Category About the Paintings

How to Inspire your Interior Design with Art

Interior Design Ideas Inspired by Artistic Opulence

This is a guest post by Sophie Logan of Décor Aid

When we first stumbled upon Erin’s art, it was easy to see the interior design potential in the brilliant texture and lustrous color palette of each piece, so our designers let their imagination run wild with decorative possibilities. When you find the perfect piece of statement art, sometimes the best choice is to base your room around that piece instead of forcing your artwork to conform to the room.

Because combining interior design and artwork can be a challenge for some, we’ve provided you with some designer-approved ideas that reference Erin’s unique style of artwork and build a fully realized space that coordinates perfectly.

One of the first pieces of artwork that caught our eye was this large gold abstract piece that features tinges of gold and white. The way the strokes of gold catch the light is quite arresting, and we wanted to play with that idea a bit more. Since gold immediately invokes images of luxury and elegance, it was easy to come up with an interior design fit to match.

The first idea that came to mind was to subtly include this gold in your space at a smaller scale, since the artwork has so much of it. Instead of featuring larger-scale items like tables that are adorned in gold, our interior designers suggest instead looking to a fresh take on hardware. No matter the room you’re reworking (bedroom, living room, kitchen, dining room, etc.), you’re likely to have some element that includes handles, pulls, table legs, or other hardware. You’ll want hardware that features the same brass or gold shade that the artwork does to bring balance and opulence to the room.

The textured, layered feel of this piece should influence your fabric, so be sure to choose materials that mirror this. We always recommend velvet, especially when looking to achieve an elegant, luxe aesthetic like the one portrayed in this piece, and a textured velvet in the featured aubergine would be make the perfect addition. Because this is the most subtle shade in the piece, we suggest going large-scale with it, perhaps in a sofa or accent chair, so that it can be easily referenced in the artwork. In addition, our interior designers suggest that you look to other elements that can provide a bit of texture through fabric, like lampshades, rugs, and ottomans.

When we set our sights on the gold leaf moons from the “Many Moons Ago” series, we felt as though these pieces perfectly encompassed Erin’s artistic vision and aesthetic. They’re whimsical and moody, and their small size equips them with the ability to be used practically anywhere.

The best way to build a space that works with these pieces is to identify the consistent elements among all – for instance, gold, and deep aubergine feature in more than one moon, with lighter grey and champagne shades that add depth. And while you’re adding these features that feel elegant and upscale, the somewhat playful nature of the moon itself allows you to have a bit more fun and freedom. Branch out with curved pieces that mimic the circular shape instead of rigid and harsh lines, overlay your colors in a more adventurous way, and keep that whimsical and airy feel present.    

Our interior designers first came up with the idea to pair these moons with a taupe wall. Not only is it a neutral that is quite universal, but it’s also a shade that can be picked out of the pieces themselves, in the third moon. And since gold is still present, albeit much less than in the first piece of artwork we featured, you can go larger with the inclusion of this color, like a coffee table or nightstand, while still including it in smaller components like hardware or table legs.

Erin was kind enough to stage a space that combines all these ideas so that you can get the full effect of all these design features at play. You’ll notice that the moon itself is cleverly placed off-center, which gives a playful feeling of the moon hanging over your bed.

Gold is also used as a unifier in this space. The way the metallic hues in the artwork are referenced throughout the space is apparent in how gold is featured in the bedside table, and the tone of the blanket gives it an elegant feeling that spans the whole room.

You’ll also notice that mauve plays a significant role in the layout of this room, with features in the pillowcases, a shag pillow, and the tone of the throw blanket. Additionally, we suggest using small decorative accents, as featured on the nightstand, to play up this shade even further.  

The sheen of the black comforter also provides a welcome contrast, especially since the shade of the art itself is actually pretty light. We suggest you choose a dark, contrasting shade like this one to pair with the lighter elements we’ve suggested, like the taupe wall.

So if you’re as inspired by Erin’s art as we were, but are contemplating how to best include a work in your home, reference a few of these ideas so that you can decorate with ease.

The Making of a Best-Selling Gold Leaf Painting

This relatively small-sized nugget taught me some big life lessons!   It is my 16″x20″ small but mighty #1 Best Seller!  It also kicked off an earth-tone, foggy lake series that is reminiscent of a visit I had made to the Northeast coast to Anacortes, Washington.

  1. Just Start, Don’t Plan.  I’m a planner – I like to see an end vision – and the steps that I’ll be taking to get there.  I like to map out a schedule of milestones, and know about how long it will take to get the prize.  How many times have you NOT started something, because you hadn’t researched enough?  Didn’t have ALL the info?  Didn’t know how to do it exactly? This series came from a complete abandon of “knowing the end game”.  Most entrepreneurs will tell you, they just jumped in, without the perfect plan, before they were “ready”, before they perfected the product.  That’s how this little lovely came about….
  2. Listen To Your Gut.  OK, so you don’t have a plan.  This painting started as a pure abstract.  I was guided only by where I felt the color should go.  ALLLLL the feels….it was a long time before I realized that “feels”, and gut, and inner guide, and your heart, and, instincts, and maybe even your higher power or God or whatever name you use…Those are essentially the same!  After I had a nice dry pleasant but basically boring abstract, I had this URGE to add some thin, crisp, high contrast spikes!  Those spikes became the island….
  3. Only Fear Disobeying Your Gut!  Art is a fear-mongering-heartland.  It takes courage to start a new painting, pick a big canvas, commit to the colors, and then place the brush to the canvas!  When my gut started to tell me…HEY…what if…I paint little spikes in the middle of this soft cloud of gold tones…the devil on my shoulder was like NOOOOO DON’T MESS UP THIS LOVELY BEGINNING!  I could quote a million people on fear –  but I’ll spare you with just one:

Fear Temp Regret Forever

 

Great Smoky Mountains Park, my heart!

