People often ask from where I draw inspiration for my paintings. It is a combination of the beauty I have seen in my travels and through photographs as well as my own imagination. I also have fun experimenting with painting techniques and color combinations. I appreciate many types of scenery and imagine if I were living in those surroundings, what I would like to see out my window.
When creating The Vineyard, I imagined a place where I could relax outdoors and feel the breeze lift the sweet scent of the grapes mingled with the flowers that surrounded me. Through the tangled grapevines heavy with fruit, the filtered light would dance upon the pages of my book that I am leisurely reading while sipping wine, nibbling on cheese and fresh crusty bread. Later, as the sun sets, I would stroll down the path, through the vineyard to the water's edge to hear the crickets and frogs chirp an evenings song . . .
This is where you hear a big screech like a record scratching and reality sets in again. The baby cries and his older brother makes the bedtime routine take f o r e v e r. Chaos reigns supreme most days at our house so although I may never get to read that book under the arbor, I can create the moment on canvas. I would not trade my hectic life with two small children, seemingly constant noise and juggling business with marriage for the tranquil image I have painted, but I can take a momentary, imaginary vacation in the vineyard. So can you.
Use the mural to enhance your current decor or to set the theme for your room and decorate around it. The Vineyard coordinates with many Latin influenced styles including Mediterranean, Pacific, Southwest, and Mexican. Wonderful furnishings and accessories abound for these styles which will make decorating fun. Consider creating texture with twisted wrought iron wallhangings or plate holders (Fig. 1), old blown glass vases, woven baskets and roughly woven throw blankets. Candles add warmth and a light scent. Beautiful silk grapevines can be intertwined with objects on a shelf or mantle. You could create a wine theme with a pretty wine rack, glasses and accessories (Fig. 2).
The murals can be adhered to wallpaper and many related patterns and border trims already exist. You can even create your own grapevine border and embellishments with stencils or stamps. From the colors in the mural, solids and simple patterns can easily be found to match. The murals work great on a smooth, painted wall. Faux treatments are so popular now and would be a lot of fun to incorporate into the theme. You might refer to the many How-To books and magazines that are available at retail or the library.
If your walls are heavily textured, consider adhering the mural pieces to matte board, thick paper or thin foamcore and cutting it out. Ask your local wall treatment specialist for the best way to attach it to your particular type of wall. Your options may include nails, brackets, velcro or adhesive tabs.
Well, I'm sure you'll come up with a lot of your own decorating ideas. If you get a chance, write or email us with your ideas and results. We would love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Trish Selgrath |
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