Shayna here. This week it’s MY turn to be the Blog Dog, so I decided to write about posters and how they relate to the history of modern art. (That’s why I am sporting my très chic Toulouse-Lautrec hat.)

Although stone lithography had been around since the late 1700s, it was a slow and expensive printing process. But everything changed just a century later with the introduction of the 3-stone lithographic process, making it possible to print an array of colors with the careful registration of just three basic colors - yellow, red and blue.

In France, Toulouse-Lautrec created the poster Moulin Rouge (shown above) and the poster craze took off. Posters grew in popularity and were used to symbolize national interests – the circus in the U.S., cabarets in France, bullfights in Spain, opera in Italy and so on. The ease of printing posters together with the ability to combine information and images in an appealing and economical manner helped to create the age of modern advertising. Posters were also used to promote political ideologies, special events or advertise products or services such as travel, sports, entertainment and popular personalities.

And did you realize that in addition to original paintings and fine art prints, books and figurines, Gallery One houses an enormous selection of posters, hand-signed by the famous artists? People love posters because they provide an affordable entrée for art lovers to enjoy beautiful art on a budget. That’s why students choose them for their dorm rooms or first apartments. And talk about a perfect gift – you can select posters with prices starting as low as $25!

Why have bare walls when you can have a room with a view? Check these out:

Indulge in whimsical flights of fancy with the imaginative, hand-signed art of James Christensen and Dean Morrissey.

   

Let your spirits soar with a poster hand-signed by artist Robert Bateman…

…Go wild with the mind-blowing detail of Carl Brenders.

Know a transplanted Clevelander?
Send a hometown hug with famous landmarks by iconic photographer Jim Ptacek.

Love Harleys?

Get your motorrunning with Scott Jacobs.

Calling all Trekkies:  Go boldly where no man hasgone before with Commander Uhura’s hand-signed art poster!

(FYI, Nichelle Nichols pioneered the role of Uhura in the original Star Trek series during the 1960s. However, she wanted to pursue a Broadway career. That was until she met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at an NAACP fund-raiser. Dr. King encouraged her to stay on in the role saying, “You’re a part of history.” He told her she was a vital role model, and so Nichols continued playing Uhura in TV and films for another quarter century.)

No matter what a person’s interests, Gallery One has you covered. Stop in and see us and our HUGE selection of posters. They make gift-giving easy, affordable and fun. There’s a lot from which to choose, but no worries – Clancy and I are always here to help!

XOXO,

     

Shayna & Clancy

(Your Patrons of the Arfs)

Time to hit the books!

 

Clancy, looking studious

Clancy, your humble co-Patron of the Arfs, reporting.

Ahh – fall! The days are shorter and nights are cooler. What could be cozier than curling up with a good book and a warm dog? Shayna and I decided that back-to-school time is the perfect opportunity to remind you what a wonderful resource Gallery One is for book lovers of all ages.

In addition to beautiful art and framing perfection, we have a fabulous selection of books, filled with art – something for every age and interest. We’re like the library for art lovers (best of all, you don’t have to whisper when you come in).

We even have ART about books!

The Library
J. Scott Nicol

Addie's Window
Scott Gustafson

You can choose from books featuring the recent art of Robert Bateman (New Works). For the lovers of fantasy we have books featuring the imaginative dinosaurs of Jim Gurney (Dinotopia), and colorful art for kids in Scott Gustafson’s Animal Orchestra. Dean Morrissey’s award-winning best-seller Ship of Dreams is back in print, and we have artist-signed copies! The Forest Has Eyes features Bev Doolittle’s camouflage art - as you gaze at the natural world, you realize it’s looking back at you! Or read all about the artist and humanitarian in The Life and Art of Edna Hibel. And for you foodies, we have Marilyn’s Munchies, a cookbook featuring photos of pets and recipes from their owners with proceeds benefiting a local animal rescue organization, Marilyn’s Voice.

Don’t forget, with the holidays coming up books make appreciated gifts – the kind that get opened again and again! And right now, when you purchase a book from Gallery One, you can also select a gift-boxed figurine for only $5! Can the library do that? But I digress.

Shana and I look forward to helping you browse our book collection. No treats are necessary. But if you should feel compelled to reward us with some, we’ll graciously accept.

XOXO,

      

Clancy & Shayna

(Your Patrons of the Arfs)

(Shayna and I in our Dad’s office, approving new artwork for Gallery Giclées.) 

