I’m used to working within parameters of a project; the client’s desires, the limitations or possibilities of a room or surface, following existing design elements…
I’m also accustomed to working on a large scale; painting walls, ceilings, furniture, creating and producing videos, choosing exterior paint colors for San Francisco’s gingerbread Victorians, creating color palettes for a paint brochure…
So, committing to these small weekly paintings has had me working way, WAY, out of my comfort zone. But 5 weeks and 5 paintings in, I think I’m starting to get the hang of it.
I’m always inspired by textile and wallpaper design. Lately I’ve been really caught up in Navajo style patterns…
The shapes are so dynamic…
And the colors so bold.
I layered the shapes asymmetrically and, threw in a curvy little design element as contrast and balance to the sharp corners and diagonal lines…
Maybe I’ll print this on linen and create an upholstery panel for a wingback chair… how would you use this pattern?
Those of you who follow me on Facebook know that I like to post photos from my power walks. Recently, I read that some experts are calling Emerald Green the ‘Color of 2013′. So, when I ran into this most amazing scene along the Crystal Springs Reservoir near my home in Burlingame, California, I had to imagine a room that evoked this magical setting. Here’s what I came up with:
Deep dark green walls. Preferably, layers of green blending to this deep black emerald color with a wax finish...
A gorgeous dark brown sofa like the modern piece inspired by the old English Chesterfield style sofa from Jayson Home & Garden...
And a luminous painting that evokes Mother Nature like this large-scale piece called 'The One Behind the Two' by my friend, Jennifer Perlmutter
An architectural chanderlier like this piece from Jayson Home and Garden that reflects the bare branches...
Comfy reading chairs in warm clay colored velvet like these from Jayson Home and Garden
A brilliant rug with sun glowing colors and Najajo patterns like this Germantown Revival rug at the DeYoung Museum
From the time I remember learning to write I also remember admiring my mother’s handwriting. Actually, both of my parents have beautiful handwriting. They never forced or even talked about it, that I recall. But they did both seem to take pride in their penmanship. So when other kids sat in church doodling houses and airplanes on the church programs, I’d ask my mom to lay out handwriting exercises lining up rows of hash marks and stacking dashes so I could practice matching the angles and sizes of my letters to her marks. I did it over and over. We must’ve all done it because each of my brothers and sisters have their own unique and gorgeous style writing.
this excerpt from The Little Prince, painted in French, is written on three walls of this room
When I began my decorative painting business in 1999, I wanted to put handwriting and paint together to see what I could create. I offered my friend a glass of wine (only one!) to sit in my hallway and read an excerpt from one of my favorite novelettes, Van Gogh’s Bad Café by Frederic Tuten.
scriptures painted in Old English style on this 20ft or so wall. Each letter averaging about 7 paint strokes
Painting words on the wall is a little different than writing on paper with a pen; the letters are much bigger, each stroke is created using different amounts of paint and varying pressure… and you can’t just adjust the wall when you want to get into those tight little corners of a room; you have to adjust yourself squeezing your elbows and shoulders (even your knees sometimes) to get the angles you need to line up the words along those imaginary hash marks.
a collection of quotes and sayings personal to this family are painted in several different styles with custom postmark stencils to signify their travels together
I find myself focusing on each letter, just as I had in church all those years ago, and getting totally lost in the rhythm of the loops and lines.
Today, I create artwork from journal entries and memories adding a level of intimacy to the lines and letters.
I’m always bummed when people shy away from color…
I know it feels scary, but when it’s done well…
it’s just so much better than the drab alternative.
When tradition…
is bucked (thank goodness) for something fresh…
it’s just so darn- um- refreshing!
Take this house just a couple of blocks from my home…
Can you really tell me that ‘safe’ colors are attractive? (say it together with me- NOOO!) They’re not safe, they don’t have curb appeal- they’re terrible! I’d rather see a hot mess of an orange house than this because at least it means someone tried.
Note: It takes just as much effort to pick boring neutrals as it does bad colors- not much at all. So why not jump in, live on the edge a little, and take a few stabs at something different than drab?
Tip: it really does take time and testing to find perfect colors (even for the experts!)
If I could get my hands on this house, I’d try something like this:
Body: Sherwin-Williams Golden Gate
Trim & eaves: Sherwin-Williams Divine White
Window Sashes: Sherwin-Williams Truly Taupe
Foundation block, porch and steps: Sherwin-Williams Smokey Topaz