News & Blog
February first marks the beginning of Black History Month. This national holiday calls upon us to remember and honor the all-too-neglected accomplishments and struggles of African Americans throughout history. To aid in highlighting the contributions made by African Americans to our history and culture, we are featuring two African American…
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As the winter season turns to spring, we celebrate and welcome the renewal of life: new seedlings are sprouting up from the soil, the chirping of baby birds fills the air, and all around us in the natural world is a sense of hope and rebirth. And from that place…
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Dorothea. Frida. Edmonia. Georgia. Dolores. Lange. Kahlo. Lewis. O’Keeffe. Purdy. Do any of these names sound familiar? These are the names, first and last, respectively, of artists of great repute and creative expression. They are also women! These women share or shared their unique lives through artistic expression. Dorothea Lange,…
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This post was originally published in January 2021. It has been updated and republished in February 2022. Ah, Valentine’s Day… For many, the celebration of love is a welcome prelude to the fresh beginning of spring. But love is complex, and for every joyous union and happy ending, there is…
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In February we celebrate and commemorate the history of African Americans in the United States. What better way to do that than with art? The history is fraught with racism but also represents major contributions to art, music, and culture by a minority group that faced (and still faces) unfair…
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Do you know about Jacob Lawrence? Would you recognize his art? The stories depicted in his colorful, unique paintings? His legacy? If yes, keep reading! If not, keep reading! Jacob Lawrence is an artist to remember, cherish, and honor; a standout American painter and printmaker who offers us all a glimpse…
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Meet the artist behind some of your favorite album covers & concert posters. We recently sat down for an interview with graphic artist and poster designer Mike King! Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Mike started his career by making posters for local punk bands in exchange for admission to shows. Designing…
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From Frida Kahlo’s unmistakable portraits to Picasso’s groundbreaking abstraction, Hispanic artists have had a dramatic impact on the art world. As we take a step back to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15th through Oct 15th), we want to honor the Hispanic and Latino artists who have shaped the way…
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Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) was an icon of modern architecture. Over a period of 70 years he built more than 1,000 buildings across the United States, dotting the landscape with his elegant style. He designed organic exteriors of wood and stone as well as interior elements, including stained glass windows,…
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During his lifetime, Vincent van Gogh only sold a single painting. Despite his difficult career as an artist lasting only ten years, he left behind some of the most revered paintings of all time. While many know him for The Starry Night and the famed story of his ear, the…
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When decorating a room, it can be challenging to decide on a color scheme. For example, do you choose light colors or dark contrasts? Restrained neutrals or quirky pops of color? Warm tones or cool? When searching for interior design inspiration, sometimes there can be no better place to look…
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The Legacy of Jackson Pollock Jackson Pollock made an extraordinary impact on modern art, creating paintings that were just as controversial as they were revolutionary. He quickly became known for his splatter-style paintings, which challenged ideas about what critically acclaimed art should look like. The splatter method allowed Pollock to…
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After a year of isolation, your workspace can start to feel dull and uninspiring. As we transition into this time of renewal, now is your opportunity to revitalize your space with new and refreshing pieces. Displaying office art has the potential to boost creativity, reduce stress, and increase pride in…
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Marisol Escobar was so well-known that, like Prince or Madonna of later eras, she didn’t need a last name. She was simply Marisol. She was not just an artist. She was a pop culture icon. In the 1960s, her innovative wooden sculptures of family groups and famous people brought her…
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If you’ve ever been to British Columbia, you know how spectacular it is with its mountains, forests, and Pacific Ocean views. It is also historically interesting, with a long record of rich Indigenous cultures. Canadian painter and author Emily Carr celebrated the natural and cultural significance of her beloved homeland,…
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Evelyn De Morgan (1855-1919) was an English painter who was associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement. She painted allegorical works that carry themes of spirituality, love, and peace. Inspired by Christian stories and Greek mythology, as well as literature and history, her strong female characters and handsome young male figures are…
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Undoubtedly the most famous facial expression in the history of art is the enigmatic smile of Mona Lisa in the celebrated painting by Leonardo da Vinci. However, a lesser-known artist, Impressionist Berthe Morisot, also painted enigmatic facial expressions to an even greater effect. Morisot painted landscapes, beach scenes, and gardens,…
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Sonia Delaunay designed textiles, created sets and costumes for theater shows and films, decorated cars, made furniture, and was an influential abstract painter. With her husband, Robert Delaunay, she cofounded the Orphism art movement which mixed Cubism, Fauvism, and Abstract Art techniques. Her work spanned the arc of the 20th…
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Agnes Lawrence Pelton (1881–1961) was an artist in the Modernism style who painted luminous oil paintings of beautiful images inspired by her spiritual practices. She was interested in Agni Yoga and astrology, as well as Christian themes and theosophy. She moved from the New York City area to Cathedral City,…
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Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) was a mystic, amateur scientist, and artist from Sweden. She painted more than 1200 paintings, sketches, and watercolors, ranging from veterinary drawings and botanical sketches to huge oil paintings that were inspired by her interest in world religions. While painting, she channelled spiritual guidance to showcase…
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Wayne Thiebaud is best known for his joyful paintings of cakes, pies, and ice cream cones. He also painted beautiful portraits, breathtaking streetscapes of San Francisco, and stunning landscapes of the Sacramento Delta. But cakes and pies and other ordinary objects are his speciality. Thiebaud is associated with Pop art,…
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Abstract artist Lee Krasner once said in an interview, “I think all painting is biographical. I think you can read any artist if you take the trouble to.” Reading Lee Krasner’s work, we discover a highly-intelligent, vibrant woman whose art depicts both sadness and joy. She survived the tragic death…
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The arrival of the 20th century saw a revolution in art as artists freed themselves from depicting reality. Instead, they adopted a love of art for art’s sake. Artists such as Vassily Kandinsky and Hilma af Klint declared that art can be simple abstract shapes, inspired by the natural world,…
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Artemisia Gentileschi was an Italian Baroque artist. Born in Rome in 1593, she was the eldest daughter of Prudentia Montoni and the Tuscan painter Orazio Gentileschi. She lived in Rome, Florence, Venice, London, and Naples, and was well-known in her lifetime, with an international clientele. Working in the style of…
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African American women artists have helped shape art in America for many years, but their contributions were often overlooked. The perception that art is created by white men started to change in the 20th century and continues to change even more in the 21st century. Modern audiences are hungry for…
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We stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and call for an end to racial inequality and injustice. Artists have never shied away from expressing outrage over oppression and injustice. From the 1700s, when Jacques-Louis David painted his support for the French Revolution to modern-day designers who create…
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Frida Kahlo combined realism, surrealism, and fantasy with icons from her Mexican culture to create magical art. One of her favorite subjects was her own beautiful face. Art historians classify Kahlo’s art as Surrealism, although Kahlo herself didn’t consider herself a surrealist. In 1938, André Breton, a well-known surrealist, arranged…
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Artistic talent often comes with a price. Many of the artists whose work we so admire were haunted by depression, anxiety, and mania. To recognize this important topic, we’d like to tell you about six artists who brought us beautiful art while suffering from bouts of mental illness. These artists…
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