Artist Spotlight: Alanna Cavanagh
I am always impressed by artists. I find it fascinating how someone can be inspired by the world around us, notice the simple things, and translate that into a piece of art that "speaks to me". You know that feeling that you get when you look at a work of art, be it a painting, photograph, sculpture or any other form, and instantly it connects to something deep inside you and invokes an emotional reaction? I love that feeling.
One such artist whose work speaks to me is illustrator Alanna Cavanagh. Her work is light-hearted and whimsical with a retro vibe. Looking at her art makes me think of women in fitted sweaters and cat's eye glasses, housewives in aprons, and men in dapper suits.
I especially love her silk screen prints. I'm not sure where I first saw Alanna's Big Scissors print, but it really caught my attention. My mom used to sew us clothes and she had a pair of orange-handled scissors just like this so no wonder I find the print appealing.
Then I saw these images of chef & TV personality Trish Magwood's home in my fave House & Home magazine and it literally stopped me in my tracks. The combination of Trish's beautiful, family-friendly, light and airy home paired with Alanna's colourful artwork really did me in. I had to have a piece Alanna's art of my very own.
And this is what I got...
and this lovely, complete with coffee stains.
Would you believe that I've actually planned a special wall in the basement reno to feature this print? Because I have, that's how much I love it so. Its being framed right now (yay for Michael's 60% off custom framing!). Can't wait to show it to you back in my home.
All photos courtesy of Alanna Cavanagh.
Posts
13 comments
love them!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see a series with other quotes like the one about Julia Child! It's so encouraging to hear about people who - eventually - found their way and their bliss, but only after time. Makes me feel hopeful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI adore all of her stuff - the virginia woolf cover is wonderful. Just wish she had affordable prints in addition to the silk screened originals ... sigh.
ReplyDeletegreat stuff! love the ones you picked~
ReplyDeletei love, love her stuff! my favorites are "read for profit" and the one you've purchased. i wanted to go to her sale but I was busy that weekend :(
ReplyDeleteOh my! I got lost in her website and had to come back and finish reading your post. Great find. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful art! So friendly and heartwarming. Thank you for highlighting the Julia Child piece - I'd never realized that before!
ReplyDeleteI love that you have planned a space for your new art, I think that is just how it should work! I'm actually trying to convince my husband to add on a bathroom just so I can use a wallpaper I love!
ReplyDeleteI too fell in love with her work when I saw it in H & H.
ReplyDeleteDid you purchase the art directly from her?
Can't wait to see the basement plans.
M
Love her work - love her blog!
ReplyDeleteIf you get a moment - come visit my blog and enter my very first giveaway! From CSN stores!
Ta!
You know, I have never actually read any Virgina Woolf. I think I need to get on that.
ReplyDeletejbhat
;-] We have a pair of Orange Scissors JUST like those sitting in a "junk jar" in our kitchen!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting our little corner of the web! We ♥ comments and enjoy hearing from our readers.