The Gift of Art

I know that the big gift giving season is well past, but let’s not kid ourselves. We give gifts all year long. Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Anniversaries, Birthdays, House Warming Gifts, New Baby and Thank You Gifts. Also, Thinking of You Gifts and even, Please Don’t Be Mad At Me Anymore Gifts. I know that too often, you can not find the right gift, one that you can be sure that the recipient will truly appreciate and one you can feel good about giving.

I have an idea. Give the gift of art. Don’t be intimidated if you don’t know anything about art and don’t think you necessarily have to spend huge amounts of money at a gallery. You can give a truly personal, original, memorable and affordable gift that will be treasured by the recipient. There are many local artists offering a variety of creative services and fine art products.

Laura Whitmore is an accomplished artist working with oils in an impressionistic style. Her subjects are generally still life objects,ie., flowers, fruit, pottery, books and unique boxes, jars or tins, all carefully arranged to create interesting and colorful compositions. Her pieces range in size from 6”x8” little gems starting around $65 to large scale, “sofa sized” works of art beginning at around the thousand dollar mark. Quality that you would find in a gallery in Dallas for at least forty percent less.

For something completely different, take a look at Todd Camplin’s work. Todd creates portraits, but don’t expect Grant Wood’s American Gothic. Todd's portraits take a different point of view. He manipulates a persons signature into a striking graphic image and combines it with the image of the sound waves created when they speak their name or personal statement. Provocative, personal and original, Todd’s prices start at $200.

For a more traditional approach to portraiture, commission Candace Prather to create a beautiful and dramatic, charcoal image of a loved one. She is masterful in her portrayal of people of all ages. A perfect Mother’s/Father’s Day gift or for grandma and grand pa, anytime!

Have some favorite vacation photos ? Suretta Todd a gifted painter, creates lush landscapes of scenes from all over the world in watercolor and acrylic. Put that summer memory on permanent display in your home or the home of a family member who experienced the trip with you.

Perhaps your spouse, parents or in-laws would like a painting of their home, past or present. I created an oil painting of my dad’s homestead the year before it was abandoned and torn down. I painted from my perspective as a child and created a visual story of the times my sisters and I played marbles on the front porch, rolled dizzily down “Cow Pie Hill” and hid out in the hayloft. It now hangs close to my bed and when I can’t sleep, in my mind, I wander the corn fields, catch fish in the pond and drift off to a peaceful sleep. It was the best present I ever gave myself.

How about art classes? The perfect “Honey, You Do So Much For Us Why Not Take Some Time For Yourself Gift” or “Let’s do Something Together Gift” A mosaic workshop, oil painting or watercolor class could be just the thing to show that you care about his/ her interests too. What about a children’s birthday gift? Art supplies and/or a class offering quality visual art education may be just the thing to help build a child’s confidence, enrich their lives and make you even more proud of them. ArtVentures Studio, The Rockwall Parks and Recreation Department and several local artists offer a variety of programs for all ages. Artist, Marona Hewitt loves to work with senior citizens and retirees. She gives painting lessons at her studio or will pack up her paints and come to your home. Not just the gift of art, but a blessing of conversation and companionship to an elderly shut in.

Fine art as a gift is within reach and within Rockwall. So be creative, think outside the gift box. Give the gift of art, anytime!