(Title Unknown) by Svend Svendsen

 
Oil on canvasThis is my favorite work of art that I own. I look at it virtually every day. The meadow/woods in the foreground are familiar and inviting. The valley beyond is mysterious, but not in a foreboding way. On the contrary, the colors sugges…

Oil on canvas

This is my favorite work of art that I own. I look at it virtually every day. The meadow/woods in the foreground are familiar and inviting. The valley beyond is mysterious, but not in a foreboding way. On the contrary, the colors suggest a good end to the day, and perhaps good things in store. Svendsen (1864–1945) was a Norwegian American impressionist whose works were exhibited during his lifetime at the Chicago Art Institute, the National Academy of Design, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo in 1901. Svendsen’s most famous works are wintery landscapes, so he is apparently working against type here.

 

El Pont del Bisbe by F. Amat

 
Intaglio printDid you know that, in Spain, paper products are sold in smoke shops? I don’t know why, but that’s were you go for your smokes, your stationary, and your hand-made prints like this one, depicting the famous arch in Barcelona’s Gothic Qu…

Intaglio print

Did you know that, in Spain, paper products are sold in smoke shops? I don’t know why, but that’s were you go for your smokes, your stationary, and your hand-made prints like this one, depicting the famous arch in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.

 

Soy Gigante by Ana Yael

 
PrintI purchased this from the artist in Barcelona. I love how it uses a somewhat blasé vocabulary to capture a sense of wonder, space, and the sheer vastness of creation. It is surreal but not terrible. That seems right to me: after all, most of my…

Print

I purchased this from the artist in Barcelona. I love how it uses a somewhat blasé vocabulary to capture a sense of wonder, space, and the sheer vastness of creation. It is surreal but not terrible. That seems right to me: after all, most of my dreams are weird, but very few of them are nightmares and some are quite reassuring.

 

Paris: Les Toits by Danielle Douchet

 
Gouache on handmade paperI purchased this from the artist in the Place du Tertre in Montmatre. It is a small and simple work on paper, but it’s my favorite souvenir from a joyful trip to Europe with my mom and daughter.

Gouache on handmade paper

I purchased this from the artist in the Place du Tertre in Montmatre. It is a small and simple work on paper, but it’s my favorite souvenir from a joyful trip to Europe with my mom and daughter.

 

September Mountain by Ed Maryon

 
LithographI first came across Ed Maryon’s paintings on my frequent visits to the Matheson courthouse in Salt Lake City. I did my homework, found a nice book of Ed’s work, and eventually got in touch with Ed’s family. I love this one because it captu…

Lithograph

I first came across Ed Maryon’s paintings on my frequent visits to the Matheson courthouse in Salt Lake City. I did my homework, found a nice book of Ed’s work, and eventually got in touch with Ed’s family. I love this one because it captures the terrain of my childhood: the foothills of Davis County; the vivid greens and golds of scrub oak and parched grass.

 

Ten Lepers Healed by Brian Kershisnik

 
Glicée print “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” There is something touching and sad about the pure joy of the nine in the foreground. I believe in gratitude, and I hope to be like the Samaritan who went back and said thanks—at le…

Glicée print

“Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” There is something touching and sad about the pure joy of the nine in the foreground. I believe in gratitude, and I hope to be like the Samaritan who went back and said thanks—at least 10% of the time.

 

Pike Place Market by Dawn LaGrave

 
I have travelled to Seattle for work many times. When I go, I usually take an hour or two to wander around the public market, smell the flowers and the fish, watch the people, check out the arts and crafts, and eat. That’s where I picked up this up …

Three-dimensional collage

I have travelled to Seattle for work many times. When I go, I usually take an hour or two to wander around the public market, smell the flowers and the fish, watch the people, check out the arts and crafts, and eat. That’s where I picked up this up cool 3-D collage/kaleidoscope, which is made from photos of the market’s iconic sign. The best souvenirs are hand made by local artists.