Amy is one of those artists that have been an SGD favorite for a while now. We love her abstract art, her bubbly personality and maybe more than anything, her amazing home. Located in the Crestwood area of Fort Worth, it is a space that feels very "California bungalow hosts an artist retreat in 1972". Airy and bright with natural elements, outdoor living spaces and chock full of collectibles and vintage treasures, it is also the perfect backdrop for her big and bold canvases. Recently, a feature home location for 360 West Magazine fell through and Shauna was contacted to crowdsource another home. We immediately thought of Amy's and you can see the final feature in the August 2020 Cool Issue. 

SGD: Can you briefly walk us through your story? How you started and how you got to where you are today?
AY: I am from the South and grew up in a family of artistic people. Art supplies were put into my hands from the get-go! When I was a child many people taught art classes out of their garages or in their homes and my mother would sign me up for every single one! One month I might be on a pottery wheel and the next creating oil paintings of historical buildings. When I attended The University of Alabama I fell in love with the art department and took as many art classes as possible. Since then I’ve continued to create and grow as an artist through workshops where I have studied under many well-known artists.

SGD: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
AY: It was not always a smooth road!  In the beginning, I did all kinds of art because I was afraid to do what I really wanted to do. My dream was to create extra large, abstract oil paintings. One day I broke through that fear by taking a canvas and tons of art supplies up on to a golf course behind the home we were living in. I made a promise to myself that I would not stop until a large piece was completed. I never looked back from that day!!
​
SGD: What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artist?
AY: I am most proud of the fact that I never gave up and that I have had the ability to adapt and learn almost every aspect of the art business.
I think what sets me apart is that I do so many different types of paintings but all are uniquely me. Some pieces are soft and calming and others are super colorful and full of energy. Because of this wide variety often times clients, designers and galleries are able to place multiple pieces in one location. I also absolutely love meeting the clients and visiting their homes. I have worked with the most unbelievably kind people. Knowing that my art is loved and enjoyed by them is such a blessing to me! I would also say that my work ethic sets me apart. Some days I will work 16 hours straight and enjoy every minute. I am constantly exploring new methods and ideas that God has given to me!

​SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career?
AY: My advice for someone who is just starting their art career....

• Never give up!
• Be inspired by others but do not copy them. 
• Give back and help other artists get established in the art world.
• Have fun!
• Let your art tell your story!
• Find an older art mentor and become a mentor to younger artists.
• Be bold and create things that will make others feel alive and joyful!

SGD: What artists do YOU admire and why?
AY: Cy Twombly, Jose Parla,  Jean-Michel Basquiat, Joan Mitchell and Mark Bradford are the artist that have consistently inspired and influenced me as an artist. It is their mark-making ability and graffiti/street art quality that I love the most.

SGD: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
AY: In addition to being an artist I am interested in architecture, interior design, filmmaking, writing and illustrating children’s books and someday owning my own art gallery.
I am currently working on a children’s book about rainbows and my paintings will be the illustrations.  

Where to find Amy: 
Website: www.amyoungart.gallery
Facebook: Amy Young
Instagram: @amyoungart
Contact: amyoungart@gmail.com
Know an artist that we need to spotlight! Email us with your suggestions!

If you are a regular follower of Shauna on Instagram, you have come to notice that weekends are times for projects. That is, unless she is waiting in line for 4 hours for tacos. (More on that later). Her DIY Dot paintings were a huge hit a couple years ago and inspired lots of us to embrace our inner artist and create art that's both simple and personal. We believe that anything can be art, and art in your home should reflect you and your passions. So, inspired by a piece of 3D photography that she bought in Guatamala, Shauna set out to recreate the technique with photos of her recent travels. 

So, as it turns out, a time consuming project but not difficult. The floating frames are from Michaels and come in several sizes. Foam board is used to glue (tacky glue is the best option we've found) to the back of the photo pieces you cut out to give it the 3D effect. Also some precision scissors or an exacto knife are handy tools to have. Check out the video tutorial below. 

