Sometimes you need a Colour Break...

To furnish and decorate a room, a hallway in matching tones might be desirable for many people but too often the result is boring and tiring. An eyecatcher can create so much difference. I would want any room or place to incorporate something exciting, an object, a colour that really demands some attention. If you have a colour palette that consists mainly in beige and brown tones a break is really necessary as in this hallway:

The original art on  the wall certainly looks elegant with the nice shiny frame but I am sure that after a very short while no-one would look at the art any more - it would simply mingle with the background and disappear from your attention.
The contrary would happen with a piece of art such as this one:
a silk carving/sculpture with glowing colours, nothing you would just oversee.

The silk sculpture was inspired by the Hawaiian legends of Pele, the Hawaiian Akua (Goddess), the fire goddess, mother of all life which comes out of the depth of the earth. 
In Hawaiian mythology women were a powerful source of new life and source of spiritual power. In the Polynesian world Mana Wahine - the power of woman - was a force that must never be ignored. It was Hina (Woman) who gave birth to new life, Hina controlled the moon, the tides and the reefs and Hina had the secret of fire.

Pele incorporates a technique called silk carving©, which is a development by the artist. The intent of this technique was to create a symbiosis between carving and fiber art. The surface of the fiber was transformed completely into a relief. The upper layer of this piece was made from one single piece of silk - nothing was sewn on top to add depth. Additionally paints and pigments were used in a manner to give the visual impression of flowing lava in all its glowing colours and the viewer is supposed to feel the heat. But it is "only" a piece of soft sculptured silk.

 "Pele"

( from the Hawaiian Symbols series)
silk carving, 48" x 17"
©Petra Voegtle

If you would like to see more detail photos please check this link

(This art piece was shown at several art venues in the USA and was featured by art critic Cate McQuaid in the Boston Globe.)

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A Challenging Idea - Silk Painting in a Wrought Iron Frame

From time to time I love to play with crazy ideas and as usual doing this on the computer wouldn't hurt - right?

Now look at this wonderful entry hall with a staircase and a wrought iron railing. Did I tell you that I love all sorts of wrought iron objects, especially beds, chairs, iron cast stands for tables etc.? Wrought iron doors and portals can be noble pieces of craftmanship and are always worth to look at in detail.

In this entry hall the wrought iron railing turns the staircase into something delicate and filigree and the effect is beautiful. So I thought about how the empty wall could be adorned additionally without destroying the overall impression of this hall. My choice would have been this 3 panel silk painting Ayutthaya from the Magic Landscapes series.

You can see from the original image that the wall looks a bit empty and really could need some additional artwork.

Now my idea was to virtually mount the 3 silk panels on a "board" and frame this in a wrought iron frame that would complement not only the railing but also the table. This could be realized indeed.
Iron and silk are materials which could not be more different but wrought iron can be crafted in a manner that its ornaments can become filigree elements like in lace. So I found the idea quite attractive and challenging...

"Ayutthaya"

(from the Magic Landscapes Series)

40" x 39", silk triptych

©Petra Voegtle

I have to admit something - the idea was actually not completely new - I used the idea with the wrought iron frame on other rooms as complement for existing interior before. Here are the links: link, where you also can read more about the painting itself and where the inspiration came from and here is another link.

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The Elegance of an Entry Hall...

Now look closely at the picture below and see what is wrong?
This is truly a wonderful and very elegant entry hall. I love the colour scheme here, the light and airiness of this entrance, the filigree door, everything composed with great care besides the mirror above the table. How could this have been overlooked that a mirror was placed into the alcove that does not fit at all? In my opinion this does not look good. No doubt that mirror is beautiful and would have looked wonderful on the side table but not in the alcove.

   original image source from http://www.getdecorating.com

I had a different idea for decoration: a delicate and realistic painting in a nicely carved frame, matching colour and style of the side table: Contemplation on a Predator from the Pigeon series.

To make this part of the wall even more interesting and in order to give it a bit of a mysterious (you know I like mystery) touch I would even place a beautiful skull on the table, something similar to the painted one. "Ebony and ivory" would make a perfect match. I am sure any guest would be intrigued...

"Contemplation on a Predator"
(from the Pigeons series) 
18" x 26" (without frame) acrylic
©Petra Voegtle

The painting itself is acrylic on cotton. You can read more about it here if you like. Inspiration comes from the feral pigeon family that lives on my balcony and whose lives I am documenting in another blog since nearly 3 years now. Read the Pigeon Tales with lots of stories and photos.

