where" can mean : what room, how high on the wall, over a piece of furniture (or not), next to another painting, etc.. While we love to tell people to hang things where and how they like, there are a few little tips and tricks that can help you when deciding where to place a piece of art.



50. Anchor your art: Art needs to be anchored, either by a piece of furniture, a picture rail or other art.

 

53. Safety in numbers: Hang in groupings if the pieces are small.

 

 58. Group with purpose: Don’t hang lots of small paintings here and there in a room. Instead, arrange them in such a way to create the illusion of one big piece. We’re crazy about art walls.

 

  

 

59. Start with a plan: For large groupings of pieces, arrange artwork on floor first.

60. Create an illusion: Group 4 small same-size pictures together in a four square to give the illusion of a bigger painting. Or hang large in center and smaller on either size. Group a series of framed miniatures inside one large frame as a great solution to displaying tiny pieces.

 

 

66. It doesn’t always have to match:  A grouping doesn't have to be a matching set. It can be hung according to common colors or subject matter.

 

 

We're always happy to help and answer any questions you might have - there are no silly questions, trust us. Don't forget about our wonderful Sam, who can be hired to come into your home for an "Artful Makeover," which can include anything from helping you place paintings to rearranging furniture you already have. Why not start the new year off with a fresh new look comprised of things you already own?

What's your favorite way to hang? Are you a fan of one big showstopper piece or do you prefer the collected look of an art wall? We hang the gallery "salon style," which means a mixture of the two, and we recommend you give it a try as well.

Tata!

HH

Deconstructing the Abstract Painting: Don't Be Scared.

When you visit our gallery, you'll see all kinds of paintings hanging on the walls.  Beautifully painted landscapes and still lifes.  Seascapes and skyscapes.  Elegant florals and evocative figures.  And plenty of abstracts, too.  We love the mix and we've learned over the years that the key to understanding and appreciating abstract art is to quieten our minds and let our instincts and senses do the talking.

 

We love this dynamic abstract by Audrey Phillips. Light Vison, 

38 x 43, mixed media on panel. The palette is soothing, but the

composition is energized and compelling.

Abstract art, by definition, is a painting, sculpture or installation that does not depict a person, place or thing of the natural world.  Huh?  Believe us, we get lots of questions about the abstracts in the gallery and they usually sound something like this:

"I don't get this. What's it about?"
"My five-year-old could paint this."
"I like paintings I can understand."

To all these comments and more, we say: we understand you and we totally get where you're coming from.  Art can be intimidating and scary and leave you feeling unsure and uneasy - all of which goes against our grain at Huff Harrington. So, here are a couple tips to make the whole process of understanding abstract art more enjoyable and rewarding.  And, watch out.  If you're not already, you may become a convert.

 

Martica Griffin's Lovesick Blues (36 x 30, mixed media on 

canvas) is all about form and palette.

I'm Nervous!  Yes...abstract art can be a little nerve-wracking.   And that's because the responsibility of understanding it falls directly to the viewer.  When this happens, we like to gently lead the client into the painting with this analogy:  imagine the painting is a symphony.  Instead of closing your eyes and listening to the music, try closing your ears and just look at the painting.  Explore the painting on your own terms and come to your own conclusions.  Abstract art is all about form, line, palette and composition. And when those elements come together on a canvas, the results can be magical.

 

This lyrical painting by Liz Barber will effortlessly draw you in 

with its repetitive composition. Inspired by water? We think so. 

Sunset Surf, 48 x 60, mixed media on canvas.

What's the Right Answer?   There's not a right answer and there's not a wrong answer either - but you may have to work a little bit to figure that out.   Because there's no familiar image to relate to while viewing an abstract painting, you really have to open your mind and re-align what you've been taught about art.  You have to let go of pre-conceived notions and let your sense take over the driving.    We'll hear this: "Is the artist trying to convey water or a wave?  Because I'm not sure if that looks like a wave but I really like the way he/she put the paint in that one spot."  That visitor to the gallery just got an A+ for looking at the abstract painting for what it is, not what it's supposed to be.  It's all about being open to interpretation.

 

We love the composition of Melissa Payne Baker's Milestone I 

(30 x 22, mixed media on canvas) It's also full of textural 

nuances and the palette is warm.

