I am thrilled to be able to share this with you as the first item in my OpenSky Shop.

It’s a creative person’s dream wallpaper, Graham & Brown’s “Frames” by Artists

Taylor & Wood.

This is such a fun idea, and those of you who have followed HomeWorkshop.com for some time might remember I posted about this fabulous paper before. The empty frames design (below left) is [...] Read more »

If you’ve been visiting HomeWorkshop.com for any length of time, you know that I’m enamored with the design of chairs. To design a comfortable and attractive chair is not an easy thing, and that’s why good chair designs become classics. Read more about classic chair designs here.

That’s why I was thrilled when I came across cutoutpaper’s Limited Edition Laser Cuts – unusual art that [...] Read more »

Artist Profile — Vicki Hartman

The concept of a home has a simple beauty, and I find myself attracted to objects depicting that. it’s what caught my eye about the art of Rochester, New York ceramicist Vicki Hartman; and I thought you’d enjoy visiting with her, and learning about her work.

HomeWorkshop (HW): Have you always been an artistic person, and when did you realize you could [...] Read more »

Tahoe ARTour 2010

I find it fascinating to see an artist in his own environment. What colors and forms surround him? What view does he soak in, over his morning coffee?

How does the place an artist calls home, influence his work?

Come on along and hit the road with me, as we drop in on a few of Lake Tahoe’s gifted artists. I was lucky enough [...] Read more »

Years back, I attended a San Francisco art sale at the most fantastic place. Creativity Explored is nonprofit visual arts center where artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit, and sell art.

Color and smiles were free-flowing, and I came away with a half dozen of the most uninhibited and visually striking drawings.

I was thrilled to learn from my best friend, that CB2 is featuring [...] Read more »

My walls have never been the place for the blah. If it’s bold, colorful, and graphic – sign me up. And as you know, I’m a fervent DIY’er.

So when I saw Lola Gavarry’s new book, DIY Art at Home, 28 Simple Projects for Chic Decor on the Cheap (Watson-Guptill Publications, 2010), I snatched up a copy.

Gavarry, a designer who creates artwork for residential clients [...] Read more »

I’m an art enthusiast. My best friend is an incredible watercolorist and art instructor, and I marvel at what she creates with a vision and a brush.

I know countless palette- and pencil-wielding types, some of whom I’ve met doing interviews for our Artist Profiles here on HomeWorkshop.com. I’ve even dabbled myself.

So although there are still many incredible art galleries worth a visit, I’ve been [...] Read more »

Artist Profile — Amy Flynn

The Illustration business isn’t what it used to be. But accomplished illustrator Amy Flynn is thriving.

The former Hallmark and Current staff artist made a living for many years painting whimsical, splashy artwork for cards and children’s books.

“The way that illustrators work has changed three times over,” said Amy. At first, companies kept illustrators on staff. Then artists were forced to [...] Read more »

This Challenge is closed to new entries and you can see the randomly-chosen winners here. But, please DO scroll down and see the wonderful and touching artwork that kids from around the globe submitted.

Also for those of you who didn’t win, remember there is still time to order your own canvas print from MyKidsArtOnCanvas for a fab Father’s Day surprise. I’m thrilled to announce [...] Read more »

Great ideas can come even out of the most difficult periods in life. Listen to the story Mark McGrath recently told me about an inspiration sparked during precious time spent with his mother, Rose Marie.

“In early 2004, my Mom was fighting cancer,” said Mark. “The hospital had done all they could for her and she was moved to a care facility in San Mateo, California [...] Read more »

Artist Profile — Carole Spandau

Sparks fly from the keyboard when two of my interests intersect. It’s happening today as I write about art and ice hockey. Yup — this lover of art and design teared up Friday when Bobby Orr carried the Olympic flag, and has been known to wake her babies when Joe Thornton scores a goal.

With the Olympics in Canada, I thought [...] Read more »

Artist Profile — Roz

Two people can look at the same work of art and see something quite different. This I know; but it really hit home when I discovered the work of a woman named Roz.

Her kids inspired Roz (a.k.a. Rosilyn Young) to paint the first of her “Leap” series of oils-on-canvas. “I think it was watching my own children jumping around, so full of [...] Read more »

I hope you are all spending some quality time relaxing and enjoying your loved ones on this Thanksgiving Day. Here’s a creative activity you might try — a little fun with words!

In celebration of Thanksgiving I jotted down a few things I am thankful for:

Today is Thanksgiving, the day we think about what we are thankful for. I am thankful for my family, [...] Read more »

Over the weekend an astonishing thing happened. Matt Groener of Oregon entered our Let’s Make Cents Challenge. His entry was a little late. About two and a half months late if we’re counting. But he could care less about the prize and I am thrilled by his entry.

You’ll recall that for the Challenge inspired by the Standard Grill’s penny-mosaic floor, I made a nice (but [...] Read more »

Let’s get a little CSI with our decor today.

I love it when artwork is personal in an impactful, graphic way. What could be more personal than your DNA or fingerprint?

Yep. DNA 11 will create artwork for you illustrating your DNA profile or fingerprint. Where science meets art—talk about a conversation starter.

After ordering your artwork in the size and color you want, you’ll get a [...] Read more »