Exploring 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati

If you enjoy art and travel we have a fantastic hotel in mind for your next trip - 21c Museum Hotel. With locations in Louisville, Cincinnati, and Bentonville this relatively new chain (only having opened their first location in 2006) is a unique place to not only stay, but experience. The Louisville 21c is a place we've visited regularly for dinner and drinks at their restaurant - Proof On Main - and to visit the gallery. A recent trip to Cincinnati however, was the first time we have stayed in the hotel itself.

our photo doesn't do this place justice

Aside from the service being excellent the hotel proved to be unlike any other we had stayed in before. Art is not only located in the museum gallery, but throughout the hotel. Artistic touches are everywhere from the art work displays outside the elevator doors to the bathroom tiles - ours had relief body parts protruding from various tiles. The rooms had a contemporary style throughout and many of the little extra touches - the stylish alarm clock, an old school phone headset that attaches to your iPhone, magazines, and bath samples - were all available for purchase in their shop downstairs. You could also pick up your own ceramic yellow penguin.

We toured a portion of the gallery the night we arrived at the hotel and the rest in the morning before checkout. Every nook and cranny of the space holds something new and unexpected, and be sure to visit during the day and night! Some installations may only be viewed properly at night when it's dark (in our case a light display that we missed out on the night before didn't really hold in splendor in the daylight.) Check out a few of our photos below:

Josephine Taylor, Bomb Landscape #4, 2006

Judy Fox, Power Play

Julie Nord, Unknown relative (Wilbur), 2011
The Niece, 2011
A Distant Aunt, 2011

yellow penguin!

bathroom tiles

Carlos and Jason Sanchez,
The Baptism, 2003

Vee Speers, From the Birthday Party series 2007

Ellen Kool hallway

Ellen Kool, The Dike 2000

Ellen Kool

LOCAL LOVIN': Wild Earth Gallery & Gift Shop, Elizabethtown

We visited the local square recently to shoot some photos for Creative Sweet. While there, in the middle of the day on a weekend, we noticed that nothing was open. While many places were closed, even more were unoccupied. If you're like us and you've traveled to larger towns and cities that have a thriving city center downtown you know how exciting that can be - independent boutiques, small local businesses and shops, cafes, restaurants, art galleries, things of that nature. The first place that comes to mind when it comes to an ideal downtown for a place this size? Asheville, North Carolina. If you've been there you know how great it is, if not plan a trip NOW!

While discussing nearby photo locations and the emptiness of our current area we turned a corner to see one store with their door open, a chalkboard sign outside noting that their products are all handmade in the USA, and a colorful assorted display welcoming in anyone from the street. The art prints, the paintings, the blown-glass - there were so many things that caught our eye just from the doorway that we had to venture in.

The first smaller room contained all of those goodies and then you enter the second room that is divided into two distinct spaces - the first a continuation of the first room, a gift shop style set-up with more art prints, paintings, jewelry, masks, and much, much more. Then to your right you can step up into the gallery portion of the space. Hardwood floors, exposed brick, and during our visit: the whimsical pop art paintings of Sherry Pearl. The majority of the paintings featured Red and Wolf, an elegant elaboration on the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Pearl's representation does not portray the two as enemies, but seems to illustrate a uniquely intimate friendship.

We were greeted by store owner LaDonna Eastman, who was not only friendly but extremely informative about plans and projects for the area! (It seems many of those things we had been wishing for are currently in the works for the square!)  She told us about Wild Earth Gallery & Gift Shop, including information about selling things in the shop and how the gallery schedule is set up. She proudly features local  and USA made arts and crafts -including original art, prints, photographs, blown glass, handcrafted jewelry, masks, and soy candles- as well as note cards, local music, vintage jewelry,  specimen stones, minerals, and Native American bead work. Wild Earth also supports female artisans from around the world!

