If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen me talk about the gallery wall I’ve been working on for L’s playroom. This has been a summer project very near and dear to my heart. My goal with this gallery wall was to be very intentional with the artwork I was selecting. From the beginning, I wanted all of the artwork to be created by artists I admire and/or an artist I have become friends with. All six pieces that I have picked out so far fall into both categories and I’m so excited to share a little info about each artist and their work.

Becky Elgart Coastal Watercolors

Based in Connecticut, Becky Elgart finds endless inspiration from the Atlantic. You immediately can sense her love for the coast in all of her work. For me, each of her pieces of art invoke a feeling of peace and nostalgia for a simpler time. Her abstract coastal seascapes are some of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever seen. Her piece “Forever Summer” is the piece that inspired me to create this gallery wall for L’s playroom. The lady in the hat reminds me of long, hot summer days playing dress up at my Bobo’s (grandma) house with some of her dresses and large sun hats from the 1940s and 1950s. I loved frolicking around in these vintage pieces and I really think it’s one of the reasons why I love fashion and fashion history so much. I chose this piece because it reminds me so much of my childhood and the endless amounts of imagination and creativity that comes with being a kid.

Check out Becky’s Instagram and her website for more of her beautiful work.

Cozy Little Prints

Cozy Little Prints and the story behind its formation is perhaps one of my favorite’s to share.  My friend Sarah (who I virtually met through Instagram) started painting watercolors at the beginning of COVID-19 as a way to ease anxiety during this incredibly stressful time.  Sarah first started painting watercolors of botanicals and has since expanded into architecture (I commissioned her to create a watercolor of my sister-in-law’s new house!), animals, pets, landscapes, and fashion pieces.   When I saw her share the watercolor she created of an elephant, I knew it had to be a part of L’s gallery wall.  L LOVES elephants – it was the first animal noise she made and she sleeps with her JellyCat Elephant every night.  The elephant print that Sarah painted is the sweetest, most precious addition to the gallery wall and nothing brings me more joy than to see L point to it and make an elephant noise.  

Be sure to follow Cozy Little Prints on Instagram and check out the Etsy site!

Jen Strandberg Studios

I discovered Jen Strandberg Studios through Cozy Little Prints! Sarah shared Jen’s artwork in her stories one day and from then on I was hooked.  Based out of NYC and Nantucket, Jen Strandberg Studios specializes in colorful coastal watercolors.  Full of coastal scenes, summers on the water, and hydrangeas in full bloom, Jen’s artwork makes my nautical loving heart so very happy.  As soon as I saw the colorful buoys that Jen painted, I knew they would be a part of the gallery wall.  They are so fun and playful – the perfect addition to a child’s playroom. 

Be sure to follow Jen on Instagram and shop her Esty site!

Little Lavender Lobster 

Rachel is the genius behind Little Lavender Lobster and perhaps one of the nicest and most supportive artists I’ve met through Instagram.  Founded in 2016, Little Lavender Lobster offers handmade jewelry, watercolors, custom stationary, and so much more – all created and designed by Rachel herself.  I love the simplicity and sophistication of her work.   One of the sweetest products that Rachel creates are personalized watercolor pennants!  Rachel and I worked together to create this customized piece for the gallery wall and it’s so perfect! It’s fun, playful, and the perfect amount of nautical.  I asked Rachel to use an “S” for Solt (in case there are more little Solt’s in the future) and watercolors in blue and white.  I’m so thrilled with the final piece and seeing this sweet pennant in the middle of the gallery wall makes me so happy.

Definitely follow Little Lavender Lobster on Instagram and check out Rachel’s website!

Michelle Brunner

Michelle is my first ever Instagram friend turned real life friend.  Michelle and I met over two years ago and she is one of the most beautiful humans.  Michelle actually teaches with my sister and that’s how we were introduced! Michelle creates the most gorgeous impressionistic paintings of Lake Erie and Ohio.  Claude Monet has always been my favorite artist and Michelle’s artwork reminds me so much of Monet.  I absolutely love her use of color and texture and I find myself getting lost in her paintings.  I am honored to have several of her pieces hanging in our home.  I knew I needed another nautical painting of Lake Erie to include in the gallery wall.  And this one with the little sailboat and the colorful patchwork detail is so perfect for inspiring creativity.

Be sure to follow Michelle on Instagram and check out her website and Etsy site!

Bittersweet Farms

For those of you who know me on a personal level, you will have known that I worked at Bittersweet Farms for five and half years, doing their marketing and social media. Bittersweet Farms is a local nonprofit that provides services to adults with autism. They employ a working farm model that helps individuals with autism live a life filled with purpose. One of my favorite programs is the Creative Arts Program. The Creative Arts Program provides adults with autism art therapy, art production, and art for intrinsic value. It has been a joy to get to know all of these artists and I am honored to have a piece of original art in my home. Before I moved on from Bittersweet, I saw one of the artists had painted this scene titled “Water Lilies.” I had just given birth to Lilly and I asked if I could purchase it, as it was the perfect addition to our room. This piece has been hanging in the playroom for many months, but it is now part of the gallery wall and the bright colors, coastal feel, and Monet inspired style makes me so happy.

Be sure to follow Bittersweet Farms on Instagram and check out their website for more information about this non-profit!

I hope you have enjoyed this introduction to some new artists. I am truly honored to have so many of their pieces displayed in our home. It has been so wonderful getting to know each of these individuals and I hope you will take the time to visit their sites and give them some love.

Slainte,
Shannon