Happy New Year!
Those words hold much more weight this year, don’t they? It’s not just a wish but a pledge. I vow to have a happy new year, damn it, no matter what tries to stop that! I hope you do too.
Now that the last of the champagne is but a dried up drop at the bottom of my rouge lip stained glass and the fuzzy fog of the holiday season is lifting, it’s time to get grounded and focus. Normally, it’s all “New Year, New Me” but we’re not living under normal circumstances. 2020 was insane so please allow yourself some space to process. If you’re anything like me, then you’ve probably spent the last couple of days cleaning, cleansing, and purging the unnecessary in order to make room for whatever it is you desire in the new year.
One of my favorite ways to hit the refresh button is by re-designing my gallery wall with images centered around my theme for the year. Like an art exhibit, I tend to curate the imagery I keep around me. First, I choose a theme, then I select or create art that reflects the theme. I like to surround myself with images I love and inspire me, like places I want to visit and art that represents energy I’d like to invite into my space. The result is a gallery wall that serves as a vision board to help hold me accountable for my new year agenda.
Last year was destructive, to say the least.
What comes after destruction and surveying the damage?
Creation.
So it’s time to rebuild.
When choosing my word/theme of the year, I focus on the areas of my life I’d like to improve. That can be anywhere from business to community, family, or adventure. For 2021, my intentions are leaning toward re-imagining, balance & HARMONY. So I’m starting my gallery wall with The Harmony Collection, a trio of figure drawings in ink, individually strong but a powerhouse when placed together. It’s the same figure in three different poses. The muse starts out rather shy and apprehensive despite facing the viewer but then proceeds to untangle from the restraints and stands with pride in the final pose.
Now that I have my starting point, it’s time to collect more art and photographs that align and complement my harmonious trio. I’m still working on my design but here are 5 Tips for designing your very own gallery wall:
- After processing last year’s shit show and deciding how you want to feel in 2021, choose a word or theme that best sums up your intentions.
- Choose artwork that relates to your word/theme of the year and devote an image to each area of your life you’d like to improve. Your gallery wall can be 3 works of art or 12, that’s totally up to you and the amount of space available.
- Choose a color palette that complements your space by choosing similar colors to your interiors or remember that opposites attract. If you have a subdued color palette in your room, choose bright colored art. If your room is bright, choose quieter art. Either way, your gallery wall will stand out. Also, consider color psychology - red is associated with power, blue with calmness, etc. More on that in a future post.
- Mix and match subject matter and mediums. Fill your space with photography, drawings, paintings, or collages. Just keep your word/theme of the year in mind always.
- Size matters! You want your intentions to stand out so your gallery wall should stop you in your tracks. Your art collection can be the same size or a variety of sizes, just make sure it’s not so small it gets lost on the wall.
*Extra tip: Make your gallery wall in a spot where you can sit and take it in whenever possible.
After framing and prepping to hang, take the art you’ve collected and lay it out on the floor the way you would like to lay it out on the wall. Then, get to hanging! Once finished, pull up a chair and get lost in your visions. Now you’re ready to take action on your intentions and make this new year everything you desire it to be, no matter what!
Interested in my finished gallery wall and more tips for designing your own? Check for updates on instagram.com/djfloresart
Would love to see your gallery wall and how you’re hanging your posters and prints! Tag me @djfloresart
Take care and have a wonderful 2021!
Love,
Denise