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Kay Crawford Studio
KAY CRAWFORD • 482 Burnt Ridge Rd, Onalaska WA • (360) 880-0663
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Importance of Original Art in Your Home

11/14/2016

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Here is a great article listing reasons why original art in the home is important.  I particularly like Reason #8!

13 REASONS WHY ORIGINAL ART IN THE HOME IS AS IMPORTANT AS A BED 
Written by Kayla Miller

Having original art in the home is vital to your well being. Art is a key piece of furniture for many reasons and yet it is sometimes put on the back burner in comparison to other home objects. This list is dedicated to the understanding of importance of art from perspectives of interior design, well being, social atmosphere, creating a mood in the home, and more. One quote that stands out about the importance of original art is the following, “You would never put fake books on your bookshelf, so why would you put fake art on your walls?” 
 
1. Creates Mood 
Brain scans have revealed that looking at works of art trigger a surge of dopamine into the same area of the brain that registers desire, pleasure, and romantic love (https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/what-the-wild-things-are/201109/love-desire-and-art). Romantic, sublime landscapes provoke contemplation of nature and purity. Such works then create a mood of peace and are good for relaxation rooms such as the bedroom. 
 
2. Adds Personal Character to the Home
We all love to express ourselves, be it through clothing, accessories, social media - the list goes on! Original art in the home is a perfect way to express your artistic and aesthetic interests in a way different from most, for original artworks are one of a kind. 

3. Makes Memories
Buying an original work of art is an experience. For whatever reason, you were drawn to a specific piece (or multiple). You may have seen it at a show opening, had a nice trip to the ice cream shop before hand. Whatever happened leading up to/during/after the purchase of a meaningful original work will be remembered every time you see it. This will not happen with a poster from Ikea. 

4. Provides a Color Palette 
When rooms have a lot of colors, or many shades of the same color, it can become overwhelming. An original work of art is a beautiful, meaningful way to tie everything together and create a general focal point.
 
5. Makes a Room Feel Finished 
When walls are empty, a room does not necessarily look bad, but by no means does it look finished. Rooms with empty walls are functional rooms in a house. Rooms with original art work are comfortable rooms in a home. 

6. Inspires and Fosters Creativity 
This one is simple - in rooms with no art, artistic expression is lacking and therefore the need and want for creativity is not very prominent. On the opposite end of the spectrum, original artworks foster creativity, expression, artistic inspiration. This is particularly important in homes with children as being surrounded by artwork will allow creative thinking. This idea is expanded on in reason 11. 

7. Conversation Starter 
As mentioned in reason 2, hanging original art in your home is a way of expressing oneself. That being said, guests will always be curious about the choice of artwork, the story, have questions about the artist, etc. It is a way to show off your art collection while having passionate conversations with house guests.
 
8. Supports Artists 
One of the most important things about buying original artwork is that you are supporting an artist’s career. Each time you have a look at a work in your home, it provides a feel-good emotion that you are assisting an artist in achieving the success and recognition they deserve. 

9. It is an Investment 
Building off of reason 8, not only does owning original work in the home allow you to support artists’ careers, but it is also an investment. These artworks can be passed down through family and friends, be shared with loved ones for many years all while increasing in worth. This is never something that will be achieved with a $12 print from Walmart. 

10. Creates a Livable Environment 
Art can make rooms that are not necessarily “home-y” become comfortable working and living environments. A home office, for example, can transform from a place of work and business to one of relaxation and productivity all the with addition of an original work of art. Attached is an article explaining how artwork in office spaces improves employee productivity (http://www.forbes.com/sites/drewhendricks/2015/01/12/can-office-artwork-influence-employee-productivity/#243c119d2c44). 

11. Keeps the Brain Active 
Art is very conceptual, artists use it as a medium to express personal thought, political or social issues, and to make us as viewers think. Some people do quizzes or crossword puzzles to keep their brain active, but another way to do so is to own original artwork in the home, to just sit, look, and think.  

12. Relaxation 
In a busy, fast-paced world that demands speed and productivity, home should be a place of relaxation. Coming home from a busy day at work to sit on your couch and stare at a TV or a blank wall is not as recharging or relaxing as enjoying an artwork purchased with the means to create a positive mood. 

13. Curating Your Own Gallery is Fun! 
Last but certainly not least, curating a gallery is fun! Attending show openings, going to galleries, chatting with artists even, it is a fun experience! After a while you will start to notice a theme, in subject matter, color, concept, etc. Playing with moods, composition, placement in the home, of all these reasons why to have art in the home, let’s not forget the fact that it is simply something fun to do.
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Anatomy of a Painting

5/2/2016

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 Working with a photo I took in Monet's garden in Giverny (France), creating this painting reminded me of what an amazing place it was to visit! As an avid gardener, I loved the plantings, colors and landscape design (not to mention seeing the iconic vistas). In my painting, I wanted to "push" the colors to emphasize the lushness of the scene, so I started with a bright watercolor underpainting and kept building the palette by layering the luscious hues of my soft pastels.
I hope my love of this incredible place comes through in the finished painting!
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Painting the Feeling

2/24/2016

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I was thrilled to be able to spend 14 hours visiting the Metropolitan Museum in New York last fall (and barely scratched the surface!). This lovely small painting by Camille Corot "The Curious Little Girl" (1860 Oil on Wood) called out to me. At first I thought the attraction was his use of values (darks and lights) but then I discovered it was the feeling the painting gave me - a little innocent, guilty pleasure, caught in the youthful act of doing something not quite right.

