The Paintru Journal

The history of portraiture is inextricably wrapped in everything it means to be human. The portrayal of a person - or people - has, for millennia, acted as political propaganda, shaped religious and social beliefs, and fostered collective opinion and imagination among communities.

How a person is portrayed is as important as the who: think of Alexander the Great and you will be hard-pressed to picture anything but heroic, leonine hair and a serene expression evocative of Golden Age Greece. It was carefully planned artistic rendering, as well as an astute awareness of the history of Hellenistic art, that transformed Alexander from leader of men to demi-god.

Karl Lagerfeld once said, “What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” It’s no secret that this is where the pull of Instagram lies.

Whether you are an avid photo poster or not, the attraction of curating images of your best moments is obvious. Studies of the most popular hashtags show that Travel is a stalwart topic: #travel, #travelgram, #instatravel, #wanderlust consistently hit the top of user lists, out-shined only by Design and Food, and outperforming Fitness and Inspiration.

A painting of a house can be a powerful thing. Homes are where memories are made, relationships are forged, and celebrations occur. Our homes are more to us than just bricks and mortar: those walls have witnessed a myriad of life’s precious moments.

It is easy to see why houses and buildings have for so long enjoyed a special place in the history of art and commissioning. House portraiture brings the personal story of a home to the forefront, allowing artists and homeowners to express the often deep and emotional pull that we as humans feel towards the buildings we inhabit.

There isn't anything quite like owning your own piece of fine artwork, and why artwork can be so seemingly priceless. How do you begin this journey to find an artist to create your masterpiece? Learn more about the options and how to commission artwork in our guide.

We've teamed up with small space interior inspiration queen Stevee Wagoner from Our Cosy Condo to put together the ultimate guide to home interior gifts for every lover of interior decor.

Updated 2021 – Top off your hot cocoa and get cozy, art fanatics, or friends of one–it’s time to talk artist gifting. The Paintru team put together a list of 18 of the best, creative gift ideas for artists this holiday season.