Make It Personal:  It's best to see abstract art in person.   Because there's often not an identifiable subject in the painting, the nuances that create the painting can be lost in photography or on the internet. Because abstract art is rooted in non-tangible subjects, the  technical aspects of the painting become even more important.  The use of media can add texture, depth and dimension - all of which could be lost in a photograph.  Even better, try to meet the artist. Ask lots of questions. You'll begin to understand the reasoning behind the creativity- and the artist will be thrilled to talk about it.

 

Aaron Whitehouse painted this piece for a client. 

You really have to see his work in person to get the

 texture, depth and dimension that he incorporates.

 This one makes us think we're looking through a 

pool of water to a bottom made of beach glass.

My Five-Year-Old....:  it takes great skill to create a meaningful abstract piece. And what may look like random squiggles on a canvas or blotchy areas of paint are actually the result of a  perfect little storm of composition, form and aesthetic.  Study an abstract that you're drawn to for a while and all of sudden it all makes sense.

Personality Shouldn't Matter But It Does by Judy Cox (55 x 42, mixed media on canvas) We can't quite put our finger on it, but we love everything about this painting, including the title.

Let Your Heart Guide You:   Art's all about the emotional tug at your heart and if it's a calming seascape, an intriguing figure or an elegant floral that sends you to your happy spot, that's wonderful.  Don't force yourself to love something that scares you or makes you uneasy.

 

Keep an eye out for our new ad campaign: Art Talk.  We dole out some helpful little tips on understanding and collecting art.

But here's our little suggestion:  give it some time and keep your mind open.  Live with it for a day or two.  Remember it's a visual symphony and let yourself soar with it.  And, who knows...you may end up loving it. That's the elemental beauty of art: you just never know where it's going to take you or when it's going to steal your heart.

Ta ta.

P.S. visit our website to see more Art Talk Tips....

 

A Lunar Day, 60 x 48, mixed media on canvas by Christina Doelling, pulls all the elements of abstract art together in the most beautiful way. We're hooked!

Meet the artist : Andree Thobaty

Andree Thobaty, Village Scene, 16 x 16

Meg and I are of course never competitive with each other, except maybe in the healthiest way, such as, “Oh I thought of the same thing!” or “I was going to suggest that too.” So it’s no surprise that when one of us returned from a trip to France, elated and excited to have discovered the most fabulous new artist, the other one casually countered, “Oh I know her!” (and admitted sheepishly that she is fabulous – and darn, why didn’t I mention her first?).

The artist we were talking about was the now well-known and highly coveted Andree Thobaty, whom we have been representing happily for about five years.

It’s always such a pleasure to visit Andree in her little studio in France. First off, she is just the loveliest person imaginable, in her sweet, polite and enthusiastic way. Secondly, her studio is marvelously well organized, so it’s easy to sift through and make our pickings. And third, we just love the fact that this elegant, well-dressed person “of a certain age” as they put in France, is actually a terror with paint :  the looser, the more abstract the better! If she could throw it on the canvas, she would.

One of Andreee Thobaty's most recent abstracts

Andree has spent years perfecting her work by reducing the brush strokes to a bare minimum and applying the paint in blocky layers that translate to perfectly balanced abstract renditions of her subject matter.  She reminds me of those most fearsome tennis players:  the senior ladies who. with just the slightest controlled movement, can place the ball exactly where they want it -- and always out of reach from their huffing and puffing opponent.

Andree's painting technique has been admired by so many of our clients and fellow artists that is was only natural, on our last visit to France with Nancy Franke’s lovely group of artists, that one of their top to-do's was to paint with or at least meet the legendary Andree Thobaty.

Provence Village, 8 x 8

I called Andree a few days before arriving and asked if she could meet up with us to paint with our group of American artists. She apologized profusely, but because of a knee injury, she was indisposed to paint in plein air. Then I suggested that maybe I could swing by her studio and pick up some paintings because I was pretty sure that among this group of artists there would be several buyers, or at least admirers of her work. She apologized again and said that her gallery in France had sold out of her work completely over the summer, and that she had nothing left to show me. Then I just begged her to meet Nancy Franke and the artists for the afternoon, to which she responded with a resounding, “Oui bien sur!”