So easy, peasy! I promise you can do it. All of our photos were taken with an iPhone and we had them printed at Walgreens. So, no fancy cameras necessary. Now, if photography is not your strongest skill, you can go to websites like Society 6 or Etsy and snag some great travel photos of places you've visited. Or, not visited. Just because the photography is beautiful. Here are some of our favorites from Society 6. 

So, if you've run out of projects around the house this summer, here's a fun one for you to tackle. We'd love to see what you create! Post on Instagram with the tag #ShaunasDIYchallenge for a chance to be featured in our stories! 

This post contains affiliate links and we are compensated for purchases made via these links.

When you think of a ranch in the Texas Hill Country, visions of rich leather, heavy wood, animal skulls and western art probably pop in to your mind. When one of Shauna's good friends came to her to update their family ranch, we knew that finding the perfect balance between the western ranch aesthetic and a fresh, modern look would be a challenge we were anxious to dive in to. 
The first space we tackled was the family room. A wide, open space that originally held a seating area and a dining table. We had other plans for a dining room (more about that later), so there was an opportunity to create a second seating area for afternoon cocktails, card games or just good ol' conversation. 
BEFORE:

I mean....wow! Right? We switched out the heavy leather furniture for a light, bright sectional from Restoration Hardware. Their Perennials performance fabric means you CAN have white linen at the ranch and not worry about mud or red wine or marinara sauce stains. 

We also added this great cocktail table, also from Restoration Hardware (similar here), but kept the homeowners rug and that amazing antler chandelier to maintain the ranch vibe. Custom pillows in cobalt blue mohair, and simple, colorful patterns and stripes provide a rich contrast to the white sofa and are still comfortable enough for an afternoon nap. 

In the new cocktail area, woven rattan chairs also from Restoration Hardware surround an antique Indian chakki table that has been topped with embossed leather to create a cocktail ottoman. The rustic console table from Four Hands fits neatly between the windows with two newly upholstered stools tucked underneath for easy additional seating. Of course, it's not a ranch without a cowhide here and there, so this seemed like the perfect spot. The homeowner is an avid collector of art and objects so we were not lacking for amazing pieces to style out shelves, tables and walls. 
For the kitchen, we wanted to continue the open, bright feel and also give the homeowner a place to showcase her collections. We chose white cabinets and countertops and oversized white subway tile but the wood accents in floating shelves, cabinet detail and the range vent create that warm, rustic feel. And remember the dining room that we eliminated? Well what used to be a fairly unused sunporch is now a bright and colorful dining room. 
B​EFORE:

Seriously, y'all. This has to be one of my favorite before & afters. It's still obviously a ranch but modern and bright and colorful (but not too much) and homey. These chairs were ones the homeowner already had so we just reupholstered them in a yummy blue velvet and floral print from Schumacher. The stacked wood console table by Noir again keeps that wood/nature theme going. Simple jute rug from Dash & Albert is easy to maintain and allows the colorful chairs to pop. Chandelier from Suzanne Kasler has leather buckle detail. 
Check out more of our Before & After renovations here.
Ready for us to tackle YOUR Before? Contact us for more info.

This post contains affiliate links and we are compensated for purchases made via these links.

Like many of the artists we work with, we discovered Carolyn on Instagram. Her whimsical, bold colors are right up our alley and the fact that she is the sweetest person ever just makes us love her even more! Carolyn is a Dallas native who has lived and worked all over the world. While it's hard to say which of her pieces we love the most; her iconic portraits of Frida, Willie and Iris, her bold abstract florals or the grafitti inspired pieces, her work shows her sense of adventure and vibrancy of living, and honestly just makes us smile! 

SGD: Can you briefly walk us through your story? How did you get started and how did you get to where you are today?

