Make Art the Centerpiece of Your Home

Classic movie art by Adam Scott Rote looks right at home on the wall of this home theater room.

Art is a very personal part of your home’s décor. Frank Abreu’s best piece of advice? “Buy what you love. What triggers an emotion or memory.” Everyone has a diff erent reason for their preferences, be it what Abreu calls “vacation collectors” who purchase pieces that evoke special memories, or that statement piece that “finds you” that you suddenly cannot live without.

A heavy paint palette creates colorful fall leaves with lots of texture in the painting by Oliviya.

When asked about current trends that he sees, Abreu notes: “Shiny resins or a palette knife technique like Monet is popular. This layered technique creates a thick, elevated texture that can actually take over a year to fully cure/dry.”

Artist Oliviya is a prime example of this technique. She studied in St. Petersburg, Russia, and currently resides in Israel. Many of her works are featured at Sottil Studios in downtown St. Petersburg.

Another trend is theme rooms or theater rooms. “Many of our clients have cinema themed art in their theater rooms,” says Abreu. “These are usually signed by the artist as well as the movie stars they depict.” Adam Scott Rote is a popular artist for these collectors and his followers include Academy Award winners, actors and singers.

Should art aficionados consider their art first, even when building a new home? “Art first, then work around it,” says Abreu regarding passionate collectors. “We have clients who rotate their art with the seasons. And that colored accent wall from the ‘90’s? It’s now been replaced with a wall of artwork.”

Originals or one-offs are increasingly popular as opposed to reproductions. “No one wants to be at a dinner party and see the same piece they have on their wall at home,” notes Abreu.

Given current social distancing guidelines, gallery shows have slowed, however Sottil Studios is hosting a very personalized version of online auctions for their artists. A new artist is featured every four days, and you can watch them create in their studio from day to day. Collectors can also chat with the artist via Skype and ask questions about specific pieces.

To learn more, contact gallery director Frank Abreu at (727) 220-1567.