As we continue to reflect on our time at Art Basel Miami, we're posting some of our favorite pieces that we saw that have an incredible use of color. Keltie Ferris at Michell-Innes and Nash (below) and Alex Israel (above) at Peres Projects were two standouts for their opposite but exceptional use of color - Israel creates incredibly nuanced, life-size (or lager than) paintings of the sky in all its subtle variation white Ferris uses traditional painting techniques to create technologically inspired canvases that recall the pixels of our digital lives. Both artists stood out among the booths that we visited - plus stay tuned for more of our picks and reflections from art Basel Miami.

With holiday movies about to hit the theaters, we're dreaming of a trip of the cinema sooner rather than later. At the top of our list is Baz Lurmann's The Great Gatsby (have you seen the costumes?!) followed closely by Les Miserables and Life of Pi. So when we saw British artist Anne-Marie Creamer's photographs of the Fox Theatre in San Francisco we couldn't help but get excited. Creamer, who is recently won the Prix de Rome, took vintage photographs from the Fox Theatre and edited them them to create geometrically exciting, kaleidoscopic patterns that capture the headiness and glamour of the vintage theatre. We love these gorgeous pieces and will be thinking of them as the lights dim in the moviplex with a sigh...

So we're back in the office from Miami (and the Nespresso coffee maker is our BFF) and getting a little panicked out that Christmas is only 2 weeks away (and Chanukah has already started!). For tomorrow we're planning a great newsletter all about the trickiest people on your list - that means you boys (and dad). No ties, we promise. And don't forget that ArtStar has easy gift certificates for everyone on your list. Need extra help? Drop us a line at hello@artstar.com. Plus stay tuned for more observations from Art Basel and the Miami Fairs.

We're packing up the office today and doing last minute errands to get ready for one of our favorite times of the year - Art Basel Miami! This year we're particularly excited about the NADA fair where our sister site LittleCollector will be exhibiting for the first time, plus we're staying at the gorgeous Deauville Miami Beach and have plans (perhaps ambitiously!) to bike to dinner every night. As Miami is heavy on the beachy glamour, for us black-obsessed New York girls, we're also thrilled to be bringing some absolutely gorgeous pieces by Rebecca Taylor! Stay tuned to our facebook and twitter to see what our founder Chrissy Crawford will be wearing during the fair  - it's guaranteed to shine - plus party highlights and pics of our favorite pieces all weekend long. See you on the beach!

How wonderful is this piece by artist Joe Sinness? Dolly is one of our all time favorites (and her birthday happens to be less than a month away). Says the irrepressible singer-songwriter, who is also a very saavy businesswoman, "I'm not offended by all the dumb blond jokes because I know that I'm not dumb... I also know that I'm not blond." Oh Dolly!

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.