My Pop Art offers a wonderful glimpse into the world of Pop Art - a world you can co-create by supplying them with a wonderful photograph and allowing their Pop Artists to change it into something distinct and fun.

Pop Art, as most know, is most closely associated with Andy Warhol. An interesting man, his art wasn’t the only expression of his creativity. He was also a philosophical man who viewed life as a canvas and an opportunity to be “famous for 15 minutes.” Here are some interesting views on an iconoclastic man:

Warhol is an honest man, his descriptions of inner thoughts and perceptions are candid and unblinking, ranging from moments of elucidation to mildly eccentric digressions on the seemingly trivial and banal.

Warhol could not deny the mundane or taciturn any more than he could deny the purportedly significant themes in life, both are as valid a part of his ethos and one another. As in Warhol’s body of artistic work, the audience takes the Brillo boxes with the silkscreen skulls, the figure of Marilyn Monroe with that of Chairman Mao. It is all together.

Warhol’s egalitarian ideology is present in the choice of subjects which divide his autobiography, titles include realms of experience as diverse as Beauty and Death, Time, Fame and Economics; Atmosphere and something called Underwear Power. Which is, in fact, about shopping for underwear and the philosophies inherent within such an act.

So the next time you’re out shopping for underwear, just remember: there’s more behind it then “boxers or briefs.”

When time is of the essence, My Pop Art offers a “Canvas Wrapped” option that offers you “ready to go art.” Some people really like to choose their own frame but framing is an art in and of itself and many don’t want to be bothered. You need to take your piece to a framer, spend time there making decisions about the frame and how it will work with your decor…and it ends up costing a substantial amount of money!

Most of my friends are “on the go” types. If you give them a gift, they want to rip of the packaging and start using it asap. They don’t want to fuss with it. “Canvas wrapped” wraps your photo of choice around a sturdy frame so the piece is ready to hang upon arrival. But more than just convenient, its a distinctive and special piece of artwork.

If you look around your home, or your friends’ homes, you’ll notice that most of us have artwork up on our walls that isn’t really personal. It’s something to fill up space, not genuinely inspire or resonate with us. When you order something from My Pop Art, you take part in the creation. Heck, it IS your creation. It’s your photograph that is the basis for the piece. My Pop Artists only improve on what’s there (which is why its so essential you send in your best photographs.)

So if you need framed and ready artwork with a personal touch, My Pop Art can provide those quick gifts that you’ll undoubtedly need.

Some artists believe that Pop Art is one of the highest expressions of art; that it resonates on a deeper, more pertinent psychic level than your average watercolor. It speaks volumes about who we are and the world we live in. My Pop Art realizes the power of Pop Art. And the importance that anyone has the ability to create it. Together, My Pop Art and you can create your own piece of work, distinctive and bold.

One British professor had this to say about Pop Art:

If we imagine the history of art as an arc of increasing sophistication- it’s zenith would be the painting of Campbell Soup. It is a painting of a painted image. A commercial item reflecting a commercial item and bringing this trend of painting fine goods to its logical conclusion- the Brand.

To the aesthetic relativists I say: under any system of aesthetic evaluation, one will be forced to admit that Pop Art is the highest expression of art, no matter what your system of value is, as Pop Art’s value transcends across all spectrums of value.

To the aesthetic objectivists I say: appeal to your aesthetic sense and you will come to an objective understanding of my position.

Do you know what he’s talking about? Me either. Well, I guess he’s saying something like this: Pop Art speaks to us all. It distances from the world in which we live in long enough to peer into its artistry, something we often overlook.

Look! Pop Art just made your brain hurt!

My Pop Art is a group of artists who keep Pop Art alive in a way that’s approachable and accessible to just about anyone. If you have a photograph you want to memorialize, the artists at My Pop Art know how to put their imprint on it and make it into a genuine piece of artwork.

Its interesting to know that Pop Art predates Andy Warhol considerably. Wayne Thiebaud is a wonderful example of a Pop Art forefather. Alhough his work wasn’t necessarily called Pop Art at the time, he still drew from culturally known objects for his work.

