Sunday, January 22, 2012

Watercolors...

Yesterday afternoon, I went with my sister and her friend to a small village not too far from here and visited an artist's art gallery that was located in the barn of a renovated old farmhouse. The art gallery was bright and white and lofty and filled with wonderful framed watercolors in all sizes. 

What set these watercolors apart was that they were painted with deep intense colors that were unlike your average watercolors and were so lively that they immediately struck you with their intensity when you looked at them. This artist, a woman who has been painting for many years, is known for this particular way of painting.

We spend a few fun hours looking at everything and trying to decide which watercolors we liked best because all three of us wanted to make a choice. We all ended up finding something after much careful study. I bought (on an installment plan) two good sized ones of close ups of red poppies and deep yellow tulips. 

When I got them home, I had to give some careful thought about where I wanted to hang them and took my time deciding that. After I had done that, I spent some time in my chair just sitting and looking at them and enjoying them. I had hung them where I could have a good look at both of them whenever I sit in my armchair.

While I was sitting there I realized that, because of the paintings, I needed to make some cosmetic changes in the living room and proceeded to make those. I had to alter some things completely and add some different touches of color. I spent the rest of the time doing that, pausing every once in a while to take a good look to think about it. 

I had to add touches of deep yellow to the decor and luckily found some things that matched the color of the tulips in that watercolor. I rearranged a bunch of things and will have to do more today until I'm satisfied. I also uncluttered and put things away and I will be doing more of that today also.

I had a thoroughly enjoyable time and like the watercolors very much, but then I did take my time choosing them. I like them better than my own art, which I'm too critical of and can't enjoy looking at. I've banned that to the bedroom. As soon as these paintings are paid off, I want to get more of them and I hope I can find such good ones again. I hope she is very productive. 

It's fuuny how paitings can inspire you to have a whole new look at your surroundings. I had not expected that, not did I choose them specifically because of their colors or keeping my decor in mind. At least, not consciously.  I was intuitively drawn to these. It wasn't until I hung them up that I realized that they set the tone for the rest of the room. I do know that less is more and that the living room needs to be unburdened.

That's my big adventure for this weekend and the activitiy that keeps me out of trouble. I should get out of the apartment more often.

Ciao,
Nora

5 comments:

Wisewebwoman said...

I get it Nora. I did the same thing once with a vase that was so beautiful I had to paint the room to match it.
Are you going to share your paintings with us, they sound so gorgeous!
XO
WWW

Maggie May said...

I am so pleased that you did this. It can really brighten a room and also your spirits.
It would be good to have a peek at them!

Have a good day. It is very cloudy and nippy here. Very dull indeed. Hope you are having better.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

CorvusCorax12 said...

sounds wonderful and cheery..enjoy :)

Cate Rose said...

That is a great adventure! Congrats on taking care of your soul so well. Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday. xox

VioletSky said...

I am so with you on this. Art can totally change the feel of your space. And I have redecorated to match or complement a new piece. I also have summer and winter art colours that I put up and change every six months or so. Will you show us these watercolours you chose?