29.12.15

Living with Art

I didn't grow up with Art.  There are no artists in my family and in my culture, most artists come from poor families because that was the only way they could support themselves.  Art was never encouraged or thought of.  Of course, time have changed and being an artist and a creative is finally thought highly of.  Back when I was fifteen and fresh from Burma, I found so much refuge in museums and books.  Something about standing in front of larger than life art pieces make me feel so happy.  I guess I have been trying to recreate that feeling and appreciation for art with the girls.


For Christmas all I wanted was a John Waterhouse's print to go inside this frame.  The frame is about seven foot tall and four foot wide.  B who is now used to my crazy ways got me a print of Waterhouse's Circe Invidiosa.



As a lover of Greek mythology, I have a soft spot for Waterhouse's paintings.  His romantic colors and depictions of women are incredible.  There is something dark and moody about this particular painting that really attracted me.  Circe, who is the goddess of magic, is seen here poisoning the water to turn her rival into a monster.  I was as giddy as a child when I got this print...so can you guess how disappointed I was when I found out the print was only three foot wide and too small to fit into my frame?  I cried.  While trying to figure out what to do with the print, I decided to hang it up in Bella's room.  The print is printed on a heavy canvas and all I had to do was used decorative nails to hang it up on the wall.


Without a frame, the print seems flat, doesn't it?  After finding out how much large frames really cost, I decided to make one myself.  All I did was buy three pieces of eight foot moldings to build a simple frame.  I added left over appliques to the corners and gilded the frame.



How gorgeous does it look against the black wall?




The details on the print are amazing.  It actually looks and feels like a painting.


Here you can see the details of the frame.  I nailed the two pieces together.  The frame is very light since there is no backing.





Where there is darkness, there is light.  In this case, where there is a problem, there is always a solution.  Now I am in search for another painting to go into the frame.  I suspect soon our house will actually look like a museum...and I can't wait for that day!!


Love,
Victoria


Linking up with:
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/
http://shabbyartboutique.com/

42 comments:

  1. ESE CUADRO CON EL AGUA...ME PARECE DIVINO.
    SALUDITOS Y
    FELICES FIESTAS

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  2. Victoria to me art is what surrounds us, comforts us, elevates our moods and makes us rejoice in this moment of time we are living. Not a post you do, a chair you refinish, or alter, a baked yummy goodie or an expression of clothing (men's or ball room skirts) or in the décor you embrace in your home that is not enjoyed, welcomed and appreciated my creative and artistic friend. I send you beauty and joyful discovery in 2016 as the New Year arrives.
    love you and wish you bliss,
    Vera

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    1. Dear Vera, you have been the most encouraging friend when it comes to my passion for creativity. I am thankful for that. I am so happy we have met through this blogging world. Happy New Year, my dear Vera. I will definitely be joining you and Dore for the theater next year.

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  3. Waterhouse is also one of my favorite artist, after Monet. His art is everywhere in my home. Tiny prints surround me. But this large print is gorgeous Victoria. The waters always speaks to me, as in this painting. The deep mood fits perfectly into Bella's dark room. Merry Christmas and happy New Year as you continue on in creating a home filled with Art.

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    1. Kerrie, you and I have such similar taste. You know how much I love Monet too. I am debating between Monet and Waterhouse paintings for the big frame. Have you ever seen Midnight in Paris? There is a scene where they were in a museum with a white room with three larger than life Monet paintings. That really inspired me. I thought...just maybe...I would paint my living room white and put the two large Monet paintings adjacent to each other. We will see. Happy New Year, my friend.

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    2. That would be so beautiful Victoria. I love that movie and your vision for creating it in your home. You can do it xx

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  4. I love what you did. That was the best thing to do and then your artistic touch. It looks beautiful with the black. I love art. We spent much of our time in museums this past summer. Monet is a favorite, but love Chagall, Matisse, and Reni. Bellini is my favorite sculptor; so many are myths; they are unbelievable. A Happy Creative New Year to all of you. xoxo Su

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  5. HI Victoria,
    Just before you solved your problem here with making your own frame I was thinking you could have a frame gallery cut your frame to size with a 45 angle cut and you could save a lot of money buy putting it together yourself. I have the tools and vice to cut 45 angled cuts so I cam make my own frames out of barn wood and old frames I salvage... I also will take and frame I'm frames inside each other making them wider yet smaller in the opening for smaller art pieces.

    Your love of art will deeply be seeded in your girls roots that they will grow with and follow in your passionate footsteps to their own passion with art.
    Exposing the girls to an art world and a world of song and dance is the best thing you can give them in life. They will grow with passion and creatively nurture it.

    This piece looks amazing up against the dark walls. I too a big art collector have canvas pieces store in a controlled storage waiting to sell of some collector pieces. I wish I had more wall space for such grander pieces as you have done here. Monet pieces have always been a part of my homes decor in the past, I now should did some of my art pieces out of storage and do a grouping in my one and only room I could fit some pieces, maybe the empty space behind the sofa... I now love supporting local artist and found pieces old antiques painted on linen and nailed to its cedar frames.