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Last week on Nov 23rd, a fire started  in the Smoky Mountains at the north peak of Chimney Top and spread to 17,000 acres and Gatlinburg area.  The fire is believed to be a result of human activity – spurred on by an exceptional drought and high winds.  14 people have lost lives so far, and 1,700 structured damaged.

As a kid, we spent a lot of family trips in the Smoky Mountains in cabins.  My dad kept us actively pursuing the outdoors, which I can appreciate as an adult.

Hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail is on my bucket list.  I feel so lucky to live close enough to the mountains to spend a weekend connecting with my source through nature and clearing my head.

I’ll be sending help through Friends of the Smokies who is taking donations for fire relief efforts – click here if you’d like to also   http://friendsofthesmokies.org/donate/

Last year, I found a gorgeous Smokies photo on Pinterest, and painted it’s likeness (Original photographer unknown).  I hope the painting sparks a fire in your heart to donate.

Cheers to you Great Smokies – 36″ x 48″

Original has sold, but I have prints available in any custom size Here

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I caught my mutt Brodie having a pouty moment of you-don’t-pay-attention-to-me….

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Print of the original painting

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Hand Painted Prints

It’s Christmas time!  I have been thinking, what am I going to get all my friends?

I LOVE making and getting handmade gifts.  But that can be pretty time intensive, and still fairly costly.

Enter: Art Prints, with hand painted elements!

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Something gold, something new…

I’m not a big print person myself.  I prefer something a little more handmade looking SO, I am hand painting these prints with my favorite gold leaf method. YUMMMMM

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Hand painted liquid gold leaf DIY!

Instead of printing on smooth, glossy paper you see for most prints, I went with a textured watercolor quality paper.  It’s thick, and tactile, and still uses the Giclee quality print method!

Check out the texture, and hand painted gingko leaves!

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Find prints for sale on my Etsy Store Print Section or message me about printing ones that aren’t listed

Prints are on trend right now in DIY “Gallery Walls”…you can find it all over Pinterest!

Tips for Hanging Wall Art from Apartment Apothecary

GORGEOUS Gold frame tossed into the mix from Centsational Girl who has awesome interior design and DIY’s!  Her pinterest is a follow-must

Too girly?  Try this more masculine touch from a modern farmhouse look from Home Polish

Is your career making enough of a difference in the world?

tony - meaning you give it

Today Marie Forleo put out a GREAT video on what it means to do meaningful work

There was a moment when I questioned if creative work like art made enough of a difference and contribution in the world?

When I worked in healthcare consulting, it was easy to see us we were helping people.  It felt like a no-brainer.

It’s a little more intangible as an artist.  Actually art sometimes feels selfish! Like play time!  I had to wonder – do I, as an artist, need to be making a social statement with every series?

The answer for me is like Marie says….maybe you are making a difference even if it isn’t by the masses.  If even one viewer who gets the feels, is inspired, shifts their mood, transports to a memory…I know the work is worth it…

I love Marie Forleo – she is a total goof, but she pulls off being sexy and sassy and then busting business balls…

Check out what she says

12 Ways To Make Work Meaningful — No Matter What You Do

Ginkgo Leaves or Butterfly Wings…

Sometimes all it takes to unlock an entirely new style is a new tool – It’s like that 2 degree change you make in your golf swing that makes all the difference…

I bring to you – the fan brush – Oh yesssss, I’m a fan of you Mr. fan brush…

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Mr. Fan Brush

Dipping the paint super thick, I used the brush like a stamp….and my first thought was – ginkgo leaves!

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Ginkgo Leaves

But Maybe …. Butterflies?  Or maybe they are just an abstract burst of energy from the exploding light within….oh yeah, take that…

This piece started out with one goal – simplicity within the lines of my current series colors.  Then it transformed, and it OWNS the canvas, can I just say.  In a late night, with the addition of a little wine, I got bold and decided to attempt to ~lightly~ brush some gold leaf into the center.  I say BOLDLY because gold leaf doesn’t just feather onto a canvas.  It is opaque, heavy, statement-making medium.  But by some stroke of wine-infused talent, it went on beautifully just so lightly that you only see it reflected as you walk past!!!

30″ x 40″ Original Acrylic and Gold Leaf Painting

SOLD to an Oncology Clinic in Memphis – but available for a hand painted original like reproduction – Purchase Page Here   or as a gold leaf embellished print in the print section!

*reproductions are really cool – they are still one of a kind, but if you loved the original, you will love the one I paint for you just as much if not more.  And you can choose your size/shape. I have had many thrilled reproduction customers : )

 

I OWN you Storm!

Sometimes you hit a stormy part of life.

Storms are wonderful little challenges.  They make you work for that sunny day.  They make you appreciate that sunny day.  They give you a little spice in life.

Best of all, when you come out of your storm, you are a warrior, a goddess, you OWNED that storm.  I OWN YOU STORM!

You come out with a storm badge.  That badge is like a secret weapon against the next storm, you are equipped with the know-how for the battle.  It’s the growth that makes your next storm more of a sprinkle.  And now you can handle a hurricane.

This little love was painted in a stormy time for me, and I just adore it.  It has been repainted here in a large 30″ x 40″ for a medical office in Colorado.

24″x 24″ Aerial Storm for purchase on Etsy

30″ x 40″ Aerial Storm for purchase on Etsy

Aerial Storm Repro 30x40