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In life as well as home decorating, it's often the little unexpected twists and turns that keep things interesting. Case in point -- the quirky art arrangement in this colorful bedroom:

This photo was submitted to San Francisco's ApartmentTherapy.com by a decorator who's participating in the site's "8-step Home Cure" (click through to the article to read more). What's really striking about the art arrangement here is the stark difference between the two types of art used.

The image on the left is, obviously, an oversized Abstract artwork. You might not think it would work well opposite the smaller piece on the right -- which appears to be a landscape photograph or painting -- but it does! By wisely keeping the rest of the room simple and choosing a bedspread with colors that appear in both images, the designer achieved a balanced yet lively presentation.

Eclectic art displays like this can have a surprisingly unified effect on a room. Another great way to hang art asymmetrically is to use the diagonal principal:

Whether in stairwells or the master bedroom, hanging art diagonally is an excellent way to add visual interest to a space. This particular display features Tulipa Sorbet by Derek Harris and Orange Flower and Yellow Flower by Prades Fabregat, but you can use your imagination and choose whatever artwork appeals to you! The key is to make sure there's some unifying element, like texture, color or theme -- whether in the images themselves, the frames or the room's overall accessories. Have fun!

Don't you just love it when you stumble across an outlet sale in one of your favorite clothing stores? You know what I'm talking about -- one of those rare, euphoric shopping experiences where you walk away with a whole new wardrobe (or at least some key items), but your wallet really hasn't been hit that hard.

If you haven't discovered ArtSelect's Art Outlet yet, allow me to introduce you:

The framed artwork you'll find in here is pretty incredible, and the discounts can get mighty steep -- some items are up to 80% off! New stuff is added all the time (canvas art, mirrors, you name it), so it's fun to rummage around every now and then. You can also "sift through" things by newest, cheapest, and so on. The coolest part of all is, the price on every item drops a little every day until it's sold, so you can end up outfitting your walls with a whole new look for not much money at all.

Here's the catch, though: you know how the best-looking sweaters in a clothing sale don't stick around forever? The same's true here. The art you love might get nabbed by someone else if you wait too long. You know what they say: here today, gone tomorrow. :-) What do you think -- ready to fight me for that quirky, framed Picasso?

Sitewide Art Sale
Through November 30

The holiday season is just around the corner -- have you found gifts for everyone on your list yet? If not, now's a terrific time to browse our site for savings on a wide range of framed art and posters. Shopping for movie, music and celeb buffs? Check out our new PosterZ collection of framed, iconic art posters. Looking for charming artwork to suit your mother in law's Traditional decor? Shop art with flowers, still life themes, people & figures and find just the right piece. No matter who you're looking for, you're sure to find something they'll love.

And until November 30, you'll save $120 off orders of $600, $60 off orders of $400 and $30 off orders of $300. All you have to do is enter code SAVE2007 at the checkout.

Don't leave your holiday shopping until the last minute. Shop our entire site today and save!

Georgia O'Keeffe (November 15, 1887 -- March 6, 1986)

This week marks the birthday of one of my favorite American female artists: Georgia O'Keeffe. She needs almost no introduction -- nearly everybody knows and loves Georgia's bright, poetic flowers and southwestern landscapes.

Aside from the obvious brilliance of her work, Georgia was also a fiercely independent woman in her day. She loved to travel and see new places, and while she was married to photographer Alfred Stieglitz, she spent her summers in New Mexico, kicking around in a Model A Ford and exploring the terrain for artistic inspiration. After Stieglitz's death, she settled in Ghost Ranch, an area north of Abiquiu, where this great video footage was taken:

Much of Georgia O'Keeffe's greatest work came from her time in New Mexico. One of my favorites is this piece, entitled "From the Lake No. 1:"

From the Lake No. 1
By Georgia O'Keeffe

I just love the colors in this image, and the way the shapes seem to swirl, almost like smoke. It's really quite visually complex, and yet there's a simplicity to it. Also, the piece is clearly an abstract, yet it feels very nature-inspired.

Here's one of O'Keeffe's classic flowers:

Jimson Weed
By Georgia O'Keeffe

The colors are so lush in this piece. And there's a certain element of mystery to Georgia's flower paintings, wouldn't you say? To me, the start contrast between the white of the flower and the deep green of the leaves creates an otherworldly feeling, almost like sneaking a glimpse into your own secret garden.

In my eyes, Georgia's skull and bone imagery is just as beautiful as her flowers. Case in point, this striking painting:

Pelvis with the Distance
By Georgia O'Keeffe

See how she treats the bone as though it's an abstract form? It's ingenious! And I love the way the little shapes of blue sky peek through the stark, white bone. Words really don't do Georgia's work justice, as she herself once expressed: "I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way.. things I had no words for."

Well said -- and painted. Happy birthday, Georgia!

