Interesting spaces are always more intriguing when they display a work of art.  It makes the surroundings more vibrant, stretches the visual dimensions, deepens the ambiance, and treats the eye and the imagination to something to explore.

Art becomes another space within a space which can be grand and expansive, petite and inviting, calm or striking.  One thing is certain, it always invites engagement.

In creating a transformation of her central living space, Ingrid was looking for something that would complete her vision of her elegantly furnished Living Room that would further invigorate the sophisticated space. This stylish room feels expansive with a large, beautiful picture window encompassing a bright, northern exposure.  There is a wooded view with tall trees and a gentle hill rolling down into a trickling brook.  The sun shines brightly through the wide windows bringing to life the luscious mauve colored walls which shroud the space.

We sat together and chatted about the surroundings, influences, family, and the lives they’d built in this wonderful home, all the while soaking in her unique personal taste.  It was a wonderful experience learning about her interests and contemplating notions of a work of art that could become an integral part of their home and lifestyle.

To make this the perfect space, a piece of art would reflect nature’s forms and patterns, evoke positive energy, be vivacious yet tempered, have a color palette that would excite with vigor, yet calm with ease, and would exude a sense of peace.  A tall order!

After reviewing preliminary sketches, we quickly came to select the design which now occupies the space.  Upon further discussion, it was clear that she liked other JNFA pieces she had seen, however this new piece would be an unknown.  Would it work in the space?  Would the shape and colors overwhelm the room?  Was there a way to envision the final result before starting out down that road?

When it comes to your living space, no one likes unpleasant surprises.  A mock-up was in order.

To create the effect, Step 1 starts with the selected design sketch.

HORIZONS Design Sketch

Step 2 – Through some Photoshop wizardry, a facsimile of what the piece would look like in the space is shown (images shown are a mockup, not final).

HORIZONS In-room Mockup

Everything is looking on point, so away we go.  It is time to create the art in the ‘Tree-Studio’.  Once the painting is complete, it then gets mounted to the adorning woodwork.  The final piece consists of 3 custom designed and built stretchers, painted in oil paint, on stretched canvas.  The woodwork is designed in collaboration with, and created by, Robert Post.

Here we see the art presented in the room.  It appears as though it has lofted in through the windows.  The elegant 3 painted panels hovering, feel as if they are in motion, like clouds that have drifted in from the sky.  They are offset by a sweeping avian form that is taking the whole piece into flight, it’s graceful limbs afloat as a bird’s wing, or a leaf in the breeze of a tree.  The juxtaposition of a bird’s body hosting the lofty clouds in it’s embrace defies our sense of scale revealing echoed patterns in nature.  Birds are sky, clouds float among them.

The final impression is one of excitement and peace, brilliant, intense color that satisfies the environment in that it piques engagement, yet does not overwhelm.  While in the room, your eyes drift from the artful, natural piece in front of you to the beauty of nature outside the large brightly lit windows across, creating a surrounding continuum of natural beauty.

“HORIZONS is peace in a not so peaceful world. It is very calming. The way the brilliant color palette is balanced gives me a sense of restfulness and relaxation. The room with HORIZONS is now my favorite room in the house. I love it more and more each time I look at it. It’s a masterpiece.” – Ingrid, art collector of HORIZONS