Art lets you express yourself and encourages dialogue.

Without needing words, art and music can be the perfect way to express who you are to both yourself and others.

Whether it’s your personality or what you value in life, the arts can be the perfect translator. This lets you forge deeper connections with those who come into your home.

Art makes a home more human.

Mass produced items are what mostly fills our homes- it’s nice to have something that can effortlessly bring life back into a room.

With a work of art, you can sense the time, effort, and skill that went into its creation. You may have even gotten the chance to meet the artist in person or hear the story behind the work. Even if you haven’t met the artist in person, seeing the fingerprints, brush strokes or marks on the work serves as a reminder of the person behind the work of art.

Art helps us validate and recognize our emotion.

Whether it’s a memory or a feeling, a piece of art can evoke powerful emotions when we look at it. Art can cheer us up after a bad day, make us remember, or inspire us to do more in life. It can provide comfort that we are not the only ones feeling a certain way. Whatever that emotion - positive or negative - it lets us know that we are not isolated in those thoughts.

Art stretches our boundaries and encourages growth.

I have found myself in many situations (some quite heated even) discussing what artwork would satisfy the juxtaposition between different tastes. When art is more than decoration it challenges you intellectually, confronts preexisting ideas you may hold, and even makes you uncomfortable.

By leaning into these feelings, we push ourselves to think more openly, to challenge ourselves and to see the world from a different viewpoint. Having an artwork that has shifted our worldview in our own home is a daily reminder to question our habits and thoughts.

Art reminds us of what is possible.

“By doing what you love you inspire and awaken the hearts of others.” -Satsuki Shibayu

Seeing other people do what they love is inspiring. That’s why we follow Instagram accounts of our favorite creative people, such as artists, athletes, musicians and chefs. Their commitment to their art form is contagious.

It is invigorating to see someone both creating and dedicating their time to what gives them the most joy in life. By pursuing these passions they inspire us to do the same.

Art encourages us to be brave.

“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.” - Georgia O’keefe

Being an artist is not an easy path. It often requires great discipline, commitment and vision.  Having a work of art in your home encourages you to take risks and to embrace vulnerability—because the result is beautiful.

Art breathes life into a home.

Your home is “your place,” and that’s why decorating it to your liking is so important. You need to feel comfortable in your space. And, surrounding yourself with art you love will help you enjoy where you spend a majority of your time and energize your space (more on feng shui to come at a later date!)

By choosing to live with art, you are choosing to bring more life, more music, and more energy into your home.

Growing your collection.

It takes two things to develop your tastes in art: interest and time. Spend as much time as possible looking at various forms of art at art galleries, fairs and museum collections in person or online. Make note of the artists that you like and galleries that carry work you like. Ask yourself for what purpose you want your art to serve? Do you want your art to give you joy or a challenge, compliment your decor or take a stand? Look at your friends’ artwork and ask them questions about what and why they purchased what they did. Talk about art. Your interests will become more intense as you develop a better understanding and a higher level of comfort with art.