Every piece in her shop that we took interest in she was able to tell us a bit about the artist and in many cases the story behind how the pieces came to be in the shop. We learned about Second Saturdays in the area, which we'll share more about later, as well as gallery events and new plans, which include Friday Night Art Party workshops that will begin in April. (We definitely plan to attend a few of these!)

We love the Buy Local movement and highly recommend Wild Earth Gallery & Gifts if you're looking for something creative to gift someone, or if you're looking for something for yourself. For the most current updates check out the shop on Facebook and for more information visit their website. Maybe we'll see you out at Second Saturday or a Friday Night Art Party!


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design done right: emma lawrenson, little print press

Good design is hard to come by and that is why the series Design Done Right exists. The purpose of this series is to expose lesser-known designers, as well as showcase some of the more well-known ones because they are just that good. From paper goods to art prints, web design and typography - we embrace the method to the madness (seriously, have you met a designer?) and wholeheartedly encourage it to continue.

While on the hunt for geometric abstract artwork we found Emma Lawrenson. Not only are these beauties abstract, they're original handmade screenprints! Everyone may not rejoice over that, but we sure do! First we browsed the Etsy shop, then her website, and then we started trying to learn more about the designer.

One bit of info we knew we had to share when we stumbled upon it? Lawrenson's work has recently been featured on Mad Men, one of our favorites! We would be liars if we didn't admit that it drew us to her work that much more. The colors, the shapes, the simplicity of it all make these pieces perfect for any room in the home or even an office.    

  (Click through each image to view in the shop)

We feel like it's worth noting that some of the pieces in her shop may seem pricey, but even Lawrenson notes that her Etsy prices are lower than if you purchased elsewhere. And don't forget - you're paying for original artwork - no one else will have a piece like yours! (We would buy them all up if we could!) There is also a sale section.

You can visit her Etsy seller profile here if you're looking for a bit more info about this designer, as well as her website and blog.

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*All images via the littleprintpress Etsy shop

THE GALLERY: Brittany DeLoach, painter

One of our primary goals here on Creative Sweet is to recognize talented people. In our series THE GALLERY we'll feature some of our favorite artists, local and otherwise, to share with you all. Today we are excited to introduce you to a friend of ours - Brittany DeLoach. An amazing painter and mama of two, this lady can't remember a time in her life when she wasn't involved in something creative. At sixteen she began painting pictures for books and stories she wrote. She soon discovered the work of a local artist whose work she admired and two years later she began her apprenticeship with him.

Edie Sedgwick by Ree

Her painting skills grew more refined and she soon found herself at her first art show. The first painting she ever sold was to a well-known artist Jeff Gaither. Brittany began regularly attending art shows in the Louisville area, displaying her signature flare and style for painting. If you're ever on the lookout for one of her pieces, or think you may have seen one in the past, she signs her paintings "Ree."

Now a wife and mother of two, Brittany says she mostly enjoys doing paintings for friends and her children's rooms. She often trades her artwork with other creatives.

Flyboy from Dawn of the Dead by Ree

Nannie Doss, serial killer (left) - portrait (right)

We did a Q&A with Brittany so you could learn a bit more about her:

Creative Sweet: First we have to say, we've seen a lot of your work, not just in photos, but even hanging in your own home. We love your style (seriously, we'd kill to have that Edie portrait) and it's obviously very distinct. How did you develop it?

Brittany: After I ventured off from doing creepy Halloween style paintings I decided I really loved screen printing but I knew I couldn't never do that. So, I decided to make my paintings as if they were screen prints, thick black outlines and brush marks. Then I got into painting on wood. I loved the way the wood and the bright paint I use look next to each other. I love finding scraps of wood and finding a picture that would be perfect for it.

CS: And of course this question is cliché, but we have to know - what has been your biggest source of inspiration over the years?

Brittany: Music! And old horror movies. I love reading bio books about old actresses, actors, and musicians who lived hard lives, rather [than those with] drug or mental issues. That might sound odd but it's just interesting. I like the not-so-glamorous side of the rich and famous.

