Stacey Flygirrl Wilson:

How to Collect Art on a Budget

 
With the holidays just around the corner, I know you're looking for some great gift ideas and trying to stretch your dollars.  Ideally, we all would love to buy original artwork, but there are some great ways to collect or buy art gifts while on a budget.  So, I have compiled a list of cool and fun ways to build your art collection--or give a unique gift to help build someone else's collection--without breaking the bank!

Thereʼs more affordable art out there than you realize! My picks offer a wide range of items, visually and financially but give you options to find exactly what youʼre looking for.

Happy hunting!  

Upcoming Event Picks:

4:30 - 5:30 p.m. open to PAFA members

5:30 - 8:30 p.m. open to the public

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)

Samuel M. V. Hamilton Building, 6th Floor
128 North Broad Street (Cherry Street Entrance) 

If you’re looking for some incredible art maybe to buy as a gift for the holidays or to add to that empty wall, you can definitely find something here. Purchase limited-edition, hand-pulled fine art prints, all for under $100. Food and beverage will be provided. Exclusive members' shopping hour from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The sale, held in the print shop located on the sixth floor of PAFA's Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, features cards, etchings, lithographs, stamp prints, and woodcuts by students. Admission is Free. Check here for more info : www.pafa.org

NoLibs Holiday Shopping Spree

December 4 - 5

11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The Northern Liberties community is in the holiday shopping spirit with a two day spending spree event with various shops having sales of up to 25% off.  The more you shop the more you save. What’s even greater, is that a few places I mention on here such as Jinxed and Art Star are on the list! You can shop and receive discounts at various places like Jinxed, Art Star, Bambi Gallery, Arcadia Boutique, Adorn Hand Crafted Jewlery and more! 

My Top Picks: 

Jinxed 

This cool and funky shop is in the shops at The Piazza. Here, you can find all kinds of fun, artsy items that are hand painted and hand made. Don’t forget that original art isn’t always just two dimensional. Hand-painted sneakers and other random items are all original art. Pick up some hand painted Dunny’s, put up a shelf and display your art that is a one of a kind!

Etsy

If you want cool visuals, Etsy can be your best friend! Etsy is an amazing site where you can find all kinds of art and crafty things. Everything on this site is handmade, aside from a vintage section. There is so much to choose from--but donʼt fret by the vast amounts of choices--they have a search engine where you can enter all kinds of specific wants and needs, including your spending budget!  You can also support local Philly artists by going to the 'shop local' section of the site. 

U Gallery

This dynamite spread of artwork is somewhere I love to visit to get inspired. The site allows the buyer to browse by medium, genre, size, price, color and artist. You can get lost in the massive amount of creativity on this site. What is even greater about the site is that you can buy gift cards! What a great gift for a friend (or for yourself) to save up for that must have piece of art! 

College Art Online

This site not only has great original art, but in order to exhibit on the site, you must be an art student, recent graduate (up to 5 years) or professors to sell your artwork.

Deviant Art

I belong to this site and am a big fan of it.  As an artist, it is a really cool network of artists. As a consumer, you have the option to buy some really amazing work in various fun forms like table coasters, jigsaw puzzles, prints and all kinds of other things. Itʼs cool way to collect your favorite pieces in different and unique ways.

Flygirrl Shameless Plug

As an artist and a consumer, I understand both sides of the purchasing situation. So, I allow customers to custom create the piece that they want for an accommodating fee. For $300 you can receive an original piece of art with the colors and concept of your own (with my style of course). Size and time frame vary per project.

Outdoor Art Markets + Festivals

Although it is getting cold outside, something to look forward to in the spring and summer are all the outdoor shopping options. Mostly held on the weekends, you can find little vendor and artist markets and exhibitions outside in the city. Look out for places like - The Piazza, Rittenhouse Square and Headhouse Square. You will definitely find something unique and funky.  And donʼt forget about the Art Star Craft Bazaar--it's a goldmine of wonderful original art!

Trade Services

Trading Services is a cool way to network and get the artwork that you want! Maybe youʼre a graphic designer, a massage therapist or a hair stylist. Offer your craft in trade for theirs! Itʼs a great way for you both get something cool out of it. And what a bonus if you gain a new client from the exchange and help a starving artist!

Insider Tips:

Insider tip:  Prints, prints, prints!

Canʼt afford the original? Most artists either have prints or are willing to print to order. There are lots of options out there for how you would like the print to be printed, depending on how much you can spend. Next time you see an artist exhibiting at one of Philly's many galleries and their work is out of your price range, ask them for a print!

