making art work for you

From The Studio of Patti Mann

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Get to know Third & Wall artist Patti Mann! Patti was born in Seattle, Washington but grew up in Los Angeles, California. She also lived in Colorado, Tennessee, and Ohio, and currently resides near Buffalo, New York.

Patti has been drawing on every available surface ever since she could hold a crayon, and has always known that she was first and foremost an artist. She majored in Fine Art at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, CA, and attended the Otis Parsons Institute of Art in Los Angeles, but family obligations drew her onto a different path for many years. She never stopped doing art while she raised a family and worked a variety of jobs, including (but not limited to!) data entry in a cancer research institute, a horse groom for a well-known Malibu riding stable, a racehorse hot walker at Hollywood Park Racetrack, receptionist, executive assistant, production artist and marketing manager. For the last 16 years Patti has been a Production & Creative Specialist with Third & Wall Art Group, of which she was a founding member.

Patti’s preferred media currently are watercolor, graphite, and pen & ink, but she loves to explore mixed media, acrylics, and occasionally oils. She has exhibited her work in group and solo exhibitions in the Nashville, Tennessee area. Commissions keep her busy, and her works appear in numerous private collections. She has illustrated the book “A Journey Worth Taking: A Collection of Animal Stories” by Norma Vermeer.

What do you first do when you get to the studio in the morning?

Since my studio is actually my front room, I make some coffee, get some atmospheric music going on Pandora (usually lo-fi, Celtic or Viking music), do a few warm-up stretches (not really), brush my cat, walk my dog, throw some peanuts outside for the squirrels, waste time on social media, and when all other procrastinatory options have been exhausted, I start making art, usually just minutes before I have to go to work…

How many paintings do you work on at a time?

I always have several paintings going at once, in addition to several that I started years ago sitting unfinished and lonely in a dark, forgotten corner. Some day, some day.

Do you have a dream project that you would like to work on?

I have far too many dream projects. I dream of illustrating children’s books, painting giant glorious murals, painting wondrous things on wood furniture, painting portraits, and creating rich, compelling horse, botanical, insect, closed world and animal paintings that exist somewhere between realism and invention.

If you could paint with anyone, who would it be?

I would love to paint with Third & Wall artist Liz Jardine so that I could wonder at and absorb some of her incredible techniques and skills, rich artistic vision and astounding prolificness. I’m also currently into Charles E. Burchfield (b. 1893 – d.1967), a Western New York watercolor painter, who painted amazing, interpretive watercolors of his beloved Nature, and of daily life. He didn’t aim for photographic realism, but strove instead to capture the emotion and feeling of his chosen scene. His style is unique and unmistakable.

What’s your favorite way of generating ideas and inspiration?

I love to get outside into Mother Nature and get really up close and personal with leaves, bugs, flowers, and all the mysterious macro-worlds that exist outside that no one ever notices. Sometimes I browse Instagram and Pinterest for ideas – there’s an incredible treasure trove of art out there that offers inspiration and motivation. If I’m feeling really stuck I will sometimes draw from one of the many drawing prompt lists available online to lubricate my imagination. I occasionally take online painting and creativity tutorials (but I never finish them).

“Art classes, museum and gallery visits, and meditation are other tools that help me access the great inspiration bank. The best way is to simply quiet one’s mind, engage in mindfulness and the wonder of Right Now, and open up to the vast source within and without.”

How has your art evolved over time?

I’ve evolved from tighter realism to a more flowing, intuitive painting style that still incorporates a good underdrawing and some representational aspects. About ⅔ representational and about ⅓ transitional!

What do you like most about your work?

I like that my work evokes not just a visual object, be it an animal or a person or a flower, but the essence and life of that object. Simple, yet it speaks.

What is one word that best describes your style?

My style varies depending on the type of art I’m making, but generally I’m a stickler for a good underdrawing, which is the framework for the painting that fleshes it out. If the drawing isn’t good, the painting isn’t going to look right. Currently with my watercolors I’m combining realism with a more loose and painterly flair, and I’ve been experimenting with adding metallic foils to my watercolors.

Is there an idea you would like to explore?

Something I’ve been thinking about is how miraculous urban wildlife is – the everyday animals we ignore daily that live and survive around us in abundance. If you slow down and simply observe, you will see the beauty, struggle and fight for life in each creature – the glorious iridescent neck feathers of the common city pigeon, the agility and grace of the squirrel, the cleverness and intelligence of the raccoon, the affability of the adorable opossum, the industriousness of the tiny vole…I want to find a way to paint and honor those urban animals that many of us consider pests, ignore, or even hate. I have some ideas. Now to find the time!

What is your favorite time of day to paint?

I’m definitely an early-morning person, that is my most productive and creative time. I work a full-time job during the day so an hour or two in the morning is my most precious time I can set aside to create, experiment, and dream.

Do you ever get “stuck” on a piece? If so, what do you do?

I usually just put it away and forget about it for a while, and work on other projects. I can usually come back to it days or weeks later with a pair of sparkling fresh eyes. Watercolors are especially touchy – you have to be much more careful with them, unlike the freedom of painting with acrylics – if you go too far with applying watercolor pigment it’s harder to reverse and alter it like you can with malleable and quick-drying acrylics. If this happens, I usually just end up cutting up the paper for scraps or recycling it.

