making art work for you

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.

Redfin Blog Feature: Decorating With Repurposed Items

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We are excited to be featured in Redfin’s blog post “Ideas for Decorating Your Home with Repurposed and Salvaged Items” and share our tip for repurposing your wall decor!  Here’s a little sneak peek and for more ideas, check out the full article on Redfin’s blog.

Ideas for Decorating Your Home with Repurposed and Salvaged Items

October 19, 2020– by 

As we prepare for winter and spend more and more time indoors, many of us will look to the interwebs for fun ways to spruce up our interiors. That being said, not everyone has the resources to launch a full-scale renovation. The good news is that you don’t need to. In fact, the perfect centerpiece for your family room could be collecting dust in the garage right now. A unique piece of art to fill the gap above your fireplace could be in the corner of your storage closet, or even sitting on the curb ready to be discarded as garbage. Whether it’s an old bicycle wheel, an unused picture frame, or your great grandmother’s lamp, repurposed and upcycled items can be transformed into unique, iconic decor for your home. We’ve rounded up experts from Springdale to Duluth to help show you how.

Keep it in frame

Repurposing and restyling your wall décor can instantly refresh your space.  Breathe new life into an old mirror by framing it and making it a statement piece on your wall.  Old frames can also be repurposed in a variety of unique ways, from framing succulents and plants, chalkboards, or collages to transforming them into decorative trays.  Even reframing a piece of artwork that you already have hanging at home can reinvigorate your walls! – Third & Wall

Originally published on Redfin.

Staying Grounded With Earth Tones

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featuring “Future Nostalgia I” by Kippi Leonard

Bringing in earthy and natural elements to your space is one of the biggest decor trends of this new decade. With color having one of the biggest impacts in defining your space, decorating with warm earth tones like rich browns, burnt reds, and mossy greens is a great way to draw from some natural inspiration.This fall season and coming new year will continue to see a rise in the use of warmed-up neutrals like beiges and tans, mushroom hues, and deep brown undertones to mimic the comforting and familiar colors of the great outdoors.  Bring in pops of moody olive green, burnt orange, and earthy ochre to add drama and vibrancy to your space while keeping it warm and cozy.  Soft, muted shades can still pack a punch!

As we move into the new fall season, trending bright jewel tones will give way to subdued hues inspired by rocks and natural minerals.  Based on muted geode tones, this color trend will add warmth and comfort to any space.  A golden topaz can act as a neutral and a muted amethyst can bring serene color.  Paired with sage greens and mineral blues, this earthy-inspired palette will create inviting and stylish spaces.  This mineral color trend is the perfect way to freshen up your space for the new season!

Modern Mediterranean-inspired interiors and decor lean heavily onto a natural color palette.  With a less-is-more aesthetic, warm neutrals & earth tones, organic materials, and botanical details define this style.  Decorating with greenery, warm woods, terra cotta, and rattan are characteristics of this growing design trend.  The neutral backdrop of a modern Mediterranean style pairs well with other design styles and colors, so you can easily select the elements of the style that work best for you and your space. 

featuring “Daydream” by Stacey Pollard

If you want to add more character to this simplistic design style, decorating with bold abstracts and patterns in the subdued earthy hues can elevate your space. Drawing from natural inspiration by decorating with earth tones, organic materials, and biophilic design will help you create a unique modern Mediterranean-styled space!

featuring “Light Into Shadow II” by Nancy Ngo

The images featured here 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 Ruth Fromstein

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Meet one of Third & Wall’s newest artists, Ruth Fromstein!  While currently residing in San Diego, Ruth has had a close relationship with art since picking up a brush and canvas while a child in small-town Wisconsin.  Creating has been the only constant in Ruth’s life and an important form of self-expression.

While her Bachelors degree is in Vocal Rehabilitation, it was the various art classes that inspired her.  She experimented with drawing, design, art, metals, and weaving.  Her art took inspiration from her love of dancing, hiking, backpacking, and nature, imbuing her work with movement, life, and a palate as varied as an expansive field of wildflowers gracing the horizon.  Ruth is constantly experimenting with new materials and techniques striving to embody in her work the beauty and excitement of the world she sees around and within herself.  Creating images that dance and play in the viewer’s imagination, her abstract paintings have been described as anything from tranquil and relaxing to thrilling and startling.  She embraces her brush as her dance partner, and, with it, swings across the canvas in a chorus of control and spontaneity.  While Ruth paints with a goal, she is always excited to stumble into new territory as the materials she experiments with lead her in unexpected directions!

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

“Red Poppies II”

 I take a deep breath and evaluate what I had done the previous day, looking at my work with fresh eyes.

How many paintings do you work on at a time? 

I like to work on multiple paintings at one time, usually at least 4.

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

It would be cool to paint a mural.

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

Oh my goodness… who to choose?  A master like Monet or Angus Wilson, or a painter I would like to take a class with?  How about my incredibly talented friend from high school, Leslie Stewart?  I choose them all!

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

“Satin & Silk”

I frequently get inspired when I go hiking.  I am influenced by my surroundings as well as my own thoughts and feelings.

How has your art evolved over time?

My work continues to evolve as I experiment with new techniques, colors, and tools.  I enjoy learning from other artists who introduce me to new processes then I like to take the information and apply it to my paintings in interesting ways.

What do you like most about your work?

I like that my paintings pull the viewer in and take them on a journey.  I enjoy looking at my paintings, and every time I do, I see something different.

I like the variety of work that I create.  I am attracted to color, texture and movement.

featuring “Retreating Within”

What is one word that best describes your style?

Only ONE? Contemporary

Is there an idea you would like to explore?

My head is exploding with ideas, however, I need to see if these concepts will successfully translate onto my canvas.  Follow along and see what emerges!

What is your favorite time of day to paint? 

“Big Bloom VI”

My mind is fresh in the morning, and I like the natural light that shines through my windows.

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

Oh, yes!  Sometimes I need to tuck a painting away and pull it out another day, or rotate the orientation.  Other times, it is best to simply “paint over”.

What is next up on your easel?

I have one of those “tucked away” paintings waiting for fresh inspiration, as well as an abstract landscape and floral.

The images featured here 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.

Redfin Blog Feature: Revamping Your Room

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We were excited to participate and be featured in Redfin’s blog post “15 Tips to Revamp Your Room From Dull to Dazzling”!  Here’s a little sneak peek of the article and our tip for transforming your bedroom using artwork.  And check out more tips in the full article on Redfin’s blog!

15 Tips to Revamp Your Room From Dull to Dazzling

April 30, 2020 – By Julia Weaver

Your bedroom is one of the most important rooms in your house and the one you spend most of your time in. Even though few guests will step foot inside, it’s important to give your space a refresh to fit your style and become your personal getaway. So even if you live in Portland, New York, or anywhere in between, you’ll be able to escape the chaos of everyday life. This doesn’t require a complete remodel. In fact, incorporating things like well-placed art, bold wallpaper, and your favorite materials and colors will do just the trick. Looking for some inspiration? We’ve gathered tips from experts on how to create the room of your dreams.

Incorporate artwork into your bedroom

Refreshing your bedroom can be as easy as switching out the artwork in your space. Add new color, texture, and style to your room by hanging a unique, large-scale art piece or pair different pieces together to curate your own gallery-styled wall. For an even bolder transformation, cover one or all of your walls in a favorite print with wallcovering. –Third & Wall

Originally published on Redfin

And check out our blog post “Finding The Best Pieces For Over Your Bed” for more decor inspiration!