Insider tip: Thrift Stores + Vintage Shops!

Over the years, I have found some really cool original art in random thrift stores. Just as you can find that amazing piece of clothing, you can also find amazing art! Maybe you can restore it bit or get it reframed. Remember, one mans trash is another mans treasure!

Insider tip: Creative Ambassadors who are visual artists

Check out these artistic Creative Ambassadors for some inspiration--Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Rah Crawford and me, Flygirrl.  

Stacey Flygirrl Wilson:

Picks for DesignPhiladelphia 

Thru October 17

Various Locations

DesignPhiladelphia is the largest design festival of it's kind which brings together over 450 creative thinkers and artists for ten days of design events.  There are so many amazing and innovative  events to choose from, but here are some of my top picks and insider tips.

The Art of the Martini in Glass

October 9 | 3pm-6pm

More Than Old | 144-146 North 3rd Street

An exhibition of martini glasses, vintage to hand blown contemporary. Additional barware will be on exhibition. Orangetinis and light refreshments will be served on Oct 9 from 3-6 pm. Free and open to the public.

Insider tip: I love glass art. If you saw my last blog on Philly 360, I featured a glass artist. This is just a fun exhibit that is just a little different compared to your typical showcase. And who can pass up free Orangetinis? I mean, really.

In Flight

October 10 | 4:00pm - 4:00pm        

803 S. 4th Street

Octo Design Group and Skai Blue Media will host an exhibit highlighting the effects of the BP oil spill. In the weeks prior to the event, Skai Blue Media will host four weekend workshops where, for $1, attendees can create an origami bird or another animal affected by the spill. All proceeds will be donated to animal rescue organizations along the Golf Coast. Free and open to the public.

Insider Tip: Make sure to stop by this impactful event brought to you by Philly 360 creative ambassador, Rakia Reynolds. Not only can you see amazing creative works, but you can also help make a difference to help Animal Rescue Operations effected by the BP Oil Spill.. And that makes this event that more special.

Judith Leiber - The Art of the Handbag

September 10 - October 17 | 11:00am - 7:00pm

The Galleries at Moore: Window on Race | 20th Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway

Judith Leiber is widely recognized as a major figure in handbag design, having created more than three thousand different motifs during a career spanning over thirty years. This exhibition features twenty-five designs that highlight the breadth and range of Judith Leiber’s work including examples of early beaded bags from the 1970s to more recent creations from the 1990s. Leiber’s designs transcend objects of utility to become objets d’art placing Leiber in an elite group of designers such as Lalique, Tiffany, and Cartier, creators of high quality products for public consumption that have come to be regarded as art. Free and open to the public.

Insider tip: If you’re a fashionista, i know i don’t have to tell you who Judith Leiber is. She creates incredible art that translates into fashionable and elaborate jeweled clutches and bags. I’m sure you’ve seen them on red carpets with the celebs. Amazing. A must see.

How to Launch Your Design Product in the Martketplace

October 10th | 3:00pm - 5:00pm        

Terra Hall 5th Floor, University of the Arts | 211 S. Broad Street

This workshop by Elissa Bloom presents an overview of the key strategies for launching your product in the marketplace. Bring your product or product ideas to the workshop. At the end of the workshop, we will create ‘mind maps’ to guide you to the next step. Free and open to the public, RSVP to ebloomin@aol.com

Insider tip: Elissa Bloom is a self taught designer who got discovered by Bloomingdale’s. Now, her line is carried in various upscale shopping institutions. Her whimsical beaded art adorns every bag, coin purse and clutch. She has an inspiring story for artists and designers trying to start their careers. It’s worth making the trip out to have a session with her.

Re-Mix : Bikes

October 11th | 1:00pm - 5:00pm        

The Design Lot | 313 South Broad Street

Calling all cyclers! Come over to The DesignPhiladelphia Design Lot and customize your ride with art materials from Blick Art Supply. Assistants will be on hand to help you personalize your bicycle. Open to all ages. Free and open to the public

Insider tip: This is a great event for the family or just for you and some friends. You can all get creative and Re-Mix your Bikes to turn them into one of a kind pieces of art. Art supplies can add up, so this is such a special treat for free! (Love that!)