Wayne Thiebaud was born November 23, 1920 and is an American painter whose most famous works are of cakes, pastries, boots, toilets, toys and lipsticks. His last name is pronounced “Tee-bo.”

He is associated with the Pop art movement because of his interest in objects of mass culture, however, his works, executed during the fifties and sixties, slightly predate the works of the classic pop artists. Thiebaud uses heavy pigment and exaggerated colors to depict his subjects, and the well-defined shadows characteristic of advertisements are almost always included in his work.

Thiebaud is best known for his paintings of production line objects found in diners and cafeterias, such as pies and pastries. Many wonder if he spent time working in the food industry, and in fact he did. As a young man in Long Beach, he worked at a cafe named Mile High and Red Hot, where “Mile High” was ice cream and “Red Hot” was a hot dog.

So when you order your piece of art from My Pop Art, remember artists like Wayne Theibaud and know you are part of a rich and wonderful legacy!

Artist: Wayne Thiebaud

Choosing art for your home is a very personal process. Or at least it should be. Many of us “bypass” choosing art and instead do it on autopilot. You know the feeling. You probably did it in college and it extended right on through to now. You picked up something to “fill up space” on your wall, whether it was some silly poster or a water painting of calla lilies that you never really liked, but…oh well. My Pop Art is perfect for that “old student” in you, whose so-called interior design habits die hard.

The beauty of My Pop Art is that you can own a quality piece of work, specifically designed for you, that is entirely unique and affordable. You can rip down those Bob Marley posters, take down that pencil etching of a striped bass and put up something bold and bright and  most definitely yours.

Why put up art you don’t truly connect with or just to fill up space? Art should be something that inspires you, that speaks to you. It should be eye-catching yet still blend into the decor of your room.

If you’re on a tight budget, as you decorate a room, remember to keep it simple. One well-placed piece of art is all you need. You don’t have to fill your room to the ceiling. Simplicity often speaks volumes (and helps those who don’t have a lot to spare on interior design.) So remember My Pop Art when you decide to grow up a little. Remember: if its hanging up on your wall by thumb tacks, it might be time to move on!

If you’re anything like me, keeping up with birthdays and anniversaries is not your best suit. Heck, I sometimes forget my own birthday unless its breathing right down my back! Every year, I mean to fill out my calendar in advance so there will be no surprises. But that’s a task that gets put on the backburner and then boom! It’s someone’s birthday again and I don’t know what to do. Then I remember My Pop Art (at least I remember that!) and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Whether its an easy to order, neatly packaged gift certificate or something I submit myself, the turnaround time is quick. When I’m really pressed for time, nothing beats the My Pop Art gift certificate. Its such an unusual and distinctive service, my friends and relatives are always pleasantly surprised. Its like no other. Once they understand the service, they’re more than happy to peruse their photographs and find one that they want to send in for the “Pop Art” treatment.

If I have a little more time, I find a photo of my loved one of choice and send that in. The great part is, I can choose a piece according to my budget. A smaller piece, obviously, is much more affordable. But if its Mom and Dad’s anniversary, for instance, I’ll pull out the stops and get a larger piece to be framed (which they really loved by the way.)

So if you’re short on time, My Pop Art has a service for you that’s distinctive and fun.

The beauty of this day and age is that technology has become so affordable and so advanced. You can purchase a digital camera for less than $200 that will take crystal clear shots as well as being easy to use. You don’t have to be a professional to take pro style pix. And My Pop Art loves working with good-looking images!

You can also feel free to experiment in a way you couldn’t do in the days of film. Back then, if you made a mistake - or a series of mistakes - it cost you. It cost you film and time and money. You also didn’t know if you made a mistake. If the lighting was off, for instance, the only way you found out was after costly developing.

Now, even if you’re not a serious photographer, you can make sure your next shots look as good as possible. At your next family event, for instance, start experimenting. Review your work - is the lighting the best possible? If not, can you adjust settings accordingly? What’s a good close-up like? How about a still image? You can either delete the mistakes within seconds of taking the shot or give them a good look on your computer after you downloaded them to see if you could tweak them.

