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Because artists are often open to new experiences, practically all things (all of them) can be considered appropriate gifts for an art major. A coffee can full of rusty bolts, a Point Break DVD, or even a live tiger are all fine choices. But you could also just buy something art-related and neat, which has the added benefit of not requiring an exotic animals license.
Teacup of Artists
Have you ever wondered how many faces can fit on a 10 oz teacup? If so, that’s a very unusual thing to wonder about. But also, the answer is at least 65. There are 65 portraits of modern artists emblazoned on this bold, minimalistic piece of yunomi-styled porcelain. It comes in an attractive gift box and makes a wonderful and unique gift for anyone interested in the arts.
Rene Magritte Bobblehead
The groundbreaking surrealist Rene Magritte may be best known for his painting “Le fils de l’homme”, or as the rest of us know it, that painting of a guy with an apple in front of his face. That’s exactly what you get with this bobblehead; a 5 inch tall guy with an scented green apple that installs right into his face. Also included is a bowler hat, pipe, four mini-paintings, and an easel. Oh, and a foot-shoe. 10 fun facts are included in the box, and maybe one of those facts will explain that foot-shoe thing.
Buddha Board
Relax and learn the ancient Zen art of living in the moment with this water painting Buddha board. Simply fill the stand with water, dip in the bamboo brush, and begin your artistic masterpiece. Appreciate your creation in the moment, then, as the water evaporates, practice the art of letting go. An exceptional gift for an art major, professional artist, or just someone that appreciates art.
Van Gogh Action Figure
This miniature Vincent Van Gogh action figure stands five inches tall and comes with two interchangeable ears (one being bandaged of course), five mini paintings, and a paintbrush. The box includes 10 “fun facts” about Van Gough, because he was a notoriously fun fella. Close friends of the post-Impressionist master said they often saw him skipping through the French hillside singing show tunes and hugging forest animals. There you go, that’s one actually fun fact about Van Gough. *Citation needed.
Frida Kahlo Votive Candle
This beautiful votive candle celebrates Frida Kahlo, the patron saint of monkeys, thwarted lovers, and unibrows. If none of that makes sense to you, that’s completely understandable. It will, however, make perfect sense to artists. Eight inches tall and handmade, this candle displays Magdalena Frida Carmen Kahlo y Calderón in all her saintly glory.
Salvador Dalí Finger Puppet
The legendary surrealist painter and moustache model, Salvador Dali, once boasted, “I am surrealism”. And indeed, he was the most famous and admired artist to emerge from the surrealist movement. It seems fitting then that Dali’s unmistakable image would be rendered as a finger puppet, a work of art so ridiculous that this sentence might be the first time in human history that anyone thought to use “work of art” and “finger puppet” in the same sentence. But it’s not all delightful nonsense, this puppet is also a functional fridge magnet and an exceptionally creative gift for an art major.
This Book is a Camera
Defying every expectation of what a book can be, this pop-up extravaganza is a working camera made completely out of paper! It’s really easy to use and developing the photos only takes a few minutes!
Sketching Wallet
This stylish sketching wallet is the perfect for artists on the move. It’s small enough to fit in a day bag or a car’s glove compartment, but still has all the tools creative types need to get those creative ideas down on paper. Includes professionally graded artist pencils in a wide range of values for rendering highlights, midtones, and shadows. An excellent gift for art students, hobbyists, or even experienced designers.
3D Printing Pen
Imagine how great it would be if you could unlock your mind and create anything you wanted out of thin air…and a little acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic filament? This 3D Pen allows artists to do just that! It works just like a regular pen, but instead of ink on paper, it extrudes layers of magic goo (actually, it’s plastic) into real-life 3D models. Artists like to doodle, sketch, and prototype new ideas, and this pen-from-the-future allows them to do that in a new and novel way.
Bob Ross Happy Trees Mug
Bob Ross was the creator and host of The Joy of Painting, a posthumous internet celebrity, and an American treasure. His calm demeanor and relaxed attitude toward painting, inspired countless artists over the show’s 11 year run from 1983 to 1994, and then again after a resurgence in popularity introduced Bob to a whole new generation of creative types. This mug is a celebration of Bob and the “happy little trees” he painted that made him – and us – a little bit happier.
2 More Gifts for an Art Major
642 Things to Draw
This guided journal prompts you to draw, doodle, and sketch a collection of 642 things. Some of them are easy, like a pickle or a safety pin. Others are more challenging, like “the sound of girlish laughter”. Good luck with that one. There are no drawing instructions included, just creative prompts and a place to draw your ideas. It’s a relaxing and creative way to take a break from regular-day hassles and a great way to boost creative awareness.
Art Socks
A 12-pack of socks inspired by famous paintings, including Van Gough’s “Starry Night”, Botticelli’s ”The Birth of Venus”, “The Kiss” by Klimt, and nine more. The artwork is knitted into the fabric of the sock, so they keep their vibrant colors but are still machine washable.
