I am all for the glitz, glam, and festivities that traditionally usher in the new year.  So, as we say hello to 2013, I offer you a Fancy Pants-themed 1k collection over on curate1k.  Literally… there are some very fancy pants being featured on Wednesday, alongside other other artworks showcasing beautifully rendered textiles and colorful costumes.  Put on your party clothes and enjoy!  Happy New Year!

| The pieces above are by Wednesday’s featured artist, Elliot Beaumont.  You can find them on Elliot’s site and Mammoth & Company. |

It’s a UGallery week over on curate 1k!  Stay tuned for five of my favorite pieces totaling exactly $1000!  And - just in time for the holidays - I’m excited to be offering a coupon code for 15% off UGallery purchases through December 21!  Just enter curate1k at checkout.  Enjoy and Happy Shopping!

| Since I’ve skipped my usual holiday gift guide this week, be sure to check out UGallery’s collection of limited edition prints for tons of inspiration.  There are sizes and prices to fit most gift giving budgets.  The piece above is by JenMarie Zeleznak ($60-$750). |

This 1k week is all about fragments and memories. Nostalgia is one of my favorite themes in a piece of art; something I share with Danielle Krysa (also known as The Jealous Curator). Danielle is Friday’s featured artist and selections from her new Assemble show are above. They make me feel wistful for childhood and high school. The bursts of color on the otherwise faded backgrounds perfectly represent how crystal clear some memories are and how hazy others have become.

This week’s 1k collection is decidedly feminine with a splash of melconcholy. Sometimes it’s tough being a girl.  

The works above are by Monday’s featured artist, Clare Elsaesser.  Stumbling upon her work on Etsy was one of those great art discovery moments that take my breath away.  Her paintings are painfully beautiful.  I can’t stop looking.

After several super bright weeks, I’m turning down the color dial.  This week’s 1k collection is all about sepia tones.  The grayish-brown hues can be both tranquil and haunting, and they seem quite fitting for the brisk transition into winter we’re experiencing here in Pittsburgh.

I have been admiring the graphite drawing above for quite some time.  It’s by artist Gillian Lambert and is one of my all-time favorite pins on my Pinterest Art board.  I’m glad to have a reason to feature it here! (via Booooooom)

This week’s 1k collection has oranges and corals in common, along with some bursts of pink and blue.  I loved putting this group together, and I’m definitely crushing on some new color combinations (check back on Friday to see what I mean!).  Until then, enjoy a sneak peek above, with Tigers by Thursday’s featured artist Giovanni Garcia-Fenech. 

You’ll find $980 worth of pink pieces over on curate 1k this week in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The screen print above can be found in the Olive & Joy Etsy shop. Enjoy!

So the dust is finally settling after our big move from Boston to Pittsburgh.  We’re a little nervous, but mostly optimistic about starting this next chapter in life.  Pittsburgh is leaps and bounds more affordable than Boston (our number one reason for leaving), and we’re hoping we can lead a more fulfilling, creative life here.  

There is still cleaning to be done and boxes to be unpacked, and I’m trying to find order in all of the chaos.  My quest for organization has inspired this week’s “1k” collection, where each piece has a hint of a grid motif.  Enjoy!

| The pieces above are by Thursday’s featured artist, Jesús Perea.  Prints, ranging from $20 to $40, are available in his Etsy shop. |

Sorry in advance for things being a little quiet over on curate 1k for the next week or two.  I’m right in the middle of a pretty big move from Boston to Pittsburgh.  Moving (specifically packing) is high on my list of life’s most stressful events, so I’m taking my time and trying to stay organized.  While this week’s “1k” collection is somewhat abbreviated as a result, I think you’ll find the theme quite appropriate.  

Wish me luck!  I’ll see you soon!

| The painting above is by Kate Russo.  Prints are available in her Esty shop. |

I’m so pleased to present Kurt Yalcin of the fabulous UGallery.com as September’s guest curator.  Kurt brings a fresh, masculine perspective and has skillfully put together a collection totaling exactly $1000.  So impressive!  Here’s Kurt:

My name is Kurt Yalcin and I’m the Community Manager at UGallery.com, an online art gallery! Our mission is to support artists and make fine art more accessible. When Norah offered me the opportunity to “curate1k,” I immediately thought of the guys I know who are searching to define their taste in art—the lone rangers of today.

This collection is an ode to the stylish (and, dare I say, affordable) bachelor pad. It’s the tale of a modern man and contains all the necessary components of a good story: asetting, an object, a character, and an emotion. The art released each day reveals snippets of the tale, so you can weave together the full story. Without further ado, I present to you “The Lone Ranger” collection.