Come See Us!

Come see us! 

We are very pleased to announce that we are having an art show at the beautiful Walter E. Smithe showroom in Arlington Heights on November 2 and 3. There you will be able to see hundreds of great oil paintings by artists from around the world. 

We are known for our on-home art consultation service. Pick some pieces you would like to see in your home and we'll bring them for you to see them before you buy. We can also tailor framing options that suit both the art and your interiors.

The Art Show runs Saturday 10:00AM-6:00PM and Sunday from 11:00AM to 6:00PM. Please stop by…….you will love what you see.

Abstract Sophistication

What an exciting focal point. Yes. You can enjoy an exciting, modern abstract in a more traditional room. Go for it!

This is an original oil painting by Ccala. The artist is known for these hip and swank abstracts that look like they belong on the set of Mad Men. We have been showing Ccala's art with mid-century modern-inspired interiors, but it looks great anywhere. Click on the pictures above to better see the detail of the painting.

Art for an Elegantly Transitional Home

We recently helped a homeowner finish their redecorating with some gorgeous pieces. The oil painting above the fireplace is by Ares. Although the piece is done in oil paint, Ares uses techniques that more closely resemble oriental ink painting. He also uses layers of opalescent pigments to give his paintings a great shimmer and luminosity that repeats the silky lusters of the beautiful upholstery in the chairs. This is a lovely art choice for this room.

This is an engaging sunny street scene by Pena. She is admired for her fine brushwork and charming detail. 

We love how Sokol-Hohne takes the beloved display of botanical prints and makes it more contemporary. The artist starts with a botanical and then embellishes it with layers combinations of collaged mixed media and pigments of varied lusters.

Like Pena above, Bacci is known for the fine brushstrokes and rich detail in his magnificent landscapes.

Completing your interior with art

 You've redecorated and you've left the walls for last. How are you going to find artwork with the right color scheme, theme, size, and style to go with your new interior? You can take months or years searching for just the right pieces for those spots or you can call ArtFinders who can show you in one home visit more pieces of art than you would see in five art galleries. Your art can then be custom framed and installed within two weeks.

 The painting by Tienhaara above is so perfect that it looks like the room was designed around it. That's because we had hundreds of original paintings to show the homeowners and found one with perfect colors that they loved. We then custom framed the painting to complement both the painting and the room. When we installed it, it was like placing the last piece of a puzzle and the room was done.

 Here is a magnificent set of botanical aquatints by Linda Tullis. Gorgeous, right? Now look at them with the couch they are going to live above.

BAM! Look how the choice of art and framing not only fills the wall space with beautiful art but the couch and the art make each other look even better! That's what we strive for in every job, enhancing the beauty of the interior and art through design. Love this grouping.

Spice up a traditional interior with contemporary art

 The lusters and metallics in the abstract painting above work with the satiny upholstery in this dining room.

 The Ares "Willows" mixed media painting on paper above is a beauty. The clients opted to use museum glass which makes it look like there is no glass there at all!

 This pretty powder room features "Between the Lines," a limited edition on paper by Fairchild. Once again although the art is under glass, there is no glare because the clients chose to use museum glass. It is expensive but museum glass will help to protect your art investment because it is UV protective.

 Lovely oil painting by Liz Jardine graces the two-story wall above this fireplace.

 This is a great way to make a big, blank two-story-tall wall look great from the first floor, staircase, and the balcony. Here we used a large piece on top and two smaller pieces from the same series by the same artist to create a suite that also reads as a triptych.

This is a creative and exciting mix of styles. The mantelpiece is very traditional, but the clients did the unexpected by choosing to put an exciting contemporary abstract in that spot instead of a traditional piece with gold frame. It looks great!

Landscape paintings are windows to wonderful views

Below is a closeup of the Munoz painting installed above this fireplace. This 18x36" oil on canvas was a perfect fit for this tight space.

Sometimes a beautiful scenic landscape can make you feel like you are on vacation. This is a great example of that.

Wait a minute! That's not a landscape!
Actually, the oil painting above by Luzanquis is a combined still life in the foreground with a landscape in the background. I like to call paintings like these "twofers" or two-for-the-price-of-one paintings.

This is a nifty set of two oil paintings by Pozo. These two leather couches and the paintings face each other in a seating area.

Portfolio

Here are some recent pictures of art pieces we've helped people select for their home. The painting above is by Ares and is from his Willows series. We have sold about four from this series of his work. We think they are so popular because they are so transitional--work with any interior-- and are peaceful. The artist uses a highly skilled and developed combination of watercolor and oriental ink painting techniques in oil that result in these breezy and effortless-looking landscapes.

The oil painting above is by Munoz. His landscapes are perennial best sellers.

 The oil painting above is by Tienhaara. We love how the homeowners chose this modern landscape for their more traditional room. They didn't make it into the shot, but the beautiful raspberry color in the carpets is echoed in the painting.

We like the way the classical ornament in the painting works with the white doors, moldings, and paneling in this hallway.

Just In: New Original Art

We just got in a great new batch of original art work. Many of these pieces are oversized--so they have the scale to carry large walls. We tried to select items that worked well together so that you can finish a room or an entire home. Let us know if you would like us to bring these out to show you in your home or office. All of these original art works can be framed to suit your style. Unless otherwise indicated, the paintings are originals on canvas.

Above: "To the Skies" 60x40" by Liz Jardine

Above: "Dreams After Dawn II" 30x30" by Edwin

Above: Three original mixed media art works 30x30" on paper from the "Pure Panels" series by Hibberd. These would be beautiful in a library!

Above: "Sepia Light" 60x48" by Addyman

Above: "Umber Sky II" 48x60" by Addyman

Above: "Organic Study XVI" 18x18" by Addyman

Above: "Organic Study XIV" 18x18" by Addyman

Above: "Elevator I" 40x40" by Addyman

Above: "In Viaggo" 40x64" by Stockstill

Above: "Feeling Free IV" 35x44" oil on paper by Lisa Ridgers

Above: "Sort Series" 12x12" each by Duarte

Above: "Urbania II" 36x48" by Duarte

Portfolio

 We had a great time helping this family find art for their new home. They had a great vision for the basement/recreation level; they wanted to display art related to music, and dance.

Above: Two paintings of ballroom dancers by Gerald.

Below: Closeup of the painting on the left above.

We found frames that looked great with the finish of their built-in seating.

Two pictures above: Two jazz-themed paintings by Valqui.

Elsewhere in the home, we found them some graceful figurative pieces.

Above & below: A lovely Mucha-inspired oil painting by Mendoza.

Below: A classic-style portrait by Mendoza.