CJ: It feels a bit like I’ve been painting forever, as though making art is a 25+ year long ribbon of color tying together my memories.
 Like a lot of creatives, I loved art as a kid so I signed up for oil painting, pottery, sewing classes, thrilled by color in all its shapes and forms. I majored in Painting & Print-Making at Wake Forest University and minored in Art History. Late nights in-studio and early mornings working in a bakery fueled my creativity, always a sucker for coffee + cookies and the doodles they inspired. I studied at Oxford and interned in some incredible art galleries in Sydney, Australia where I worked with Aboriginal art and Asian Pacific Rim contemporary art.
 I came home to Dallas to work for Neiman Marcus, then 9/11 happened and changed our world forever. Some soul-searching and a continued love for painting led me to teach children’s art & art history… to my great joy. I began meeting and painting for interior designers during these early days.
 A few years later I moved to Austin to pursue art of a different kind, culinary arts – culinary school was a childhood dream of mine, as my extended family had Chinese restaurants and the noisy kitchen fascinated me with its sizzling sounds and fiery flavors. During culinary school, I continued to paint and sell my paintings in coffee shops, happy to share my color-filled travel-inspired pieces. Austin was vibrant and always-encouraging and I’ll forever be grateful for such an inclusive community.
 Fast forward a million years, babies + a whole lot of living, and I realize painting has been this life-giving faithful friend, no matter the city, no matter the season.
 Today I paint from my home studio with my studio pup + a couple of bearded dragons and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. I’m represented in Dallas by Maestri Gallery and feel lucky to work with designers creating custom pieces for residential & commercial spaces. My art has been adapted a dozen ways in new media, and I’m grateful for all the collaborations along the way.

SGD: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
​
CJ: Well maybe the adventure’s in the twists & turns; smooth roads are boring, right? I do believe whole-heartedly that “creativity” is an infinite thing, that it can’t be used up, so even when I find myself discouraged or out of ideas, I try to remember that it’ll be fresh again tomorrow. No matter how crazy life can be, it’ll be there for us, ready for our return. This brings me comfort in the dry seasons and helps me go to bed late-night when I’m afraid I’ve over-worked a piece.
 I love collaborating with designers and collectors and I’m a people-pleaser, perhaps to a fault, so it’s been a valuable life lesson to learn to speak up for my ideas and find my worth in the joy creating brings me personally, even if a piece doesn’t always please someone else.
 And then all the back-end office stuff, maybe the typical administrative struggles many artists face… taxes, licensing agreements, legal docs, ha! I’m so thankful for my husband and his finance-savvy ways!
​
SGD:  What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artists?

 CJ: I’m humbled by and most grateful that I’ve been asked to collaborate with some amazing brands. We’ve adapted my art by changing the scale & medium to giant wallcovering installations in hotels by LookWalls, and to Roma Boots rain boots that give back to children in need all over the world.
 My art was part of a bespoke line of dresses by Dallas’ Rosie + Belle, and it’s on athleisure yoga pants. I’m on insulated sports bottles by Austin’s clean & green ThinkSport, and I’m in Home Goods via Wexel Art’s innovative acrylic shadow box line. My “Y’all Means All” Pride painting was adapted to street banners for Deep Ellum’s neighborhood initiative, and I was asked to design brand assets for the international olive oil brand, Carapelli.
 I’m so thankful these companies thought of me for their ideas, and saw possibility in my artwork… I know I could never create this kind of impact on my own. Art keeps bringing us together and we’re better together.

SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career?
CJ: Just keep at it, little by little, give it your 10,000+ hours, as Malcom Gladwell suggests, and you’ll hone your craft and more importantly, become an expert at being YOU. Make time early in the morning or late at night and do it a little bit every day… keep showing up for creativity. Also, be curious, stay playful, stretch yourself and give yourself so much grace… you can always paint over it. Take classes. If you’re traditionally a 2D artist, sign up for a new medium, try a 3D glass-blowing or metal-working class. Try new things, go back to what you love.
 I look back at works from 15-20 years ago and smile seeing similarities in my form and use of color, calling cards all my own, poured out by the unique length of my two clumsy arms, splattered and drizzled in a way that only I splatter (messy).
 Imagine and render what genuinely interests you and makes you smile and chances are you’ll feel & share joy. Resist the temptation to ask an Instagram audience what they want to see, just be you and keep creating mini versions of you. We need more you. 
​
SGD: What artists do YOU admire and why?

