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"We are seeing bold-color, modern abstract art is becoming increasingly popular with our clients," says Judy Kirsch, President of Designs by Judy, an interior design firm located in Chicago. "Neutral colors have been prevalent, and our clients are looking for paintings with more of a color zing. Modernistic abstract art with bold colors is definitely in demand."
"It is important to our clients that the abstract pick up colors or shapes in the room, or even of the exterior environment," continues Kirsch. "This is not always an easy task to pull off with an abstract design. On a recent decorating project with a high-rise condominium in Chicago, the modern abstract art we selected almost represented Millennium Park and some of the other structures in the Chicago area that could be seen from outside of our client's window. The art also brought out a little bit of turquoise, which went with the water on the lake and a bit of orange reflecting the tangerine pillows in the room. This modernistic abstract just pulled the entire room together."

The artist that produced the work for this project is Scott J. Menaul (www.menaul-art.com), who creates original modern abstract art using a combination of 3-D modeling, illustration and photo enhancement tools on the computer. The common theme threaded throughout Menaul's art is his use of crystal geometric objects (in virtual space) that reflect and refract the environment around them. The objects take on color - frequently extremely vivid color - and reflect the images of nearby forms.

" One of the benefits of working with a computer is the ability to change the color palette, print size and proportions at will to match the décor," says Menaul. "A designer, or art buyer, can select color swatches, color system numbers, print sizes and different proportions to customize the artwork more exactly to fit their client's needs."

Designers, and their clients, do not seem to mind that their abstracts are being "painted" electronically instead of using a brush. "I have not found that to make any difference with my clients," says Kirsch. "They are happy with the end results - the bold colors and the unusual designs."

Interior designers working on both commercial and residential properties, seem to be increasingly drawn to modern abstract triptychs - a work of art which is divided into three sections with a central painting flanked on either side by two related paintings. Because the elements and colors of triptychs, and other work by digital artists can be manipulated electronically, designers and clients find they have more flexibility to better match colors and shapes to the surrounding room and overall environment.

" We purchased a grouping of three digitally-produced abstracts from Menaul for a home that we had just finished designing, but still had to complete the project with art," says Jeanne Bemis, President of JMB Designs LLC in Seattle, Washington, and a member of the American Society of Interior Designers. "I liked that the digitally-produced painting samples let us see what the abstract was actually going to look like.

" It is every design firm's goal to identify and creatively solve problems and to create an environment that is both beautiful and functional for the client," says Bermis. "Accomplishing this includes every aspect of the interior environment - furnishings, floor coverings, window treatments, accessories and art - and it all has to work together. Modern abstracts are a good fit," Bermis added. Also, Craig Blank of Artistic Design Center in Dania Beach, Florida, who works with many local interior designers, report that more and more of their clients are specifically asking for vibrantly colored abstract paintings to help add a new dimension to homes furnished with earth-toned furniture and accessories. The Design Center can be reached at 954.927.4278.

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Interior Designers Find Bold-Color Modern Abstracts Strike the Right Balance with Popular Earthy-Tone Furnishings.
		With the explosion of neutral, earthy colors in furnishing designs, modern abstract art using bold colors as a counterbalance has found a new calling. by Jim McMahon
		Earth tones in contemporary furnishings, both residential and commercial, are the popular choices these days. Those well-blended tans, peaches, beiges, sagey-greens, slatey-blues, burnt oranges, eggplant-purples, light turquoises, taupes and golden yellows are filling our homes and offices. From sofas, pillows and window coverings, to vases, lamps, wall decors and silk flowers, neutral earth tones provide an ever-popular palette for matching and contrasting colors - with, of course, the occasional infused color splash of a bright red sofa, or a sleek chrome or brushed-nickel finish table or lamp. Lately, however, interior designers have been adding a new element to this earthy-colored mix. Bold-colored, modern abstract paintings are fast becoming the darling match to the neutral tones in residential homes and offices. Extraordinary color intensity and balanced form are the name of the game with this abstract genre. Done right, they add energy to an environment, yet look stylish in any home or office setting.

	"We are seeing bold-color, modern abstract art is becoming increasingly popular with our clients," says Judy Kirsch, President of Designs by Judy, an interior design firm located in Chicago. "Neutral colors have been prevalent, and our clients are looking for paintings with more of a color zing. Modernistic abstract art with bold colors is definitely in demand." "It is important to our clients that the abstract pick up colors or shapes in the room, or even of the exterior environment," continues Kirsch. "This is not always an easy task to pull off with an abstract design. On a recent decorating project with a high-rise condominium in Chicago, the modern abstract art we selected almost represented Millennium Park and some of the other structures in the Chicago area that could be seen from outside of our client's window. The art also brought out a little bit of turquoise, which went with the water on the lake and a bit of orange reflecting the tangerine pillows in the room. This modernistic abstract just pulled the entire room together." The artist that produced the work for this project is Scott J. Menaul (www.menaul-art.com), who creates original modern abstract art using a combination of 3-D modeling, illustration and photo enhancement tools on the computer. The common theme threaded throughout Menaul's art is his use of crystal geometric objects (in virtual space) that reflect and refract the environment around them. The objects take on color - frequently extremely vivid color - and reflect the images of nearby forms. " One of the benefits of working with a computer is the ability to change the color palette, print size and proportions at will to match the décor," says Menaul. "A designer, or art buyer, can select color swatches, color system numbers, print sizes and different proportions to customize the artwork more exactly to fit their client's needs." Designers, and their clients, do not seem to mind that their abstracts are being "painted" electronically instead of using a brush. "I have not found that to make any difference with my clients," says Kirsch. "They are happy with the end results - the bold colors and the unusual designs." Interior designers working on both commercial and residential properties, seem to be increasingly drawn to modern abstract triptychs - a work of art which is divided into three sections with a central painting flanked on either side by two related paintings. Because the elements and colors of triptychs, and other work by digital artists can be manipulated electronically, designers and clients find they have more flexibility to better match colors and shapes to the surrounding room and overall environment. " We purchased a grouping of three digitally-produced abstracts from Menaul for a home that we had just finished designing, but still had to complete the project with art," says Jeanne Bemis, President of JMB Designs LLC in Seattle, Washington, and a member of the American Society of Interior Designers. "I liked that the digitally-produced painting samples let us see what the abstract was actually going to look like. " It is every design firm's goal to identify and creatively solve problems and to create an environment that is both beautiful and functional for the client," says Bermis. "Accomplishing this includes every aspect of the interior environment - furnishings, floor coverings, window treatments, accessories and art - and it all has to work together. Modern abstracts are a good fit," Bermis added. Also, Craig Blank of Artistic Design Center in Dania Beach, Florida, who works with many local interior designers, report that more and more of their clients are specifically asking for vibrantly colored abstract paintings to help add a new dimension to homes furnished with earth-toned furniture and accessories. The Design Center can be reached at 954.927.4278.
	Jim McMahon writes on architectural design.