Doesn't it seem like the artists all come out of the woodwork in the Fall season?  It could be that Summer keeps most of us, artists included, busy with exterior house projects, yard work and vacations away from it all.  But come September the local papers and community bulletin boards start advertising Autumn Festivals and Harvest Fairs galore, and with them come amazing locally created arts & crafts.  You could hit a different festival every weekend and take home a unique piece of art or a craft to add to your decor and admire for years to come.

I've been a huge fan of art and have dabbled in various different mediums from as far back as I can remember.  To me art is everywhere and if you can capture it and express your view of it through a photograph, drawing, painting, etching, sculpture, piece of furniture, jewelry or any other medium, you share with the world an intimate, unique piece of yourself that no one else can completely duplicate.  It's like a fingerprint -- true, original art is one-of-a-kind.

Having said that, I can't think of anything better to decorate my home with than original art from local artists.  You may share the same wall color with your neighbor or have drapes in the same fabric.  You may even have the same sofa, lamp shade, throw pillows or bed cover.  These types of decoration -- functional or purely decorative -- are mostly mass-produced and although they are beautiful and reflect your personal style, nothing makes a statement about you and your taste like a piece of artwork.  It shows your support for artists, your passion for their work and your desire for unique pieces that compliment your home as well as spark conversation among your guests.  The pieces of art that you are drawn to and that you choose to include in your home's decor not only speaks volumes for the artist who created it, it speaks volumes for the person you are for having chosen and purchased it.  It can show your quirky side or your soft side.  It can reveal your interests  --  your passions.  What you display in your home in terms of art and decoration often forms a repetitive visual pattern of what colors, designs and styles sing to your soul.

I attended the Granby Artists Association's Open Studio Tour the weekend of October 8th and was in awe at the talent we have right in our own back yard!  Every town across the country and around the globe has artists creating awe-inspiring works and many pieces are for purchase.  Like Avis Cherichetti at Honey Hill Pottery who creates Raku pottery using a firing techniqe dating back to 16th century Japan.  Or Kate Snyder who forms her vision of nature into one-of-a-kind pieces of sterling silver jewelry.  Or Laura Eden whose paintings reflect her vision of art that appears in nature all around us.

In this post I'm speaking of Granby, CT artists only because I am familiar with them due to their close proximity to my home, but please know that there are WONDERFUL local artists in your community, too.  Call your town's Chamber of Commerce to learn more about the artists in your area.  Google search engine can be a great help in locating local artists and crafts people too.  Your purchases of art made locally keeps your dollars in your community and supports and encourages the arts as a whole. 

I hope you can get out to an arts and crafts fair this fall and support the local artists by purchasing a piece of artwork that sings to you! 


You can learn more about Avis and see her work on her website:  http://www.honeyhillpottery.us/
You can learn more about Kate and see her jewelry on her website:  http://www.joyofsilver.com
You can learn more about Laura and see her paintings on her website:  http://www.laurajeden.com