ELEVATING ENVIRONMENTS

ABOVE PHOTO: JAMES RIVER MEDIA

Current Art Trends in Interior Design

Artwork that graces a home is an expression of personal style. It says something about those who live within its walls. Adding beauty and personality to your home, art creates an atmosphere of enjoyment and serves as a conversation piece when friends visit. Consider the current trends in art while seeking those pieces that elevate your surroundings. 

PHOTOS: MICHAEL PATCH

Trends in home art
Choosing art for the home is a personal process and can be a form of self-expression that showcases a wide range of tastes and interests. Yet, trends tend to surface in the buying patterns of consumers. Currently, big, bold colors are desired in a wide range of mediums: watercolor, oils, acrylics, mixed media, sculpture and more. Big applies to the size of the art as well. “Large canvases as focal points in the home make a strong personal statement,” explains Denise Cormany, salesperson and framer at LinDor Arts, a gallery and framer in Roanoke. 

Portraits continue to be popular to tell the stories of those who live in the home. Not at all surprising, pet portraits are becoming increasingly popular. Though gallery walls are still common, the pieces themselves tend to be larger and are spaced farther apart. The idea is a carefully designed wall rather than a busy, mismatched look. 

Sustainable art is on the rise. Natural and recyclable materials are used in a mixed media artform to appeal to the eye as well as the touch. In addition to reducing the impact on the environment, sustainable art also speaks to the current issues of the day. 

PHOTO: JAMES RIVER MEDIA

Technology continues to change the world we live in, and the art world is no different. Artists use digital tools such as graphic design software, LED lights, screens, projectors and other devices to create interactive, animated and multi-dimensional artwork. 

Whether you’re working with an interior designer or striking out on your own, looking at the trends in artwork is certainly interesting and can often help you in your decision-making process. 

LEFT PHOTO: NAN MAHONE WELLBORN
MIDDLE & RIGHT PHOTOS: JAMES RIVER MEDIA 

Art as a focal point
Many people, when buying for a home, start out looking for one big piece, a focal point. “You may be looking for a piece to fit over the couch or over the mantel,” comments Cormany. “The right size makes all the difference. We want customers to try it before they buy it, though. We’ll let them take a piece home for a couple of days and live with it. If they love it, they’ll come back and purchase it.” 

LinDor specializes in large paintings such as 40″x60″ or 36″x48″ and some even larger. “We do have a few smaller selections that are mainly used for filler,” notes Cormany. 

A large piece sets the tone of the room. Bold, bright colors bring energy to the space while soft, light colors give off a relaxed, peaceful feel. 

Making a personal statement
Art that comes into a home should bring joy to the owner and serve as a catalyst for self-expression, but it’s not just the art itself that brings joy. The journey to choosing artwork gives the homeowner an opportunity to engage in creativity and develop a sense of personal style. 

“Visting galleries and going to art shows are great ways to see what you like,” says Cormany. “When you add artwork to the home, it’s a personal decision. So, take some time to consider what’s out there and make a choice that works for you.” 

Important to consider are size, color, style of art, mood, subject matter and price. Most of all, though, choose something you love! 

Local artists
“Support your local artists,” recommends Nan Mahone Wellborn, a Roanoke landscape artist who paints primarily in oils. “Get to know your local artists, who they are and connect with their style. Visit open studio tours. Go to lectures in the region and attend community art events,” she continues. “Visit local and regional galleries. See what appeals to you and then follow the path of that artist.” 

Kelly Mattox, artist and president of the Lynchburg Art Club, says, “I am a major advocate for buying original art. When you buy from a local artist, you’ll be displaying an original, one-of-a-kind piece of art. More importantly, you won’t buy something and then walk into another person’s home just to see the same mass-produced piece hanging on the wall.” 

The Little Gallery in Roanoke features a wide range of local artists with talents in landscape, still life, abstract, photography and sculpture. “We have a very eclectic customer base,” says Pam Fridley, owner. “We value the artists and the talent they bring to the gallery. I really enjoy helping customers find an artist they love, and then walking them through the process of choosing something for their home. It’s very rewarding.” 

Commission a legacy piece
Regardless of the subject matter, commissioned art provides an opportunity to arrive at a highly personalized piece of artwork that fits perfectly into a specific space and follows the color scheme in the home. 

“Artists handle commissions differently,” notes Mahone Wellborn. For instance, “a portrait artist will have a fee structure and advertise themselves that way.” Others will charge by the size of the canvas or the complexity of the project. “When I do commissions,” she explains, “I talk with my client about the desired view, season color and mood. If possible, I visit their home and see where the painting will hang. Then, we talk in specifics about size, process and price.” 

Mahone Wellborn suggests asking many questions before committing to the project. “Know your artist, their style. Ask about their timing and fee structure,” she notes. Commissioned artwork can take from weeks to months or longer to complete, depending on complexity. 

“It is so helpful to get a good understanding of how someone enjoys your work,” says Mahone Wellborn. “What it means to them, where they hang it. It’s very special. There isn’t a better compliment than seeing one of my paintings hanging in someone’s home.” 

Whether you commission a piece or stumble across something you love, enjoy the selection process as you add beauty and meaning to every corner of your home. ✦