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Views, Views, Views - Dining with all Senses...

Rooms with a breathtaking view do not need much decoration but how about enhancing breathtaking views with another impressive view on a painting? Again I replaced the original art virtually with a silk painting that would perfectly match the colours in this room...

   original image source from http://www.getdecorating.com

This silk painting has been inspired by the breathtaking landscapes on the Hawaiian Islands, especially the Haleakala National Park. You can read more about it here if you like.

"Haleakala"
(from the Magic Landscapes Series)
silk, 21" x 40"
©Petra Voegtle

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Here and here are more room examples for this painting.

Interior Design on Ranches and their Signatures

The interior design of a ranch would certainly include the appropriate symbols and signatures of a life on the country and living with its animals. But sometimes you can do a little too much I find as in this case.

The entry hall is quite dark and makes you well aware where you are and including a new object of interest like this silk painting adds even more focus to the land instead of a photo or painting with another "ranching" motif such as a typical "cowboy" motif. See original below. Or what is your take on this

    original image source from http://www.getdecorating.com

 

"Dry Land"
(from the Magic Landscapes series)
40" x 21", silk
©Petra Voegtle

Other vignettes with this painting can be found here and here.

An Entrance Hall with one of the most beautiful Landscapes in the World

Yes - I have shown you virtual room examples with this painting before but the more pictures I see from beautiful interior designs the more possibilities there are to place fine art.

What I especially loved here is the wonderful door, very sophisticated but not overdone. The filigree cast iron makes the whole ensemble wonderfully light and unobstrusive. Often doors of big entries are plump and excessive - not so here.

 original image source from http://www.getdecorating.com (left part)

The left part of this image is the original source photo - so I just added the right half as if the wall was elongated. It could be - couldn't it? I do not derogate the work of the interior designer in any way - on the contrary. I consider my art being a potential compliment to the ideas and composition of the interior designer.

About the painting: I have been there, seen this breathtaking landscape with my own eyes and will never forget about it. See some of the photos I have taken here. I wished I could go back with the camera and the easel and do what so many artists have done before me. So many motifs I would like to share...

The painting consists of 5 panels which are painted on silk. The photo does not do justice to the work - it takes you into a 3d-view when you are in front of it!

"Monuments of Guilin"
(from the Magic Landscapes series) 
Polyptych, 40" x 65", silk
©Petra Voegtle

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The Minoans in the Hallway...

The painting that hangs in the original image source on the same place disappears a bit behind the plant and is too neutral for my feeling. I think this elegant hallway deserves artwork that is a bit more prominent.

Also I thought that the delicate art deco style of the entrance door and the filigree stair railing would be complemented nicely by the two delicate silk paintings which start to shimmer when light is on them. But again this is only a potential scenario and does not want to diminish the intent of the original interior designer or home owner.

If you would like to know more about these paintings, Minoans I and II please see this link and this link.

original image source from http://www.getdecorating.com

"Minoans I and II"
(from the Magic Symbols series)
40" x 13" each, silk
©Petra Voegtle
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A handcarved Paravent in the Entrance Hall...

In the case you own a house with lots of space you would have the wonderful opportunity to do something special for your entrance hall.
My suggestion is to place a paravent against the wall as in this example. The handcarved artwork would easily attract the visitor to look a little bit closer and prepare the viewer for more treasures?
A paravent has a big advantage - you could place it against a wall or you can separate a room in different segments or you could hide unattractive but necessary constructional elements. There are many different possibilities.

If you would like to know more about this artwork please see here and here. It is a 5-panel piece with extra foot pieces which serve as a kind of stabilizing pedestal, that can be separated completely.

original image source from http://www.getdecorating.com

"Bodhisattwa"
Indonesian style, polyptych, hand carved, 77" x 69" x 10", 30 kg
©Petra Voegtle

A terrific Hallway with a Valley on the Wall...

Although these colours are a bit gloomy - I do not quite understand people's preferences for dark colours - I nevertheless like this composition. Maybe it's because I live in a country where half of the year bright light is rare due to bad weather and long winters which are mostly wet and dark.

