12 Days of Christmas - a celebration of art
The festive season is a time to celebrate the enduring beauty and meaning of art. From vintage treasures to contemporary works, art can create deep emotion, elevate our surroundings and bring a sense of character and warmth to our homes. This curated selection highlights 12 remarkable art platforms and creators, each offering something distinctive—from emerging talents to timeless pieces. Together, they showcase the diversity and richness of artistic expression, making this collection a true celebration of creativity and craftsmanship.
1. PARTNERSHIP EDITIONS
This wonderful online platform connects emerging artists with new art collectors, making art more accessible to all. Founded by Georgia Spray, the goal is to “open up the conversation about art and break down its elitism, with the belief that art really is for all.” This vision aligns perfectly with my values and philosophy – art does not need to cost the earth to be meaningful, beautiful or remarkable. Blossom #68, by Casey Moore demonstrates that fine art photography is a powerful medium of expression.
Photo credit: www.partnershipeditions.com
2. Petri prints
Petri Prints is a small, family-run business offering bespoke commissions alongside antique originals and made-to-order reprint collections. Much of their art is inspired by science, food history, and nature. What truly sets their collections apart is the unique hand-framing, which brings each piece to life. I particularly love the ink-blue printed splatter border framing the fun and decorative botanical collection entitled The Culinary Botanicals.
Photo credit: www.petriprints.com
3. C&B curates
I first discovered Cramer & Bell, a London-based art consultancy practice, during a visit to modern-day family jeweller Sophie Breitmeyer. Sophie collaborated with co-founders Bella and Daisy to transform her Notting Hill studio into an eclectic exhibition space showcasing some of their favourite artists. C&B Curates offers an inspiring selection of works, from unique pieces in diverse mediums to limited-edition prints. Fruits from the Garden, by Lucy Powell is a beautiful example of relaxed elegance.
Photo credit: www.cbcurates.com
4. The pastel society
I’ve long admired the pastel landscapes of artist Sheila Goodman, and her vibrant piece Riverside is featured here. Sheila is represented by The Pastel Society, an organisation with a rich history. Founded in 1898, its first exhibition was held at the Royal Institute in Piccadilly, led by George Watts. Today, membership is granted through a rigorous assessment of technical skill, originality, and innovation, with a focus on promoting the Society’s objectives.
Photo credit: www.thepastelsociety.org.uk
5. Vinterior
Vinterior is a treasure trove of vintage finds, offering furniture, lighting, accessories, and art. The platform allows you to discover unique pieces from curated collections by verified sellers across 30+ countries. While the sheer variety can feel overwhelming at first, refined search filters and patience can uncover exceptional one-of-a-kind pieces. I’ve personally purchased linograph prints here, often choosing affordable options with impressive scale. There are plenty of unusual pieces to be discovered, including this Original Hilma Af Klint Museum Poster which is a stunning exhibition quality print.
6. ETSY
Etsy has long been my go-to destination for discovering special and unique gifts for friends and family. Many of these treasures are handcrafted pieces that bring me joy. More recently, I’ve been drawn to vintage finds on the platform, including Geometric Interplay, a stunning Swedish Mid-Century Abstract Oil Painting. In the words of the seller: “The dominant colours are cool tones like blues, greens, and teals, unified with warmer accents of muted orange and yellow. This palette creates a sense of calm and balance.”
Photo credit: www.etsy.com
7. Royal academy of arts
In addition to beautiful reproduction prints, the Royal Academy of Arts shop features an Artist Collaborations collection with exclusive prints, textiles, tableware, and more. I’ve chosen a RA x Luke Edward Hall coaster to illustrate that art comes in many forms and needn’t cost a small fortune. Inspired by the RA archives, Hall’s collection celebrates the Academy’s 250th anniversary in style.
Photo credit: shop.royalacademy.org.uk
8. 1st DIBS
1st DIBS is an online marketplace for extraordinary design, offering a curated selection of vintage, antique and contemporary furniture, home décor, art, fine jewellery and fashion. The finds are eclectic, high quality and often one-of-a-kind. A standout feature of the platform is that you can negotiate prices directly with sellers, which isn’t always possible on similar platforms. I’ve selected the Tony Porto Hand Painted Chinoiserie Mural, created by designer Paul Montgomery, and derived from an original Portuguese screen, to highlight the unique art and treasures available.
Photo credit: www.1stdibs.com
9. The discerning palette
Co-founders and childhood friends Saira Kalimuddin and Shanti Davamoni bonded over their shared love of art. Today, they curate a brilliant collection of vintage modernist and modernist-style pieces, prioritising quality over famous names. Their offerings include abstracts, contemporary modernist works, lithographs, sculptures, and vessels. The featured piece, Summer Fruits, Summer Flowers, uses a restrained palette of mustard and white with pops of pink, red, and purple—its playful tone brings an undeniable sense of joy.
Photo credit: www.discerningpalette.com
10. KING & MCGAW
King & McGaw is a renowned art publisher and online retailer, producing exceptional quality art prints from their factory in Newhaven, Sussex. I have seen first-hand the craftsmanship and attention to detail in their framing, which truly sets them apart. I’m always drawn to their rare and limited collections, and I’ve had my eye on this Atelier Mourlot New York 1967 poster for some time. Featuring a harmonious composition by French artist André Beaudin, this original lithographic poster was created to celebrate the opening of Atelier Mourlot’s New York branch in 1967.
Photo credit: www.kingandmcgaw.com
11. Birdie Fortescue
Birdie Fortescue runs a thriving antiques business in Burnham Market, Norfolk, showcasing a carefully curated selection of diverse and talented artists. Among them is Dana Finch, whose oil on canvas piece Promise Park is featured here. Birdie’s description of Finch perfectly captures the essence of her work: “Dana Finch’s work is inspired by the shapes and patterns of the natural world, particularly the robust forms of desert plants, the landscapes of hot places and the raw, elemental surroundings of Cornwall. Having travelled extensively in Spain as a child she is revisiting these dramatic and wondrous landscapes in her current body of work.”
Photo credit: www.birdiefortescue.co.uk
12. Saatchi art
Saatchi Art is an international online gallery showcasing original works by emerging artists from around the globe. One of its standout features is the option for some artists to offer fine art and photography as open-edition prints, making their work highly accessible. While exploring the collection, I came across Looking Forward, a stunning limited-edition fine art photograph by award-winning photo artist Dasha Pears. The strength and solidarity of the girls and women depicted in the piece immediately drew me in. As Saatchi Art describes:
“Dasha uses the instruments of surrealism, minimalism, colour, photography, and digital manipulation to tell surprising visual stories with a twist.”
Photo credit: www.saatchiart.com