SA VA : Native Gypsy

October 13th | 6:00pm - 8:00pm        

Sansom Street between 17th and 18th Streets | 1700 Sansom Street

SA VA Native Gypsy: Fall Fashion Show & Community Street Fair, a part of this year’s DesignPhiladelphia. SA VA Native Gypsy will showcase the SA VA Fall collection during an outdoor runway show on the 1700 block of Sansom Street. Surrounding neighbors will participate in outdoor vending and entertainment with DJ and special guest speakers. The event will benefit the Career Wardrobe, an amazing organization that helps women transition back in to the work force. This event is free and open to the public. The rain date is Friday, October 15th.

Insider tip: You definitely can’t go wrong with an outdoor block party with a positive purpose. Mix that with a outdoor runway fashion show by SA VA, and you have yourself a party on Sansom Street. This is an awesome way to get over the hump in the middle of your week!

FBI Studio Tours : Philly’s Phinest Phloss

October 14th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm        

Floss Barber Inc., Suite 310 (Studio Office)  | 1420 Locust Street

Floss Barber Inc. would like to open their doors to DesignPhiladelphia and the public! You are invited to take a tour of our studio complex through the glass doors of creativity, on the third floor of the Academy House Building.  Free and open to the public.

Insider tip : In addition to being an artist, I’m also a graphic designer - so an event like this is exciting to me. I love seeing what it's like behind the scenes of major projects - from seeing the materials used to the process in which is was made. This is that kind of event. Floss Barbers’ Interior Design is crisp, clean and balanced.  You may be able to get a sneak peak of one of their current projects, SugarHouse Casino while there!

Old City Windows

October 7-17

Streets throughout the Old City District of Philadelphia | 200 Arch Street

Old City Business Collective is inviting everyone to Old City for an exciting exhibit of windows and storefronts on display. “Old City Windows” is part of a contest sponsored by the OCBC as part of the DesignPhiladelphia celebration in October. Stroll the historic blocks of Old City filled with window displays designed by students, recent graduates, professionals, and artists in various fields of design.  Free and open to the public

Insider tip: For those of you on the run and can’t really commit to a scheduled event, throughout the month - you can vote for various window displays that you think are designed the best. How fun and convenient! Make sure to take a stroll or drive through Old City!

Stacey "Flygirrl" Wilson:

Top 10 Favorite Philly Artists of the Moment  

Denise Fike

I think Denise is probably in the running for my top spot. I totally fell in love with her fashion illustrations. Her style is so loose, yet detailed. She works elaborate wallpaper into her pieces creating a richness that compliments each one of her subjects.

Willis Nomo

Nomo has been a favorite of mine for a while now. He regularly has work hanging at Gallerie Isada. His work ranges from characters to nature. His style is diverse, yet it all has his touch to it. I can always spot a Nomo piece!

Hannan Saleh

Her work is just amazing. She uses her photography and combines it with other applications. . She also takes the time to mount these works on beautiful rare pieces of wood, making each one a true one-of-a-kind.

Andrea Pippins

Andrea is a new fave of mine. She is graphic designer & illustrator. I too am a designer, so when i saw her design work, I fell in love with it. upon further research I found some really great illustrations that she created to compliment her new brand, I Love My Hair.

Serena Saunders

Serena’s art is big and bold and colorful. She also loves to play with text within her pieces, playing with positive and negative space. Her pieces are larger in scale which makes them even more wonderful. She is also an amazing fashion designer. I bought a few handmade leather/art clutches from her that are conversation pieces every time I take them out.

Philly 360 Creative Ambassador, Tatyana Fazlalizadeh 

Tatyana has been a favorite for quite some time. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her at painting live events, by painting live, making custom pieces and exhibiting. Her work with oils is just amazing. She often creates pieces with a story and meaning. I love that. If you get a chance, you have to watch videos of her painting live. It’s just amazing to see her flawless process.

Eric Jordan

I love Eric’s tribute art. Most of his pieces are of public figures and made on the computer. He mixes illustration and design, which is what makes me love them so much. There is a freeness to the illustration, but a design plan to it all.

Robert Libby

I recently came across Robert Libby. I really loved his work. Some of his portrait pieces even have an Egon Shiele feel to them, which I absolutely love.

Frances Nielah Bradley

Frances’ work is so beautiful and fun. She captures a vibe of strength showing various African-American figures portrayed with playful, vibrant illustrations in which each one telling a story all its own.

Lillian Cotton

I came across Lillian while doing the Ladies of Hip-Hop Festival 3 years ago. What I love in her work is the mystique. Her pieces also show a depth with movement and layering that can have you stuck looking at everything going on.