The Personal Gallery Wall

All paintings by Sea Dean - Available here

Contemporary gallery walls are really trendy. And we understand why. Gallery walls - also known as salon or frame cluster hangs - are a great way to inject life and colour into your living space. This week, Artfinder spoke to their lead curator, Alice, to learn more about how to create a contemporary gallery wall. 

Alice's tips on building a contemporary gallery wall

Gallery walls are a really easy way to make a statement if you don’t have much wall space or don’t want to hang artworks on every wall.

Tip #1

Group by subject matter, colour palette, particular artist or build an eclectic mix of subjects and styles. The bold and bright gallery wall (shown top) is the perfect statement for a contemporary living room.

Tip #2

If your budget is a little tight, you can create a gallery wall with as little as three works - don't feel as though you have to buy tens of artworks! If you're building a contemporary
 wall, include artworks of all sizes to inject some personality and points of difference.

Tip #3

Feel free to mix a wide range of subjects, such as portraiture, botanicals, abstracts, typography and landscapes, but if you'd like to stick to a contemporary theme, try to feature three to four main colours. 

In the above example, we've used reds, blues and gold to maintain the balance and harmony of the artworks, while also ensuring the art really stands out from the darker, moodier wall colour.

BERT QUAIL - FIVE SQARE SERIES

BERT QUAIL
Five Square Series
Original Painting by Sea Dean
5” x 5” Gallery Wrap Canvas
Professional Acrylic with UV Protection

Purchase via Daily Paintworks

Say howdy to Bert. Bert Quail likes to socialize and prefers to sit in the middle of the crowd. He loves to have a beer or several with friends on a Friday night. He's a bit timid though, so he always keeps one eye on the door.


14097 Bert Quail

NEW SIZE - NEW COLLECTABLE FIVE SQUARE SERIES - ARNIE QUAIL - A Daily Paintworks Pick of the Day

ARNIE QUAIL
Five Square Series
Original Painting by Sea Dean
5” x 5” Gallery Wrap Canvas
Professional Acrylic with UV Protection

Purchase via Daily Paintworks

I would like to introduce you to Arnie Quail. He is a little full of himself (actually he looks a little full). When his family are on the hunt, he is always on the lookout for that nasty feline that launches itself out of a seemingly closed door. "Humph! I never get time to eat" he thinks ... but he must sneak into the fridge at night because he sure is round.

I'm loving this new size which has recently come available in several local stores. I've seen 5" x 5" frames around for some time, but there was no canvas to fit them. This gallery wrap canvas is large enough to create presence but small enough to be intimate. It lends itself perfectly to my new California Quail series.


14096 Arnie Quail

QUEST TO SELL MY WORK TO EVERY STATE IN THE USA - LATEST STATE IOWA

ESSENCE TREE

PAINTING BY SEA DEAN
5" x 7" on canvas panel

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me.

SOLD
Juno's Dream by Sea Dean

QUEST

I find it amazing that the internet has opened up so many opportunities to artists which were not possible before. I love to see my reach grow and every now and then I check to see where my work is hanging in private collections. I'm pleased to announce that I am now represented in IOWA. Juno's Dream is currently winging it's way there. Yay!

So now I am in 21 states. Do you live in a state that isn't represented? I would love to add your home to my collection. It's easy, just go to Daily Paintworks, select your favourite piece and purchase through Paypal. I always have at least one painting on auction and up to seven new paintings each week to choose from. I would love to welcome you to my ever growing list of honoured patrons.

USA

California
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Texas
Washington
Vermont

FOREST, EARLY SPRING MORING ACEO or ATC - iPad and Painting Give-Away - Day 17 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

FOREST, EARLY SPRING MORNING
ORIGINAL PAINTING BY SEA DEAN
2.5" x 3.5" ACEO OR ATC

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me. 

TO ENTER THE TWO GIVE-AWAYS USE BOTH BOXES AT THE END OF THIS BLOG
You must click and enter each Give-away separately because you are submitting for two different draws. Leaving a comment on this blog, tweeting, Like-ing on Facebook etc. does not enter you for the draw, you must come back to confirm what you did in the Give-away box to earn the points. The more points you accumulate until January 31st the more chances of winning. You can enter many times each day. 

Sometimes when I'm creating a painting from a challenge photo, I struggle because I see the other artist's work and think it is so awesome, that my painting looks insignificant. Often my painting sells in spite of this feeling, but when it doesn't, I'm left wondering what I could do to improve it. That was the case here. 

