Want to support community artists in the Atlanta area and be cool while you do it?
Jill McKenzie, of Steve McKenzie's home decor store in Atlanta, said collecting local art can be fun, too.
"You can really get to know the artist and learn about the piece and their creative vision," she said. "I also think it makes it easier because you can try the piece in your home and really see the impact it can make on your home."
Steve McKenzie's showroom began a few years ago when the former CEO of Larson-Juhl opened his store to sell fabrics he had designed. Nowadays, the showroom is a good place to peruse local artwork.
If you aren't sure how to find the perfect local artist, McKenzie said to collect what you love.
It doesn't have to match your sofa. For example, a contemporary abstract can be at home in a traditional decor just as a traditional landscape can be beautiful in a contemporary setting.
"Try and attend as many art openings, exhibits and even art fairs as possible to start to understand your likes and dislikes," McKenzie said. "Once you see something you love, talk to the artist. Learn about their process and what they were trying to express with their work."
Knowing the story behind the artwork can make it even more interesting to hang in your home.
Steve McKenzie said there is currently a trend toward large works in a space.
"(Large art works) especially if you are trying to make an impact with a single piece," he said. "I think the medium is more of a personal choice, but see if you can take the art on approval to see how it works in your space and if you love it as much at home."
Steve McKenzie's showroom is divided into room-like spaces. After working with a local artist to create the perfect piece, customers can relax in a chair and see how the art will look on the wall.
Through June 30, the showroom is featuring an exhibition by local artist Daniel Motz called Pastoral Musings.
Motz was born in Romania and in 1978 came to the United States, where he has pursued cinematography, photography and art. The Pastoral Musings collection is a series of pastels that were painted in the Catalonia region of Spain and in Provence, France.
"Some of my most well-known local works are abstracted bicycles," Motz said. "With three active children, we enjoy the outdoors as a family, especially around Oglethorpe University, with homes with a neutral palette, but comfortable in traditional and contemporary settings."
The works of Athens-based artist Rebecca Wood can also be found at McKenzie's store. Wood paints only native Georgia plants, with bold strokes and movement. Her graphic work is well-suited to pair with photography, colorful art, or black and white images and is often set in a contemporary setting or a country-chic cottage.
"I think you should love a piece," Steve McKenzie said. "If you fall in love, take it really seriously because original works are one of a kind. If you walk away it might not be there later. If you love a piece of art, you'll find a home for it. Perhaps not where you initially thought, but it will become part of your life."
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