Happy Sunday

Happy Sunday everyone! Mine consisted of getting over a cold and headache but I am feeling better and ready to start my week. My swatches from MotifPillows on Etsy came the other day and I finally placed my order! I ordered two of these handmade shibori inspired pillows for our bedroom and another swatch to be delivered. You may be thinking, "What the heck is shibori and who puts that much thought into just pillows??" Well to answer part one, shibori is a type of Japanese handmade dying technique dating back to the 8th century so each pillow made with this technique is a meticulous one-of-a-kind piece. To answer part two, me! and I am not the only one. Pillows are just one simple way to make a huge impact and quick change to a space which is why I love pillows and all textiles so much. I don't mind spending a little more for a handmade pillow and supporting small businesses! Excited for my new pillows to come in... once I can find a new rug for our living room, I'll be looking into new pillows in that space, too. Oh, and here's a sneak peak of my newest painting's palette I recently finished :) Stay tuned for the next post on my new piece!

xo,

Lauren

Hello 2016!

Well hello everyone. It's been quite some time since my last post! Thanksgiving, the Holidays and the New Year flew right by. 2015 was a great year for me all around - I painted often and participated in art shows, moved back to New York (although I dearly miss CA), started a new position with Restoration Hardware, and my sweet niece and Goddaughter, Andriana, was born. I cannot wait to see what 2016 has in store for me. My goal is to push myself to take my art and blog to another level and focus on growing in the design field. I'd love to see where it can go if I truly put my all into it. In the meantime, I've had my eye on some new pieces for our place so I wanted to share a sneak peek. Stay tuned for which ones end up in our home :) 

1930's Martini Side Table / RH 

Go-Cart White Rolling Desk / cb2

Mini Industrial Cage Lamp / west elm

Parisian Cornice Single Shelving in Black Oak / RH 

Reclaimed Russian Oak Parquet Coffee Table / RH

Vintage Steel Desk Chair in Antiqued Brass / RH Teen

xo, 

June Art Event Sat 6/6

Happy June! Oh boy, it's been a while. I've been busy working and painting not only a large custom piece I am working on but a handful of smaller ones for my upcoming event! As some of you may know, I have an Etsy shop called Lauren Maiorana Art (link on main page). Although I've been painting for quite some time and have sold many of my paintings, I am so excited that I recently had my first Etsy sale. I revamped my Etsy shop and re-listed some older paintings and added new ones and I'm so happy I did. Not only did I get my first sale but I also was reached out to by the NOIR Event Coordinator to participate in a local art/music/fashion event this upcoming Saturday. The event is THIS Saturday 6/6 from 7:30-10 pm at Sutra Nightclub in Costa Mesa and after there will be a DJ contest (which is normally $20 to get in). If you're local, come support me and other talented artists! Tickets are only $5 at the door, you just tell the doorman who you are there to see and then they tally it all up. Here are some photos of my paintings that you can expect to see!

There's some sneak peeks for ya. To sum it all up, if you don't have plans this Saturday

come by Sutra Nightclub in Costa Mesa frm 7:30-10 (DJ after the event) and support

me and other local artists and makers. Really hope to see you there. SO excited :)

Xo,

My New Art Series

Hi there! I've been working on some new art pieces as a new series of mine. It is inspired by my love for abstract art, color and the boho/tribal design style. Each one is 100% authentic. I've also updated my Etsy store with a new design and newly added pieces >> Check my Etsy store out here. Here's a sneak peek of my new series!

Thanks for stopping by -- don't forget to check out my new etsy store and if you want to browse more of my artwork click on my art page above! If you'd be interested in one of these pieces or a one-of-a-kind piece message me through my contact page! 