I quite like the composition, which cannot be changed anyway, when it's a challenge photo, but I never liked the predominance of warm blue. The problem with reflections is that if you already have too much of a colour in the subject, the reflection makes it completely overwhelming. I surmise that this is what happened here.

1. I added more icy lemon sunlight to the upper area.
2. Then some cool blues and reds to the trees.
3. I darkened the shadowy water with purple and indigo.
4. Added warm blue to the reflection of sky in the foreground. (As a rule one should paint warmer tones towards the front of a scene).
5. I dabbed some spots of reflected colour into the weeds in the foreground.
6. Finally I added my 2014 signature and voila!

I'm always trying to duplicate the beauty of soft pastels with acrylic, and I think I achieved it here.

If you love the painting, or any of my miniature ACEOs and would like a frame, I have a choice of eight different frames available. I would be happy to frame your painting free of charge., so all you pay for, is the painting, the frame and the shipping. Contact me for choices.


Cat # 13061 Forest, early spring morning

ART PARTY DAY 23 - POINSETTIA - FREE GIFT

POINSETTIA
4" x 4" Canvas Panel
Fine Art Painting
ORIGINAL BY SEA DEAN

Blogger is making my images very bright, so step back a bit and you'll get a better idea of the beauty of this painting. Golden bronze highlights throughout which I have endeavored to reveal in the upper part of this   image. On auction today at Daily Paintworks

Everyone purchasing from now till 25th December 2013 receives a free print as a thank you. To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me.

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas in North America without the Poinsettia. Joel Poinsett was the first ambassador to Mexico and he introduced the flower to the USA. The flower blooms around Christmas and legends have grown up around it.  

It once was the custom in Mexico
For the villagers to leave
A gift for the Baby Jesus
In their church on Christmas Eve.
In one small village, a little boy
Who had no give to bring.
Prayed to God for a way to show
His love for the infant King.
God, in His mercy, looked down on the boy
And answered his earnest prayer
By causing a flower to bloom where he knelt--
A flower so brilliant and fair.
The miraculous flower was formed like a star
With leaves that were red and so bright.
And the boy's precious gift
Has come to be known
As the "Flower of the Holy Night."
~From an Ambassador Christmas Card~

More interesting Poinsettia snippets here.

ART PARTY UPDATE

Thank you to all the intrepid die hard Artists that are still enjoying the party and adding their work to this blog. Only two more days before turkey time. I would like to make a big finale on December 24th and I hope that all 50 + Artists will participate. For this reason I will leave the final day open until December 26th at 11:30pm. If you are anything like me, you will be full of turkey sandwiches and anxious to get back in the studio on Boxing Day, so this will give you a couple of extra days to post your images.


Cat # 13274 Poinsettia 

ART PARTY DAY 10 - MR RED THE NUTCRACKER ORNAMENT - DREAM - FREE GIFT

MR RED THE NUTCRACKER
4" x 4" Canvas Panel
ORIGINAL BY SEA DEAN
Fine Art Original Painting and/or 2013 Collectable Tree Decoration
Ask about my matching sets.

Painted front and back - now on auction at Daily Paintworks Everyone purchasing from now till 25th December 2013 receives a free print as a thank you. To view my Gallery please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me.

WORLDWIDE GIFTS AND DECORATIONS ART PARTY

If you are here to JOIN THE ART PARTY please go to my November 30th Blog where you will find instructions to register. FOLLOW BY EMAIL to receive updates and links. Feel free to share and invite more Artists, Crafters and Art lovers. Enjoy the Art, Invite others, Vote - Everyone has 3 votes per day to vote on earlier blog submissions. Leave friendly comments on the contributing artist's blogs and links by clicking on their paintings. MOST OF ALL HAVE FUN!

TODAYS MUSICAL INSPIRATION




Love or hate her this was so inspiring.

Do you have a dream? This proves that if you dream hard enough you can achieve it because the whole world will conspire to make it happen.

Cat 13269 Mr Red Nutcracker

DAY 9 - 30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - LILY SISTERS ACEO - DISPLAYING AN ACEO COLLECTION

LILY SISTERS ACEO
ORIGINAL ACEO BY SEA DEAN
2.5" x 3.5"
On auction at Daily Paintworks starting at just $11

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me. You may also view my available ACEO in my Facebook Gallery here.

DISPLAYING AN ACEO COLLECTION

Just like stamp collecting, there are many options for displaying ACEO

1. Avid investors keep their ACEO in pristine condition by placing them in an acid free envelope in a cool dry place. I saw a tiny acid free archival box on Jerry's Artarama if you are building an investment collection. I recommend filing by subject matter or name of artist alongside the certificate of authenticity, to keep them easily accessible.

