Grey, a new favorite wall color according to House Beautiful readers

Recently I read an article in House Beautiful (HB) which features the 2012 Color Report. Readers vs interior designers. I strongly agree with most of it. In fact much of it confirms what I see in my clients homes. How can they be wrong, right? They polled their readers from the entire USA!

I love GREY walls especially in living rooms. What can I say, but everything looks great on a neutral grey wall. Most of all art! According to the House Beautiful poll, the under-45 crowd chose GREY as their favorite for living rooms. See below a photo of my latest painting, "River Song" on a grey wall. It was created for my collector who had recently designed her living/family room using the palette; light grey, dark grey and yellow green.

Other color facts according to HB that are interesting...

• ORANGE is in! Many blogger and readers love Orange.
• BLUE is the number one bedroom color! ahhhh... so soothing.
• YELLOW slightly wins over WHITE as the favorite kitchen color.
• Designers still love RED in dinning rooms.
• GREEN and PURPLE are rising stars.

If you have a yen to redo your space, here's a helpful color tool that House Beautiful offers. They call it their Complete Guide to Color.  http://www.housebeautiful.com    Happy painting!

(c) Lisa Palombo, 2012. www.lisapalombo.com

Original Paintings on Paper

Spring has sprung onto paper at Lisa Palombo Studios!!!

"Iris Sorbet", 18" x 12", acrylic on paper

You may have noticed my new Etsy shop. This is where I have recently featured my acrylic paintings on paper. Why has this longtime, die-hard oil painter now found herself painting with acrylics? Well there is no simple answer except that last summer I started painting artist embellishments with acrylic on my giclee canvases and... LOVED it! Acrylic paint is very different from oil. Pigments have a wide variety and they dry FAST! 

Acrylic paints have come a long way since the last time I used it 20+ years ago. They are completely archival, meaning the colors will not fade in sun light exposure. I have been using Golden Acrylics, which offers a wide variety of pigments and fluid consistencies. I also use 140 lb. watercolor paper for a support and will start painting on canvas too in the near future.

"Sunflower Celebration", 19" x 13",  acrylic on paper,  detail

To my oil collectors, don’t worry, I haven’t deserted oils. In fact, I have been bouncing between the two. Teaching workshops this winter in my studio and doing demos at art centers has my brush in two pots, sort of speak.

This spring there are several exhibitions where you can see my new acrylics on paper including my annual Spring Open Studio (May 5 & 6). Be sure to mark your calendars. Details are below...

Not in the NJ? Well, there is my Etsy Shop and website. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or requests.

"Orange Water Lilies", 22" x30", acrylic on paper

"Sunset Water Lilies" 22" x 30", acrylic on paper, detail

April 3 - Women's Club of Glen Ridge, Exhibition, Luncheon & Presentation 
(11:30am-2pm) "Presby Iris Garden - a local Legend since 1927"  
Women's club of Glen Ridge, 219 Ridgewood Ave., Glen Ridge, NJ 973-748-5459.

April 3 - Evening art exhibition reception, meet the artists (7pm-9pm) -  
Women's club of Glen Ridge, 219 Ridgewood Ave., Glen Ridge, NJ 973-748-5459. more information and reservations

April 18 - ReFocus on Art, Exhibition and Sale 
(7-10pm) New Jersey Arts Incubator, 495 Prospect Avenue,West Orange, NJ. 
100 Pieces of Art for 100 Years! Celebrate the NCJW/Essex centennial at this 
special one-night-only fundraising event! A special evening of cocktails, 
hors d'oeuvres and art for sale, including flat art, fine glass, fine crafts, 
and outdoor sculpture. $50 in advance, members and nonmembers; 
$75 at the door (if available). more information and reservations or contact ncjw@ncjwessex.org 

May 5 & 6 - Spring Open Studio (12pm-5pm)
55 Mountain Ave., Caldwell, NJ (973) 364-0280
This is our 11th annual Spring Open Studio show. 
Come join us in my studio for a weekend of fine art 
and yummy treats. We look forward to seeing you there!  
directions to the studio

My NEW Etsy Shop

WOW! What took you so long!? Yes, that's what I told myself when I finally put up my NEW marketplace shop on Etsy!
 

Have you discovered Etsy yet? If not, you are in for a real treat. It's like shopping for your best friend (and let's admit it... yourself) at the best craft shows and handmade boutiques in the world! Browse jewelery, glass, pottery and fine art! You can shop by many categories, gift ideas, colors or even local shops.

Check it out at www.etsy.com or go to my personal Etsy marketplace at www.etsy.com/shop/lisapalombostudios.

Here's some of my $49 small original acrylic on paper paintings now on Etsy. And yes, they are ORIGINALS so once they are sold they are no longer available. Click on the images to go to my Etsy pages.

Happy shopping!