Gallery Giclées Introduces Artist Elise Ondak

Clancy here, your humble Patron of the Arfs. Shayna and I are delighted to introduce our newest Gallery Giclées artist, Elise Ondak!

We both love her. Not only is she a talented artist, she is also a dog lover with two rescue dogs. (She has also rescued several cats, but we try not to hold that against her.)

Elise has been drawing and painting since childhood. While still in high school, she met and was mentored by artist Stanka Kordic. Encouraged by Kordic and her instructors to pursue her dream of a career in fine art, Elise went on to attend the Cleveland Institute of Art and has been painting ever since.

Her first Gallery Giclées release, The Path, captures the allure of the ocean.

THE PATH

© Elise Ondak

Giclée on canvas,

hand-signed by the artist

30" x 40"

ONDPA1  $645

18" x 24"

ONDPA2   $345

ALSO AVAILABLE:

Original oil on canvas, hand-signed by the artist

30" x 40"  $3,600

Elise told us: "When I was painting The Path, I wished to represent not only a specific place and memory but the journeys each of us must travel throughout our lives. Standing on a path of sand, marked by the ever-fading footprints of those who traveled before us, we peer through the softly waving grasses to the inviting waters below. Although the destination is in sight, we must still walk the path to reach it."

Everyone sees something different when they contemplate The Path. Whether it recalls a memory or issues an invitation is up to the individual. As for me, I can picture myself chasing a Frisbee in the waves, and then shaking salt water all over Shayna.

Shayna, as always, has a different take: “The Path hypnotically draws you into its solitude, exuding a sense of peace. Alone with your thoughts, the rhythmic waves soothe the spirit. Clouds hint at storms to come, but the timeless ocean endures.”

What do YOU see?

Available in two sizes, The Path is the first in a series of mesmerizing seascapes by this artist. We’ll be bringing you additional images by Elise in the coming months. In the meantime, we invite you to stop into Gallery One to see The Path close up for yourself. (And if you imagine ocean breezes and the scent of salt water, don’t be surprised!)

XOXO

      

Clancy & Shayna

(Your Patrons of the Arfs)

Did you know…

Greetings! Shayna & Clancy at your service. Today it’s MY turn to pick the blog topic, so I chose interesting facts about some of the animals featured in Gallery Giclées (mainly so I could stump Clancy and feel superior). But we hope you’ll find these facts fascinating too!

Me, stumping Clancy

Clancy, looking clueless

CLOSE ENCOUNTER

S - GIRAFFE © Alan Brown

Original giclée photograph on canvas, hand-signed by the photographer

26” x 38”  BROCL7  $750

17” x 24”   BROCL6   $425

      Just like human fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same coat pattern. And, did you know, giraffes require more than 75 pounds of food a day, mostly leaves. And just like humans, giraffes have only seven vertebrae in their necks! (But in giraffes each vertebra is up to 10 inches long.)

ELEPHANT – CLOSE-UP © Alan Brown

Original giclée photograph on canvas, hand-signed by the photographer

16” x 20”  BROEL8  $295

(Other sizes may be available)

Unlike other animals, scientists found that elephants have a greater sense of self-awareness and can recognize themselves in a mirror. In one study, an elephant named “Happy” repeatedly touched an ‘X’ painted on her forehead while looking in the mirror, indicating that she knew she was seeing her own reflection (and evidently approved of the make-up)! 

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT © Alan Brown

Original giclée photograph on canvas, hand-signed by the photographer

20” x 24”  BROTOD  $395

      Apes, such as gorillas and chimpanzees, are closely related to humans with 98% of their DNA being identical to Homo sapiens. They are also handy with tools, using sticks to retrieve insects and leaves to soak up drinking water. (This is true, despite Clancy’s protest: “If they’re so smart, where’s their tool belt?”)

KING PENGUINS – ANTARCTIC ABSTRACT © Anthony Cook

Original giclée photograph on canvas, hand-signed by the photographer

38” x 58”  COOKI3  $1,150

24” x 36”  COOKI2  $595

           King Penguins have the amazing ability to dive 1,600 feet! They can remain underwater for up to five minutes when hunting for fish. Their favorite food is the lantern fish, but they also nosh on small fish, krill, squid and various crustaceans.

WHITE LIGHT - MUTE SWAN © Michael Dumas

Giclée on canvas, hand-signed by the artist

11” x 18”  DUMWH1  $175

          Swans have only one partner for life. In fact, swans can die prematurely if they suffer the loss of their partner. This is why they are often used as the symbol of true love.

