custom portraits

Right now, gift guides are everywhere in the blogosphere - for him, for her, under $50, for the dog lover etc. I, personally, find them incredibly helpful as I start my Christmas shopping and hope not to run out of ideas/time as I gather my holiday gifts. One idea that I have seen which I really like comes from Hither & Thither - a custom portrait. I had never given this sort of thing much thought but as we have gotten a bit older and have many friends going through significant life milestones - marriages, babies, new homes, pets - I think it would make a great, super personalized gift. I found these illustrators and artists on Etsy. As a group they offer custom portraits of people, homes, couples, pets and more across a range of prices. Some of them are still even guaranteeing delivery before Christmas!

Custom Couple Portrait by Henry James Papergoods

Custom Portrait by Dana Gils

Grandchildren Print by My Little Buffalo

Personalized Vintage Inspired Travel Poster by Near and Dear Designs

Custom Home Portrait by Elizabeth McNair

plaid elements

Beginning around this time of year, you can find me in my favorite flannel shirts a lot. And while flannel or rather plaid is harder to incorporate into home decor than a winter wardrobe, I love a touch of plaid (gingham or tartan) in a perfect chair, headboard, rug etc. You have to be careful not to overdue this classic pattern as it can go super traditional and formal but when done correctly - the look ends up effortlessly chic and timeless. Happy Monday!

from top left - plaid couch via Lonny - via House Beautiful - design by Emily Henderson - design by Sabbe Interiors - via Birch + Bird - Jack chair by Schoolhouse Electric

artist feature: erin fitzpatrick

If you have been following this series you know my tastes in art tend to be animal and landscape centric. I also tend to gravitate towards photography over other mediums. And while I am a firm believer in selecting art that just naturally resonants with you, a lack of diversity can pose a problem in the actual hanging of art. I recently encountered this issue when I started planning out our gallery wall in the den - all animals and all photography. This is not to say that a complete wall of beautifully photographed animals can't work, but for me and the space it just didn't look right. That is why I just spent the afternoon antiquing for old paintings and drawings. I didn't make any purchases but did find one watercolor that could have potential. What I really wanted to find was a painted portrait as it would be both a different medium AND subject content for me. However, if I had no budget I would purchase a piece by Erin Fitzpatrick as I am in love with her style of portraits. 

Fitzpatrick is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art and is currently working on a project entitled "Baltimore Portrait". She began working on this project in 2008 and has since painted over 300 portraits of notable people, clients, friends and family. Fitzgerald also runs the website Fitzbomb where more examples of her work as well as commission information can be found. Below are a few favorites. Have a good weekend!

Erin Fitzgerald - Lane 3 - 18" x 24" - oil on birch panel - 2013

Erin Fitzgerald - Meredith - 12" x 16" - oil on birch panel - 2013

Erin Fitzgerald - Dominic - 12" x 16" - oil on birch panel - 2013

Erin Fitzgerald - Deliso - 11" x 14" - oil on birch panel - 2014

Erin Fitzgerald - Baptiste - 36" x 48" - oil on birch panel - 2013