Ingrid's Inner Sanctum
Home is where the art is
Ever since I found myself living solo as a young adult, I have invested in great pieces of art. Each new painting would elevate the atmosphere in my modest surroundings, and became a cherished companion. And as I moved quite often, the growing art collection has become the point of stability at my place. My children know they are home because their mom's unfamiliar surroundings are anchored by the various images that they have lived with most of their lives. It is not surprising, then, that I will often look to art as an excellent Feng Shui enhancement when working with clients who seek to energize a certain part of their lives.
Feng Shui is a philosophy which guides us in creating surroundings which nourish and support us. We are all affected by the environment in which we live, be that the continent, country, city, or neighbourhood we have chosen. If we have traveled this past summer, or considered moving to a new home, we know that our mood, or energy, was affected by the different places that we were in. But no place affects us more than the house or office building that we spend most of our time in. Whether we want a more tranquil and peaceful atmosphere in our homes, or we're looking to have a better relationship with a special person, or want to get out of a career rut, or do better at school, there are principles that relate to the colours, images, and materials that we place in certain parts of our homes and offices.
If you want to enhance wealth, for instance, you would place images that have wood, wind, water, and the colours red and green together, or purple in the wealth corners (the far left corner, when you are standing in the doorway looking into the room). One of my recent purchases is a print of 3 Muskoka chairs painted in bright yellow, purple and green (the wood element) at the seaside (water) with a red umbrella blowing in the wind. Not only are all the elements for wealth in the image, but it also connotes abundance in beirng able to spend time at an ocean home or cottage.
Another painting in one of the wealth corners of my home is of the Napa Valley. It's a watercolour showing a field of grape vines (abundance and the wood element) in greens and with purple grapes. In the sky are a couple of hot air balloons (wind element), and this little print has a burgundy wood frame. I bought it on a trip to California, a place which I associate with material wealth.
Indeed, one's association with the artwork is almost as important as the image itself. If you have art that is associated with a sad time in your life, or with a former lover, it will hold onto the energy of the loss you experienced. You will be better off by parting with it- by passing it on to someone as a gift, or selling it. This, in turn, will allow you to bring in new artwork that can better support your current life goals. Art which inspires and energizes you can indeed be an original work by a professional or amateur artist. Or it can be a craft (a needlework or quilt piece), a simple poster, a photograph (check out www.istockphoto.com) or a drawing done by a child that you mount and frame.
As we approach summer's end, I'm busy freeing up wall space for more great art finds at the artists in their environment tours that happen throughout the region. Join in and treat yourself to eye candy that is good for you!!
