Art that fits: Seattle boutiques selling creations just right for tight budgets

What a strange climate greeting us this holiday season: The idea of peace on Earth gets more tenuous by the moment, and "mercy mild" is a stance we can only hope our creditors will adopt.

But neither of those dark notions will stop most of us from diving into the bucking, braying herds of shoppers. And I'm guessing that you probably have no idea what kind of gift to give; I mean, how many gloves do your friends really need?

Here's an idea — give the gift of art.

OK, I understand — original works can run hundreds of dollars. In this economy, few are willing to shell out big bucks on aesthetics. Who hasn't looked at a Keith Haring piece and muttered, "Heck, I can do that"? (Maybe you could, but he did it first.) This is the reason the word "artist" is usually preceded by "starving."

But this Christmas, that descriptor could change to "savvy." Seattle's young pop artists have been discovering the marketability of their wares, creating gift possibilities the average shopper can not only afford but is clamoring for.

Now they're striking out on the market, in venues such as Rummage, a monthly art sale where cool coasters, jewelry and usable artwork are served up with breakfast.

"It's kind of a trend with people in their 20s and 30s," explained Sam Trout, a local illustrator who co-curates Rummage, which is held the first Sunday of each month but will be Dec. 1 and Dec. 15 next month at Nation, 1921 Fifth Ave. "We've all grown up with graphic design and pop art, we all have these common interests."

The anti-mall

From what I can tell, demand is growing with the holiday season's approach. Joining Rummage is Area 51's Trademark, a showcase and market for one-of-a-kind (or one-of-a-few) gift possibilities at 401 E. Pine St.

Set against Area 51's white walls, the items clutch at your attention when you walk into the store: Kim Mahar's brightly colored "Eye Candy" glass dishes, Tim Tinker's sexy portraits painted on vintage luggage and David Rauschenberg's "Paint-It-Yourself Mickey Skulls," sinister plaster renditions of Mickey Mouse, are standouts among the dozens of items already filling shelves. More than 70 artists will sell clothing, knickknacks, stationery and other items in the show, which officially opens Friday.

"There's a practicality factored in there," said Trademark's curator Chuck Dong, who is also selling his work in the market.

"It doesn't really cheapen the art by being on, say, a mug. To me, it's just the same as a painting."

Dong also realizes how tough it is to sell more expensive originals right now.

"That's definitely the reason I started doing these shows that are less expensive. All of my friends have no money, and I have to sell them something, don't I? The cheaper show is going to get more money than a more expensive show."

Monkey business

Another plus is that anything goes. That was obvious to The Fizz once she squeezed one of the "Technomonkeys" at Trademark. It looked innocent enough, then it started cursing at me about someone's beeper — an answering machine message. Another declared in comedian Chris Elliot's voice, "I'm not modeling anymore for the two of you! Well, I guess I just got my first taste of the filthy side of this business!" Who says stuffed animals are passé?

"I feel like there's a movement out there," Area 51 co-owner Daniel Meltzer said. "I look around at some of these things and realize that in New York they'd sell for a few thousand dollars. Here, it costs $50."

For all we know, one of these artists could be the next Paul Frank. He's the artist behind those weird Julius the Monkey creations, and he could rightly be credited for kicking off our current version of the art commodification trend in 1995, when he began making his quirky products in his garage. Today they sell nationwide in both small boutiques and large department stores. Frank's "vintage" items have resold for hundreds of dollars.

More venues

And artist love seems to be spreading around the city. Consider this partial list of shops all over town that carry at least a few artists' goods: Hello Gorgeous and Lipstick Traces on Pine Street on Capitol Hill. Damsel Collective and Vain Salon in Belltown. Fremont's colorful Frank & Dunya has supported artists' products for more than 15 years.

In the Greenwood area, artist Crystalyn Brennan is seeing a surge in holiday visitors at her shop, Fotos and Frocks at 73rd and Linden, which carries housewares, clothing and jewelry by more than 20 local artists.

"The cool thing is that people are branching out right now," she said, adding that customers are responding well. "We didn't expect the following we got. But now we have a customer base that's been really loyal."

Rummage has enjoyed the same kind of popularity among a few folks who, like me and a few pals, make it a monthly ritual. It was one of the first venues to grant exposure to artists like Flatchestedmama, Truckstop Ink and Trout.

Yet even with the promise of eggs Florentine and a fine Bloody Mary, Rummage languished. Many came for the art but paid for the meal. (Guilty as charged.)

That changed on the first Sunday of November, when more than 200 visitors came to the market, showing that Seattle is realizing what Trout and his Rummage partner, Matthew Parker, have always known.

"This is art as collectable, affordable aesthetics," declared Trout. Parker added, "It shows that being an artist can be a commodity — that we can make a product."

Yep, and I'm buying, and if you want to give gifts your friends will really appreciate, you should too.

Thought bubbles: Everyone has horrific tales of sitting on Santa's lap. Stories involving bad breath, possible inebriation on the part of the fake St. Nick, or the sittee's bladder-control failure. If you caught one of these tender moments on film — and I know you have — submit it to Kirsten at the Roq La Rue Gallery, 2316 Second Ave., and she may put it in her picture book of Santa Land horrors. Want more details? Call 206-374-8977 or e-mail her at kirsten@roqlarue.com.

Pop Fizz: mmcfarland@seattletimes.com.