2. Same as above but in a clear cellophane envelope. (I haven't tried this myself because my ACEO don't stay around long enough.) Consider the medium which may need to breathe or can stick to some surfaces. Try these at Jerry's (see note below).

3. Dry mount. If you're handy you can do this yourself or ask a framer. You may get a better price if you do several at once. The mounted ACEO can then be displayed flat, resting against a wall or on a little easel. If you have busy little hands in your home I would suggest a locked cabinet.

4. One or many can be mounted in a mat and then framed. I prefer a double mat with a wide surround and the ACEO offset towards one corner. Two or three ACEO in one mat look great but for collectors I've placed up to 21 in one mat. You can pre-cut a mat with multiple openings and add to your collection over time. Google ATC or ACEO Mat or Frame and many possibilites come up. This is on Ebay UK for a 5" x 7" ACEO Mat. There are also ACEO Mats on Etsy and I've found them at Jerry's and on Ebay USA. As ACEO originated in the USA, they have the most comprehensive suppliers.

Any framer will cut mats for you and I suggest you size it to fit a standard frame or an antique one that you have at home. I have found websites where you can design your own layout and they cut and mail to you. 

If you place acrylic or oil ACEO originals under glass make sure they are double matted to create space from the glass. Make at least one hole in the back dust cover to ensure they can breathe.

All my ACEO are fine art originals with UV protection, but I still recommend displaying in a cool dry place and out of direct sunlight.

Here are some some of my available ACEO and how they look framed. 

------------------------

NOTE:- This is what Jerrys said about their Krystal Bags

Yes the bags are safe

They are archival bags.

You should not have any problems as long as the bags are not kept in a hot humid area like an attic.

How about mailing in them or doing outside shows because the temperature is out of my control

I would not know about that, I have never mailed my work like that. You should not have a problem. I have never heard a customer complain about that kind of problem with these bags. We sell a lot of these bags every year. I have never heard of any problems with bags melting-, I have not heard of the problem.

I'm not talking about the bag melting. Acrylic pant has a tendency to stick to plastic, glass etc and will peel off the substrate when it does this. I'm worried about it sticking to the inside of the bags.
 
Ok, I have not heard of that problem with these bags either. I use the bags with prints not paintings, so I would not personally know. You could try it to see if it works on a test painting that you mail to a friend who lives far away.... 


Cat 13220 Lily Sisters
Posted on Leslie Saeta 30 Paintings in 30 Days as number 5
Photo inspiration  Rosalind Amorin of Paint my Photo

MAN WITH SEAGULL - SUMMER BOY SERIES NOW ON AUCTION

SCAN OF PAINTING

MAN WITH SEAGULL

ORIGINAL BY SEA DEAN
5" x 7

To view my Gallery or purchase this original please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me.

PHOTO OF PAINTING IN DAYLIGHT

A painting using a reference photo from Leslie Saeta's Italian holiday. I'm really enjoying painting figures for a change. Summer Boy is a new series on 5" x 7" Canvas Panel. Canvas Panels can be mounted directly on the wall or displayed on a small easel, but they also look amazing in a regular department store photo frame.  

Scan of painting to follow.

The Summer Boy series is now on auction for one week at Daily Paintworks. I will combine shipping if you win the bid on two or more, leading to a substantial savings.

Winning one bid does not guarantee being able to win the other paintings. If you would like the set

DPW Price $250 set of 4 paintings
(Regular $500 set of 4 paintings)

SPECIAL 10% discount for BUY NOW if you purchase more than one. Combined shipping available.

Here is the original photo.

 












Happy holidays.

13206 Man with Seagull - Summer Boy Series

SUMMER BOY III - COLLECTOR ALERT

PHOTO OF PAINTING IN DAYLIGHT

SUMMER BOY III

ORIGINAL BY SEA DEAN
5" x 7
Regular $375 set of 3 paintings
DPW BUY NOW PRICE $195

PRE AUCTION SPECIAL - 10% discount plus combined shipping
(please contact me to register your interest prior to full release) 

AUCTION BEGINS 25th August 2013 - Follow the auction on DPW to receive alerts 

To view my Gallery or purchase this original please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me.

A painting using a reference photo from Leslie Saeta's Italian holiday. I'm really enjoying painting figures for a change. Summer Boy is a new series on 5" x 7" Canvas Panel. Canvas Panels can be mounted directly on the wall or displayed on a small easel, and they look amazing in an inexpensive department store photo frame. 