CJ: I love so many! Chagall for his use of childlike figures and dreamlike color, his whimsical story-telling. I love Matisse for his scissor-cut shapes that have influenced the blobby-shapes in my portraits’ faces. Christo + Jeanne Claude, for the ways they disrupted the landscape by colorfully wrapping objects we might have otherwise overlooked. And then for living artists, I love and admire my friends at ALG Collective (@algcollective) they have created this incredible co-op in the Dallas Design District, using their space to bring together and inspire all kinds of artists. They’re amazing.
 All of these artists make me feel a sense of wonder and bring me joy, and in the end joy is what I pursue, my work’s highest goal – to bring a little joy. Even if you forget what my art looks like, perhaps you’ll remember how it made you feel.

SGD: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?

CJ: I’d for sure be a zookeeper. My Instagram feed is equal parts paintings, cacti, and quokkas/otters/whales/puppies. I just think animals are amazing living works of art.
 
Contact Info:

• Website: carolynjoe.com
• Email: carolyn@carolynjoe.com
• Instagram:  @carolynjoeart
• Facebook:  facebook.com/carolynjoeart
• Twitter: @carolynjoeart

We are always looking for new artists to collaborate with and to feature in our Artist Spotlight. Send us your info or suggestions here! 

Big sales going on this week at online retailers are coming at just the right time since, you know, we should be staying close to home. All Modern is a Wayfair brand that specializes in Scandinavian, Modern, Minimalist, Industrial, and Farmhouse styles, and one of our "go-to" places to find amazing pieces that fit any budget. Plus all of the furniture ships FREE (most in just 2 days) so buy today and by the weekend you can have a whole new room. Seriously, you are not going to believe some of these deals. 

And as if these prices weren't amazing enough, save an additional 15% with code GOFORIT. Shop more of the sale here, and don't wait! Take that vacay budget and spend it on a home refresh. It'll feel like a brand new place! 

This post contains affiliate links and we are compensated for purchases made via these links. 

We are officially back in the swing of things here at SGD. One nice thing that came out of the Covid Quarantine was a surge of Virtual Clients. I suppose all those hours of staring at the same rooms in your home and coming to the realization that you really hate that sofa inspired people to do something about it. In addition, we've ramped back up on current projects, are planning some photo shoots, and have some exciting new projects to share with you in the coming weeks. 
And as much as we love Wayfair, West Elm and the like, we also think it is important to support smaller home furnishings brands. So, the down time has also given us the chance to find new shopping resources and we are excited to share some of those with you in this post. 

THE INSIDE

Custom upholstery can be crazy expensive. With their range of over 120 fabrics including designer collaborations with Scalamandre and Peter Som, The Inside makes custom upholstery affordable. Their zero-inventory supply chain and water based digital printing make their process eco-friendly as well. AND delivery times are in a matter of weeks, not months. So, now that chair you love can be a one-of-a-kind treasure that you can say you designed. 

​JAYSON HOME

The first thing we fell in love with about Jayson Home is their amazing assortment of vintage furniture and accessories. Up until now, our "go-to" for vintage home decor has been Chairish, so it's nice that there's another game in town to have as a resource. What started as a retail store in Chicago over 20 years ago has grown to a significant online business yet with the customer service standard you expect from a local retailer. If there was ever a reason to road trip to Chicago, this would be one of them. 

AMARA

With brands like Jonathan Adler, Seletti, Orla Kiely, and Missoni Home, Amara showcases the best of luxury home brands. We also saw pieces carried by our friends at Scout Design in Dallas (go buy from them though), so when you are looking for a special gift or an amazing show-stopper, this is the place to go. Their private label brand, A by Amara offers curated collections twice a year in addition to the Essentials Collection with elegant basics for every home. Based in the UK, but shipping to the US is free with orders over $175. 
Find links to these retailers and more of our favorite places to shop on our Resources page. 

This post contains affiliate links and we may be compensated for purchases made via these links. 

