Yes, it's true that spring may be quickly turning into summer. But since we don't yet have our office air conditioner installed, we're hoping that cool-ish spring weather sticks around a little while longer. As such, we've got a whole wish list of things we're wanting to read, buy, and do for spring:



Visit: The Catskill Animal Sanctuary in Saugerties New York. Only 90 minutes from New York city this sanctuary for abused and neglected farm animals is guaranteed to make you feel less curmudgeonly.

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Read: Pulphead: Essays, by John Jeremiah Sullivan. Web Editor Grace just finished this book of essays and it's the perfect read to pack for a get away weekend or a day at the beach. The essays are short and engaging with an authentic tone that is unselfconscious. You'll be entranced by the essay on Axel Rose. Seriously.



Buy: Mickalene Thomas' latest print for kids featuring her dachshund Priscilla available only through the MoMA Design Store. At only $140 framed, they're sure to go fast.



Wear: Tom Sachs for Nike sneakers. Wear these and you will be the coolest kid on this, or any other, planet.

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Thanks to all who joined us on Monday at Soho House NYC for a great discussion about art, technology and the future of 3D printing. Matt Griffin, Community Manager for Makerbot was jointed by artists Micah Ganske and Marius Watz who presented on their work and their move into the world of 3D scuplture. They were joined on a panel by me, Grace, from ArtStar to contribute an art world perspective. It was a great night and thanks to Micah, Matt and Marius as well as to the audience for their great questions!

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We love seeing how other people hang their art collectionsand the above is a great example of how to pair vintage furniture, and particularly that amazing mirrored sidetable, with some vintage-inspired art and accessories. Note the asymmetrical arrangement of the pieces as well with the largest frame hung over the shelf of curiosities.

Below is a pic of Phillp Lim's house who's pairing of books and art against those gorgeous white bookshelves is just inspired. The oversized red floor lamp completes the look for a room that sophisticated and arty.

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JOIN US for a special Frieze Week Art Party

Hosted by: ArtStar, Dagny & Barstow and Jess Hodin from The Winston Art Group

Sponsored by St Germain

Friday May 4th, 6-9 pm

Join ArtStar, Dagny & Barstow and Jess Hodin on Friday May 4th from 6-9 PM at Dagny & Barstow on the Bowery for a cocktail celebration of the inaugural edition of the Frieze New York art fair as well as the PULSE and NADA fairs with a special focus on the art on the Lower East Side. Featuring cocktails by Saint Germain. No rsvp required.

Dagny & Barstow: 264 Bowery, just south of Houston.

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Dagny & Barstow is pleased to offer 15% off purchases during the party.

Winston Art Group is the nation's largest independent art advisory and appraisal's firm advising clients on acquisitions and disposal of all areas of fine art.  For more information, or to begin collecting or selling, please contact Jess Hodin at Hodin@WinstonArtGroup.com

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We love the way this room is hung salon style with many different small pieces. Note how they are all framed and mounted differently - some are framed and others aren't, the frames and mats are all different and there is a mix of painting, drawings, photography and sculpture. Building up a collection of small pieces and works on paper is also a great way to grow a collection on a budget and it present ever varying possibilities for arranging the work on your walls. Best of all, if you move the pieces are easily adaptable to new wall space.

Oh, and how lucky is that kid to grow up in a space like that?!

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Just like last year, ArtStar will be mounting a booth at this Spring's Affordable Art Fair in NYC from April 18th-22nd. However, this year's booth will be a little different in that we'll be featuring, for the first time, all original works on paper and photographs.

Featured Artists: Firelei Baez, Darlene Charneco, Dolly Faibyshev, John Grande, Langdon Graves, Katherine Newbegin & Mark Mann (above: Son of Solar, by Mark Mann)

Come by and see us at AAF!

We're also hosting a number of exclusive talks on Art & Design and we would love to see you there.

All programs are free with admission.  Unless otherwise noted, all programming will take place in the Programming Lounge presented by The Conran Shop, Booth A-G.

Susanna Salk, author of Room for Children, Talk and Book Signing
Author and interior designer, Susanna Salk, discusses ways to integrate styling principles of art and design in kid's rooms.  A signed copy of Room for Children will be given to one lucky attendee!
Thu, Apr 19, 7pm

Maria Brito: the Art of "Living with Art"

Mario Brito, of interior design company, LifeStyling, discusses how she changes places you "live in" to places that you "can't live without."
Fri, Apr 20, 7pm

Utilizing Online Art Platforms to Help Build Your Collection

Discover expanding your collection through online resources with panelists, Tze Chun, founder of Uprise Art, Chrissy Crawford, founder/director of ArtStar and LittleCollector, Thomas Galbraith, director of analytics at Artnet, Osman Khan of Paddle8, and Sebastian Cwilich of Art.sy.
Sat, Apr 21, 3pm

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Draw your way to happiness! Mail coupon today!

Here are some snaps from what we've seen at the Armory so far. There is so much to see and do that we're still digesting but we'll have more thoughts for you soon! The preview night at the Armory show was packed but we saw some really strong work in the Nordic section and some excellent, unexpected photography coming out of the Korean galleries - definitely worth a return visit and with a pared down exhibitor list, better lighting, and more seating, the visiting experience was much more enjoyable. Overall, however, the Armory felt a little tame.

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We also checked out the Volta Show where galleries spotlight one artist per booth. There were strong showings from Matt Rich at Samson gallery (Boston) and exciting 3D pieces from Aakash Nihalani at Carmichael Gallery (LA). Monumental portrait painting from Janet Werner was a highlight at Parisian Laundry from Montreal, a consistently strong Canadian gallery.

Aakash Nihalani

Janet Werner

Matt Rich

Thursday afternoon we also stopped by the Independent Art Fair, which has vertiginous stairs (if you're afraid of heights, bring a buddy and hold their hand!) but an otherwise beautiful space in Chelsea. Galleries are more experimental and feature more installation and object-based work and its a pleasure to wander around the different floors. Our favorites included small geometric wooden sculptures by Lucy Skaer at Murray Guy Gallery and collages by Oliver Payne at Herald Street Gallery. Today - the Pool Art Fair, Moving Image and a reception at the Norwegian Consulate (we can't wait to see the nibbles!). More to come!

Oliver Payne

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In Quebec

When we need a little mental getaway in the office we love to sneak a peek at this wonderful tumblr all about remote, beautiful, secluded cabins. The title & url may not be the most appropriate thing to have on your work browser (!) but the rewards are definitely worth it; gorgeous shots of places where your blackberry will never get any reception and the only thing in your inbox is chopping wood and making pancakes. Subtitled "inspiration for your quiet place somewhere" we'd happily be swept away.

Between Silverton and Durango, Colarado

Powell River, British Columbia

We love our New York neighborhood! Our intern Kierstin spotted this great double image on the side of the Little Cupcake bakeshop in SoHo. Shepard Fairey with a sprinkling of Banksy - it doesn't get any better than that!

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