Buddha and Krishna in a Hallway

This is an image I saved a long time ago. A wonderful spacy hallway of a huge villa or even hotel somewhere in Asia. During my travels I have seen the most beautiful and spaciest lobbies in Southeast Asia where they seem to have plenty of place although this is paradoxical in overcrowed cities such as Hongkong or other Asian metropoles. But somehow there is always money somewhere which can buy these places with spaces that cover a whole village...

There is a beautiful Buddha statue in the background and I thought I have created another beautiful sculpture that could serve as a wonderful room devider: a triptych of "Krishna and Radha" without obscuring the view towards the Buddha but what an impact this could make:

This paravent has been entirely handcarved from pinewood and then painted with a varnish that looks like old ivory. It took me 9 months to finish this work from drawing to polishing and quite some blood as a sacrifice. The chisels are very sharp! It was inspired by Indian stone sculptures and wood carving but the design is truly original.
I have added a few detail photos for you so that you can see how filigree the carving is.

"Krishna and Radha"
Indian style triptych, hand carved, massive wood, 

85" x 93" x 7", 65 kg
©Petra Voegtle

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A small Bedroom with a spectacular View...

Although I am not so very much a fan of dark rooms I loved this one from the first moment I saw it. I cannot even really explain why. Maybe it's the perfect disposition of this really small room because what you can see from this vignette there does not seem to be much more space available than for the bed itself.

The only downside of this room is the art on the wall, which - for my understanding - is not suitable for a bedroom. Although it perfectly matches the colours of this room (possibly the latter have been chosen because of the art) the figures displayed in this work look a bit creepy, reminiscent of emaciated models which is not really the perfect theme for a good night sleep.

My personal alternative would be this triptych painting on silk Ayutthaya which leads you gently into a world of meditation, dreamlike state - certainly more suitable for a bedroom:

Btw - I am going to make this painting available as fine art print on cotton canvas also, so that it can be used in different sizes. I'll let you know when it is in my Etsy shop.

 "Ayutthaya"

(from the Magic Landscapes Series)

40" x 39", silk triptych

©Petra Voegtle

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Matching Colours - A Painting and a Bowl

How far could you drive matching colours? Well I have an alternative to the original painting that even matches the bowl in the hallway. Crazy? No - funny and not meant to be too seriously. If only the owner of the house or the interior designer would have known earlier...! But honestly - what would you say about mounting this triptych on the wall?

On top of matching colours I also would suggest an unusual iron cast frame (currently virtually mounted but a real idea) which would perfectly compliment the Chinoiserie table and the iron cast stairrails.

The painting itself is a triptych, painted on 3 silk panels and was inspired by the ancient city of Ayutthaya in Thailand.
Ayutthaya is one of those special places which emanate an aura of magic and fascination ancient sites have in common. Ayutthaya (1350 - 1767) was once the golden capital of the ancient kingdom of Siam (Thailand) - a magical city with about one million inhabitants around 1700. It was destroyed by the Burmese and finally abandoned. Bangkok became the new capital.
Today nothing is left but ruins. Only hundreds of Buddha statues, partially intact or restored, prangs (reliquary towers) and monasteries, which form the Ayutthaya historical park, create a place of great magic and belong to the UNESCO World Heritage.

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

the original image

click to enlarge

"Ayutthaya"

(from the Magic Landscapes Series)

40" x 39", silk triptych

©Petra Voegtle

 

If you would like to see additional room examples please check these links: interior1, interior2.

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An opulent Lady's Boudoir

This could be the lady's bedroom but it also could be a very generous guestroom for very special guests in a home where hospitality is considered an important virtue.

I love the colours and the aura of this boudoir and the original very decorative paravent that was placed in the same position of this room. But if this were my room I would add just a tiny bit more contrast and drama, a bit more material for your imagination. And what could be more appropriate than an interpretation of one of the most famous loving couple: Krishna and Radha from the Indian epic Mahabharata.

This precious paravent has been hand carved in many hours. It consists of 3 panels. It has been glazed with an ivory colour, patinated and waxed so that it looks like old ivory.

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

"Krishna and Radha"
Indian style triptych, hand carved, massive wood, 85" x 93" x 7", 65 kg
©Petra Voegtle

Intrigued to see more details then please check this link

Landscaping

The monuments of nature have always been part of man's fascination. And despite all attempts the colours of nature cannot be reproduced in all their splendor and in all their variations. Each artificial reproduction will fade away in the face of the real scenery. Even photography is not capable of giving us what the eye and the soul is seeking.

Additionally colour is susceptible to every individual's interpretation. Sometimes it seems that colour becomes a very personal goal/achievement. This is the "burden" of any interior designer as well as any artist. Not to speak of the deficiencies some people are suffering from, such as colour blindness in various grades.

Still - colour is one of the most important elements of interior design and will always be unless we learn to live in a world one day that is no longer dependent on superficial surfaces - but that would be science fiction??

I "added" this silk painting Canyon to this hallway, thinking of opening spaces which lead into other spaces - fantasies - just as a valley would do. Where would you like to be? In the hallway or in the canyon?

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

"Canyon"
(from the Magic Landscapes series)
Triptych, 40" x 63", silk
©Petra Voegtle

A few details from this painting are shown below. The silk painting Canyon is actually a triptych, inspired by the many marvellous canyons in northern America's national parks. If you want to know more about it check this link.

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Moroccan Interior and an Indian Paravent?

I love to play with images and ideas. So what do you think of this combination? Yes - it's opulent but what else would you expect in a luxury home, an old Moroccan palazzo with exquisite interior? An intimate chamber not for the visitor to be seen but only for the home owner to enjoy. And behind that paravent? Secrets - only secrets... and stories from Arabian nights...

If you want to see more details check this link or click on the photo below...

Original image source from "Moroccan Interiors", Taschen Verlag 1995

"Krishna and Radha"

Indian style Triptych, hand carved, massive wood, 85" x 93" x 7", 65 kg
©Petra Voegtle

In the Sunroom - a handcarved Triptych

This is one of my most beautiful wood carving pieces: Krishna and Radha, an Indian inspired triptych. I placed it in several environments - just in order to test how it would look like. Now judge for yourself....
If you want to see more details check this link

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