Does art imitate life or does life imitate art? It was this ponderous question that was in my mind as I strode through the streets of Hot Cape May this past Monday. In Cape May, art is a passion. We have loads of artists who display and sell their work here and much of it is inspired by our lovely seaside resort. Though I never really answered the above question on my walk, I did discover just how much fun finding art to beach up your home can be. And since art is so personal, there is something for everyone and every décor. All you need are a few pieces to achieve that coastal touch.

  Right off the not-so-windy way of the Washington Street Mall is the Ocean Street Gallery. When you first walk in, it’s almost overwhelming to take in all the sparkly, shiny creative pieces lining the shelves, on the floor and hanging from the ceiling. There are loads of gems in here so this is a good place to start arting up your home with the cool, casual, Cape May vibe.

  The Copper Cat Tails and Copper Sea Oats on natural wood bases made me fall into instant I-must-have-this love. I just dig how much they say shore without being over the top in any way. The soft-green, delicate metal is so thin that it moves to the touch. The sculptured grasses remind me of the few miles of the Garden State Parkway toward the last exit which, in the summer, are so green and so Jersey Shore. Putting one of these smallish sculptures on your mantel or even right on the ground by your fireplace will add an instant touch of Cape May to your living room.

  I’ve always been a wind chime fan because I love how light and delicate some can be and the heavy and assuming presence others have. In the Ocean Street Gallery, I found a fishy chime that is sort of a middle ground between those two. The chime has glass fishies in hanging vertical with metal circles surrounding them. There is even a little bell hanging on the bottom. Very cute. And perfect for a kitchen window that gets sun, so the light will filter through the fishies, brighten up your room and keep you smiling as you wash the dishies, er dishes.

  So, art aficionados, are you wondering when I’m going to get to the more traditional framed art? Well, wonder no more as the next stop on my walk was into Cape May On Canvas. This is not your typical art gallery - everyone is smiley and friendly, you can (gasp) touch the art, and the printing style is done with the Giclee method. Artist Scott Griswold takes his photos of Cape May scenes and puts them on canvas, creating a print that is clear, true color and sturdy. More so, Scott’s prints are so full of the Cape May vibe that bringing one or two into your home will make you feel like you are sitting on Cove Beach watching the waves anytime you gaze at them. I loved a few instantly.

  The Flip Flops by the Beach photos are part of a two set. The first is a close up of the flops and the second shows the shoes by the beach fence, which happens to be employee Alicia Williams’ fave and I have to agree. Since they each capture the spirit of the sand and the soft magic that is Cape May, pick them both up and place them on opposite sides of your living room entrance or above your
fireplace (they’ll compliment the sea grass metal sculptures).
 

  Photographers Tina Giaimo and Don Merwin recently opened up their own gallery in the Carpenter’s Square Mall on Perry Street. Walk in and you will laugh, sigh, and possibly even cry. Alright, perhaps you wont’ cry but this couple’s photos are that powerful. There are two I received as gifts that I absolutely love and keep in my bedroom so that everyone morning when I wake, I get an instant shot of Cape May calm that stays with me all day long. The first is Tina’s photo of footprints in the sand on Higbee Beach.

  One of my favorite things to do is stroll along this narrow, curved beach and let the waves tickle my toes while I search the sand for Cape May Diamonds. Don’s photo of the boats at the Lobster House marina is on the other side of the entrance way and provides a nice contrast to the soft tones of Tina’s Higbee Beach photo because the boats are full of color and the photo was taken at night, so the light streaks reflected in the water are truly awesome. Get two alike frames and hang these above your bed or on each side of the entrance way.

  I think maybe life inspires art, especially here in Cape May where awesome scenes and landscapes seem to be around every street corner and on every beach block. With these art touches in your home, you can let the sun warm your skin, the ocean breeze tickle your nose and the sound of seagulls fill your ears. You’re in Cape May now…let the inspiration begin.

By Jen Calvert

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