For those of you who have lost track of months, weeks, or days, it's June 12, 2020 and Father's Day is a little over a week away. I daresay that Dads who have been working from home these last few months have gone above and beyond juggling work, kids, home life, honey-do lists, etc and may deserve a little more love and attention than in past years.
We have always been big fans of the products sold by Uncommon Goods, primarily because they sell designs made by independent artisans. These days it is more important than ever to support small businesses and artists so we are 100% on board. Check out our picks for great gifts for Dad. 
​
FOOD AND DRINK

OUT & ABOUT
And just because we, as significant others and children, take on SOME of the responsibility of making sure Dad always looks his best, some fresh summer looks from Bonobos will keep his style game on point. 

In celebration of all things beautiful and those people who create beautiful things, we felt it was a good time for another installment of our Artist Spotlight Series. We think we found Marianne on Instagram, but it's quite possible that she is the one that found us. A Filipino-American artist, Marianne specializes in abstract contemporary art and based in Covington, LA. She has lived all over the world and her work definitely shows her global influence. As stated on her website, "I make joy-inducing contemporary art for the color-obsessed." It's no wonder our paths crossed! 

SGD: What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artist?
​MAR: I'm a first-generation immigrant in the US. Despite years of uncertainty and fighting for stability, I'm grateful to my parents for their sacrifices which taught me how to stubbornly fight for my dreams. I'm proud that I've built a career that I love and deeply enjoy, and I am thankful every day that I get to share my creativity with others. I moved out of that first studio space and am looking forward to opening the doors of our new gallery next month.
My nomadic upbringing has always been an unusual facet of my background, so I try to bring the global perspectives and influences that I was exposed to from an early age into my artwork.

SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career?
MAR: Be organized and put in those long work hours. Avoid social media as a source for your creative inspiration, explore your environment, and strive for authenticity at every turn. A high work ethic and gratitude will get you to where you need to go.

Contact Info:

• Website:  www.rodriguez.art 
• Email: hello@rodriguez.art
• Instagram:  @MarianneAngeliRodriguez
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/MarianneAngeliRodriguezArt

*Gallery Information: Marianne Angeli Rodriguez Gallery, 323 N. Columbia St., Covington, LA 70433

I don't know about you, but I am hurting. Hurting for our country. Hurting for our fellow humans who are treated unfairly every single day. Hurting for the people of law enforcement who leave the house every morning with the intent and fortitude to do the right thing. Hurting for my daughter and her African-American boyfriend who live in the middle of Washington DC and are fearful to leave the house to take the dog for a walk. Hurting for our faith leaders who preach love and peace daily only to have it fall on deaf ears. Hurting for the business owners who might have seen light at the end of the tunnel when they were finally able to open after the pandemic restrictions were lifted, only to be vandalized and looted in the midst of chaos. Hurting for the journalists who are getting attacked for just doing their job. Hurting because I feel like I don't know what to do to make it better. 
So. I decided that first and foremost, I needed to be educated. And secondly, I needed to give to organizations who are supporting advocacy and equality.  Organizations that those in the know tell me need the funding. Not those that I, as a privileged white woman, feel are worthy of my money. If you are feeling the same way and want to learn and grow and know more, please continue reading. If you come here simply for beautiful pictures of homes, advice on design and home furnishings, or shopping tips and recipes, we are going to take a pause on those things right now. We hope that you will come back later because we WILL have great things to share with you, but feel it is necessary to address the bigger and more important issues in our world right now. 
Thank you for your support and love.
The Shauna Glenn Design Team

                                                 BE EDUCATED
Listen:
1619--An Audio Series from the New York Times on how slavery has transformed America
Code Switch--An NPR podcast that tackles race from all angles
Seeing White--A Scene on the Radio podcast
Still Processing--Another series from the New York TimBoes focusing on culture
Jemele Hill is Unbothered--Featuring award-winning journalist Jemele Hill

Read:
Beyond the Whiteness of Whiteness by Jane Lazarre
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Raising White Kids: Bringing up Children in a Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey

Watch:
Just Mercy A film based on a civil rights lawyer's work on death row in Alabama
The Hate U Give Based on a YA novel about current race relations in America
Becoming The Netflix documentary that follows Michelle Obama on her book tour
When They See Us The Netflix documentary by Ava Duvernay about the Central Park Five
Selma A film about the marches during the Civil Rights Movement