I had to leave the scene that day, but according to all present, Andree’s encounter with our little group of American artists was probably one of the most moving and enthusiastic bi-cultural love fests to occur on French soil -- since the liberation of France in 1945! Although few words were exchanged (since there was a significant language barrier), through gestures and smiles and paint brushes and palette knives, communication flowed seamlessly. The artists came back energized and excited to have met the iconic Andree. And Andree said it was one of the happiest moments of her life. Truly.

Andree Thobaty with Cathy and Nancy

Nancy, Debbie and Andree in Isle sur la Sorgue

I begged Andree to paint more for our gallery and sure enough, when I headed back to France a few weeks ago, I bought pretty much all of her new work – even the wet pieces!

Floral 8 x 8

Red roses, 6 x 6

Floral, 8 x 8

So our coffers are now filled with wonderful new work from Andree, which we are debuting this week at the gallery (and have just added to our website here).  We’re pretty sure it will sell fast – her talent and price point are an unbeatable combination – and then Meg and I will politely fight over who gets to visit Andree the next time. I can guarantee that whoever wins the draw will hear from Andree, over and over, how much it meant to her to meet Nancy Franke and her group of artists last September.

This is why we do what we do - and love every minute of it.

Ta ta,
HH

Andree and Ann outside of her studio

PS: We are having a one-day sale for Friends and Family at the gallery on Saturday, December 8th, and will feature all of Andree's new work. If you are planning on giving the gift of art this season, what a fantastic opportunity to buy a highly coveted and popular artist at a very advantageous price!  We're excited to show off her new work.

Got a List and Checking It Twice...

Dear Santa:  We know you're busy working on your lists up there at the North Pole but we are in full holiday frenzy here at Huff Harrington, too:  our lights are a-glow, gifts are being gussied up, glittery wreaths are sparkly and the carols (a la Frank Sinatra and Edith Piaf, of course) are blasting over the music system.   We're all having fun being little elves.

We think your idea of having a list and checking it twice is wonderful!  After all, doesn't that make it so easy for everyone involved?  And while we never forget that this season is really all about the giving (and not the getting) we've all been wishfully day-dreaming about what we'd put on those little lists.  In fact, we love the idea so much, we decided to quiz our cute Huffingtons. We had fun imagining their letters to you, beginning with this sweet plea:

"Dear Santa:  I think I've been a really good girl this year. I've worked my little tail off at Huff Harrington Home.  I've unpacked boxes, re-arranged merchandise, moved furniture, taken the garbage out, called clients, wrapped gifts, moved more furniture and tagged zillions of items.  Please, please, please might this be under the tree?"

(So, darling Santa...please remember these hard-working and dedicated cuties when you're packing your sleigh...)

Linda (always chic and stylish): "I would love to have this exquisite 19th century French mirror at the foot of the stairs in my foyer.  It would offer that "last little glimpse” before heading out the door for a soiree.  It would make me feel as though I were in Paris every time I straightened my dress or fixed my lipstick." (Dan, did you hear that?!)

 

 

Linda's got her eye on this stunning Louis XVI mirror. We're not sure how the big guy in the red suit is going to get it down the chimney, but Linda usually figures these things out.

 

Allison's been coveting this sumptuous, elegant winter white leather jewelry box for a while now. Let's hope it's under the tree...

Allison:"I've had my eye on this exquisite jewelry box from Rowallan (Oprah also featured this fabulous company on her Top Twenty list this year) It's very Grace Kelly, very Orient Express and so terribly elegant. I'd love to have it perched on my dressing table or nestled somewhere in my..."

Meg and Ann: "WAIT! HOLD THE PRESSES!  Allison, we're so sorry, but the gorgeous Rowallan jewelry case just sold to an uber-chic client from Dallas.  So sorry, would you mind wrapping it and shipping it next day air?"

Allison (who oozes grace, tact and humor on an hourly basis), Part Deux:  Okay. (sigh)  I  have to admit our cute PJ’s jump out at me every time I walk by them. The fun crisp cotton prints (especially the monkeys) just make me happy, and so I have decided I have to have them.  Apparently, they have the same effect on our customers (we placed a rush order today for the holidays) and my daughter (they are on her wish).  She better be good…

Allison adores these monkeys, seahorses and octopuses - and all things preppie chic. We're pretty sure Katie will love them too...

