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​"Queen Ursula" - mixed media on aquabord, 16" x 20".  Ready to frame, or can be leaned against a wall upon a shelf.
Available here and at Artfinder.


I'm finishing up some odds and ends in the studio.  Not to say this one is odd...I think she is sweetness itself.  Ursula began at the Miami Watercolor Society demo waaaaay back in January.   She is delighted to be fully dressed and ready to receive visitors. :)

Ursula means "little bear" or "she-bear."  There is some good mojo in a name like that.  Her dress is made of gelli-plate printed paper from four different sessions, and yet somehow all this little pieces wove a beautiful fabric together.

Kind of how life sometimes all comes together even when the bits that are merging seem oddly paired.
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Over the last year, I've been curating a collection of art for my own inspiration.  A piece here, a piece there.  None with a decorative purpose - just following my heart's desire and grabbing those that move me (and that I can afford).  Slowly, methodically they've been framed and hung.  There are odd pairings and quirky bits, sentimental pieces and show-stoppers.    It is nearly done.  Nearly.  What I wasn't prepared for was how much these pieces impact my day-to-day life.  Walking into a room with something wonderful on the wall (or a couple of walls) elevates my mood and changes the energy in the space - I feel a little boost of joy when I catch one out of the corner of my eye.

As an artist, I hear a lot of industry talk about art being a non-necessity - that people won't buy it during troublesome times, that it is a luxury item and so on.  And perhaps, for some, it is so.  But through my own collecting I am experiencing the opposite: art is more necessary during dark days and uncertainty.  It brings a feeling of hope and limitlessness, adventure and possibility.

