Five favorite abstract artists
One of my favorite things about our interconnected world is how easy it is to discover marvelously talented people today – people who, even just five years ago, I might never have had a chance to encounter. The internet and independent storefronts like Etsy have made it so much easier for talented folks around the world to set up shop and find like-minded consumers – and I love that!! I think it’s so neat that someone who might never have found a market for their DIY keychain kits or cutest Disney princess dresses or wooden toys in their hometown can now grow a booming, worldwide business thanks to the simple and inexpensive tools at our fingertips.
In the same vein, I don’t often set foot in galleries, so until recently my chances for learning about talented young artists were slim. With Etsy and Pinterest, however, I now have more options than I have walls. Here are five of my current favorites:
Artist: Yang Yang Pan
Medium: oil
Print pricing: from $25 for an 8×10″ print to $75 for a 16×20″ print
Original pricing: unknown
Artist: Belinda Marshall
Medium: acrylic
Print pricing: from $40 for a 7×8″ print to $140 for a 16×23″ print
Original pricing: starts at $275
Artist: Emily Rickard
Medium: acrylic (I think)
Print pricing: $32 for an 8×10″ print
Original pricing: starts at $575
Artist: The Fox & She
Medium: acrylic
Print pricing: n/a
Original pricing: starts at $135
Artist: Michelle Armas
Medium: acrylic and oil
Print pricing: $35 for a 13×17″ print, $350 for a 36×36″ canvas print
Original pricing: starts at $200
I know that Michelle Armas’ work is nothing new in the online world, but I adore it. That particular painting just fills me with glee – it’s all of my favorite colors in one square, and I will have it in our home one day!
In the meantime, I’m wondering if it might be worth it to try my own hand at an abstract? I have no experience whatsoever with painting, but I think it’s good to try something creative and outside of your comfort zone every so often. Have any of you worked with acrylic or oils before, or been interested in trying? If I’m not the only one, I might try to convince one of my best friends (a very talented painter – she graduated from RISD!) to give us a primer. Let me know what you think :)
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I love this post! Abstract art is my favorite for home decor. The colors and patterns are dreamy. I too am lusting after a large Michelle Armas canvas print to hang above my dining table. It will make my room pop! One of these days I will purchase it.
I would love a primer on creating my own abstract art in the meantime! :)
Ooh, the colors in the first painting – amazing! I think you should definitely give it a try! You may be a Picasso in disguise, you never know. :) I have heard a good way to approach abstract is to not over-think the process…
Thank you for sharing these, Em! I love discovering new (and pretty) things, and these are gorgeous. I recently stumbled upon artist Emily Jeffords, an artist out of Greenville, SC. She does abstract scenes and I find them so calming. If you’re interested, here is the link to her work: http://emilyjeffords.com/oil-painting. Her prints are very affordable, too, and would compliment the above well, I think!
Oh, and also, I have dabbled in painting myself, and really enjoyed it. It’s so calming, so therapeutic, and so not your iPhone. :) I think it’s great to have an outlet that let’s us be creative away from the computer. I would be interested in the primer!
Love this post! If you like these artists, you definitely need to check out Britt Bass Turner (Athens, GA) and Emily Jeffords (Greenville, SC — mentioned above!). I have two prints from Emily and adore both of them. They bring me so much happiness!
I’m with you on wanting to own a Michelle Armas piece one day. Owning an original is on my bucket list!
What a wonderful blog post! Yangyang Pan’s work is incredible. I agree completely – I love discovering new artists online. Have you heard of Christina Baker? She is represented by Gregg Irby in Atlanta, where Michelle Armas has some work as well. I also randomly happened upon Alexis Walter’s work via instagram recently. So fun! Thanks for sharing some of your favorites, Em!
YAY! This post came at the perfect time… I’ve been really wanting a beautiful piece of art for above our fireplace. Thanks for sharing! XO
I love all of these colors! So bright an happy! I’d love a primer on doing an abstract painting. Sounds like the perfect summer project!
I’m putting in another vote for the primer! I started college as an art major and then changed to mass communications. I still love both subjects, but art has had a special place in my heart since I was a little girl. I love the calming serenity of drifting into a drawing or painting- whether looking at it or creating it yourself! Thanks for sharing this beautiful nod to art, Emily! Also, the fabulous Freshstyle Magazine shared Yangyang Pan’s work in their most recent issue too! http://www.freshstylemag.com/artist-yangyang-pan/
I really like the first and second…
Love them all – how would I choose? :) Like you said so much art, too few walls!
Oh this whole post makes my heart so happy! Wonderful recommendations, I’m always excited to discover new (to me) artists. I like your style! And I would definitely encourage you to try painting out for yourself. Painting is my happy place, especially when I’m working on abstract pieces. Its therapeutic. I mostly work with acrylics, though I did try my hand with oils for a class earlier this year and enjoyed it.
yes yes yes, please have your friend give us a primer! This is something I am totally interested in exploring but would have zero clue where to start. :)
I love this post!! I’ve recently discovered that I really like certain types of abstract art and I absolutely love all of these artists. I knew of Michelle Armas (and love her work), but the others are all new to me. Thanks for spreading the word! :)
I have that Michelle Armas print hanging in my bedroom! I had it framed and it’s so so lovely. Someday I’ll own one of her originals :)
Hi Em! Love these prints…can I call these the “happy” prints? The cheerful color palettes would be easy to incorporate into most spaces! Thanks for sharing.
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