(This was really hard to judge. It was real close. We looked hard at ALL the numbers, ran all the stats into our computers and came away with four clear leaders and a really close race for the last two spots. All of these now get to be part of our six-way smackdown. Voting begins today and ends on Monday at NOON.
A big THANK YOU to ALL contestants. It was such a nice mix of entries. And remember, being an online contest, don't take it TOO seriously. Enjoy!)
wow, for once I have no idea how to vote.
lots of great places - thanks folks!
Seriously is the closest race in MY mind of any contest we've ever had; and I mean even from the beginning of this contest, not just the smackdown.
All contestants: seriously, seriously -- thank you for letting us see your artwork and your homes. This has been a very illuminating and thought-provoking event.
What? No Salvador? His entry struck me as the most inspirational/aspirational on the east coast. For me, it was the most pleasing melding of design and art (purchased and DIY) while still feeling like a very personal space. And it had a big "wow" factor going for it. Salvador was robbed! Salvador as write-in candidate! Vote for Salvador!
omigod,
Enrique, YOU'RE RIGHT!!!
o well
I voted for Enzse and Tattfoo. I just watched the NYT video attachment, and LOVE the duck feathers on the outside of the building. That they are doing this on Staten Island completely dissolves any jealousy I could possibly have about them that would stop me from voting their way for a more humble offering . . . it's a totally doable space, oddly enough.
Totally agree with Enrique - while some of the "finalists" are nice enough, Salvador's entry was fantastic. A great combination of decor and art, and I would vote for him as the winner.
Yeah I'm with you guys. Salvador's should definately be a finalist. I loved his and Laura's the best.
I have to disagree about Salvador. Not up my alley at all, except for the bookcase.
But what about Guido's watercloset?
Or how about bring back Curtis' living room as a write-in?
For some reason, though, I don't feel very strongly about this contest; I've just been enjoying it immensely.
Even though I am one of the semi-finalists, I have to agree that Salvador's should have been included. I really loved the placement of his pieces and the diversity of the art. And it seems to fit in so well with his decor. Me gusto mucho.
How did I miss Salvador?! Amazing art there...
However the finalists here are all well justified. Now to choose!
Salvador's was my favorite too.
I like the choices for the semi-finals! And I'm really happy to see Lee in there because it was so unique and interesting looking!
Joan -
Thanks! But 2 contests in a row was plenty for me! Besides my boss probably wanting to kill me, my psyche nor my ego were up for another go at it. Had I known wayyyy back what all the contests would have been, I might have held out for this one, though, and actually have other little areas of artworks up that I could have shown besides the p-b-n mural; didn't want it to be any more over-exposed (in here, at least) than it already might be, considering the Martha thing in December.
Meanwhile, if you have a hankering for a big old wall-ful of a paint-by-number mural for OWN self, drop me a line, and we can get something going.
KATIE'S IS HANDS DOWN THE GREATEST!!! y'all best reconize ya heard!
hey joan
thanks for the shout out!
"Aesthetic Crime" was offered as a palate cleanser between courses (or pitched battles), but it's good to be 'got'
I'd like to see a smackdown
Enzse v Salvador (posh pads)
Laura v Katie (frame wars)
Brooke v Lee (eclectic and . . . ?)
and I don't know who matches up with Boris' bunny
so I'll say
Cristiana's Giant Octopus
since it's a single work and I thought
it was terrifically cool as Art AND elevated the Decor
For some reason I'm getting an error message when I try to vote. I'll have to try again later at home. But I agree this did seem to be a very level playing field and a difficult decision.
How come there is so much more action here than for the west coast finalists? Come on sleepy west coasters! Maybe we all need an extra cup of coffee...?
I like the selection of semi finalists! I think it's an interesting and balanced group.
Enough about Salvador already, don't ruin the moment for those chosen!
i can't believe the screen print in laura's collection costs $35. i've seen amazing artists sell their stuff for much cheaper. i screen print myself and this doesn't take any skill or talent just one lesson in how to use photo emulsion. i will be disappointed for that to be voted on.
Is it just me ......... or does entry #16 (Katie's Wall of Fame) have an (almost) unbelievable number of votes, both here and on the iniviual presentations?