We hope you’ll stop in to see us as well as these and other pieces. There’s a fascinating story for each of them. And don’t miss our huge clearance sale, now in progress.  There are originals, signed and numbered prints, giclées, posters and sculpture, with sale prices from only $25!

Items are MINT...we're just so crowded with inventory that we cannot begin to show everything. If you are bargain hunting, this sale is for you. The holidays will be here before you know it, so go to our home page and click on the Clearance Sale.

See you soon!

XOXO,

      

Clancy & Shayna

(Your Patrons of the Arfs)

On behalf of our friends out West…

Clancy and Shayna here.

This season’s wildfires are some of the worst ever seen. In addition to the many homes that have been lost to the spreading flames, countless animals have been injured and displaced. To date, the ASPCA has rescued and sheltered more than 2500 animals in Northern California alone. When a call goes out, an animal disaster response team assists local agencies in the rescue and emergency sheltering of dogs, cats, birds and livestock. Just this past Monday, police rushed in to rescue 60 dogs and cats from a shelter in Vacaville, CA, that was directly in the path of the rapidly moving Nelson Fire. Thankfully, everyone made it out in time, smoky, but safe. The rescued animals are currently in foster care.

Animals rescued from the wildfires are examined and treated by veterinarians. This life-saving work is made possible by the donations of caring people. And because these scared and injured animals can’t ask for your help, we’re doing it for them.

If you can, please consider making a donation to the ASPCA’s disaster relief efforts. Call 800-628-0028 to give or donate safely online at: https://secure.aspca.org/donate/2018-web-ca-wf-bre1-T1-P1

Paul Oxton, founder of the Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation wrote, “A simple act of kindness and compassion towards a single animal may not mean anything to all creatures, but will mean everything to one.” 

And on behalf of all of the animals helped by your generosity, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your kindness!

XOXO,

      

 

Clancy & Shayna

(Your Patrons of the Arfs)

ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE LIVED A MOST EXTRAORDINARY ARTIST…

Clancy & Shayna here.

At the end of a day spent greeting Gallery guests and begging for treats, one of our favorite things to do is to pile on top of our folks’ bed and demand a bedtime story!  Like most kids, we love to imagine the kings and queens, enchanted castles, brave knights and beautiful princesses of our favorite fairy tales. We get all caught up in the magic of ‘once upon a time’ and picture ourselves surrounded by castle turrets and fairy Godmothers.

Art does the same thing. Without words, it can pull you into its magic, instantly capturing your imagination. And that’s what artist Scott Gustafson does so well. His colorful, enchanting paintings of stories passed down through the ages transport you to the land of long ago and far away.

Originally, Scott wanted to be an animator. Over the years he accepted commissions as a freelance illustrator for Celestial Seasonings, Playboy, Saturday Evening Post, The Bradford Exchange and DreamWorks. But Scott loved to tell stories with his art, eventually coming to the realization that being an illustrator is “about the best job there is.”  

In 2015, Scott Gustafson was recognized as being one of the best illustrators there is. He won the Grand Master Award from Spectrum Fantastic Art Live, an organization that celebrates and promotes fantastic art, its creators and the creative community. And we are delighted to announce that Gallery Giclées has just released four fabulous images by this celebrated artist!

Each canvas is hand-signed by Scott Gustafson. His colorful and imaginative artwork will enchant both the young and young at heart, making it the perfect choice for a child’s room or the family room where everyone gathers.

Addie's Window

giclée on canvas

hand signed by the artist

22" x 18"

$345

Bat, Bat

giclée on canvas

hand signed by the artist

15" x 13"

$245

Little Tommy Tucker

giclée on canvas

hand signed by the artist

13" x 11"

$195

The Doctor Who Treats Himself Has A Fool For A Patient

giclée on canvas

hand signed by the artist

8" x 11"

$145

(Now listen up: Our folks gave us special permission to grant you a wish. If you order ANY of the four giclée canvases by Scott Gustafson shown here by Midnight, August 15, 2018, you will save 10%! So call or come in right away, and live happily ever after!)

Books illustrated by Scott Gustafson

The Night Before Christmas

Peter Pan

Nutcracker

Animal Orchestra

Alphabet Soup

Classic Storybook Fables

Classic Bedtime Stories

Classic Fairy Tales*

Favorite Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose

Eddie: The Lost Youth of Edgar Allan Poe

  * Winner of the Chesley Award from the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists

      

Clancy & Shayna

(Your Patrons of the Arfs)