To Panurge’s dismay, I’ve more-or-less decided not to follow through on my plan to decorate my new apartment with cold, sterile, vaguely menacing artwork. This is because I’d actually prefer not to convince any woman visiting the place that she urgently needs to leave. Besides, I’m worried that some of the art linked in the other thread would send me over the balcony. You guys are way, way too good at disturbing art.
So, let’s try something else. If they’re willing, I’d greatly appreciate recommendations from the Teeming Millions for somewhat warmer artwork - something that seems neat, adds color, isn’t found on every dormitory wall, and so on. I’d also prefer that it not be, well … overly feminine. Photographs of puppies are certainly interesting and warm, but don’t really belong in my flat. This photograph of a Regency TR-1 transistor radio might, though: http://www.20x200.com/art/2010/05/regency-tr1-first-pocket-radio.html
Howsabout Richard Estes? He does photorealistic paintings of urban settings, very architechtural and geometric and “masculine”. But they’re very clean-looking and modern, typically with lots of bright warm sunlight, rather than dark, gritty and foreboding. They’re also highly detailed and would make for a good conversation-starter. I’ve had a poster of “Central Savings” hanging up for many years, and I still find it fascinating to look at.
Personally, and this is because of my own tastes, I’d search on DeviantArt for the kinds of things I like and purchase a print from lesser known artists.
I found some good stuff here. I was looking for similar stuff, with an emphasis on steampunk/dieselpunk/art deco pieces, but they have a lot of different options.
Sorry to be obvious, but have you considered Edward Hopper? Not everything he did was as morbid (or as familiar) as Nighthawks. I have The Long Leg right above my computer.
Heh. No problem, Mr. Excellent - I’m just better at sterile, vaguely menacing than warm, & masculine. It has to be interesting either way, though. I love the transistor image - some of the others on the site are cool, too.
Something classic, yet silly? Like Salisbury cathedral with star destroyers?
Slightly less tongue in cheek. If you would like something warm and interesting you might like to consider something by my favourite, the “painter of light” himself. J.M.W. Turner
His catalogue covers a wide range from gentle pastoral watercolours, through industrial power and on to fire, destruction and apocalypse. Plenty to choose from and lots of warmth (normally because something is on fire!)
Actually, now I think of it, there is probably enough in his collection to fulfil your previous brief as well.
Perhaps my post above came out the wrong way. Of course you can have replicas in poster form on your walls. Nothing wrong with that. I was aiming for recommending you to look for stuff that was “born” in poster form because there is so much good, quirky, interesting stuff out there that was conceptualized in that format.
A thought: How about a huge world map on your wall? Perhaps an old one from a school classroom. They look great and are always interesting to look at.
I have a bunch of old B/W photos from the University of Washington digital collection that I ordered from the school. They are both masculine and cool.
They are also easy to order, It’s on your honor, so don’t screw up my shit.
