Art that Breathes: Creating a Calm Space with Art

Have you ever considered that our homes and the spaces that we dwell in most, can have a direct impact on our mental health? I’ve often said, messy mind = messy space and messy space = messy mind. Well, I believe the same can be said about the thoughts we dwell on. If we fill our space with things that lead us to feel joy and inspire us to calm our minds, then our thoughts will follow.

One of the most powerful ways you can change the atmosphere of a room is with art. If you are looking to transform your space into a calm retreat, these are the things to look for when investing in art.

Calm Colours

Focus on the colours that make you feel calm. For many people blues, whites, soft greys, and earth tones feel the most tranquil. One of the best ways to determine which colours speak most to you is to make a mood board. You can flip through magazines and cut out pictures that you love and make a collage (hey, 90’s babies, remember making those!?). Or, if you prefer to go digital, create a Pinterest board with photos of landscapes and homes that inspire calm feelings. Make sure you put the current trends out of your mind, and really focus soley on what you like! Remember, trends come and go, but you will always be you!

“Guardians of the Bay” by Amberly Wouda
14×14” Watercolour on Paper, in situ

Subject Matters

The second thing you need to do is identify what you like to look at. Do you dream of warm weather and salty sea breezes? Or is it snow capped mountains that take your breath away? Take some time to reflect on where it is that brings you the most peace. Is your favourite place in this world your kitchen? Then maybe what you’re looking for would be a still life of a bowl of avocados or a china teacup and silver spoon. There really are no rules here. Once again, throw away the thought of “this is what I should like” and really embrace what you love.

Consider Placement

Now it’s time to match your artwork to the space you want it to fill. If you have a bare wall near your bed, a soft and dreamy piece would be perfect for soothing your mind into a restful state. Have you fallen in love with a sunrise painting filled with golds and pink? Why not hang it in an entryway where it can give you a smile as you head out the door? Also consider what the size of the space is and choose the artwork accordingly. I know that choosing the correct size is very tricky, so in a later blog post I plan to address that issue in detail. If you love my art but are unsure of what size piece would fit the space you have in mind, please reach out. I provide complementary consultations with each art purchase.

“Remember, trends come and go, but you will always be you!”

Quality and Customization

So, you’ve made it this far! You have done the work of identifying your favourite colours, the subject matter that speaks to you and where you want to hang this art but you haven’t found anything you really love at the local home store. GREAT! Yes, you heard me right. Thank yourself for not making a rash choice, just like so many people do! When you really think about it, the last thing you want to do is fund the overly saturated mass-produced art print industry. Mass-produced prints are usually of very low quality, printed on floppy canvases and hung in ugly aluminum frames. While most prints are likely legitimately licensed, the sad truth is that many of these prints are actually stolen images that have been reprinted without the artist’s permission. And if that wasn’t bad enough, some aren’t even made from original art made by a human. AI prints have taken a big chunk out of the art industry and it’s become even tougher to be an artist in this tech age.

But, here’s the good news! We’re still here. And we, as artists, would love nothing more than to be able to provide you with the artwork of your dreams; a piece that you will love for life and will hand down to future generations because it was made to last with quality materials. What is even better is, when you find an artist with a style that resonates with you, they can often create a custom piece for you that will not only fit your space but be inspired by a memory or place that is close to your heart.

That is what art is meant to be. The purpose of art isn’t to compliment your sofa, but instead to resonate with your soul.

If having an artwork custom made for you sounds dreamy. Let’s turn that dream into reality. It would be my pleasure to take your inspiration and blend it with my art style to create the artwork of your dreams.

Just click to get started.