Free Floating Art For Your Walls: Is It For You?

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

28 Aug 2006 08:43 AM

A growing trend in home décor is do-it-yourself artwork, which requires a stretched canvas that fits your wall, a creative surge of energy and some paint. (Even brushes are optional.) Frames need not apply, for they are neither wanted nor needed for this job. If you ever thought about thinking outside the box, this carries things one step further to painting outside even what is usually considered the box. This may not be the way Monet got started, but it is a means of tapping the artist that might be hidden deep inside you and is struggling to free itself.

The problem with this mode of thinking is that there might not be an artist deep inside you, struggling or otherwise. Are you prepared to face the truth? That doesn't mean this isn't a good project; it is only something to think about. Certainly if you don't like what you did you can repaint and repaint to your heart's content. The key here is to the kingdom of expectations. What you want to concentrate on is complementing the colors of the room and not creating a new "Water Lilies" montage for the Metropolitan Museum in New York. (Besides, they already have one.)

Use the wall color as the background and play, play play. (invite the neighbors in and get their opinions.) Don't limit yourself to the concept of brushes; think sponges, rags and/or fingers (even someone else's fingers, if you will). Spread some newspapers under your adventure to protect furniture, passing pets and floors. And wear old clothes. Try different shapes and sizes. Listen to your creative muse.

And remember...the wall you paint is and will always be your own.

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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