And so I am curious, dear reader!  What impact (if any) does the art on your walls have on you?  Are there pieces you treasure and why?  Leave a comment below.  One of you will be selected at random to receive a small piece of my art.  Let's deck the walls!
15 Comments
Mary W. Cox - 8 years ago
Oh, my walls make me smile! Several of your pieces, a couple by Caroline Brown, one by Emily Andress, one by Jonathan Grauel, works by artists from galleries on Sanibel--including a whole wall of prints by one of our favorite Sanibel artists; my "tree wall"--all prints of trees; a couple watercolors by my father; two paintings John's parents got in Mexico; a couple of clay bas relief sculptures I did in college, a pretty bad painting inspired by the Beatles' Penny Lane that I keep because I was painting it the day I found out I was pregnant with Gillian; a pencil sketch of an ancestor; a very dark and inscrutable icon my uncle got somewhere; and two watercolors my uncle did of big red rocks in a fast-moving stream in Colorado. One of those is more icon to me than the icon. My parents had it hanging in their den, and my mother had it over her bed in the nursing facility where she lived for her last eight months. Everyone in the family knew that of everything in my childhood home, that was the one thing unequivocally mine to inherit. When I took it out of the box in my living room in North Miami, I burst into tears--such an overwhelming realization that for me to have this treasure meant that my parents (and my mother's brother, the artist), really were gone from this life. But I look at that painting and they're all with me, and I think of the verse from Psalm 65: "The river of God is full of water." And that's just the art on the walls...
jen - 8 years ago
Mary! Oh my goodness! What a treasure-trove you have on the walls! And I really love how they are odd pairings...a little of this and that, from here and there and some with strong emotional sentiment attached. The one from over your mom's bed - oh gosh! I am teary over here! Thank you for sharing this, and for the gift of your eloquent words. xo
Trina Tarlton - 8 years ago
The art on my walls was chosen for inspiration and joy! Each piece inspires me to keep painting, keep pushing, and never stop learning. The artist pieces are very different from one another in their styles of painting but each one is beautiful. By having different types of works it reminds me that it's ok not to paint like someone else. Find my own way to create.
All the pieces I have bought mean something to me and hence bring me joy. 'Trina' that you painted for me with my three little silly ducklings is one of my favorites. As a new empty nesters it reminds me my ducklings aren't living with me but in the world being their own fantastic humans.
I love the giant rose painted by Brittany Tate it brings such color and life into my dining room!
My art brings me tremendous joy and really what more could I ask for? Other than more wall space 😊
jen - 8 years ago
Trina!! I love the message you find in the different styles of art you collect..."it's ok not to paint like someone else." An excellent reminder to all of us, whatever we do, that it is good to be unique. I am honored to be on your wall in the company of greats like Tate! WOOT! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this, and for being a tremendous art force in the world!!!
Lynda Sauls - 8 years ago
One of the first pieces of art I have hanging on my wall was from my grandmother. Real hidden treasures since I lost her when I was 7 and didn't find out till my 30's that she painted. She didn't start painting until her 50's which was another gift as I really didn't start taking my painting seriously until my late 40's. My dad's attitude of insignificance towards her work gave me an added connection towards her. Although he got me supplies he never took my painting as serious. Her painting of field with pink and white crabapples trees with a pond brings a sense of peace, and fragrance of my childhood.
Her other piece is of a harbor with ships docked something my husband enjoys. These pieces almost seem like personalize gifts to me and my husband prepared in the past for us in the future. I love how art does that!
Jen - 8 years ago
Lynda...your story has touched my heart! The parallels between you and your grandmother, her art reminding you of the story and creating an incredible gift for you and your hubby! Holy mackerel! Art is so powerful. That one of her pieces brings the "fragrance of your childhood" - wow. Just think, your own art may do this for future generations!!!!!
Carolyn - 8 years ago
Oh that art comes in sooooo many different forms! Since Christmas is my favorite holiday, I have BIG pictures of Santa. But they are not just of Santa and Christmas themes - they include the lion, the lamb and the dove, various other animals that depict God's love for all (there are 9 of those in my entrance way). Then there are the hooked pictures my late mother-in-law lovingly stitched in her life, the cross stitched pieces done by my mother - wood crafting art done by some very crafty artisans - Trains for my husbands' passion for them, he also collects stamps so we have several special stamps framed and on our walls, my painting from Rome of the Colosseum painting by a street vendor (which I left behind and had mailed to me), your wonderfully whimsical and playful works, and hand written and embellished art that hung on my mothers' walls. Oh the joy surrounding me to make me smile and appreciate the art of life. Oh and the portraits of family, past and present. Thank you for making me take the time today to revisit all this wonderful art that surrounds me daily - sometimes we pass them by without really looking at them and realizing the joy and love that surrounds our space! Like the others, I need more walls! Lucky I have more than one house to focus on, so I can spread the love!
Jen - 8 years ago
Carolyn!!! Year-around Santa! How magical! And pieces done by family, too. I love the story of your piece from Rome - how much better that it had an adventure on the way to you! I envy you the multiple homes to adorn...but I know the walls get filled before we know it! I am contemplating rotating the art like seasonal decorations so I can have room for more. :)
Carolyn - 8 years ago
Yes, I do a little rotating myself! It makes you appreciate it more when you do that! :)
Patricia L. Brooks - 8 years ago
I agree with you, Jen👍✅🤗‼️I find myself spending time with pieces of art that I have curated from, 1.5”x2.5” to 40”x40” and each has their own story and significance. A few pieces were done by various family members (children), some by artist friends and some pieces are by artists that I have never met👍👍👍‼️‼️‼️ Some people say that their art becomes like wallpaper ... there but not distracting 🤔⁉️I would rather be DISTRACTED and INSPIRED, depending on my need at the time🤗‼️But, at anytime a view of these pieces is meaningful👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💓💓💓‼️‼️‼️
jen - 8 years ago
Pat! You brought emojis to the blog! I love it! That's so interesting about art becoming like wallpaper...I suppose if it is "decorative" art, that makes sense. But I am with you! Distract me! Inspire me! Make me stop and ogle! I am intrigued by your tiny art in your collection...
Carol Edan - 8 years ago
I feel for us, as artists, art is very important in our lives. I don't have a collection per se, but I do have a few originals, a few prints and cards that adorn my walls. Fortunately I also received my mother's paintings that a
are on my daughter's walls! And I have to mention a whole wall devoted to my grandkids ' art! Wish I could purchase more!
Love your Ursula with her hair and responsive eyes!


jen - 8 years ago
Carol! Originals, prints and cards are indeed a collection. :) A whole wall of art from grandchildren sounds invigorating and imaginative! Who needs to buy art when their family provides it? Yours sounds perfect. And thanks...I am very fond of this particular queen!!!
Dotty Seiter - 8 years ago
Jen: Ursula's hair! her dress! those tree trunks! Each bit a jump for joy!

Loved hearing more about your curating a collection of art for your own inspiration.
jen - 8 years ago
Dotty! Thank you! Jumping for joy!!!!! xo

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