Holiday Gift Guide

Home All

The helloart holiday gift guide is designed to introduce art lovers to some of our current favourite works, and to help you with selecting original local art with ease this holiday season.

Gifts Under $250

1. Two Doors, Nicole Mandelis

.

.

This 8” x11” acrylic painting on canvas by Nicole Mandelis is an eye-catching piece, with an array of pepto-pink tones and stoic arched doorways. The shadow on the left creates a satisfying blueish-purple hue, and highlights the brighter, peachy pinks on the right. This simplicity allows you to appreciate Mandelis’ eye for detail in colour, and ability to capture light. $150.

2. The Lake, Meagan McCluskey

..

The 9" x 12" oil painting on canvas paper captures the sunlight reflecting off of a body of water, producing an assortment glistening tones. The painterly brush strokes seem to dance across the canvas, creating lots of texture to depict ripples. This feels like a calming piece which would suit well in all spaces. $100.
.

3. Springtime - Magnolia Buds, Ingrid Whitaker

.

.

This 18” x 14” acrylic painting on canvas is a gentle reminder that spring will come again. The cool tones and colours are calming, with a pop of white showing through which is an uplifting aspect of the work. The magnolia branches reach and stretch out to the edges of the canvas, allowing the viewer to admire the simplicity and elegance of their presence. $225.

4. The Pallet, Nicholas Hoang

.
.
This 9" x 12" acrylic painting on wood panel by Nicholas Hoang would be a pleasant addition to any space. The primary colour palette is softened by the beige laced throughout, and the effortless glide of paint and delicate movement within this work seem to create this 'emerging' effect in the composition. $225. 
.

5.The Deep, Kanchan Quinlan

..

.

This 12” x 16” acrylic painting on canvas is a lively abstract piece, with large brush strokes, breaking the composition into a melody of bold forms. Seemingly reminiscent of a landscape, it almost seems there is a shoreline near the top of the canvas, but the vertical lines fragment the space. Her bold brushstrokes produce an uplifting affect, complete with a creamy texture and interesting definition with the use of stark contouring. $130.

Gifts Under $500

1. My Sister's Garden Flowers, Grumpy Brush

.
.

This 16” x 20” oil painting on canvas is a brilliant display of white foxgloves, purple campanulas and red tiger lilies, placed against a dazzling background. Attention should be drawn to the blending in the background which creates an interesting glow and movement to the composition; With flickers of orange and centralized green hue surrounding the flowers, it almost seems iridescent. $440.

.

2Piece of Memory 3, Ha Young Jung

.

.

This 14” x 11” oil and acrylic painting on canvas (framed) by the exquisite artist Ha Young Jung, is full of imagery surrounding space, light, and meditation. Jungs artistic practice is unique, and she’s wonderful at evoking contemplation in viewers through visual metaphors. The lightness of the placement of the bird nest creates an interesting focal point; whereas the bird hovering up above, rustling its wings, seems to be just about to break the stillness and swoop down to her eggs. $320.

3. Coming Home, Serene Chan

.
.

This 16” x 20” acrylic painting on canvas is amusing to ponder; as you look closer into the astronaut’s helmet, worlds within worlds begin to emerge, creating fantastical scenery. Serene Chan captures a soft sharpness, with shatters of glass contrasting with delicate yellow butterflies and what seems to be a blue mist seeping out of the helmet. Certainly a timely piece, reminding one the resurgence of interest in space, travel, and the impossible. $425.

4. Meet Me in the Lobby, Bill Lunshof

.

.

This 14” x 14” oil painting on canvas is an elegant display of the comfort found in beautiful lobbies. The light-soaked lobby creates this diffusion of bright light which complements the yellow drapes nicely. The swirl of the table legs, and the upright turn of the flowers gives this composition a playful energy and dynamism. $300.

5. Kayak, Joyce Carter.

This 18” x18” acrylic painting on gallery canvas is a great reminder of the adventures awaiting us once the cold winter months are over. Joyce Carter recreates a peaceful moment of being on the open water, with stunning scenery, while kayaking. It’s also a great encapsulation of what Ontario, particularly Northern Ontario, has to offer, and perhaps even Carter’s appreciation for this. The choppy water suggests a bumpy ride, maybe even distracting the kayaker from the stillness of the setting sun, but fortunately the moment is recreated to be enjoyed again and again. $475.