Jennifer Campbell just liked how the painting looked.
It was simply a couple of pears, painted in green, blue and yellow hues, but it caught her eye.
“I’ve ended up decorating my whole kitchen around that one piece of art,” she says.
Because it reflects your personality, paintings and original art should be carefully chosen.
“It’s a journey,” the Columbus, Ga., resident says. “You start with something that catches your enthusiasm, then you build from there.”
The process begins with choosing the right piece of art. “Art is something that gives you joy to look at,” says Geri Davis, a Columbus artist.
Original art can make a bold statement. While it’s more expensive than prints, a handmade painting shows an artist’s one-of-a-kind inspiration and creativity.
“You know you won’t see that piece in any other home,” Davis says. “It’s an investment.”
Browsing through art galleries and shows is a good way to meet artists, discover their sense of style and learn about your likes and dislikes.
When you see a piece that calls out to you, buy it, Davis says. “Don’t buy something because it matches your sofa,” she says. “Buy it because you can’t live without it.”
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Once you bring the painting home and hang it, you can play with ways to enhance it, Davis says.
The easiest method? Color.
Drawing colors from the piece and incorporating them into throw rugs, chairs, accent pillows, window treatments and even wall paint can magnify a painting.
Choose art
– Symmetrical lines calm the eye.
– Asymmetrical lines convey drama.
– Landscape art gives small spaces distance and depth.
– Blues and greens are calming.
– Yellow is happy and cheerful.
– Red is dramatic.
– Purple is elegant.
Hang it
– Put small pictures in narrow spaces, and large pictures in bigger spaces.
– Art shouldn’t be wider than furniture it’s hanging over.
– Too much natural light can create glare on a painting. Use track lighting.
– Art hanging horizontally makes a room longer and more casual.
– Art hanging vertically makes a room seem taller.
– There should be at least 4 to 12 inches in between paintings, and the bottom frame should be 4 to 8 inches above furniture.
– One large painting creates a focal point.
– Put art at eye level.
SOURCE: JOSEPH HOUSE GALLERY, COLUMBUS, GA.
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Edited by Curt Wagner ([email protected]) and Drew Sottardi ([email protected])