a corner in my home, or just going for it

I'm working on squeezing as much art into every inch of my home as I possibly can. A good friend once told me that she sees her entire house as a canvas for her art. And she's a missionary living in a 500 sq. ft. cinder block house in rural Mexico. I only mention this because most of us would be dissatisfied with far more than that thinking, sure if we had a nice, big, expensive, new, perfectly decorated house that would be easy, but the house we have is too small, cramped, ugly, old, whatever, to ever be considered a work of art. Really, it is just our thinking that is too small and cramped.

   

I used to think my art wasn't good enough to put up in my own house or somehow I would be showing off if I did that. It's crazy really. If I can't put it up in my own home, how in the world can I expect anyone else to?? I made assumptions that my husband wouldn't like it because I was uncomfortable with the idea, but then I actually asked him. He said go for it. Now, I admit, I'm married to an amazing and special man, but just hearing that--go for it--set me free.

 

This is the corner I worked on Saturday. Still a work in progress: that lamp shade has got to go. I actually sewed the pillow I conceived long ago. The "art quilt" on the wall was another pillow cover that no longer goes with my repainted living room so I stuck it on the wall. And just in case you remember, here's your first glimpse at my new blue walls. LOVE! I still have so much left to show you. And so much left to do.

 

And I'm working on something else really special. It involves paint in blue, red, pink, lime green on a wall in another corner of my home. This piece of wrapping paper I made with the kids on Friday is the inspiration. I'll just leave you with that. More pics to come!

 

Reminder: don't forget leave your comment on this post to win my handmade journal giveaway. Details here.

Comments

[joanne]

I am really loving browsing around your site. I feel like I've found a kindred spirit in art who also uses paper towels in her creations! So, so lovely to browse around here, and inspires me to continue on with my new blog.

I'm just now branching out into newer frontiers with fabric. Having made very traditional quilts in the past, I love the idea of freedom with painting my own fabrics, and don't know why the thought never occurred to me before.

The wrapping paper at the end of this post is just lovely.

[Lynn]

I too decorate my home with my art quilts.
I love, love, love, walking into a room and seeing them. I love touching them. I feel like wow, I did that! It's exciting. I have one in the entry way to our living room, one on the staircase going up stairs, two in my bedroom on a rack on display (I use them on my bed when it's cold)...The one in the family room is at the art gallery right now on display. And of course one I am working on is on a design board in the family room. Yes, I agree one's home can easily be an art gallery display if we allow ourselves. Why not?

Yours are all lovely to behold.

[Lynn]

Oh and a small A4 size in the living room!
LOL

[Darlene Weigle]

Hi. The blue looks really pretty. You're doing a great job.

[TB]

Love the blue walls! And the pillow is gorgeous! The "art quilt" looks perfect there, too! Nice work!

You inspire me with your painted papers! It's the reason I come back to this blog over and over! Thank you for another beautiful inspiration!

[kim mailhot]

This is so wonderful ! A loving supportive husband is a wonderful things ! (I have that too so I can relate !) And I so agree with you, you should be the first one to celebrate the beauty of yo0ur own art ! You have inspired me today big time - I am going to buy some frames for a few pieces of my own !

(an idea for the lampshade - buy a few large gorgeous pieces of hand made paper (mulberry type can be so beautiful went light from behind) and tear it up into pieces. Glue it down all over your existing lampshade (on the outside) with gel medium (matte finish). I think one color of paper could be nice with all the lovely pattern you have going on with your great pieces. You can even add some of the great decorative beaded trim around the bottom edge if you like that look or just finish the edges with ribbons glued down with fabric glue. Even your lampshade can be a work of art !)

[Alessandra]

Oh my goodness, I'm so glad to know that I'm not the only one that thinks my art isn't good enough... I will use you as an example to be more adventurous and proud of the things I make.
Thank you for sharing that with us!
By the way, I love that pillow!!! :o)

[Amber]

It's just beautiful...that blue is amazing! And I love the pillow! Is that a quilt you are working on in the first picture or another pillow - I love the colors!