 Emily (our adorable and super creative marketing maven): "With its mirrored top, delicate design & gold leaf finish this table is the perfect little accessory for any room. Paired next to a great sofa, it will keep any dessert or cocktail close. Now that’s a furniture piece that has its priorities straight; fabulous and functional!"

 

We can picture this snazzy drinks table chez Emily. Did you get that, Santa?

 Sarah (our sweet and smart gallery manager at Huff Harrington Fine Art):  “I knew this little jewel had to be mine the minute I saw it sparkling on the shelf at HHH. Bonus points for whoever wants to buy it for me – you don’t even have to wrap it! It’s pretty as a present just as it is. I’d love to take this beauty with me for a night out on the town – it’s the perfect size for my phone and some lipstick (all girl needs, oui..?). Santa, I hope you’re listening!”

Sarah's ready for a night of holiday parties with this adorable and sassy clutch. Watch out, all you elves.

Colleen (or as we've been calling this brand-new bride: Mrs. Strickland):  "Pain d'Alep  - my go-to hostess gift or stocking stuffer this holiday season.  Not only because this soap smells so amazing, but it is truly a gift with a fascinating story. Pain d'Alep is THE original soap! This castille soap, made from olive and laurel oils, has been made in the exact same way that is was made it in Aleppo, Syria, thousands of years ago by the same family. There are several imposters now a days but this is the only true Pain d'Alep."

 

The marvelously and ever-so-Frenchy aromatic soap, Pain d'Alep.

 (Ann and Meg: "We giggling just a little because Colleen really didn't adore this soap when we first got it.  It smells delicously and potently French and we're thrilled she's loving it now.")

Colleen: "Wait! Can I have one more?"

(Ann and Meg: Oh, okay....since you're a glowing newlywed.)

Colleen:  "I just can't resist baubles for your furniture.  This on my must-have list and I plan on draping it over my favorite pieces.  We just got these in and they are all over every design magazine I've picked up lately.  Santa, can you hear me?!"

 

In Colleen's world, even the furniture gets jewelry.

Sam (our Renaissance Woman who does it all): "I'm too busy helping my holiday clients get ready for the season and I'm up to my eyeballs in fresh boxwood, glitter, tree ornaments and centerpieces. But I'd be thrilled if Santa could bring me one of those super-soft and pretty cashmere scarves I saw in there the other day.  Hint, hint..."

 

Sam's been known to harvest her own greens when she's decorating for the holidays so one of these nice cashmere scarves will keep her nice and warm while she's trimming and cutting.

Alva (our very dear retailing expert): "This Graf & Lantz  handbag/tote is the perfect “go with everything” bag to use every day.  I love that it has brown, grey and black colors, since those are my primary fashion colors."

 

Our European-styled felt bags are a perfect fit for our elegant and ladylike Alva.

Ann:   "When I put on the cashmere cape to model it for our recent ad (which originally was going to be called Holiday Hangover until we thought we'd better change it to Holiday Happies!), I felt like rolling up into a ball, on a comfy couch, with a glass of bubbly and a beautiful book, and imagined living comfortably coddled in cashmere for the rest of my life!  So that's when I started dropping hints like crazy .Santa, Baby!"

Here's a shot from our latest ad where Ann modeled the heavenly cashmere cape.  Ann's been obsessing ever since about wearing this on her next flight to Paris. Cozy, warm and pretty...what's there not to love? Bill, please wrap it up for her - we'll add the bow.

Ann, Part Deux: "OK, you know this is my birthday month, right?  So I get two picks, right?  Well here's the second one that has been haunting me now for months.  It's a painting at our gallery by Audrey Phillips called Light Vision which I can't get out of my head.  I don't have a place for it, and we have no room for more art, but I know that if someone else buys it and I let it get away, I'll never get over it.  That's the problem with original art.  Once it's gone, it's gone.  And the thing about abstract art is that it's often a slow attraction, but once it grabs you, it holds you tight.  I think I see where this is going ..."

 

Ann's dreaming about this subtle abstract by Audrey Phillips. Light Vision, 38 x 53, mixed media on panel. Yum!