I am sharing the series over the next few days. If you express interest in the whole set before bidding starts, I will reserve all 3 for you at my DPW Buy Now price and subtract 10% for bulk purchase. I will also combine shipping to save on mailing costs

Here is the original photo so you can see where I"m going with this.
















COLLECTOR INVESTMENT ALERT - 
The premiere opportunity to purchase a complete set of Sea Dean original paintings. 

13201 Summer Boy I
13202 Summer Boy II
13203 Summer Boy III 

PHOTO OF SUMMER BOY I

PHOTO OF SUMMER BOY II

SUMMER BOY II - INVESTOR ALERT

PHOTO OF PAINTING IN DAYLIGHT

SUMMER BOY II

ORIGINAL BY SEA DEAN
5" x 7
Regular $375 set of 3 paintings
DPW BUY NOW PRICE $195

PRE AUCTION SPECIAL - 10% discount plus combined shipping
(please contact me to register your interest prior to full release)
 



AUCTION BEGINS 25th August 2013 - Follow the auction on DPW to receive alerts

To view my Gallery or purchase this original please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me.

A painting using a reference photo from Leslie Saeta's Italian holiday. I'm really enjoying painting figures for a change. Summer Boy is a new series on 5" x 7" Canvas Panel. Canvas Panels can be mounted directly on the wall or displayed on a small easel, and they look amazing in an inexpensive department store photo frame. 

I am sharing the series over the next few days. If you express interest in the whole set before bidding starts, I will reserve all 3 for you at my DPW Buy Now price and subtract 10% for bulk purchase. I will also combine shipping to save on mailing costs

Here is the original photo so you can see where I"m going with this.
















COLLECTOR INVESTMENT ALERT - 
The premiere opportunity to purchase a complete set of Sea Dean original paintings. 

13201 Summer Boy I
13202 Summer Boy II
13203 Summer Boy III 

PHOTO OF SUMMER BOY I

PHOTO OF SUMMER BOY III

SUMMER BOY I - INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY - The first chance to purchase a SEA DEAN set

PHOTO OF PAINTING IN DAYLIGHT

SUMMER BOY I
ORIGINAL BY SEA DEAN
5" x 7
Regular $375 set of 3 paintings
DPW BUY NOW PRICE $195

PRE AUCTION SPECIAL - 10% discount plus combined shipping
(please contact me to register your interest prior to full release) 

AUCTION BEGINS 25th August 2013 - Follow the auction on DPW to receive alerts 

To view my Gallery or purchase this original please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me.

SCAN OF PAINTING

A painting using a reference photo from Leslie Saeta's Italian holiday. I'm really enjoying painting figures for a change. Summer Boy is a new series on 5" x 7" Canvas Panel. Canvas Panels can be mounted directly on the wall or displayed on a small easel, and they look amazing in an inexpensive department store photo frame. 

I am sharing the series over the next few days. If you express interest in the whole set before bidding starts, I will reserve all 3 for you at my DPW Buy Now price and subtract 10% for bulk purchase. I will also combine shipping to save on mailing costs

Here is the original photo so you can see where I"m going with this.
















COLLECTOR INVESTMENT ALERT - 
The premiere opportunity to purchase a complete set of Sea Dean original paintings. 

13201 Summer Boy I
13202 Summer Boy II
13203 Summer Boy III

PHOTO OF SUMMER BOY II

PHOTO OF SUMMER BOY III

FLOWER BED Postcard size - TOP 10 BILLIONAIRE ART COLLECTORS

 

Photograph of Painting

FLOWER BED
ORIGINAL BY SEA DEAN
6" x 4" OSWOA Postcard
On Auction at Daily Paintworks

To view my Gallery please visit Daily Paintworks. 
This painting is SOLD but I'm happy to take a commission for a similar work. Contact me to inquire about prints and Art cards.

Every now and then I get the urge to paint a profusion of flowers. Here are some cone flowers, black eyed susans and various grasses to add a little sunshine to you day.

And if you´re an Artist wouldn´t you like to know who are the BIG art collectors? I came across this blog which is very illuminating. The Top Ten Billionaire Art Collectors


Cat 13168 Flower Bed

ABOVE THE CROWD ACEO and PURPLE EMPEROR BUTTERFLY

ABOVE THE CROWD
ORIGINAL ACEO
2.5" x 3.5"
To view my Gallery please visit Daily Paintworks. You may also view ALL my available ACEO in my Facebook Gallery here.

This painting is SOLD but I'm happy to take a commission for a similar work. Contact me to inquire about prints and Art cards.

