Video Games Range Launched - More Retro Art

We've got another new canvas art range for you, fresh from the predominately right sided brains of our resident Artists. This time it's all about classic video games & the amazing CGI invention, the pixel. The range will develop as usual with new Art and designs being added "as and when", but to kick it all off, we've focused on some of the more iconic pixilated hero's that have graced the screens of our arcade machines, TVs and monitors. If you remember the original Atari games consoles, the old skool Namco Arcade machines & the first wave of Nintendo machines to come out of Japan in the late 80's, then this range could be for you. The range has got 80's nostalgia written all over it, after all, these were the icons for a generation. The first wave of kids that would find enjoyment in sitting in front of a screen of hours, playing away contentedly, decades before the Internet was invented and we are now all at it!

The range of canvas designs is not strictly 80's by any stretch, it is moving into the early 1990's with Art like the heavily pixilated"Tetris" design. A Bold spectrum of block colours stretched over a extra long canvas, ideal for injecting a bit of colour into a contemporary room, the length would be well suited to sitting above a sofa in any living space.

In terms of classic video games, the range wouldn't be complete without the original and the best: PacMan himeself. People always seem to forget that it wasn't just Pac-Man, the other pixilated monsters that he did battle with were just as iconic. Which is why we have not just focused on him, and designed ranges on them all - check the "Pac-Man Family" for example. Simplistic, stripped down, and minimal, it seems to make a bigger statement than most designs. Less is more after all. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, the "Pac-Man Quad" is another option, especially if you like the idea of spreading the art across a few canvases. My personal favourite of the Pac-Man range is this original design which has been produced for us called "Pinky Pac-Man" It's even more minimal, but the simple pink / blue colours just seem to do it for me..

Namco Arcade is a bit of pixataied block colour again, based on a graphic actually taken off an old Namco Arcade machine, Circa 1988. It's been re-drawn and re-designed, and produced on this square box canvas.

To round it off and take us into the 1990's, the range wouldn't be complete without the the Nintendo creation, Mario. This was one of the most successful video game characters ever made, with games still been made today. We have honoured his creation with a serious of carefully sculpted block pixilated designs which do his little pixilated figure justice. There are a few of these designs, we are feeling the Mario Quad, if you are bold enough to split him over a series of four canvases, this could be the one you've been looking for.

So, that's it for now, as I promosied, more designs will follow, probably in 2009 now. If you can't wait until then, and you have to tell us that you need an iconic video game characture on canvas, just let us know, and we'll try and make your wish come true. We're not Jimmy Saville & we are not Father Christmas, but we can knock up a design or two - now that's something that you can believe in(!) You can subscribe to this news blog to stay on top of the art that we are putting out, as usual, get in touch if you need any bespoke work doing.

New Interior Design 09 Art Range

"Timeless" 2009 Interior Design Canvas Art Range

Following the success of the bespoke range of art for the 2008 range Invidia, we have decided to do more range designs tailor made for our Interior Trends predictions.

Timeless is essentially a move on from the hugely successful Invidia 08. You always see it - in fashion and interiors, wherever there are seasons with very successfully trends, you can guarantee that next season will sport a 'move on' from last years top dog. Where Invidia was defined by it's Opulence and OTT nature, the Black on Black with hints of gold and metallics has been replaced by a more subtle Black on white with subtle highlight colours. Over the top Gold stately frames & mirrors have moved on to more discerning chromes, silvers & metallics. Timeless focuses on Baroque style motifs, which are similar to the simple Invidia Vintage Wallpaper designs, but can now be much more complex and focus on detail. The black and white makes a simple, bold statement, and is possibly more commercial in nature than its black on black predecessor.

Black and White is fantastic to work with, there are so many options open to you. I wouldn't say that you can't get it wrong, but Monochrome is somewhat easier to work with in the interior context. Colour-wise, it's not just black and whites here, you want to be looking at some very deep shades of blues or purples for subtle infused colour. Darker shades of grey, like dark slate greys also work well. In terms of accessories and highlights, you should be looking at some metallics. Chrome light switches, even candle stick holders ( Invidia 08 Style) and plug sockets act to highlight the subdued tones of black and whites. Remember, unlike Invidia, you are looking at silvers, not Golds.

To quote us as verbatim, "Timeless is the ultimate contrast both visually & metaphorically. A bold, brash & often bizarre clash of Baroque elegance & contemporary whites and blacks, Timeless is the ultimate bold statement. The intense combination of heavily contrasting colour works well in big rooms with high roofs & plenty of light -preferably natural sunlight to set off the natural wood flooring. "

"Timeless" will give you the chance to mix the weird and wonderful Kitsch & clash it with the ultra modern. (Think 20's Vintage wallpapers with Plasma screens) And why the hell not after all? The more modern and technologically advanced we get, the more eclectic I like to go. After all, you can't have everything modern in a room, or your living area will start to look like the control room on the Starship Enterprise. Mix and match is the way forward, be bold and daring, trust your instincts. You could get down the local car boot, get on the Internet on auction sites, or even better - go along to a local auction house where you will be presented the opportunity to walk away with some real, classic vintage accessories for your abode.