Meg:  "I'm drooling over newly arrived slipcovered club chairs at HHH (in Belgian linen with a creamy white flange...so pretty) but my heartstrings are really being pulled by some newly arrived art at the gallery. Specifically, a series of paintings that just came in time for Christmas from one of our wonderfully talented French artists, Andree Thobaty. We met Andree a long time ago and I've always been struck by her abstracted Provencal landscapes. I'm thinking about a pair of these, in nice clean floating frames...hmmmmm.

Wait, do Ann and I even get Christmas day off?"

 

An armful of heavenly French abstracts from one of my favorite artists...I couldn't possibly want anything else (except maybe those Belgian linen club chairs...)

So, what's on your wishlist?  Let us know when you come in the store between now and December 24th and we'll make sure your favorite gift-giver checks it twice.  And we'll make sure it gets it onto the sleigh, all wrapped up in a pretty bow just for you.

Bon voyage, Santa.

Ho Ho Ho from the Huffingtons...

(p.s.: we're open Sundays now through December 23rd from 1-5.  That's a little more time for you to cross those names off your own list...)

All in the Family

HH in their Aprons

It all started back in August, on Sam’s birthday.  We Huffingtons love to celebrate each others' birthdays, and we’d all planned something fun and festive for our very much beloved Sam (who goes by quite a few nicknames, but we’ll save those for another time).    Emily, the quiet one with the twinkle in her eye, threw us all into a jealous frenzy when she presented Sammy with her unique gift:  A gorgeous, handmade apron with a fabulous long and sexy satin sash.  It was just the sassiest thing we’d ever seen and you can imagine, we all grabbed it from Sam, whined about not having one ourselves and spun around the room modeling it.

Linda modeling the new Rendez-vous apron

Of course it took us all of five seconds to ask Emily, “Where did you get that sassy apron?” and, when we discovered they were hand made by Emily’s mother (no surprise, since tasteful creativity runs deep in that family), we didn’t hesitate to pounce:  We want to sell them!!  How many can she make us?  How soon, how fast and how much?

Cutie and cutie
(Emily and her mother, Theresa)

We were delighted that Theresa, Emily’s lovely mother who had just created her new company “Rendez-vous Designs,” was willing and able to deliver for us, and so we immediately placed our first order … and the rest is history.

Well, maybe not quite yet.

Our sassy apron display

Our first aprons arrived in October, just in time for our fall ad, which we  decided to call, “Happily Hosting” so that we could feature them in the ad.  First, Emily had some fun taking pictures of us as we prepped for the photo shoot, so that her mother could see how much we were enjoying the aprons.  For some reason, these aprons just make us feel sassy.

Then we posed like crazy until the ad was shot.

Ann being fitted for the photo shoot.

Mme H, fittingly fitted by Sam

OK, I couldn't resist this. Where was John Singer Sargent when we needed him?

Mme X holds nothing over Mme H!

How do we look?  Oh let's just take a guess:  Sassy and sassier?

OK that angle's not going to work, but look at those cute aprons!

We displayed the aprons around the store, and yes, from time to time, even modeled them ourselves.  When we hosted our book signing for Danielle Rollins and her gorgeous new book "Soiree", we figured nothing could be more appropriate for the hostess with the mostess than a Rendez Vous apron (and we think she agreed!).

Danielle Rollins modeling her brand new apron

Our Rendez-vous aprons have been flying out the door, and sadly, we have only one more! But luckily Theresa has been busily sewing away, and we are getting a new shipment this week.  Unfortunately we won’t have them in time to wow our guests on Thanksgiving day, but maybe if we’re lucky, Santa will pull two aside for us at Christmas.  We’re just so happy that Emily’s mother is now part of our extended family and we hope that this little collaboration will be the beginning of many more in the future.

As we approach our favorite holiday and give thanks for family, food and all the things we have to be grateful for – we give thanks to you, our dear clients, for your support and friendship, especially with our new venture.  And we give thanks to our very special little family of Huffingtons, who are the backbone of our business, and who help us learn and laugh every day.  You deserve a day off on Thursday!  May your Thanksgivings  be filled with warmth, laughter and joy.

Most of our darling Huffingtons ... with Danielle Rollins

Ta ta ...

HH

PS: Did you know that Huff Harrington Home is now open Sundays, until Christmas?  We're here and happy to see you from 1 to 5 on Sundays.