After a busy week at a new job and a last minute weekend trip to NYC, I really wasn’t sure if I was going to get a “1k collection” up this week!  It would have been the first week I’ve missed since starting curate 1k back in August 2011!  As I frantically searched the internet for unique and affordable pieces to share with you, I found myself drawn to what is clearly becoming one of my favorite palettes: pink, orange, and yellow.  The colors made me happy, and the stressful task of putting this week’s collection together SO last minute became enjoyable.  I hope you like it, too!

| I think this is the third or fourth time I’ve featured these colors over the last two years.  I posted the piece above during my second month of blogging.  It’s by artist Kristina McLean, who has amazingly affordable originals in her Etsy shop. Check it out! |

The theme of this week’s 1k collection is “A Fine Line.” All of the works feature countless thin lines all coming together to create dramatic shapes. Each one exhibits a perfect combination of fragility and strength.  Enjoy!

| The pieces above are by Friday’s featured artist Jennifer McGregor. |

As you know, I’m always on the hunt for the latest online source of affordable art, so I was thrilled to hear that Lesley of Artsy Forager has started a new gallery project!  Found is an online exhibition space dedicated to small works with accessible price tags.  Some of my favorite pieces from the inaugural show, “City Mouse | Country Mouse” are featured above.  

You know what makes this show even more amazing?  A portion of artists Christina Baker and Deann Hebert’s sales will go to The Nashville Zoo.  Love.

Learn more about Christina and Deann here and here.

I’m so pleased to announce Amelia Eichholz of the lovely Colour Bloc as February’s guest curator.  I’ve been watching Amelia’s blog and art consulting business grow with a mix of admiration and envy.  Her taste is exquisite and her day job - placing beautiful art in people’s homes - is to die for.  Amelia and I both called Boston home, but sadly never crossed paths before my recent move to Pittsburgh.  I’m thankful to have found her colorful piece of the online art world through Twitter!  

Here’s Amelia:

I started my art consulting company + blog, Colour Bloc, last summer and have been passionately matching great artwork with beautiful homes and office spaces ever since. I enjoy helping clients locate artwork that is a representation of their personal taste. The blog component of Colour Bloc has become a space for me to share art, design, and style inspiration. It’s home to information on gallery/museum exhibits, interior design trends, and insider images from artist’s studios.

For my 1k collection, I decided to focus on a springy pastel color palette with bold geometric lines and shapes that have a graphic nature. This trend frequented the Spring 2013 fashion runways and I’m looking forward to giving it a whirl in the upcoming season! 

View Amelia’s 1k collection here.  Enjoy!

This week’s “1k” collection is all about maps and was inspired by the gorgeous and delicate pieces featured above.  They’re by British cut out artist Claire Brewster and I find them completely fascinating.  I’ve always had a thing for the transformation of old paper.  I love that something once as mundane as a map can be reimagined into a thing of beauty and whimsy.  Enjoy!

| The works above are for sale here and you’ll find more of Claire’s art here. | 

In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, you’ll find a whole week of pink over on curate 1k.  Enjoy!

xoxo

| The lovely watercolors above are by Friday’s featured artist, Francesca Lancisi |

I have always found black to be a difficult in a piece of art, which is funny because it’s practically my favorite color in every other aspect of life.  In this week’s 1k collection, I challenged myself by working with darker pieces.  It seems there’s a special balance that keeps the work from feeling too heavy, whether it’s a pop of unexpected bright color or the subtle introduction of light.

In my book, Michael Cina - Friday’s featured artist - is a master of the light/dark balance.  The work featured above can be found on his portfolio site and The Ghostly Store.

Enjoy!

I’m so excited to introduce Pepper Coate of Cureeo as January’s guest curator!  I’ve had my eye on Cureeo for a while now and love the site’s clear aesthetic.  As head curator, Pepper’s taste is impeccable.  In addition to the gorgeous art for sale, Cureeo offers a recently launched Buyer’s Guide that makes the process of collecting more transparent and a little less scary.  It’s pretty amazing! 

Here’s more on Pepper and a brief introduction to Cureeo’s “1k” collection:

Pepper Coate is Director of Artist Development at Cureeo.com. Resident of Chicago and born in Kansas City. Lover of present moment and old-fashion characters. Addict of art and tea. 

‘Objects of the Everyday’ is a collection of works that display the simple structures surrounding us. Fundamental forms are taken from our living space, nature, and beyond to display perfect balance of color and shape.

Enjoy!

I cannot stop looking at Mary Iverson’s paintings.  I’m as fascinated with the final surreal, Tetris-like result as I am with her process.  Iverson creates majestic landscapes and then scores measurement lines into the painting, almost defacing her own work.  From there she adds an assortment of shipping containers — the simple geometry and flat colors jarring against the pristine backdrops.  I find it completely compelling and even a little eerie.  So much so, that I’ve built a “1k” week around Iverson’s work.  Head over to curate 1k to see more examples of shapes oddly floating in space. Enjoy!

This week’s 1k collection has a peculiar theme, but one that I like very much. All of the selections are structures with a particular “light” emanating from them. Some depict the warm glow of a lit window, and others, like the pieces above, radiate intense color. Cityscapes and lone buildings that might otherwise seem vacant and cold are brought to life.

| The pieces above are by Tuesday’s featured artist, Mauren Brodbeck.  Limited edition prints are available for sale on Lumas. |