NeoCon 2012 Highlights

I just made my annual pilgrimage to the Merchandise Mart for the NeoCon furniture show.  To me, the showrooms and booths there are the epitome of interior design, the platonic ideal of what a space should look like.  And this year's show did not cease to inspire me.  The world could be a much more beautiful place, and we designers are the ones who can help make it happen.

My favorite showrooms this time around were the ones that remind me of my studio, with bright primary color schemes.  Izzy featured a whimsical workspace suited for creative collaboration.



Arcadia featured a pop art themed lounge that complements the Roy Lichtenstein exhibit at the Art Institute (which I still haven't visited yet, unfortunately).



And Momentum featured a sculptural installation of fabrics in sumptuously bright colors, and gave visitors a great little clutch bag made with their new Panorama fabric.



I also liked the way that Herman Miller devoted a portion of their bustling showroom to a small exhibit on the work that designer Alexander Girard.  This great little mini-museum was very educational, and I hope that the students who visit tomorrow will stop by to see the extensive collection of vintage memo samples and pieces of original furniture that are on display there.



It was great to see so many manufacturers finding ways to manufacture their products sustainably.  That, I think, is this year's most important trend. In addition to that, I came across a number of fascinating new products, many by Midwestern companies.  Here are a few that I think you should know about: The Grand Rapids Chair Company in Michigan, tie-dyed cowhide rugs by Eccentric Luxuries in Wisconsin, and Naperville, IL based Moving Murals, which could change the way we think about landscape photography.

Take a look at those links as well as the slide show below to see more of the designs that inspired me this year.



I can't wait to get started on my next design project!

The Doll Project has moved to Society6

I've decided to move The Doll Project from Etsy to Society6.  It makes things easier for me, as well as for you, the collector.  You can order prints in a variety of sizes.  If you want them framed, you can choose the style that suits your decor.   And another advantage of print on demand is that I don't have to keep an inventory of prints and frames in anticipation of orders.

You can still get high quality prints of my photos, but now you have more options.  And Society6 will even create shirts, iPhone, iPad, and laptop skins with my art on them.  If you would be interested in seeing pictures from The Doll Project on any of these products, please let me know by commenting on this blog post.  And if you are already on Society6, please follow and promote me there.  My profile page is http://society6.com/TiffanyGholar. 

From now on, I will only use Etsy to sell original art, as well as any art supplies or vintage items I no longer need.

Imperfect Things: paint (and paint brushes) on canvas

Imperfect Things

Paint skins, paint brushes, and found objects on canvas

12" x 16"

2012 

$150

For over a year now, I've been working on this crazy bricolage.  Now it's finished.  Or maybe I should just say that I have found an interesting place to stop.

Made from the debris of other paintings and art supplies that lost their usefulness, Imperfect Things embraces the messiness of the artistic process.  There are paint skins left over from Verdant, Ruby Horizon, Cerulean Rhapsody, and numerous mini paintings.

Now all it needs is a simple frame.  See it at my open studio this Friday. 

If you happen upon this post after it's been sold, don't despair. I can make a similar custom painting for you. Click here to learn more about my commissioned art process.