Listen to your Gut
Trust me, I get it ‘ART’ can be intimidating. Even as I attempt to record my process here my head is immediately filled with, well ‘what do I know?’. While I believe that I do possess a certain amount of ‘natural instinct’. When I am caught discussing Art with anyone else, I always seem to put their viewpoint and discretion over my own. Even if it is as simple as recognizing ‘what’ an art piece is, ‘gaelic prints anyone?’, or an artist that I can’t pronounce or have never heard of even if they are world renown.
You could easily jump down a rabbit hole of art appreciation and find yourself even more confused and more intimidated than when you started. While there is great honor in the study of art, and honestly depending on the next ‘COVID shutdown wave’ an online course could be fun.
This piece is not that. This piece is for the homeowner who wants to incorporate original works of art in their home and feel confident in doing so. The homeowner who wants to reap all of the enjoyment of art in their home, without feeling like they are drowning. This is my process. My road map for creating beautiful moments for my clients in their home’s and the technique I rely heavily on as I continue to dive deeper into the abyss of art curation. Let’s go have some fun!
Go with your gut
Gut, intuition, instinct, no matter what you call it, that ‘little voice inside’ is highly intuitive and is the first voice you need to pay attention to you. When you're looking for art you must honor your voice. It may sound abstract but what is the piece saying to you. Does it remind you of someone, something, somewhere? Do the colors somehow sneak out a smile. Do you find yourself happy, or calm when you see it? You don’t have to write down the answers to these, or name what it is but asking yourself these things while looking at the piece will begin to train you to hear your gut. And then... don’t question it! I often find client’s, and even myself, trying to fit my gut into what my voice is saying. The gut leads and everything else follows. Art is a language unto its own, but one your gut is well versed in. Let it translate.
its whatever you want it to be
This is where I find most people get themselves in a pickle. Art is subjective first and foremost so what one person likes may be entirely repulsive to another and vice versa. And even if it is not repulsive if it doesn’t create an emotional response of some kind it isn’t serving you plain and simple. This is the category of ‘boring’ that the ‘Live Love Laugh’ falls into. Like anything in your home art should not be selected based on what ‘Betty Sue’ down the street is doing. And likewise, don’t feel you have to remain in a box because of the style of your home. Some of the most incredible modern art collections can be found in period homes, and I also witnessed the flawless curation of vintage busts in a very sleek modern abode.
Rules, boxes, they don’t define what you should do and mixing those preferences is encouraged. You will eventually begin to recognize what you gravitate towards and hone that voice, but for now put up what makes you smile, even if that is pepperoni pizza (because everyone needs a framed watercolor of their favorite food clearly).
Color Pallet
Consideration of the color pallet is probably the only ‘rule’ that I would dare say adhere to. Understanding the color pallet of your home and then looking for art that supports that is key to a home that is cohesive. However, please hesitate approaching your space by declaring ‘I want a blue abstract painting above my couch’. It boxes you in and doesn’t allow any room for the gut to speak up. Instead, say ‘my home has a muted color palette and I want to amplify the sense of freedom I have through art’, allows space for your gut to fill in what that is. The color pallet of your home is already there and you are already drawn to the colors that support that, you don’t have to box yourself in by naming it, rather paying attention to it is key.
Once the art itself is selected the next part is just as crucial. How will it be displayed in your home? When I was considering this last night I kept thinking to myself that this step is really an art in and of itself. The options are endless and equally daunting. In this era we often want the three steps for getting it right the first time and have little patience for edits.
If I had to put a name on it, I’d call it Balance. Whether you are doing a gallery wall, or placing a statement piece somewhere to shine alone you must pay attention to the balance between itself and everything it is around. Other art, furniture, architectural elements (crown molding, windows, doors). Creating visual balance in your space is critical and the use of the ‘art accessories’ should not be overlooked when striving to accomplish balance in your home. The frame, the matt, the lighting all have the ability to support your art collection. Take a step back and look at what you are creating and ask yourself, does it feel ‘balanced’?
Fact: The further you dip your toe in the pool of art the more confident you will be over time. Also fact: there is no ‘graduation’ day planned for your understanding of the Romanticism era unless I suppose you are majoring or minoring in Fine Arts, which if you are kudos! In its totality, art is evolution. Your engagement and relationship with art will grow and transform just like your Fiddle Leaf Fig is. Making room for your roots to stretch and grow in ways you may not have anticipated is the beauty of it all.