[lisa]

Hi, there.
I been looking at your site for a while and wanted to say I love your art on the walls. And I love the blue walls. It inspire me to put up my art as well. Thanks for the inspiration.

[luthien]

what raw and absolutely beautiful work you do debra :) i'm glad i found this blog... i can be really inspired here :)

[Mrs B.]

I recently tried new forms of art. I hadn't before because I was afraid it "wouldn't be good enough". I finally realized that it's just for me, and that's all it needs to be.

I love that you're filling your whole house with your art! How inspiring! I can't wait to see what's next!

[Barb (aka Craft Junkie)]

I figured I was the only artist that actually thought my art wasn't good enough to be put up in my own house. I'm so glad to know I'm NOT the only one. You've inspired me...I WILL put one of my paintings up, TODAY!

Your art pieces are gorgeous! I plan on perusing your blog for all your other wonderful ideas. YAY for a wonderful new blog find...I'm loving it!

Peace & Love,
~Barb~

[Corvus]

That is a philosophy I have never considered and that I quite like. I suppose, as a college student who moves every May, I haven't thought about investing that kind of artistic effort. I've always got this voice in my head that says "You're going to have to move that too, you know. Repeatedly."

Hmm. Things to think on.

[Elizabeth Golden]

It is so nice to see into an artist's home. The Robin's egg blue walls are lovely. One of my personal favorites. The lamp shade isn't bad, just the wrong size for your lamp. I could see one of your fab material combo's on a lampshade.
I could relate to hanging up your own art. I made a promise to myself just last night that I would hang more of my own photograph's.Why is it so hard to hang our own things up? It was validating to read your comments about this. Nice to know I am not the only one.
I am new to your blog and spent some lovely time here this morning. I will be back.

[donna]

i put my art around my house too-and my friends' art~glad to see you are too! and the lampshade, why not paint or fabric it for now?~

[Sydney]

love the idea... if only I had the time! Your turqouise wall is inspiring and the pillow is just perfect... but I LOVE the matte silver lamp!

[bari]

It all looks gorgeous!

[Alice]

The blue walls are devine, as is the pillow. Art is all around ...we just have to open our hearts to have it enter.

I must, I must, I must do more creatively to open up my heart!

[Barb (aka Craft Junkie)]

I came back to this post because I got to thinking about how I've NOT made our home (and it's bought not rented) really ours...I've not changed the wall colors from the buttery cream in the living room, I've not put my own personal touch to it. I guess because I'm so used to having to move every year or so...but the more I thought about hanging my own art, the more I realized that I need to really make this home MINE!
Thank you for that reminder, too. You are so awesome!
Peace & Love,
~Barb~

[lila]

Your pillows are all wonderful! I love the large bold fabrics! Love your blue walls too! We just painted our front door a similar color!Fun!

[Brenda]

I love the bright vibrant colors you use and the wrapping paper you created with your children is divine. Love, love, love the blue you have used on your walls too, sets off your artwork beautifully.

[Nancy Johnston]

Just wanted to say thank you for such inspiration you've given me. In the past couple years I've grown to appreciate paper and paint on top of my addiction to fabric and texture. But I've grown tired of much of the primitive decor and drab colors I had surrounded myself with and have become obsessed with dying things, such as the paper towels and stamping on top of paints.

Thanks for the chance to win one of your journals. I'm trying to stay out of your Etsy shop, but a journal is callingt me.

[Nancy Johnston]

Just wanted to say thank you for such inspiration you've given me. In the past couple years I've grown to appreciate paper and paint on top of my addiction to fabric and texture. But I've grown tired of much of the primitive decor and drab colors I had surrounded myself with and have become obsessed with dying things, such as the paper towels and stamping on top of paints.

Thanks for the chance to win one of your journals. I'm trying to stay out of your Etsy shop, but a journal is calling me.