Tag Archives: painting

Aug21

Change your Life with Art

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Art is for everyone! Yes, even you. I’m a firm believer everyone should live with and enjoy original art and sometimes that means “do it yourself” art.  Many people leave their walls blank because they are not sure how to fill them and feel it would be costly to do so.  If you have the funds, you won’t regret investing in art that moves you.  But you don’t need a big budget to enjoy beautiful art on your walls.

If you have children, have you framed or hung their art from school? This builds their confidence and adds joy and color to your home. Here’s another fun idea; head to your favorite art supplier, buy a canvas, and gather the family or friends around, each with one paint color and a brush.  Then have everyone begin painting the area in front of them until you all meet in the middle.  You will have a beautiful “under painting”. (image 1)  Now throw paint across it like Jackson Pollack (image 2) or collect objects to attach to the canvas.  Flowers from your garden or leaves make great stamps. You can dip the flowers and leaves into the desired paint color(s) and press them into your canvas (image 3).

Creating a collage is a favorite “do-it-yourself” project of mine because it’s personal.  Using your own photos, post cards, maps, and ticket stubs, you can create an piece of art that reminds you of some of your favorite memories. You will need canvas and “mod podge” (available at the local craft store) to attach your selected items.  First, paint the canvas with your favorite color(s).  Then tear the images you will be using along the edges or in half for an abstract look.  After the images are glued to the canvas in a pleasing arrangement, I like to apply some metallic paint to the areas in between in a random pattern using a sponge (image 4).  Try framing special documents, postcards, or architectural drawings as a way to put your personality in your space.

If doing it yourself doesn’t interest you, you can always consider purchasing art from local art fairs.  It doesn’t need to be costly to begin your own collection.  If you see something that inspires you, buy it! You won’t be sorry.  Whether you buy a finished piece or put it together yourself or with your family, I am confident that you begin to look at the walls as a place from which you can draw happiness through art.

Note: The images in this post are taken in Ethiopia where you can find me sharing my passion that art is indeed for everyone.
Article as seen in the August 2012 Women’s Lifestyle Magazine
Aug2

Can Art Improve Your Love Life?

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I believe it can. Everything in life is art. There is art in preparing food, preparing a table, decorating your home, or even dressing yourself. Gardens are a form of art as is your appreciation of them. There is art in wine, in making it as well as drinking it. I believe that whenever you bring your own sense of self to whatever you do, it is art.

My favorite art form is painting. My heart races as I watch my hands move color across canvas. But my interests are many. I have an adorable husband, a loving family, a thirst for knowledge, and a desire to be surrounded by beauty. In all these things, I find the art of living and loving well.

Think of your last romantic date. Chances are that one or both of you had to set the stage. Did you have a picnic outside or a lovely meal inside? Whatever the venue; beautiful fabric, throw pillows, candles, and fresh cut flowers make even the ordinary feel extraordinary. There is art in the way you smile at someone and make eye contact while really listening. Let them know you’re thinking of them with random acts of kindness. Art is brought to the everyday by simply thinking about it. Here are a few of my favorite ways of bringing art into my everyday:

  • Supporting a local artist and being aware of the smile that spreads over your face when that artwork is hung on your wall.
  • Hanging art in unusual places; over a door, under a window or a small “peek-a-boo” painting hanging in a small nook.
  • Serving wine and presenting it with a beautiful wine stopper, ice bucket or decanter.
  • Having a glass already poured for your guests or loved one.
  • Using trays, trays, trays.
  • Serving water with any one of the following (or mix-n-match)… cucumber, mint, lavender, ginger, or my favorite summer treat, red pepper.
  • Placing edible flowers, like marigolds or nasturtium, on your plates or freshly cut gems from your garden in a vase for the table. I use ferns, grasses, and herbs. I also love simple flowers floating in a small bowl or vase or a collection of them as a great centerpiece! These visuals can make any meal look elegant.

I hope these ideas inspire you to look at everything you do as art. Surprise with the unexpected and you will delight those around you and yourself. It doesn’t take hours of preparation. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am the queen of the last minute. Simply nurture the idea that everything we do in life is art. The details are what allows you and yours to experience the art of living well.

Article as seen in the August 2012 Women’s Lifestyle Magazine