image via Pinterest

A big thanks to all those who joined us on Cyber Monday for great deals across the site! We're happy to help you start your holiday shopping early (or perhaps allow you to pick up a treat for yourself ;). As we look towards the holiday season and as it gets darker early we're inspired by all the glittery lights in the trees and shiny baubles in the shops. One of our favorite artists of the glossy, glitzy textures of life is Marilyn Minter. Like the tongue covered in gold, her images are good enough to eat.

About her work Minter says: “I have always been interested in finding that place where it’s not narrative anymore. Narrative tells you what to think. I’m trying to create an image of my truth that other people will look at and say, ‘Oh, that looks real. I know that.’ I just maybe take it a little further.”

Get Creative, Give Creative

Art lovers everywhere know that art is one of the greatest gifts to give and to receive. But finding that piece that fits someone's exact style can be a challenge, which is why I've assembled some of my favorite picks for her, him and home for the holidays.  From romantic views of Paris to sporty photographs of soccer goals to abstracts the whole family will love, there's something for everyone. Plus with 15% off all purchases through Cyber Monday there's no reason not to show those special people in your life that you love them, and their walls! Give art. Because a throw pillow never inspired anyone.
- Chrissy Crawford, Founder

For the Jetsetter: Ciel Bleu by Irene Suchocki              For the Natural Beauty: Top Knot I by Elizabeth Mayville

For the Athlete: Goals by Kim Holtermand              For the Jokester: Mr. White by Jason Alper

For the Beach House & the Modern Loft: Hawaiian Beach by Richard Silver & Desperate Girls by Hayoung Kim.

I was thrilled to join Langdon Graves at her studio this weekend for a wonderful talk and studio tour hosted by Uprise Art and the Art Dossier, while the rest of the team was at AAF Seattle. Langdon shares a beautiful studio in Greenpoint Brooklyn with her boyfriend, sculptor Nick Van Woert. Visitors, including member of the Whitney Contemporaries group enjoyed a wonderful talk by Langdon, delicious snacks and got a peek at her lastest work. Particularly exciting were the fabric and paper pieces that Langdon is beginning to produce with patterns based on some of her earlier drawings. Check out more pics from the studio visit on facebook and see if you can spot some of your favorite ArtStar pieces!

We love the incredible texture of Ben Weiner's Shrine, above, and Cave (below) now on view at Benrimon Contemporary through December 15th. His mastery of oil on canvas is akin to an Old Master. About his process the gallery writes, "Weiner bases his paintings on highly magnified views of the paint on his palette. Viewed at a perspective alien to the naked eye, blobs of paint appear as organic terrains and hyperpigmented, trompe l’oeil landscapes. These paintings chart the evolving topography of his palette, with the process creation of one painting generating source imagery for the next." A show not to be missed.

As you many have spotted in the photos of our booth mid-installation, we've got some new work that we're debuting at the Affordable Art Fair Seattle! One of our favorite new pieces is Old Cathedral Rio by Richard Silver. Stop by the booth tonight for the Preview Party 6-10pm or all day tomorrow and through the weekend to see this gorgeous photo of one of Rio de Janeiro's most magnificent structures.

Affordable Art Fair, Seattle Center, November 8-11. For hours and directions click here.

For complimentary tickets to the fair email hello@artstar.com

It's install time! We're excited to have part of our team in Seattle setting up for what is sure to be an wonderful inaugural Affordable Art Fair Seattle. More updates to come including details on the talks and tours hosted by ArtStar. We'll be here from November 8-11th, email hello@artstar.com for complimentary tickets!

Are you a fanof Langdon Graves? You are cordially invited to a special studio visit with Langdon hosted by our friends at Uprise Art and The Art Dossier. Join us at Langdon's beautiful Brooklyn studio for an intimate peek into her working process and a preview of her latest work. Enjoy mimosas, local food treats, and great company this Saturdaym November 10th, 2-4pm. This truly unique experience is NOT TO BE MISSED! RSVP: http://smalltruths.eventbrite.com/#

We're thrilled to see ArtStar artists participating in a benefit auction tomorrow night at RH Gallery in NYC benefiting Frack Action and Red Hood Initiative Sandy Relief.  Including work from ArtStar's own Melanie Vote, plus our friends Micah Ganske, Colette Robbins, Sean Lennon, Alison Blickle and Trenton Doyle Hancock.