Haystacks at Giverny
By Claude Monet

The world of 19th Century art -- and certainly Impressionism -- would have been an entirely different landscape if Oscar-Claude Monet had become the grocer his father had originally wished him to be. Born to second-generation Parisians in the city's 9th arrondissement, Monet had a future as a family grocer carved out for him -- but his prodigious talent led him down other paths.

When he was 11 years old, Monet entered the Le Havre secondary school of the arts, where his charcoal caricatures quickly became popular. Several years later, on the beaches of Normandy, he met artist Eugène Boudin, who mentored the young Monet in the art of oil painting and working "en plein air," or outdoors.

Waterlilies II
By Claude Monet

In his adult life, Monet and his friends and fellow artists Edouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Frédéric Bazille and Alfred Sisley pioneered the Impressionist Art movement, which was characterized by the use of quickly executed, visible brushstrokes; the mutable effects of light; everyday scenes and subject matter. Impressionist artists often worked outdoors, and the movement took its name from this painting of Monet's entitled Impression, Sunrise.

Impression: Sunrise (The Outer Harbor of Le Havre Facing Southeast)
By Claude Monet

Ironically, when art critic Louis Leroy inadvertently coined the term Impressionism, he meant it in a dismissive way. Yet the term endures today, along with the universally loved work of Monet and his Impressionist contemporaries.

Congratulations -- you made it through another wonderful, whirlwind Thanksgiving! By now, the leftover turkey's in the fridge, the dishes are washed, and there are just a few pieces of pumpkin pie waiting to be eaten. All that's left to do is relax and enjoy the long weekend with your family.

Perhaps you'll unwind in front of the TV or play football outside with the kids. Or maybe you're planning to do a little Christmas shopping and last-minute decorating for the holiday season. If so, now's a terrific time to take advantage of our Thanksgiving Art Outlet Sale, where you'll find all kinds of art at up to 80% off! Many items ship for free, too, so any way you slice it -- you're saving!

Word to the wise: the sell-out risk is high on our Art Outlet items, so be sure to get there first, before someone else gobbles up the goods!

Above all, enjoy your long weekend!

At my house, we're big on seasonal traditions. One of our biggies is, the weekend after Thanksgiving, my son, hubby and I put up our Christmas tree and decorate our home for the holidays. Here's my son posing in front of this year's tree with our cat, "Lulu Digging in the Sand Dalton":

Can you see the Mona Lisa peeking over in the right side of the photograph? She seems satisfied with the tree, and so are we!

Aside from the obvious Christmas touches, like wreaths, ornaments and festive candy bowls, another great way to warm up your home for the holidays is with art. You can go the traditional route, with cheerful Holiday Art featuring Santa and snowmen, or, you can get pretty creative with it!

If you prefer a less direct approach, there are other, subtler ways to "spruce up" your place for season with art. Warm, lush colors and imagery -- in just about any genre -- can really lend a cozy air to virtually any space. Take this rich, amber-hued artwork, for instance:

Goddess of Prosperity

There's a sort of jewel-like quality to this artwork that would really complement the glittering gold and primary-colored ornaments on our tree (hint, hint, if my husband's reading this). And the warm tones of the piece really would help create a cozy feel in just about any room.

You can also take the opposite approach and decorate with art that has cool, neutral tones and imagery. Since I appear to be on an Asian Art kick, let's look at this piece:

A Manservant Clearing the Geta of a Beauty on a Winter's Day
By Eishosai Choki

See how the subtle snowflakes and overall peaceful imagery create that hushed winter feeling? And in that, there's warmth! So it's sort of an opposite approach that ends up having a similar, yet distinct, effect.

Well, that's it from me! Have fun trimming your tree (and home!)

Tomorrow's December 1st -- how's your holiday gift shopping coming?

Perhaps you're the sort of person who gets things wrapped up early (literally), but if you're like the vast majority of us, you could probably use a little inspiration getting started. If so, here are a few of our favorite things...

Framed Mirrors

Framed mirrors are wonderful gifts to give. They add space and light to any room, and they come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and frame finishes. You can also look for framed mirrors by decor style, so you can be sure to pick the perfect one for the home it's going to.

Framed PosterZ

Framed PosterZ are another terrific option. Great for college kids, young urbanites and art collectors alike, Framed PosterZ feature iconic art images that are mounted onto hardboard, texture glazed, and, finally, framed for a modern finish. You'll find there's a Framed PosterZ for just about everyone on your list, from the movie buff to the musician, the celeb fan and the Vintage Art lover.

Still stumped for gift ideas? Our handy-dandy Art Gift Finder can help. With framed QuickShip art gifts for him, for her, under $100 and more, you're sure to find just what you're looking for. And for a limited time, these selections are 15% off, too! But, if you'd rather let your friends and family choose for themselves, you can always opt for art gift certificates. Either way, what better gift than a fresh, new home accent to inspire for 2008?