Who to Follow:
@laylafsaad Layla Saad, Author of Me and White Supremacy
@blklivesmatter Official Instagram for the BLM global network
@taranajaneen  Tarana J Burke, founder of the "Me Too" Movement
@rachel.cargle  Rachel Cargle, author and lecturer
@mspackyetti Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Co-host of Pod Save the People

We compiled this list from sources including Medium.com. Click here for their complete list of resources

                                                  BE GENEROUS
Organizations that support racial liberation,  justice, and an end to police violence
Black Lives Matter Global Network
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Black Visions Collective
Campaign Zero
​
There are also Black Lives Matter local organizations that have a need for supplies for the protesters. Items like masks, face wipes, hand sanitizer, bandages, first aid kits, water, etc are being collected so check their website for local needs. It takes a village, my friends, it always does. Be human, be kind, and remember that loves wins. 

If our Instagram messages are any indication, the renovation of Shauna's new MCM house has caught the attention of a good number of our followers. It's crazy that everything she did was accomplished in less than two weeks, but then, we know how it can be when you have a goal to achieve. There's so much really to share we're going to cover it all in several posts. Also, it'll give you all a reason to keep coming back to get all the details. We know a little bit about how this blogging thing works. :-)
So, Part 1 will be the living room and entry way. Enjoy.

Entry Before

We kept the original marble floor in the entry and hardwood floors throughout which made the renovation not quite as long as it could have been.
Paint throughout: Snowbound by Sherwin Williams
Front door: Scarlet Sun by HGTV Home + Valspar

Entry After

One of our primary design philosophies is to start with a neutral backdrop and add color with art and accessories. The primary reason being that in the larger rooms of your home, it can be expensive to change out wallpaper, paint and large furniture when your style or design trends change. By keeping the "bones" neutral, it is easier to update accessories without a large investment. ​In this house, Shauna also wanted to keep the feel of the mid-century architecture as much as possible. In the entryway, she used a wallpaper with a modern design, but neutral coloring. The glossy white sideboard allows colorful accessories and mirror to stand out, and the vintage Moroccan shag rug ties everything together.
Wallpaper: Lohko by Scion
Sideboard: Wayfair
​Side chairs: All Modern
Bench: Anthropologie
​Mirror: Wayfair
Lamp: West Elm (discontinued, similar here)
​Artwork: Allison Castillo Designs
Rug: Purchased in Morocco, similar here

Living Room Before

The first step in renovating the living room was to reface the fireplace. Shauna wanted a statement installation to balance all of the white walls and when she stumbled on this wood tile from Brazil, it added just the right amount of warmth to the room. Sadly, it has been discontinued but we have linked to similar tiles below. 

All of the furniture already lived in Shauna's old house, she just had to edit down a little because of the smaller space. The newest addition to the Shauna Glenn living space is of course the very controversial rug. Many of you think it is too busy. But we love it and at the end of the day, YOU have to love your home and no one else so don't listen to those people. YOU DO YOU! It is a vintage shag from Morocco purchased from Chairish. And while you can't buy the EXACT rug, we found some amazing vintage rugs on Rugs.com.  ​The art at the top of the stairs is from Beth Gandy and the vintage Lone Ranger and Tonto prints are from Etsy. Stay tuned for a deeper dive in to Shauna's art collection in an upcoming post. 
Sofas: Restoration Hardware (similar here) and Jonathan Adler (similar here)
​Barcelona style chairs: Wayfair
​Rug: Chairish (similar here)
Coffee Table: Wayfair
Light fixture: Kelly Wearstler for Visual Comfort
Floor lamp: Wayfair
Faux fur stool: Pottery Barn (similar here)
Velvet Pillows: Anthropologie
​Print Pillows: Custom made
Fireplace Tile: Arco Acustico (discontinued, similar here)

More to come! Thank you for following and sharing, we love our community.

This post contains affiliate links and we may be compensated for purchases made via these links.