Why I Don't Do Manicures

We have a black tie event to attend tonight, and the thought crossed my mind that I might want to consider a manicure. But logic won over, as I realized once again that manicures are pretty much a waste of money for me.  


I have to keep my nails super short so they don't interfere with the creative process, and with the amount of paint I get on my nails just from working, it's difficult entertain the thought of purposely adding another layer of color on top of that.  Besides, nail technicians scold me for how awful my hands look. I usually have oil paint wedged under my nails, cuts from the tools I carve with or crimson-stained fingers from the pomegranate juice I sometimes use as a natural dye.


That said, my hands are my best feature. They enable me to create whimsical, fantastical pieces, like a 3 x 4 feet pegasus soaring over an abstract sky or a delicate birch forest exploding with springtime blossoms.  

In this Uncharted Journey; I Somehow Knew Our Paths Would Cross
11 x 14"
Oil and mixed Media on Canvas
Available here

My hands are my livelihood, the way I communicate, 

my life force.

I've been showing my work in art galleries for nearly 5 years now, and I get such a rush looking around and seeing all that my hands have brought to life. My energy flows thorugh them, whether they're tingly and numb from overuse or the veins are popping out, fresh from standing on them during my yoga practice.  My hands may look kind of worn and older than my 32 years, but they are my tools, and to me, they're beautiful.


But, I will gladly go get a pedicure with you any time. :)

Decorate your Walls; Decorate Your Soul: 6 Reasons to Invest in Original Art

On Golden Waves
24" x 28"
Oil and Mixed Media on Canvas

#1 Because it moves you and makes you feel

Some art just resonates with us. It moves us. It stirs our soul and evokes an emotion, a memory, an intangible thought – and we want to capture that feeling and feel it again and again. If you find art that you truly love, that makes you feel happy and inspired, buy it and bring it home with you, and you will return to that place every time you look at your painting. 

"The City of Blinding Lights"
24" x 36" x 1.5"
Oil and Mixed on Canvas

#2 – To mark the milestones

Some people like to collect art to mark the milestones in their lives.   For example, many couples like to invest in a piece of original art on their honeymoon, as a reminder of their wedding and the special bond that they have, and then purchase a piece each year on their anniversary. Others like to purchase new pieces when they move to a new home, or to celebrate the birth of a child and thus began a legacy of sharing the love of art with your children. Paintings also make the most memorable wedding gifts...you may not remember who sent you those crystal goblets but you will always know who sent you the painting. 

#3 -Art reduces stress

We are surrounded by to-do lists, chores, errands, and tons of advertising messages. Taking a moment or two to look at artwork gives us a visual vacation. It is refreshing. It can lift your mood. Owning and displaying art can enrich your life and reduces stress. It can take you back in time as you recall the memory or occasion you purchased it, or move your forward as a little mental escape.

Relax
24" x 24" x 1.5"
Oil and Mixed on Canvas

#4 – Art personalizes your space

The walls in your home are the walls of your own private gallery. You are both curator and artist. Choose art that is an extension of you. Original art is the ultimate conversation piece. It always gets noticed by your guests. Artwork is a signature way to personalize your home, office, or whatever other space you want to enhance. The art you select reflects your personality, style, and taste. It is a great way to make a space feel comfortable, to make it your own.

Original art avoids a cookie-cutter look. It brings warmth and life to a building and makes it a home. If you like quality – granite countertops and high-end fixtures and appliances – then I encourage you to invest in original art, rather than reproductions. Original art will enhance the quality of your home.

"Stay in This Moment"
10" x 10" x 1.5"
Acrylic and Mixed

#5– Original art is unique

There is nothing like an original piece of art. You are the only one in the world who possesses it.  With an original piece of art, you get the complete visual experience created by the artist. Sure, you can get a print instead, but the print lacks so much of the original. There is a richness to an original piece that just can’t be matched – or even come close! You get to see every brush stroke, all the nuances of color and depth. 

Self Symmetry
14" x 22"
(2 Canvases, 11" x 14" each)

#6 – You ensure that art continues to be made

Wouldn’t the world be a sad place without art?  If there were no art to add beauty and decoration to our lives? It is disappearing at an alarming rate in our children's schools, and as parents it is up to us to foster a love of creativity in future generations. 

Believe me, Artists are not creating art to get rich. There is something in us that drives us to create. When you purchase an original painting, you are voting with your wallet and helping to ensure that the Artist can continue making art!  

What other reasons to invest in original art can you think of?

I’d love to hear them! And thanks for stopping by!

Gladiolas
24" x 24"
Acrylic and Mixed on Canvas

All of the paintings featured are by me and available if you are looking for some original art of your own.  Email inquiries to utopiapkwyarts@yahoo.com.