Xo,

My Abstract Art

Hi there! For those who do not know, I love to paint! My style is abstract, coastal and colorful although I have done many custom pieces as well. For the first time ever, I displayed my art at a local vendor event at west elm where I work. My art was for sale and I donated $10 from each painting towards St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital as part of their Thanks and Giving campaign. Other local artists and vendors were there as well that are so talented so it was an honor to have my art alongside theirs. I was also working during the event so I couldn't stay at my table to talk to too many people about my art but I did sell a painting and get my name and art out there! There were a few handfuls of inquiries about doing custom pieces as well which I love doing and am currently working on a few right now. I wanted to share some of my art with you that is still for sale unless stated otherwise but I can customize any piece you want! Let me know if you're interested! You can reach out to me via email, lmaiorana1014@gmail.com. I'm starting a new instagram for my art and interior design work separate from my personal account so i'll keep you posted on that, too! I hope you like my paintings as much as I enjoy creating them :)

{abstract waterfall SOLD / will recreate to order - price varies with size, email to inquire}

{desert / 12x16in staple back canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / $45}

{waves / 9x11in staple back canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / }

{ocean / SOLD / will recreate to order - price varies with size, email to inquire}

{energy / 12x12in staple back canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / $50}

{carribean / 18x24in gallery wrapped canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / $85}

 {feather / 10x10in staple back canvas / SOLD / will recreate to order - price varies with size, email to inquire}

{ikat / 12x16in staple back canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / $45}

 {lovebirds / 12x16in staple back canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / $45}

{pink clouds / 10x10in staple back canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / $35}

{lips / SOLD / will recreate to order - price varies with size, email to inquire}

{sugar skull / SOLD /will recreate to order - price varies with size, email to inquire}

{nyc skyline / SOLD / will recreate to order - price varies with size, email to inquire}

{abstract flowers / SOLD / will recreate to order - price varies, email to inquire}

At the west elm south coast plaza event this Saturday! 

I will recreate any piece if you would like a different size, colors, anything. Just shoot me an email so we can go over what you want and then I will be able to give a price! Thanks everyone who has supported me thus far - I love to paint but never thought people would love it so much to buy. I will also be at another west elm orange county event soon so stay tuned :) 

Xo,

DIY Coastal Painting

I've been in a very DIY mood lately (if you haven't checked out my last post on creating a festive fall wreath click here) and this time I'm creating an acrylic coastal painting. I came across a picture on pinterest of a bedroom with a painting that was screaming for me to recreate it so naturally that's what I had to do. The colors were just stunning. 

What you'll need:

1. Any size canvas you want (regular or gallery wrapped)
2. Smooth paint brushes with a thick tip so the bristles won't come off in the paint
3. A spray bottle with water in it (refill an empty cleaner bottle if you need one)
4. Old towel
5. Acrylic and watercolor paint (I use ones I get from Michaels -- artists loft and craftsmart brands -- and the colors I used were prussian blue, peacock blue, sand, turquoise, white and viridian) along with a sealer of some sort or a satin varnish
6. Paper plate 
7. Cup of water

Luckily for me I had an 18x24" gallery wrapped canvas in my car and all the paint colors and brushes in my art bin. The only downfall is not having my easel set up so I used an old towel under the canvas and leaned the canvas against the wall on top of some paper towel taped to the wall -- so this is what you can do if you don't have an easel set up either. Plus, I did a water dripping technique so you need something under the canvas to not make a mess either way. Or if you have a space outside in the grass to paint then that works, too!

First, flip the canvas vertical so the water drips that way. Squeeze the paint onto a paper plate if you don't have a palette. Then, spray the canvas with water to start the dripping technique. Then start with any color you like -- I started with the prussian blue to the left -- the paint will start dripping and continue to spray with water to create desired look. Continue this process for each color and don't be afraid to blend the colors a little so they fade into each other --just make sure you're either using different paint brushes or dipping them in water so it keeps them from mixing too much. Do one layer and then let it dry. The key is layers, layers and more layers of paint when doing this technique. After it's dry flip the canvas -- so it's still vertical but the other way. Continue by spraying water again and adding paint. Mix white in some spots in the sand and turquoise so you get variations in color. Continue to spray with water to create desired look. Once dried your painting should look something like this (before sealer which is why it may look a little dull)...

Once sealed and put in some very appealing natural light your painting should look more like this...

I really love the way this came out not to mention this one is for sale -- but if you're up for it try to DIY and I'd love to see it once it's done! Happy painting :)

Xo,