CS: Your life has obviously changed a lot since you first started painting, you have different responsibilities and priorities. Where do you stand with your art right now?

Brittany: I don't look to make millions of dollars for any of it, it's just something I enjoy doing it to see a smile on [someone's] face. Knowing my artwork is hanging in someone's house is enough for me. For the first time in a long time I enjoy painting.

Brittany DeLoach

CS: You said that you enjoy painting for the first time in a long time, has it been hard to find time for painting with two little ones?

Brittany: Very much so! But I enjoy painting more now because I have overcome a lot of issues. I wasn't comfortable painting because I was at art shows every month and I was always in the art scene, but then when I [had a falling] out with an artist that was helping me it was just bam - all over. Then this past year I picked up the paintbrush and realized I don't need anyone, I can do it myself. I have been doing paintings for kids' rooms, for my family, and friends which is amazing!

CS: Do you hope to do more art shows in the future? Or possibly open a shop, maybe even online?

Brittany: I do and don't. Nothing is more amazing then having art shows and putting your babies out there to be judged, but the art community is so ridiculous. It's who you know and whose ass you need to kiss all the time. I see good artists go unnoticed and nothing makes me more mad. Also I am not a people person,  which is terrible, so that too. I want to start a kids art gallery very soon! Also I am looking into trading art for art's sake, I think that is the most amazing thing the art community could do.

We wish we could tell you that Brittany has a fan page on Facebook, or an Etsy shop where she sells her work, but she doesn't at this time. She does however keep a blog about raising her two kiddos called The Padawan Years (Star Wars fans rejoice in that cute little homage) and you can follow her on Twitter here. We love her tweets, especially the hilarious comments about her husband, as well as his responses.

If you're interested in Brittany's work and would like to talk to her about trading your own artwork or commission a piece you can contact her here: ree.animator@hotmail.com



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  *All photos courtesy of Brittany DeLoach

GIVEAWAY: Ashlee Design House art prints

We've partnered with Ashlee Design House to promote the launch of their new online store. Never heard of Ashlee Design House? Well, that's because they're brand spankin' new! The brainchild of Ashton Biggers and Jason Lee, Ashlee Design House was founded on a simple concept: do what you love.

The design duo formerly ran a marketing company that solely provided services for businesses, but it wasn't exactly what they had in mind. After a complete overhaul, which included a name change, Ashlee Design House was born. They now specialize in creative print media, music and album artwork, merchandising, art direction and branding.

We have an upcoming Q&A with the pair, so be on the lookout for that!

Today we're giving away the Dreamway Collection from Ashlee Design House! The collection includes three prints, show above. You can read more about the collection on their site. You can enter starting today and the giveaway will close on Friday 3/15.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit the Ashlee Design House website here where you will find examples of the work they do, as well as their online store where their art prints are sold. If you're interested in any design services for your company, website, band, or anything else you can always email them too: ashleedesignhouse@gmail.com

design done right: leah duncan

Good design is hard to come by and that is why the series Design Done Right exists. The purpose of this series is to expose lesser-known designers, as well as showcase some of the more well-known ones because they are just that good. From paper goods to art prints, web design and typography - we embrace the method to the madness (seriously, have you met a designer?) and wholeheartedly encourage it to continue.

We have a soft spot for folk art-meets-modern design, something that is becoming increasingly popular. One of our favorite designers of this style is Leah Duncan. While scouring the web for decorative tea towels some months ago her name began cropping up. A little further research led to the discovery of her blog and shop. Her work has a very distinct look and feel, inspired by both her location and heritage.

Art print, pillows, scarves - Leah Duncan offers a little bit of everything and we want it all! We recently learned that her lovely designs in soft, delicate color palettes are not only offered via handmade and boutique shops, but some products are distributed by Target and Urban Outfitters, making her work even more widely accessible.

 (click through each image to view in the shop)

All images were obtained from the shop, we do not own these images.

Do you have an favorite designers or artist that fit in this style category? Please share in the comments section below, we would love to check them out!