Then, you can mix and match some carefully selected and bespoke, canvas art. On the art route, you could opt for bold art to work with the contrasting background, or even art that actually is the background... Think sections of wallpaper, enlarged and printed on canvas.. The sky is the limit here.

That's about it, if you want more, you can check the full articles on Timeless '09 or have a nosey at our new Timeless bespoke art range. As usual, hit us up if you are interested in any bespoke work, and feel free to subscribe here for loads more news from WHoArtNow.

New Organic Canvas Art

Artwork Updates: [June 2008]

We have a new selection of Organic Canvas art prints fresh on the site. This is an update on the Organic section, featuring loads of beautifully photographed shots of nature.

So, black and white is a key theme for 2008, so there is plenty here to choose from. "Bare Trees" is one of my personal favourites, it is quite unlike anything on whole of the WHoArtNow site. It's blurry, out of focused trees and branches make it quite abstract in nature, and I just love the whole half and half feel with it, the bottom part being entirely black. Cracking stuff, in the right enviorment, the right space, it would look lethal.

The black and white theme continues, the "Lone Pine" photograph has something about it, a fantastic composition with bold piney leaves is maybe what does it for me. There is quite a few tree and forest related canvas prints here too, "The Dead Forest" is one and "A Old English Garden" is on a similar tip. If abstract is your thing, the "Tree Limbs" print has got some interest. "Pebbles" finally is a good old fashioned greyscale photograph, with a bit of focal interest. Soft & smooth pebbles on a beach bring some shaded texture to this design, and it's a bit of a move on from classic photos like Peaceful & Balanced.


Now if colour is more your thing, there are a few cheeky prints to inject some vibrancy & add a bit more of a focal point into your chosen room. "Tangerine View" is a powerful photograph, the deep Mandarin colours from the sunset sets off some amazing colours in the corn field & gives the print an abstract, artist quality. You could try mixing this print in with subtle hints of orange in a room. Scattering orange cushions on a deep red leather sofa for example...

Sitting next to it is "Raspberry View"which is unsurprisingly a "fruity" coloured canvas. Any hints of this raspberry colour in a room would complement the predominant colours in this canvas. "Crimson Corner" is again, very colour orientated print. Minimal and abstract, it's subtlety and artist composition is something that would accentuate the right wall.

2008 Interior Design Trends - 'Reinvent'

The 'Reinvent' theme is all about colour. Lots and lots of combinations of colour, some of which can be quite risky. The use of woods and greys combined with more retro colours like aqua blues, and bright pinks. The use of miss matched colours and items works wonders. You could even use 6 different chairs around a table, and it wouldn't look out of place.

Well used and worn furniture and fixings are king, where brand new and flat pack is far to clean and 'un-inviting'. the use of hand made accessories and furniture is King, and quirky is its Queen.
So where does it work, as with 'Optimism', it works well in most homes and rooms, yet its best to pick a feature wall to hold most of the colour, and soft shades of grey for the majority of the room. The bright colours need to be contrasted to bring the room into perspective. Flooring is a key factor, varnished hard wood flooring brings the natural and worn feeling in, yet solid more industrial floors work well too.

Avoid this in bedrooms and possibly living rooms too. Kitchens are perfect because the colours add to the social side of every kitchen. Furniture is best suited to masculine styles, flowers and hens on your chairs won't sit right, wood is great, but so is re used metal. Accessories need to be kept in control, and found and recycled items work brilliant.

If you like what you see, check out our Abstract canvas art section, where you will find a the designs featured in this article, and plenty more canvas prints.

2008 Interior Design Trends - Optimism

Optimism is not all about white. Its the subtle mix of chalky and milky shades of whites and greys to add depth of layers and texture to a room. Matte and gloss finishes contrast and are a must in this anti-child almost heavenly interior.

Adding to the white feel, the use of soft pinks and yellows add definition to the room, and some subtle abstract canvas art work using the same shades of whites and greys.

This interior scheme is brilliant for almost any type of room or house, small boxy rooms look fantastic because it opens the room up and adds space. Whereas already large rooms with high ceilings and original moulds end up looking vast and commanding. However, invest in the slightly more expensive wipe clean paints to keep the interior looking fresh.


Eclectic furniture is the thing at the moment, and this pallet works brilliantly with all things eclectic, go nuts, just no vivid colours and plenty of texture from textiles and canvas artwork.This soft and delicate trend will stay popular during 2009 because of its easy pallet and simplicity.