I’ve saved many a shot with some Photoshop; mainly if they were slightly underlit or blurry. As a matter of fact, some of my favorite shots have a whole other feel after a little Photoshopping that brought a life to the picture that it didn’t have beforehand. One of my close friend was tweaked and now it looks as if I shot it in the 70’s, with a warm yellow hue and a newspaper image feel.

A good shot is an easy affordable thing nowadays. And with Photoshop, you can save some of the “not so good” shots occasionally.

A perfect My Pop Art photograph is anything you want it to be. The beauty with Pop Art is, on some levels, it’s open for interpretation. When you send a photo into My Pop Art, the most important aspect is that the composition of the picture is good; meanings your subject is centered correctly, the focus is clear and the shot has that “pop” feeling (a good shot “pops out at you.” You know the feeling, you can go through a bunch of photographs but only a few seem to really pop out at you.”

As for subject matter, the sky’s the limit. Many people decide on a loved one. Everyone wants to feel like Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe, right? Whether its a cute photograph of your child with a family pet or an old photo of your great Aunt Theresa, My Pop Art can transform them into a bold, vivid piece of work that really showcases their “star quality.”

You could just as easily send in a photograph of an object, whatever it may be. One client sent in a photograph of his old typewriter. He hangs it over his desk for inspiration before he begins a writing project. Another client sent in a shot of a cup of coffee to “Pop Artify” and hang up in her new kitchen.

So let your imagination run wild. Think in terms of images that make you feel good or that elicit creative or warm feelings from you. Think in terms of something that represents you or a loved one. Think “What would I like to look at every day?”

Once you decide, that piece of work can actually influence your life. That’s the power of art!

If you have a house, or even an apartment, you have it: the dreaded underused room (unless you live in New York City - then you use every precious inch of space you have, including ceiling space!) The underused room goes way back. You remember in your childhood - the room with the plastic covers on the furniture, an ominous china cabinet and ornate glass tables? My Pop Art can help bring life back to these underused rooms.

First you have to identify which area in your house or condo or apartment doesn’t seem to get as much attention. It’s the place that no one really chooses to “hang out.” You probably don’t have the stately, boring rooms of yesteryear mentioned above but perhaps its just a smaller room you didn’t have a chance to decorate. Or maybe it doesn’t get that much late. Or maybe its just gathering “stuff” like boxes of Christmas ornaments, old summer clothes and the like.

To optimize your space, take a look at it first. What colors could you bring this orphan room that would bring a whole new life to it? What image would you to see? Then either go through your existing photographs or take a new one that fits the bill. Make sure its a well-composed shot. Check with others. In the day of digital, you can feel free to experiment. Once you’ve nailed the shot, send it into  My Pop Art for the royal treatment. You can even hand pick the colors you want to use for the final product.

Once you hang your new piece, let your new Pop Art do the work. You’ll notice the room feeling warming, more alive. Maybe you’ll feel like hanging out there a little longer than usual. Maybe people will naturally congregate there during a party.  My Pop Art put those underused rooms back on the map!

Some photographs work particularly well when done in My Pop Art’s “Art Stokes” style. What are Art Strokes exactly? Its a technique that the artists use at the My Pop Art studios that give your quality photograph a “museum” oil-painting feel. Think of your favorite Impressionist painting with warm, broad strokes and rich, textured colors. Here’s some more info:

Art Strokes makes any photograph look as if you stole it from a museum…without the jail time! So what kind of photograph goes well with “Art Strokes” style? Well, think back on that Impressionist painting. Many times, landscapes were used. So if you have a photograph of that sunset over the bay that’s just burning a hole in a old box somewhere, blow off the dust and send it to My Pop Art.

Of course, it doesn’t have to end with landscape shots. Nice, clean portrait style shots are really optimized by this technique as well, like the one above. So if you have a well-positioned shot of a friend or a loved one that isn’t very “busy” (not too much activity in the background, for instance), that’s ideal. With that said, if you have a shot that you really like that does seem a little background heavy, you can tell the artists at My Pop Art you only want only the shot in the foreground and they can accomodate.

The extra nice part? You can change that background to suit your home decor. It’s a perfect, affordable way to customize art for your home, without the “museum” prices!