Originals

Tea: Cranberry.

Music: Autumn's Grey Solace, "Still"

Time: Night.

Do me a favor, will you? Pretend it's New Year's Day. No peeking at the calender. (Hey -- that means you, too. I'm watching you.)

First, let me stress that I have nothing against the nice people who make reproduction posters and prints of well-known works of art. Better to have a mass produced Ansel Adams or Monet print that you really like than one of those pieces of crap people buy at the furniture store because it matches the couch.

But here's my New Year's challenge for 2008:

This year, find a way to get your hands on an original -- a signed original, if possible. Painting, sculpture, art pottery, glass, photography, any manner of mixed media, whatever. Buy it. Trade for it. (No stealing.)

Get it because you like it, not because it harmonizes with the area rug. When people ask you about it, tell them about the artist. Tell them about the place where you bought the piece -- be it a gallery, a coffeehouse, an art fair or an auction.

Prints are acceptable, so long as they come directly from the artist. I realize not everyone has a bazillion-dollar personal art budget. I know I don't (but I wouldn't mind one.) A lot of artists do studies and small pieces, too. Be creative.

Now, here's the fun part (and I mean that literally): Talk to the artist, if you can. And by that I mean more than "Would you take fifty bucks less for it?" Get a sense of the vision and passion you're buying. After all, you're inviting the artist into your home as a permanent guest.

And by all means, get rid of that furniture store monstrosity over the love seat.