As Memorial Day rapidly approaches the onset of planning travel excursions and summer retreats shifts into high gear; most of which summon us to watery locales. Whether it’s the ocean, a lake, river or a babbling brook, there is something so undeniably irresistible about the sites, sounds and smells of the waterways that keep us fleeing to their side.

I realized this week, as I stood next to this realistic piece of aquatic artwork in my client’s home, that it is not only the actuality of water that is alluring, but even the lifelike creation of watery images that induce a feeling of calm.

It’s the masterful hand of the artist, the color palette, composition and scale that brings the sea to life with precision.

Every day is a beach day when you add the imagery of shorelines dotted with perky umbrellas and beach goers frolicking in the water and basking in rays of glorious sunshine. Fine art photographer, Judith Gigliotti captures the spirit beautifully.  Through her lens, these subjects take on an epic quality to the liking of a dream; you can hear the song of seagulls and the laughter of children. Her painterly photography reveals more than just the natural world; her images seem to reveal something about all of us.

Have helicopter, will travel! Globetrotting for unusual beauty; I’d say this is the ultimate dream job, wouldn’t you? A jet setting lifestyle makes every day a getaway for marketer, turned photographer, Gray Malin.

“Shooting from doorless helicopters; from above, a simple beach or pool becomes a blank canvas that allows me to start seeing the world as art. People and objects become patterns creating repetition, shape and form. These photographs are a visual celebration of color, light, shape—and summer bliss.”

Just add water to these sassy ladies and their vibrancy reigns supreme. The lifelike depiction of Nina Nolte’s The Best is Yet to Come will have you grabbing a colorful head wrap and a cocktail and joining these lively ladies.  Her Pool Paintings prompt fleeting childhood memories of chattering teeth and raisin fingers perpetrated by endless hours romping in the swimming pool. Nina’s playful acrylic paintings are depicted in rich and sumptuous colors, and the infinitesimal details expose her characters and settings to a lifelike scenario that happily jump off the canvas.

My watery collection wouldn’t be complete without the hyper-realistic artist, Eric Zener. The darker, saturated color palette and tone of Eric’s paintings evoke a more serious demeanor, whereas Nina’s conjure a more playful vibe.

Zenner’s muse for his paintings, wife Julie, who at one time was a competitive swimmer.  Zenner’s philosophy on water is one we can all all relate to… “I believe there is a universal connection to water and a collective desire for renewal and joy. Regardless of who you are or where you come from we all feel a great sense of ‘transformation’ from the world above when we are submerged in the blue water of a pool or the boundless space of the sea. There is something archetypal about the cleansing effect of water and the sense of nostalgia of our youth when we remove ourselves from daily life and slip away.”  It’s always enlightening to capture an artist in their element; step inside the artist’s studio with My Modern Met.

Are you mesmerized? Have you found a sense of calm? I actually found myself holding my breath as I enjoyed these underwater paintings.  I love how Zenner captures the air bubbles.

Living on a Malibu Beach with a 360 degree view of the water isn’t enough for Courtney Cox. She brought the crowded, sandy beach indoors with this seaside photograph captured by photographer Massimo Vitali.

Beautiful blue skies, warm weather and a white cloud of sand taking over a Coney Island Beach; this is the modern vintage photography of Minagraphy. These large scale prints on canvas are incredibly affordable. Remember last week’s blog; quality matting and framing elevates the value of the artwork it encapsulates. This is a perfect example of high/low design.

On days when you don’t feel like packing up the car, or sitting in hours of traffic and dragging everything onto the beach, you can sit comfortably in your home and enjoy a stress free, sand free, calm day by the water within your art. Will you be adding water to your home?

I’ve always admired the crisp and clean aesthetic of an arrangement of framed intaglios.

Last week I happened upon a set for sale and in true designer form, I decided to create my own customized series; so the search began. As I Google’d my way around I noticed a discrepancy; some of the narrative used intaglio, cabochon or both. This was confusing. At first glance they looked very similar, but at closer inspection, some images were engraved and others were raised like that of a cameo; and then there were those that appeared under a clear convex. What was the distinct integrity of each?

This bracelet is a modern reproduction that includes both intaglios and cameos. Look at the difference between the cameo and intaglio; the cameo nearly always features a raised (positive) relief image; contrast with intaglio, which has a negative image; you can clearly see the distinction here.

What I was discovering were reliefs finished in the style of a cabochon.

Intaglios have a rich history; originals are rare and can be quite expensive.

Intaglios were regarded as the souvenirs of the wealthy. During the 17th to the 19th centuries it was common for privileged young men from the upper gentry in England and northern Europe to put the finishing touch on their education by traveling to Italy and France; some spent up to two years away from home touring. The tour was a means of discovery, refinement and culture; exposing them to a world outside of their own. Initially, these journeys were the benefit of young men, but in the 19th century women also began touring.

The wealthiest tourists would take home major works of art, such as sculpture, paintings and antiquities; those with more modest means would find lesser works of art, including the beautiful and highly portable intaglios. The casts depicted great works that could be seen by a typical grand tourist and thus were arranged as a chronicle of ones tour.

There are many types of reproductions on the market today, so it’s important to understand the distinguishing characteristics if you’re looking at these gems as an investment.

From a purely aesthetic point of view; creating your own gallery can be quite affordable and interesting. Start collecting your favorite images and create your own story. I found beautiful seaside casts, Buddhas, scenes of romance, etc.

I love this romantic scene; it’s the perfect scenario for a boudoir vignette.

Look at the different arrangement of intaglios within the frame; this too creates visual interest. Use different color backgrounds, offset matting and upgrade framing; these elements will create a dramatic focal point that will pull attention to the imagery.

This is a perfect example of high/low design; there are the expensive collectibles and the moderately priced reproductions.  How you package and display the final product determines it’s visual value; quality, composition, matting, framing and arrangement reign supreme. When you use quality products, it elevates even the simplest and most inexpensive piece of art.

I’m such a sucker for romance. The romantic Parisian scene in the earlier scenario catapulted me into starting my own collection of intaglios and cabochons.  I’m going to take my time and find the perfect pieces to tell a wonderful story of love and romance. There’s nothing like a great love story!

What’s your story? Tell it frame by beautiful frame.