Zatista The premiere source for original art online

Treetop & Clouds by S. Josephine Weaver zatista.com

A tree house, a free house,
A secret you and me house,
A high up in the leafy branches
Cozy as can be house

A street house, a neat house
Be sure to wipe your feet house
Is not my kind of house at all-
Let’s go live in a tree house.

- Shel Silverstein

With Labor Day fast approaching, I’m already reminiscing about the loads of fun I had this summer. Here’s one thing I learned this season: kids love tree houses. I’m sure most of you veteran parents already knew this, but since I’m only three years into this parenting thing, I just this now remembered how magical a tree house can be. Ah…the squeals of glee and the hours spent in the branches! To whet your appetite for the infinite possibilities of next summer’s adventures, here are a few photos of some amazing tree houses. And they’re not just for kids; there’s a whole subculture of tree house hotels around the world where grown ups can hide out too!

Magical Tree Fort by Matt Gagnon www.mattstudio.com

Magical Tree Fort interior by Matt Gagnon www.mattstudio.com

Magical Tree Fort looking up by Matt Gagnon www.mattstudio.com

Tree House Play Room from Apartment Therapy Ohdeedoh

Architect Vic Johnson's Treehouse www.johnsonltd.co.uk

Artist Melinda Hackett's Treehouse in NYC

Architect Cary Bernstein's Treehouse www.cbstudio.com

I’m a fan of Chrissy Styles and her blog Chrissy Styles – Musings on Art and Fashion. As a former fashion editor at InStyle Magazine, Chrissy always has interesting and visually stimulating ideas to share. I find it impossible to be bored by this blog where you’ll find cocktail recipes, travel photos, and ice-cream-inspired outfits. I especially like her “Pockets and Paintings” series, where she presents an artist then creates an outfit inspired by their work. Sources on where to buy the clothes and accessories are listed too. It’s brilliant. Here are some examples below. What artwork inspires you? Tell us how!

artist Richard Phillips courtesy of chrissystyles.com

outfit inspired by Richard Phillips art courtesy of chrissystyles.com

artist Jakub Julian Ziolkowski courtesy of chrissystyles.com

outfit inspired by Jakub Julian Ziolkowski art courtesy of chrissystyles.com

artist Will Cotton courtesy of chrissystyles.com

outfit inspired by Will Cotton art courtesy of chrissystyles.com

"The Joy of Girls" by Allan O'Marra zatista.com

I’m curious to hear how you readers out there are spending your summers. Are you traveling or “staycationing”? Are you visiting friends and family? Are you at the beach? In the mountains? At the lake? Wherever you are, I hope you’re enjoying the bliss of summer: warm weather, cool swims, ice cream, picnics, bike rides, and kids staying up late.

"Picnic" by Peter Worsley zatista.com

For the art lovers, there are still some good outdoor art fairs to visit as summer turns to fall. Many of our Zatista artists are there selling their artwork. Maybe one of the fairs listed below is in your neighborhood. If you are out and about, let us know where you’ve been and what you’ve seen. Enjoy the rest of your summer and don’t forget to report back to us on what you find!

"Niece" by Xiuyuan Guo zatista.com

•    Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair, Charlevoix, MI – August 14, 2010 Now in its 51st year, this fair has a good reputation with critics and collectors because of both the quality of the work and the great location.
•    Sausalito Art Festival, Sausalito, CA – September 3-6, 2010 On Labor Day weekend the stars of the contemporary art scene are showcased in this beautiful setting. Plan for a great time, with excellent food and music.
•    Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival, Lancaster, PA – Sept. 3-6, 2010 Featuring original work from 200 great artists from around the country. Free entertainment and great food all presented in a lovely park.
•    Arts, Beats & Eats, Pontiac, MI – September 3-6, 2010 This fair will take place in Downtown Royal Oak for the very first time.  The festival will offer more than 200 performances on ten stages, a highly ranked Juried Fine Arts Show, and local restaurants with some of the finest cuisine in metro Detroit
•   St. Louis Art Fair, Clayton, MO – September  10-12, 2010 A small event, only 165 exhibitors, competition is stiff to be one of the chosen exhibitors.
•    Atlanta Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA – September 18 & 19, 2010 Set in historic Piedmont Park, this fair is an event dedicated to bringing together outstanding artists from around the country with the enthusiastic art buying community of the Atlanta area.
•    St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, Kentucky – October 1-3, 2010 Held in the heart of historic Old Louisville among the country’s largest collection of Victorian homes, this art show has for over five decades provided the region with a rich cultural legacy.

When you hear the term “animal print” you probably think of something like this:

Kate Moss in Leopard Print Coat

But at the moment I’m talking about something more like this:

William Wegman "No Fun Sleeping Under A Picture Like This+ Pink Elephants" 20x200.com

We all have our photos of Pooch and Kitty on the mantel at home, but animals in art don’t have to be cute.

Catherine Ledner "Camel" catherinesanimals.com

In fact, sometimes it’s more interesting when things get a little… strange. I’m not talking about really strange, I’m talking about a 1/4 tsp. of strange.

Catherine Ledner "Armadillo 1" catherinesanimals.com

Like how beets sometimes taste like dirt or how cilantro can taste like soap. Just strange enough to leave you walking away with a ‘curious’ feeling.

Mr. French Poster Cannibal Kingdom Beaver by Charles S. Anderson Design

Molly Wortham "You'll Be Poison" zatista.com

Susan Grissom "Lady and Her Bird" zatista.com

Of course, it’s all a matter of personal taste. This is just one woman’s opinion and I think it’s refreshing when ‘animal art’ doesn’t hit you over the head with a ton of cute.

Nathan Oliveira "Baboon (Celadon)" Marsha Mateyka Gallery

Besides, you’ve got plenty of opportunity for that in the kids’ rooms!

Have unique thoughts on art, design, and style?

This summer we’re inviting our community to be guest bloggers! If you love WallSpin and are interested in being a contributing blogger, send a note or submit a post to: nancy@zatista.com. Know anyone else who may be interested? Forward this to your friends.