And they were presented to us to vote for only last week.
Just wondering?
I linked my link to my entry here on my website, although I haven't linked the link to this one at all. Also, Lee, I thoroughly enjoy the dog painting the most.
Dear Katie,
Thank you!
I very much appreciate your positive comments!
Lucas,
Regarding your comments about "Katie's Wall of Fame", I think you are waaaaaaaaaaaay out of line!
Lee
lucas, how dare you insinuate foul play in regards to katie's wall of fame! i don't know her personally, and there is no way to cheat in this competition. i just voted for her now, and i did so because it is the best one here. shame on you, sir!
May the best (wo)man win.
Laura, your art fusion is amazing! I love it!
That bunny is sooo cute, brooke!!! where did you get? I oh so envy your room...
Janet, I think you meant Boris. In his description, he goes into detail about how he made it.
_brooke
I don't think Lucas insinuated anything -it's a legit question.
This is the stage of the contest where things go even more out of proportion.
When dozens more people vote for one entry on the original page, either
- the site randomly had way more traffic that day
- that person or their friends drove alot of traffic to vote for their entry
- someone is using every computer in the office, or diabolically playing with their cookies
It's an internet poll, people! Of course there is gaming!
These contests are fun 'cause we get to see other people's pads - don't get upset about the horse race.
after this contest i think we need to have a group hug and finger paint.
Wow...I can't believe Salvador wasn't included??!
Congrats to all of the finalists!
Joe wrote:
"i can't believe the screen print in laura's collection costs $35. i've seen amazing artists sell their stuff for much cheaper. i screen print myself and this doesn't take any skill or talent just one lesson in how to use photo emulsion. i will be disappointed for that to be voted on."
Joe,
The vote is not solely for Ron's artwork, it's for Laura's space that contains some of Ron's artwork.
To go off the beaten path on this one... It's unusual that Ron charges so little for his artwork. It's a shame that he's not being given gallery shows and getting the attention he deserves as an incredibly talented artist.
If all artists charged money for their work that was proportionate to the amount of money they spent on supplies and the time they spent making the work, most famous photographers' work would sell for $1 per photo.
I think a lot of screenprinters might disagree with you that the art takes no skill or talent. Besides that, it takes a lot of skill and talent to produce the original drawings for the screenprint. Ron's technical skills in draftsmanship and the clarity and impact of his compositions are stunning.
I think the greatest thing about this contest is how the $35 prints are going up against the $8000 paintings. While I admit I've never understood (and still don't) understand where the value in new art comes from, I enjoy seeing everyone else's style and taste illustrated so well in their homes. I'm not devaluing the importance of the 'art world', but you can't tell me that there are galleries that are selling $30 worth of Gesso and Tempera for $10,000 just because they can.
Art to me is something thought-provoking, and something that is innovative and unique. Show me something I've never seen before, or that no one's ever done before, and get people talking. Giant canvasses with putty knife scrapings of color in all directions sometimes are really cool, but I wish I understood what makes one worth thousands and another worth nothing.
Regardless, thank you to everyone who opened their homes and their ideas to us in this contest. You're all to be applauded.
Brooke - I love that typographic piece. I am always on the lookout for stuff like that whenever I go into antique/thrift stores.
Brooke, your room ROCKS! And I'm not just saying that 'cause I'm on the UES too. It's cool and unpretentious, and I love that you framed pages from a book. You have my vote.
All are interesting and deserve to be semi-finalists, but I still like Lee's best!
How do you vote? My computer must be acting up.
How is it that Brooke RECEIVED OVER 150 VOTES IN 1 HOUR?
Katie's votes sure increased pretty quickly in a very short time, too.
Um... how come there were suddenly so many votes for Brooke in such a short amount of time? sorry but it SEEMS OFF to me...
-meyung
Bingo Meyung!
Absolutely impossible to believe that this is innocent!
I'll say it again, I think Brooke should be disqualified!
....snore....
Dear Tired of Your Rant,
I guess the truth really bugs you morons!
Brooke is a total low life, who could not win honestly, but is so pitiful, she had to CHEAT!
Duh!
PS
Her appartment is a big SNORE!
Hmm, name calling and hissy fits. Now, that's mature!