    The older and darker they are sets a mood for my own art, even in my pale home.
    I am big on painting French ladies yet tend to put them aside for local works I. The fields of collage work with our beach city artist who buy from me.

    I really need to sit and concentrate on some painting again, it's so mood altering to the soul.

    Keep being you Victoria, I see big things happening for you.

    Xx
    Dore

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    1. Oh I would love to see all of your art collections. I really need to invest in a miter box and different tools. The painting looks so much better with a frame. Painting is one thing I am not good at and would love to take classes for. I am already thinking about different ideas of the theater production you and Vera do for next year. I would love to be apart of it! I am wishing you and your loves the happiest of New Year, Dore.

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    2. Yes Victoria a simple miter box would be a perfect move for you, I use my tools on every piece of art I create with wood, even my theatre's...

      Yes, yes, yes!! Perhaps a theatre production come late spring we would do about two a year. I know with out a doubt your THEATRE would amaze all, and your girls will adore their Mom for getting them involved in creating one.
      Find a box. Layer and layer it with old frame work, even cutting old or new strips of wood for the wood staged floor. You could have Home Depot cut you strips of wood and with a fine blade hand saw you could cut all the little lengths you need for the flooring. A bit of wood glue to hold down the floor and some tack nailing and you will be amazed at how far you have come to a finished stage and theatre. It won't matter if it's big or small, even an old record cabinet that stands on legs would work puppet show like.

      I got away from art hanging in my home gallery style some framed and the older 100 plus year old pieces un framed. Looking for a cleaner wall space look in my designs and selling some of the older pieces off. Some my own pieces, and some from other artist.

      I aquired some of the Christy Repasey trendy pieces all in original paints when she was starting out long before anyone knew her when her oils were so reasonable and then when she became noticed those same pieces were worth thousands. I would use them in Model homes in a sweet sitting room or girls room :)

      Get busy girl on your theatre, I know it will amaze you with new insight to how you create.

      Xx
      Dore

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  6. I love Waterhouse and you did this print justice. I've always known you appreciate art---I had no idea how it all started. :)

    Jane x

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    1. Thank you, Jane. It really didn't look as good without a frame. Happy New Year!

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  7. It looks really incredible! I would like to try making frames. Did you use a simple miter box to do the corners before you used the appliqués?

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    1. Thank you, Amy. I didn't have a miter box so I didn't do the 45 angle cut which is why I end up using the appliques. I definitely need to invest different tools. Happy New Year to you, Amy. I love seeing all of your pictures!

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  8. I had a very different experience growing up. My mother immersed us in the arts. Like you, I cannot get enough! There is something completely magical about going to an art museum and viewing original art up close! I love John Waterhouse & this print is gorgeous. And yes, when we really want something to work out, we find a solution! Your solution is perfect.

    Happy New Year, Victoria!
    xo,
    Lin

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    1. Happy New Year, Lin. I hope you are feeling well. It is my wish for the girls to grow up appreciating the arts. A life without passion seems dull, doesn't it?

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  9. Oh Victoria just beautiful. You have enhanced this gorgeous waterhouse with such beauty. Victoria your ability to create beauty around you is such a gift. Truly you have a wonderful gift to see beauty and have it surround your life. I love when you pop up in my email with a post. I just know it will be wonderful. Happy New Year. Here is to many more moments of beauty in your life for the new year.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Thank you so much, Kris. I hope you had a great Holidays and Happy New Year. I am so happy your daughter loves her suitcase. I can't wait to see what you will do next with your projects.

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  10. Love that you got your print and found a way to frame it yourself. It is dark and moody in a great way! Happy New Year to you and the girls!

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  11. Happy New Year! You are an interesting person, and I wish I knew you for real. I look forward to what you do next.

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    1. Happy New Year! This is why I love blogging world because we get to meet and get to know interesting and like minded women.

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  12. I love the look you achieved with this beautiful art in your daughter's room. You are definitely talented and stand out with your vision. Your talent is a true delight!

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    1. Thank you so much, Janet. I am wishing you a Happy New Year!

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  13. Very beautiful Victoria !!! And inspiring. You've got me thinking about doing this. Do you have a source for affordable large canvas reproductions like this ? I love everything you've done and even more so because you've done it yourself !!!
    Rhonda

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    1. Hi Rhonda, I ordered my print from posterprintshop.com. It is really easy. I chose canvas matte and the print actually has that museum painting quality to it.

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  14. Victoria, I love the addition of this beautiful artwork to your home. The frame is such a lovely addition that makes the painting a real statement piece against the black wall. I'm delighted to be featuring you at Shabbilicious Friday tomorrow.
    Hugs ~ Kerryanne

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