The Art & Light
Anniversary Small
Works Show

I’m excited to announce that I will be joining Art & Light Gallery in their *Annual Small Works* exhibition, alongside 38 (!!!) amazing other artists. This will be my fifth time participating in this show and I always love to see how everyones works look all together on the wall. Look how good the show has looked in past years!

This year my two littles are titled Tangerine and Agua Aqua. There are a couple of things different about these pieces — for starters they are on panel instead of canvas, which I feel I don’t use often enough. Whenever I do, I love the way mark making feels! Secondly there’s a lot of juicy orange — which is a relatively new color for me. It just felts so good against my more familiars pale blues and greenish grays!

Shop all of my available art at Art & Light

The show will be run digitally and in-gallery from Tuesday, July 29 to Saturday, August 30. The opening reception on Friday, August 1 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, with small bites and cocktails.

Learn more about the 19th Anniversary Annual Small Works exhibition, click here.

not sure what to do with your new small artworks?

I know at least a few people that have a collection of smaller pieces and works on paper that they are waiting for inspiration to strike before they display them. If you’re someone that could use a little bit of help styling your space with your art collection, I’ve pulled together some tips and tricks to make it a little easier.

Styling smaller works on bookshelves

We often think of art as something that needs to be framed and hung on the wall, but small art pieces—like postcards, tiny canvases, vintage prints, or mini sculptures—can bring character and charm to your shelves. Here’s how to use them to style your bookcase like a pro.

1. Create Visual Layers

Adding art amongst your books helps break up rows of spines and adds depth. The next time you’re styling your shelf, instead of setting pieces right next to each other, try placing the art piece behind a few stacked books or a decorative object. This creates visual layers and makes the whole shelf feel more intentional and curated.

2. Mix Up Sizes and Shapes

Try pairing a tiny portrait with a tall vase or lean a horizontal piece next to a stack of vertical books. Playing with proportion keeps the eye moving and prevents things from feeling too stiff or matchy.

5. Tell a Story

Think about how your art relates to your books or other items. A Deconstructed Floral would be perfect near a collection of nature books. A black-and-white photo next to vintage novels. Use your shelf as a mood board or visual diary. Or use it to showcase your eclectic style or adventures in travel!

Gallery Walls

Smaller art might not scream for attention on its own—but grouped together, it can transform an entire wall. Consider pulling them together into a gallery wall. It’s a creative and flexible way to showcase your collection without the pressure of a huge statement piece. It can feel intimidating but here are three ways to feel more confident and get an end result feel effortlessly elevated.

1: Balance, Not Symmetry

You don’t need everything to be perfectly aligned, but you do need visual balance. Here are some of my tried and true ways for pulling that off.

Anchor the wall with one larger piece that you can build out from.
The pieces don’t have to match, but I try and keep them of a similar palette and tone.
Mix and match frames, and leaving pieces unframed.

2: Map It Out First

Measure twice, hang once. Before I commit to any nails in the wall, I cut paper templates the size of the frames and then tape them to the wall to get a feel for spacing and flow.

3: Include the Unexpected

Your gallery wall doesn’t have to be all frames. Mix in a small mirror, paper and canvas artworks, a woven item, plates, sentimental pieces or even a sconce. It’s those layers and textures that bring the wall to life and make it feel collected and personal. Here are some ideas that I got from my last trip to Framebridge that I can’t wait to try. I’m especially loving the shadowboxed matches, recipe card and puppy memorabilia.

Fill a small space

Here are some of my favorite unexpected and elevated spots to hang small art:

1. Above a Nightstand

Just like in a bookshelf, layering art a lovely way to balance a vignette. Try this grouping: a lamp, a painting, and a small bowl or dish on a stack of books.

2. Over a Towel Hook or Bar

Bathrooms are often forgotten when it comes to original art, but a small piece above a towel hanger adds warmth and personality.

3. Between or to the side of Windows

That narrow strip of wall between or to the side of windows is prime real estate for a smaller piece. It draws the eye and adds interest without crowding the natural light. I love doing this near windows with roman shades especially.

4. In the Kitchen

Try a tiny painting on a backsplash shelf, above a coffee station, or leaning against the wall near the range. Kitchens deserve beauty too—and a little art can make the space feel more soulful and less sterile.

Hopefully this helps you with that stack of art that’s been waiting for a moment of inspiration, or with that new piece you’ve just collected! If you’d like a more personalized way to style your art, check out my design services page to see how I can help you achieve the home of your dreams.

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