The original painting on the wall was marvellous and I would not want to change this interior design image - I just added one of my landscape paintings which I believe would fit marvellously into this hallway too, even repeating the graphic design of the carpet accidently. This silk painting belongs to a whole series called - Magic Landscapes

This silk painting is called The Valley, inspired by the wonderful green valleys you can find on the Hawaiian Islands. Check out this link for more details...

original image source from http://www.getdecorating.com

"The Valley"
(from the Magic Landscapes Series)
silk, 21" x 40"
©Petra Voegtle

A Sofa and a Silk Painting...

What do you think about this sofa? Isn't it a hoot? I must admit I just love it and have the perfect matching silk painting: Sepia. A shame for an artist and her work? Not at all - just the perfect match of two beauties, ready to be staged in a living room or loggia or...

sofa and original image source from http://www.modernes-interieur.de

"Sepia"
(from the Magic Creatures Series)
silk, 40" x 13"
©Petra Voegtle

The Landscape in the Entrance Hall

This entrance hall would be cold, clinical and a bit hostile unless you make it somehow interesting - with a landscape painted on silk. And what could be more fascinating than the landscapes around Guilin with their incredible archaic magic?
I can tell you - the photo does not do any justice to this painting. If you stand right in front of it - it becomes totally 3D! You think you can walk right into it...
Check out the details of this painting here if you like.

original image source from http://www.modernes-interieur.de

"The Monuments of Guilin"

silk, 5 panels, 40" x 65"

©Petra Voegtle

Starting your own private Gallery....

How about starting your own little gallery with silk paintings similar to these (two of them are sold)? This could be a blast for your house. Even for the foyer of an office building this would add elegance and atmosphere...just an idea.

The paintings here are (from left to right) Machu Picchu, Celts and Mesopotamia. Details for Celts can be seen here, for Mesopotamia here

original image source from http://www.homesolute.com/

A Lounge or Waiting Room with Ambience...

Sitting in a lounge here and hearing soft classical music, potentially the water music by Smetana would be nice - wouldn't it? Why not using an ambience like this at the doctor's waiting room. Maybe this would destroy your bad vibes...
And while you are sitting there you could study the details of this silk scroll with all the tiny little beads...

Potentials of a Lounge - dipped in warm Colours

This acrylic painting Tourmaline II from the Minerals series is a little jewel because its colours start to glow with the right light. Placed on a wall like this one is just the perfect complement. And a modern designer chair like the one below is a great place to wait for someone...
If you would like to see more detail photos of this painting please check here

original image source of chair from http://www-modernes-interieur.de

Spheres in a Modern Living Room or Lounge

This silk scroll Spheres looks best on a black wall. Composed with white designer furniture gives it an elegant and sublime look. Light is important in this setting because only then the beaded scroll will reveal its secrets - the sparkling of hundreds of glass beads...
You can check it out here

original image source for the designer chair is http://www.modernes-interieur.de

Silk Scrolls in Modern Living Room or Lounge

The silk scrolls from the Hidden Gems series fit perfectly in a modern interior with designer furniture especially people who love black furniture and reduced decoration. The sophisticated details on these scrolls are only revealed while looking very close.
A hint of those can be checked out here and here

original image source for the designer chair is http://www.modernes-interieur.de

The Dragon - an Art Quilt in the Foyer

Admitted - this is only a very spare interior but imagine what you could do with a silk quilt on the wall like that one. Dragon would be everywhere an eyecatcher especially for people who love this lucky symbol. It adds an exotic flair to a room, especially due to the fact that this is not Chinese massware but an original. Detailed photos and description in English you will find here.

original image source for the designer chair is http://www.modernes-interieur.de

Bodhisattwa - a handcarved Paravent in a Modern Living Room

As you can imagine the size of this handcarved paravent requires a large room or hotel lounge. This example is only one idea of many to show that this Asian style art work can be combined easily with modern designed furniture. A pre-requisite would be that you don't have too many different colours in the room. But then it's your choice - isn't it?
If you would like to see more of this artwork please see here for detailed photos and description.

original image source for the designer furniture is http://www.modernes-interieur.de

The Vision - a handpainted Silk Scroll in a Lounge or Lobby

The Vision (the link here leads you to larger and detailed photos of the art work on my painter blog Images and Imagination) is from the Ornaments series, a little series of 3 handpainted silk scrolls, inspired by Indian culture and Buddhist art which invite you to touch, urge you to become part of it because of its vividness, colours, richness and wealth of forms.