Though best known for his landscapes, Corot's figure paintings were appreciated for their unaffected grace and serenity. He is quoted as saying, "...While I strive for conscientious imitation, I yet never for an instant lose the emotion that has taken hold of me...Reality is one part of art; feeling completes it... Before any site and any object, abandon yourself to your first impression. If you have really been touched, you will convey to others the sincerity of your emotion." (Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot)


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With this painting ("Mirror" original pastel 24"x36") I hope to convey the feeling I had when I saw this scene - stillness, a place magical in its serenity.
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Join Me in the Sun!

2/24/2016

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If you are in the neighborhood, I hope you will stop by the wonderful Scottsdale Arts Festival March 11-13, 2016. I will be exhibiting in Booth #86 along with 170 talented juried artists from around the nation. After this very rainy Northwest winter, I am looking forward to the sun and fun to be found in the art community of Scottsdale, Arizona!

    
Scottsdale Arts Festival (Booth #86)
March 11 - March 13, 2016
Scottsdale Civic Center

7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Visit Online

Join me in the sun for a fun weekend at the Scottsdale Arts Festival,
complete with original fine art created by 170 juried artists, live music and great food! 
                                                                               
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Join Me for ARTrails 2015!

9/18/2015

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Make your plans now to spend a delightful fall weekend driving through the beautiful Lewis County, WA countryside, meandering along back roads while enjoying wonderful art, talking to the artists and watching them at work in their studios. Gather a carload of friends, share the gas, see how and where the artists work, find your favorite pieces of art and discover Southwest Washington.

The 13th Annual ARTrails tour will open with the Gala Reception on Friday, September 18, 2015 (4-8 pm) at the Exhibition Gallery in the downtown Centralia Historic Train Depot (210 Railroad Avenue, Centralia WA). One piece from each participating artist will be on display and for sale at the reception and will remain on display from September 19-27th from 10:00 to 5:00pm.

Then plan on visiting artist working studios which will be open from 10:00 to 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday on September 19-20 and 26-27. The Studio tour is free and self guided.The artwork you will get to see includes paintings, sculpture, glass, jewelry, pottery, mixed media, fiber art, carved wood, basketry, enameling, collage, and much more. Click here for the Tour Guide map and list of participating artists.

This year I will be exhibiting at the Historic Galvin Schoolhouse with seven talented artists, located a short drive west of Centralia, WA. Be sure to stop by and say hi!

Studio #7
Historic Galvin Schoolhouse
121 Joppish Road
Centralia, WA 98531
360-880-0663
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Good Company!

8/29/2015

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On August 23, 2015, I joined 25 artists gathered at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island, WA for 6 days of plein air painting and great fun. The scenery was gorgeous and the group warm and welcoming. This one (10"H x 8"W) I call "Ballet".


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While painting "Ballet" I met a lovely lady who invited me to paint the scene from her deck. When I finished, we had a glass of wine and visited for two hours - turns out we share an entrepreneurial background and had lots to talk about. Another side benefit of being an artist - the wonderful people you meet! So the name of this pastel painting (8"H x 10"W) is "Good Company".
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Wonderful Show at Bellevue Art Museum ArtFair!

7/27/2015

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What a fun time we had at the BAM ArtFair - lots of visitors and over 300 talented artists to see. Thank you  Larry, Lavern, JoAnna and Robert, and Josephine and Roy for acquiring my original pastels and supporting local artists. It was so fun to be a part of your excitement and anticipation to get your paintings home :)
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Acceptance to the Pastel Society of America Exhibit

7/3/2015

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I am so excited! I just read this wonderful email:

"July 2015
Dear Kay Crawford,
I am happy to inform you that the jury of selection has accepted the following work for the 2015 Pastel Society of America 43rd Annual Exhibition: Enduring Brilliance!  "Gift"
The jury carefully viewed and considered each anonymous image in a field of 1,365 submissions. They were limited to selecting fewer than 180 works for inclusion. Congratulations on your accomplishment! "
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Here is some background information on the PSA from their website:

"A primary mandate of the Pastel Society of America (PSA) is to provide a forum for the exhibition of works by the most accomplished pastel artists in the United States and abroad. The PSA Annual Exhibition: Enduring Brilliance! is held during the month of September in the Grand Gallery of the National Arts Club, a historic mansion located on Gramercy Park, in Manhattan. The society's annual exhibitions are the premier event for pastel artists in this country and abroad...
The exhibition, the culmination of PSA activities for the year, acknowledges the professional excellence of participating artists and helps promote the finest examples of pastel to the general public, the professional art world, art students, and art collectors."

Click here to see a slide show of last year's exhibit and the amazing artwork it showcased.
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Juror's Award

5/9/2015

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On June 9th, I was thrilled to have my painting "Cathedral" presented with a Juror's Award at the 29th International Exhibition of the Northwest Pastel Society. What an honor!
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Join Me at the Opening Reception!

5/4/2015

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I am honored to have two of my paintings juried into this wonderful exhibition! Looking forward to seeing you at the reception this Saturday, May 9th from 2:00 - 4:00. If you can't make it then, be sure to stop by at a later time to see the exhibit which will be showing until June 20th!
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    Kay Crawford is an artist and Life and Executive Coach at Merit Coaching.

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The essence of all beautiful art,
all great art, is gratitude.


– Friedrich Nietzsche
Kay Crawford Fine Art
Kay Crawford
482 Burnt Ridge Rd
Onalaska, WA 98570
(360) 880-0663
kay@kaycrawfordstudio.com

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