Oh yes – finally – Etsy Monday has returned! And let me tell you – it’s a good one!

Friends, allow me to introduce you to Livingston & Porter.

I’ve had the pleasure of emailing back and forth with Holly, the owner of Livingston & Porter, a few times over the past few weeks.  She’s a lovely person, and her art work is equally as lovely.  Though you’ll find a large vintage collection at Livingston & Porter, I’m not going to focus on those beautiful pieces.  I’m instead going to focus on the handmade pieces of art that Holly herself paints.

Art like this piece, Promise Me:

How beautiful would this piece look hanging in a child’s bedroom?  You can get it with just the words, so it’s perhaps more appropriate for a little girl.  Maybe it’s totally cheesy to admit, but I teared up a bit when I read this quote.  Everyone needs to be reminded that they’re braver, stronger, and smarter than they think on occasion!

There’s also art for big kids, such as this Audrey Hepburn Inspires Me piece:

If you can’t read it, the Audrey Hepburn quote reads, “I believe in manicures.  I believe in wearing lipstick.  I believe that laughter is the best calorie burner.  I believe in kisses.  I believe in being strong when everything else seems to be going wrong.  I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls.  I believe tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles.”  I don’t know about you, but I would love to look up at that quote every day.

This I Said I Love You and That’s Forever piece would make a perfect wedding present:

I’m such a sucker for quote-filled wall art.  I have a few pieces like this tucked around my house and sometimes it’s nice to take a moment, read the words, and gain a bit of clarity.  Or maybe that’s just me.

Holly was nice enough to answer a few questions for everyone about her art and Livingston & Porter.  Enjoy!

1. How long have you been running Livingston & Porter?

Since we closed our retail store, robin’s egg blue, about two years ago.

2. Livingston & Porter is a unique blend of antique items combined with handmade wall art. Was it a conscious decision to run the shop this way, or did it just work out that way?

Well, yes and no..I intended on having two unique stores rather than combining the two because I feel like they are distinctly different but in our retail store I always felt like the right product mix is what people enjoyed- the “unexpected”….So, the same way I displayed in a bricks and mortar, I have tried to create in an online environment… The contrast, visually, is more interesting to me.

3. Where do you find the quotes and sayings that are on your wall art?

I have four binders full of quotes and I collect them everyday….

4. Is there any one item in your shop that you would consider a favorite?

I have always painted the quotes that “spoke” to me…..But I love the treasure hunt of finding vintage goods especially when a match is made and someone purchases something I have found.