What is up next on your easel?

I’m pondering creating some fish, bird and other animal paintings and incorporating gold, copper and silver metallic leafing. I’m also experimenting with some  yoga figuratives, and more contemporary nude figures. Also, I’m percolating some fun juvenile art.

I’m open to more ideas – what do you want to see me paint for your projects or markets? Let me know in the comments!

What to read next…

The images featured above are available in our Print-On-Demand collection.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

Less Is More: Embracing Minimalist Design

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After spending extra time in our homes, we have become acutely aware of the impact of the design of our spaces.  From function to style, people are changing up their spaces to fit their needs (like a home office) and design preferences.  It is no surprise, then, that minimalist design styles have been on the rise, as people are becoming even more intentional when it comes to designing and decorating.  At the root of minimalist styles are function, simplicity, intention, and beauty.  With minimalism, less truly can be more.

The versatility of a minimalist aesthetic allows it to be easily adapted to any personal style.  From clean and unadorned Scandinavian design to California-cool bohemian styles, minimalism can be warmed up, kept rustic and homey, or create a classic and understated elegance.  With an emphasis on neutrals, earthy tones, and muted palettes, minimalist interiors can be cozy and inviting while drawing your eyes to the architectural details of a space, a beautiful view, or work of art.  One minimalist design trend that is rising fast is Japandi style.  A cross between Japanese and Scandinavian design, it takes the best of comfort, functionality, and natural elements from each style.  Japandi focuses on a connection to nature, clean lines, and bright spaces to create a zen paradise.

featuring “Femme III” by Patti Mann

Decorating in a minimalist style is all about being intentional with the furniture, color palette, and décor you use to create a soothing, uncluttered space.  A key element in minimalistic décor is the use of clean lines, which is why line and sketch art is perfect for a Scandinavian, Boho, or Japandi design.  Classic black and white line art can be a great addition to your wall, keeping it simple while still adding personality.  From figuratives to subtle abstracts, finding the right artwork to fit your minimalist design can help create a bright, relaxing, and modern space.

Minimalist spaces don’t have to be boring! Designing with natural materials, clean lines, and organic finishes can create a sophisticated and sleek space. Warm it up with lots of texture and hang the perfect pieces of art to add a personal touch and harmonize your space.  Decorate with things that you love, bonus points if they’re functional too, and create a beautiful, warm, and inviting minimalist space!

What to read next…

The images featured above are available in our Print-On-Demand collection.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

Show Your Walls Some Love: Why Art Matters

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featuring “Red Path” by Laura Van Horne alt v 1

Have you ever looked around your furnished room and thought, “something just seems to be missing”, then your eye catches the empty spot on your wall?  Chances are you saved your wall decor for last and now need to fill that blank space for your room to feel complete.  It is easy to brush off the art selection process as an afterthought or the finishing touch, sometimes not thinking about it until everything else in your design has been artfully executed.  But wall art can be an integral part of your design and can transform the look and feel of your room.  Choosing wall art is an opportunity for self-expression that, we would argue, should be considered in the earlier stages of the design process.  We want to share a few ways thinking about wall art can change the way you approach interior design and styling!

Make It Pop

Artwork is a great way to bring color and texture into your space!  Finding wall art that you love can help you nail down your color scheme, which can be one of the hardest parts of the design process.  Art can tie in accent colors, bring in a pop of color, or help blend your palette to ensure that your room has a cohesive feel.  Wall decor can also add more texture and depth to your space.  Mixed media artwork, chunky paintings, or artwork on a textured substrate can bring creative interest and make your space pop!

Make It Yours

With many different styles and mediums, wall art can be a wonderful way to add your own style and character to your room.  Incorporating your own personality is key to making a space feel like home (even when you are not at home), and artwork can help create a unique design that sets your room apart.  Hanging fine art that encapsulates the style of your space can help set the mood, whether you want to reenergize or relax.  Artwork has the power to define or enhance your design style and reinvigorate your room!

Find Your Center

Hanging artwork can also provide a focal point that centers and balances your space, and makes a statement.  It can complete your design and give your space that finished look that you may have been missing.  The right artwork can transform your room, make it feel uniquely your own, and bring beauty into your space.

featuring “Momentum Synergy” by Jeff Iorillo

So don’t wait until the very end to choose artwork for your walls!  Finding the right fine art pieces can shape the way you design your space, from the colors you use to your design style.  Incorporating the perfect art piece can help you create the energy and ambiance you want your room to have!

The images featured above are available in our Print-On-Demand collection.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

Finding Tranquility With Soft Pastels

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featuring “Life In Balance” by Dina D’Argo

We could all use spaces that bring some calm and comforting energy, and decorating with tranquil pastel tones is an easy way to keep your interiors feeling effortlessly serene!  Forecasted color trends and multiple paint companies’ ‘Color of the Year’ announcements for 2021 also reflect the growing popularity of this soothing color scheme. The predicted palettes for this year are full of light and fresh pastels, cool blue hues, and muted earth tones.  These soothing shades are perfect for any design style, whether you use them to paint your wall or add accent pieces in these soft and dreamy hues.

