Hydrangea Row: The ABCs of Vintage: A is for Art

This is the first in a series on vintage decor and accessories. I could probably do an entire series just on art, but this is where I am starting. What I love best about art is that is so subjective. One person's art is another person's discards. I am passionate about art of all kinds: sculpture, paintings, modern art, prints...my house is literally overflowing with art. I don't own any Picassos, but that's what's great about art--it can fit into any budget. Every single one of these pieces I found at estate sales, tag sales, or flea markets. If you are willing to look, great art is out there. Here are just a few that made the cut in my home.

Let's start with paint-by-numbers. Now don't stop reading. I know many of you are shuddering to think I consider this art. I actually consider it more of a "craft", but if you can decorate with it, I guess you can call it art. I hung these two ballerina paintings in my daughter's room. Don't scoff, I know of many people, including big name designers, that will use paint-by-number creations to add a little whimsy to their decorating.

Then there is the folk art like this hand-carved whale mounted to an old board. I like it because it looks like it belongs in one of the humble cottages that made up the beach neighborhood I grew up in on Cape Cod.

I don't think anyone would argue the fact that these 1920s oil paintings of two beloved dogs are lovely (and sweet) pieces of vintage art.

Here is another oil painting. This autumnal landscape is from the 1950s and reminds me of weekend trips to New England bed-and-breakfasts. Wouldn't you love to take a stroll along that dirt road? I feel relaxed just looking at it.

This is a picture of the mantle in my family room. The center painting is not vintage. It was made by my sister specifically for this room. The print on the left is a figure study, signed and numbered. The one on the right is a 1969 painting. I tend to be drawn to circles (That's probably why I have a growing collection of globes in my home as well). The two sculptures were cast-offs that I got on free-cycle. Supposedly, they were created by a California artist, although the previous owners didn't know his/her name. I couldn't allow them be thrown into a landfill.

Here is a very striking print titled, "Double Image". It is an artist's proof created in 1960 by Leonard Besser. It's one of my favorite pieces. (Notice the heavy rock that I hauled from a beach in Sandwich, Ma. One could argue that that is art too.)

This next piece is actually a wood block carving designed to make prints. The artist used both sides. It was framed showing the flip side which wasn't very attractive. I turned the piece over and found this stunning work of art. I removed the frame and left it "as is". I might try making some prints with it at a later point.