A closer look: the Salt and Sunrise Series
Way back in September 2022, I found myself in a new and unfamiliar place. I had quit my corporate career that I had been so committed to and decided to find a happier life pursuing my art. We were also about to start our long-awaited IVF journey and I guess almost to mark the end of my previous life, we took ourselves off to Menorca.
Re-evaluating life after quitting my corporate career
As luck would have it, this holiday was the last time we'd enjoy the peace as a family of two and perhaps I subsconsciouly knew it, as every moment of quiet and beauty was savoured. My favourite moments of all were the early morning swims we took on the deserted beaches. Although we were the only people there, the beach felt like it still carried the residual energy of every bather that had been there the day before. Those precious moments of having the whole beach to ourselves as the sun slowly rose. The light, low and golden, sparkles across the top of the calm waves, not buffeted by a thousand arms and legs. The heat is still there but hasn't reached the ferocious highs that it will later, it's like a gently hum. Everything feels fresh and expansive. That feeling is exactly what I wanted to capture in my new Salt and Sunrise series.
The palette I've chosen moves through soft corals, warm pinks, deep blues and sandy neutrals. The marks are organic and try to reflect the literal movement of waves, as well evoke the excitement of what possibilities a new start may bring.
Original or print?
I didn't offer prints for a long time but as time goes on, my feeling that art should be accessible has got stronger. Buying original art isn’t an option for everyone but providing a high-quality print makes it much more affordable. Obviously the original paintings carry something that prints cannot replicate -texture, layers. If you are able to own an original, there's nothing quite like it. I talk about my love of abstract art in another blog here.
But a high-quality fine art print? It's genuinely beautiful in its own right. I have worked with a wonderful printer who photographs my originals and painstakingly colour matches to create the closest match possible. We also spent a good deal of time choosing which heavyweight archival paper the giclée printing would work best on – ensuring it captures the depth of colour and the subtle tonal shifts in a way that does real justice to the original. I was genuinely blown away by the intricacies of process and also bamboozled by how complex colour is! For many people — especially those buying their first piece of abstract art — a print is a wonderful way to start. You can own something with real meaning but without the higher price point. Every item I offer, original or print, has been made with the same intention and are designed to look incredible on your wall. There's absolutely no wrong choice.
Styling a statement piece in your home
Abstract art prints (and originals) can transform a space but over the years I've learned a few tips to help style statement art:
Let it lead the colour story. Rather than trying to match your artwork to your existing décor, let the painting do the talking. Choose an accent colour or tone from piece and echo in other items like a cushion, throw or vase, to tie it into the rest of room.
Size matters more than you think. One larger piece on a plain wall will almost always feel more powerful than several smaller ones competing for attention. If you're styling a larger wall like in living room or bedroom, go bigger than you think you should.
Think about the light. Whilst I would never recommend placing either a painting or a print in direct sunlight (both will fade from the UV), it also needs to be adequately lit. Art hung in a dark corner will inevitably look dark so a lighter area, especially one near (but not in front of) a natural light source will work best, like a window or even a frosted door.
Don't overcrowd it. A statement piece of abstract art deserves space around it. Resist the urge to fill every inch of wall. Your eye needs to not feel overwhelmed so keep the focus purely on the statement piece by letting it breathe!
Bedroom mock up of abstract seascape Salt and Sunrise