Feedback is so important that I´m posting an unsold painting on this blog and in the Daily Paintworks `CRITIQUE ME` Challenge each day this month. Anyone can leave feedback by going to the challenge and clicking on the painting you would like to comment on. Don´t be shy, whether you´re a fellow Artist or an Art Lover, we would love to have your opinion.

ABOVE THE CROWD is the latest candidate for feedback. This painting is similar to others which were purchased, but this one remains in my catalog. Why? Sometimes a painting doesn´t sell because of lack of exposure or bad timing, but I´m open to hearing if there is anything else which needs attention. I´m tough, so please help me grow as an Artist by leaving a comment either below or at the DPW Challenge here.

If you would like feedback for your own work, post it here on DPW, it´s free to do so.

And this is my new painting today. Once again the camera and scanner just can't do justice to this beautiful decorative piece. Bronze, Violet and Gold interference paint make this painting literally glow when caught in the light. The whole appearance is of an elegant museum display.

 PURPLE EMPEROR
ORIGINAL 
8" x 8" Canvas Panel

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me. You may also view ALL my available ACEO in my Facebook Gallery here.

This is the sister painting to MONARCH BUTTERFLY from yesterday. They make a wonderful pair above a bed or in the entranceway. As has become my custom, here is a scan and a photo plus detail of the iridescence. As usual each gives a different look and none really show the painting in it's full glory.

 







 








Cat 13003 Above the Crowd - Cat 13133 Purple Emperor

WAYWARD ROSE - OSWOA

WAYWARD ROSE
ORIGINAL ART
6" x 4" 
OSWOA Postcard

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. If there is no current bid you may contact me for the "Buy Now" price. Larger originals or prints may be available.

Another one of Artist Evhe´s still life challenges. I love to paint abstract Roses, but today I wanted to do something more realistic. There are a few touches of bronze iridescence to highlight the petals. I really enjoyed doing this and look forward to more of Evhe´s challenges every two weeks.

Cat 13131 Wayward Rose

NEW LINKS PINTEREST AND ACEO MINIATURE GALLERY ON FACEBOOK

Well I know I´ve got a bit behind in painting, but I have a heap of good excuses. I´m in the last days of Leslie Saeta´s online marketing class and trying to catch up. I´ve also been thundering away on the computer updating and expanding my PINTEREST Boards and my BLUE SKY RED EARTH Facebook Gallery.

Here are some links

PINTEREST http://pinterest.com/blueskyredearth/

ACEO Miniature gallery on Facebook (I think you have to be a member) 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.180656558650529.40282.168549916527860&type=1&ref=notif&notif_t=like

And remember if anything takes your fancy there are a few days left of my promo. If you purchase any painting, even an ACEO you get a free print of another of my paintings. This is only till the end of May. 

Look how beautiful they look in just a simple frame. Single, DUO, and TRIO.

SALE - MINIATURE AND MINI MASTERPIECES

VARIOUS MINIATURE AND MINI MASTERPIECES BY SEA DEAN

6" x 6" Gallery Wrap Canvas (don't require a frame)

SPECIAL till April 30th $49US ($25 for Minis) + $21US Worldwide Shipping

Some here are scanned so appear brighter, but all are bright and colourful little gems

Above is a collection of 22 Miniature Masterpieces 6" x 6" on Gallery Wrap Canvas (plus 3 Mini Masterpieces 4" x 4" on Canvas Panel - Bottom row center). From now until April 30th, choose any of these paintings for the special price of $49 US ($25 for Minis). This special price is only available to readers of my blog who contact me at blue sky red earth at live dot ca to receive the special Paypal invoice. I will ship the painting anywhere in the world for $21 US.

The concept behind my MM collection is that they are painted on 5/8" Gallery Wrap Canvas which does not require framing. This means you can display them immediately and it is cost effective. However, I think individual paintings also look spectacular in a dramatic wide black frame. Another part of my concept is to mount them in a collection as seen here. I have specially designed mounts which allow you to move the paintings around to keep your collection fresh and interesting.

Left to right, top to bottom - 

Mount Albert Edward - The Island - Peaceful Afternoon - Dancing Daisies - Bed of Flowers

Daisy Chain - Alpine Meadow - Never Blue - Misty Sunrise - Fragrant Gardenia

Happy Little Garden - Juno's River - Blossom - An Apple a Day - Radiate I

Spring to Life - Radiate II - Flowerburst - Henry - Rose Sorbet

Star Performance - Red Rose Mini - Blue Rose Mini - Yellow Rose Mini - Virgin Blush