These calm and inviting colors are great for a rustic-inspired kitchen, a modern bathroom, and, especially, a relaxing bedroom. They can create comfortable & sophisticated spaces while still adding color and showcasing your unique style.  As our world becomes more technologically focused, it’s no surprise that connection and places of comfort are becoming priorities.  Incorporating tranquil tones like dusty pinks, botanically inspired greens, soft blues, and light, warm neutrals in your color palettes will brighten and balance any residential or commercial space.  Add some woven and natural textures for extra depth, accent your tranquil space with darker hues for more drama, or pair your subdued pastels with soft curved edges for maximum comfort.  Decorating with artwork in these soft and relaxing hues is an easy way to bring those serene vibes to your space!

The images featured above are available in our Print-On-Demand collection.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.

From The Studio of BethAnn Lawson

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Meet our new artist BethAnn Lawson!  BethAnn is a modern-impressionist painter who lives and works in Seattle, Washington.  Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, she was taught by and is heavily influenced by her surrealist painter-father, who was a founding member of the San Francisco Street Artist Association.  After graduating from the Institute of Design in San Francisco, she moved to Seattle and spent nearly three decades as a textile designer, graphic designer and illustrator, but returned to her love of painting after the passing of her father in 2011.

Her current work blurs the edges of both figurative and abstract, creating tangible objects and memories from unconventional, yet familiar shapes and custom colors.

In her artist statement, BethAnn writes, “I can lose myself for hours as I take apart the images and carefully put them back together emphasizing colors, rhythms and patterns.  I hope to capture little glimpses of life containing whimsy, the secrets of strangers and the striking architecture of both nature and man.”

What do you first do when you get to the studio in the morning?

After deciding which of the handful of WIPs “matches the day”, I put fresh water in the rinse jar, find the right playlist for the mood, tear off yesterday’s dried up pallet and… simply get going.  I don’t have much of a ritual beyond that and coffee.  Time to paint.

Kings Landing

How many paintings do you work on at a time?

I am physically painting on only one canvas on any particular day.  There really isn’t room for more than one easel in my studio because I’m using distances to constantly check on composition.  Also, as I never use color straight from the tube, it’s economical to keep to just the one painting going for that day.  There may be 4 or 5 pieces that are half-finished at any one time though.

Do you have a dream project that you would like to work on?

Yes, it involves fibers.  I’d like to give myself enough time to truly build something with my hands, beyond a brush.  I’ve definitely experimented and journaled ideas, but I haven’t yet committed to it’s full potential.  It’s still very much percolating.

If you could paint with anyone, who would it be? 

Alone Downtown

I paint alone.  Always have.

What’s your favorite way of generating ideas and inspiration?

I walk daily and take photos of anything I find remotely interesting.  Whether it be in the noise and shadows of downtown or on the shores of the Puget Sound, I snap photos of unsuspecting people and places.  New unexplored places such as vacations are always rich material, but this year of Covid-19 has made that a bit tough.

How has your art evolved over time?

I used to be an illustrator, so my work was always very figurative.  Honestly, I didn’t often find much innovative joy in that, as it felt too restrictive, trying always to replicate something exactly as it appeared to the eye.  Several years ago, I wadded up a few of my reference photos in a fit of frustration.  Later when I uncrumpled them, I realized the wild creases I made in those photos distorted all the lines that nature was trying to show me.  I now try to capture tangible images using just color and abstract shapes.

What do you like most about your work?

I love color.  Besides ivory black and titanium white, none of my colors are straight from the tube.  It may be my favorite part; the mixing and creating.  Secondly, it’s the challenge of creating a known object using abstract shapes.  I use word “challenge” with… affection.

What is one word that best describes your style? 

Yolo!

I’m going to hyphenate so I can cheat and use two words: modern-impressionism.

Is there an idea you would like to explore?

I haven’t done many landscapes or forests, but I’m often asked about it.  The cities and the people hold some special kind of secrets I find too appealing.  Those seem to be the ones always asking to be painted.

Alternately, I go for walks through the quiet trees to think and be alone.  They never ask for anything.

Do you ever get “stuck” on a piece?  If so, what do you do?

Yes, I set it aside and work on something else.  Maybe it turns out to be a paperwork day.  If I’m stuck… that’s it.  It’s better to come back to it when it’s ready to be finished than to force it.  I’ll eventually dream about it and finish it a couple weeks or more down the road.  That usually involves correcting color.  I do really obsess about it.

What is next up on your easel?

 More beaches, water, using softer, more neutral colors, and honestly anything that might impersonate itself as a vacation.  It’s been a very dry, isolated year.  There are countless things I shall never take for granted ever again; the power of water sitting nearly first among them.

The images featured above are available in our Print-On-Demand collection.  Some areas of our website are password-protected. If you are a member of the trade but don’t have full access to our website, www.thirdandwall.com, please contact us at customerservice@thirdandwall.com.