For those of you out there – and you know who you are – that think kid’s art is defined by tired old cartoon characters, and posters of Hannah Montana, it is time to wake up!

I attended Art Expo 2008 to see what offerings artists have for parents and children. Now in its 30^th year, Art Expo takes over an entire floor of the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. That would be give or take the size of a football field. A major force in the art market, Art Expo targets what can best be described as the middle-market, the low or mid hundreds to about $10,000 range. My eye was looking for art that spoke to kids, and was priced at the low end of that range.

I was very pleased to find a good selection of fine art the show that speaks to children, but doesn’t speak down to them. Yes, some of it was priced in the stratosphere ($2000-5000) and I avoided those for this article, but some of it is quite affordable at price points as low as $50-100. This is just a few times the price of a cheap poster, and with far more artistic inspiration. Even at a few hundred dollars, the art is no more expensive than a mid-priced quality stroller.

Why would anyone spend in the hundreds for art in a kid’s room? Because art, the food for the soul, is probably even more important for a young and growing mind than it is for we adults. There is an aesthetic quality to “realâ€? art that cheap posters just can’t capture. And today’s newer fine art technologies have helped bring the price points down so it is all much more accessible today than it was 10 years ago. The new fine art printing process is called Giclee, and it produces glorious colors and tonalities, printed on either archival paper or a canvas base.

Like a favorite book or blankie, kids will grow attached to a special work of art. It will be something they remember fondly and with some care, may even place in their own children’s room in years to come. I would bet you never heard of that happening with a $15 poster, did you?

Robert Bissell

Not just for children, Robert Bissell combines human mannerisms and self reflection with cartoonishly realistic bears, bunny rabbits, butterflies and bees and creates artwork that can be viewed as either simply fun, or full of meaning depending on how you look at it. His artwork will appeal to a wide age range. The work literally glows with its lush color palette printed on canvas surface. Priced at just north of the $1,000 point, Bissell’s is the highest priced item we include in this review.
http://www.robertbissell.com

The Art of Ed Heck

The immediate kid favorite was the wonderfully weird and engaging brightly colored art of Ed Heck. Like something out of an animation or children’s storybook, these images are an immediate draw to children and adults alike. And while the art is admired by all, there is a sly sense of humor within many images that is just for adults, way over the heads of the little ones, as they should be. Prices are all very reasonable. We wish there were more like Ed Heck, he makes entering the world of art easy and fun. http://www.edheck.com

The Pink Room Studio

The pink room studio had some of my favorite offerings for kids. Strong whimsical Giclee, Limited edition prints with themes of religious euphoria and feminine self confidence. The “Essence of Aka” (18×24- shown to the right) is available as a limited edition print for $250. What better way to surround your little girl with messages of self confidence? My favorite Giclee prints by this artist are not yet available on her website except as more expensive originals, but check back in a few weeks and you may see them available for sale. (Hint: Look for the houses in the “Mound” series, and “Cozy Cottage” and “Summer Shade”)

Erback Fine Art

Shawna Erback’s style (pictured to the left) is simply beautiful. Her abstract/surrealistic landscapes frequently depict children, and have the air of a daydream about them. Her originals, re-creations and Giclee prints range in cost from $35 to $1800. http://www.erbackfineart.com/

Clampett Studio Collections

For a fine art take on popular children’s classics, Clampett Studio allows you to purchase Giclee prints from Hatty Potter, Batman, Looney Tunes, and others. http://www.clampettstudio.com

Dolly Johnson & Linda Miser / Art-Exchange

Dolly Johnson’s “Phoenix Song” Mixed-Media kite speaks to children without being too childish. This abstract mixed media watercolor original is 20×28 for $550. (Phoenix Song)

Linda Miser’s folk art landscapes are available as 16×20 framed originals for $400 and have a look that is reminiscent of illustrations in children’s books. (First Snow)

Anna Goldstein’s abstracts, particularly the one depicting mother and child may make an interesting nursery decoration and are in the $120-300 range. (Mother/Child)

Art Exchange has a wide range of original art and reproductions in this price range including many pieces that appeal to children. Their art search allows you to search by subject and constrain the prices to your budget. It can be a bit of work sorting through their artwork to find something that appeals to children, however.

Miguel Freitas

Freitas (right) offers pricier giclee prints and originals of city/town scapes and sea-oriented themes. The vibrant, yet muted color palette and quirky perspective will appeal to a child’s imagination. http://www.freitas.ca

Majestic Blends

Limited edition hand-embellished Giclee by (9×12/$100, 18×24/$225) by Martin of Majestic Blends. (Majestic Blends also runs a more commercialized cafepress shop where this print has been made into a keepsake box and wall clock, great for corresponding decor.) Martin also offers Giclee prints of ballerinas.

Martin had some other offerings that we saw at the show that aren’t available on his website, but that are even more appealing to kids. Hopefully he’ll update his site to show them. Not all of his work is child friendly, but “Cats Jazzin’” and “Preparing for the Dance” could definitely be at home in a child’s room. More at: http://www.majesticblends.com

Lisa Grubb/Happy Dog

Lisa Grubb’s Happy Dog artwork depicts dogs, cats and other creatures and are available as limited edition prints and posters. http://www.lisagrubb.com

Glitter Gallery: Americana Wall Art

The Glitter gallery has offerings from artists such as Malcah Zeldis whose paintings of Noah’s Ark, Carousels and baseball games offer a wide variety of Americana art that will appeal to children. http://www.americanawallart.com

Belau Art Gallery

The artwork of Michael Glinsky features brightly colored Giclee prints depicting underwater coral reefs and sea life. http://www.belauartgallery.com