Walls Without Art are Depressing

My bathroom before and after hanging my painting.
Shown here: Magic of Chaco Canyon, 12 x 12 inches,
Mixed Media on Wood, framed, copyright 2009 Mary Gravelle.
This painting has such depth that it takes my mind away to magical
places like Chaco Canyon that inspired its creation.

Living with walls without art is depressing. Imagine staring at blank walls. If you walk around a house with no art on the walls, there is no life force available to you but your own. So, you had better have strong life force if you live in such a place!

Art makes us more considerate thinkers. – 8 Reasons Why Art Improves Your Thinking

I recently took many of my paintings off my walls to exhibit them in other places. Oh my, the place became depressing to live in. My walls are white. My paintings energize me and the space they hang in. I had to scour my storage to find pieces to hang quickly. It feels so much better in here now that I took the time to do that.

That is one of the reasons why Damian Bruno, the realtor who asked me to add color to his house listing wanted paintings hanging in the house for his open house. When I walked into the Sedona dome home, there were expansive white walls. Yes, it needed color! My paintings did the trick. He was happy. The home was happy.

"The effect of walls on residents is almost subliminal, and these days, with so many modern ways of improving the feng shui of our surroundings, there is simply no excuse to get careless about our walls." – Article on Creating Fabulous and Auspicious Walls

Before and After: My front door entryway.
The painting shown here is an experimental piece I did
so many years ago I don't remember what year I painted it.
I have always loved it. It adds good cheer to the entry of my space.

"Art accesses some of the most advanced processes of human intuitive analysis and expressivity and a key form of aesthetic appreciation is through embodied cognition, the ability to project oneself as an agent in the depicted scene," said Christopher Tyler, director of the Smith-Kettlewell Brain Imaging Center, during the related panel discussion.–Research by Dana Foundation: How Engaging with Art Affects the Human Brain

What is your experience with blank walls? How has art energized your space?

My art is ready and available to energize your space. Check out my website for your browsing pleasure.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle)

The handsome, Sir Kitty. Meow.

About the author: Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved assistant, Sir Kitty.

The Dome Home Open House was a Success

Me, Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle), with my painting,
Highways and Byways, at the Dome Home, Sedona.
Photo courtesy of a friend.

The community open house for Sedona's most unique home is over that happened on Friday, August 21 from 12–5 pm.

Time will tell whether the event benefitted my art. I assume that it did simply because tons of people saw my art that had never seen it before. Exposure is always a good thing.

I introduced myself to folks and told them that the paintings hanging on the wall were mine. I handed out my business card. I received compliments on my art.

I did enjoy watching local photographer, Bud Ellis, photograph this home from every angle imaginable. Enjoy his superb photos shown here.

The event was an enjoyable afternoon. Many people stopped by, some came to see my art, some came because they have always been curious about this home, and others saw the flags for an open house and stopped by. Most were residents of Sedona or nearby towns. Others were visitors from out of state.

The realtors, Damian Bruno and Danielle Giann, Sedona Real Estate Agents, put on a classy affair with free food and live music. I would say all in all, everyone had a great time.

To see all my paintings that are showing in this home, please check my web page for further information.

Bud Ellis Photography
Creation painting is on the left.

Bud Ellis Photography

Bud Ellis Photography
Shows three of my paintings: L to R: Nature's Embrace framed print, Creation, Crossing Over.

Bud Ellis Photography
Painting showing here: Highways and Byways

Bud Ellis Photography
Paintings L to R: Creation, Crossing Over, Copenhagen.

Bud Ellis Photography
Paintings shown here L to R: Jazz, Money Tree

Me, Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle), with my painting, 
Walking with Faith, at the dome Home, Sedona.
Photo courtesy of a friend.

Fond Memories Framed Print at the dome Home, Sedona.
Photo by me.

Me, Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle), with my painting, Walking with Faith, at the dome Home, Sedona.
Photo courtesy of a friend.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle (Braylee Rush)

The handsome, Sir Kitty. Meow.

About the author: Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved assistant, Sir Kitty.

Here is Your Chance to See One of Sedona's Most Unique Homes along with My Abstract Art

Damian Bruno, Listing Agent of
Sedona Dome Home
My art is showing while the home is for sale

In July, I wrote about the open house as a great venue for artists to showcase their art. Now, the community gets a second chance to attend another open house to see one of Sedona's most unique homes, a dome home. And, you have another chance to see a collection of my abstract art hanging in this wonderful home.

My Abstract art in the Green Living Room which has a water feature.

Sedona Dome Home. This area was used a home school by
the builder and owner of the home.
Three of my small mixed media pieces fit the space perfectly.

You can watch several videos of the creation of this dome home on YouTube. Just google Sedona Dome Home and you'll find all sorts of videos from the building of it to the family of five that lived there while home schooling their three daughters. It's an intriguing story.

Here's the video invitation from Danielle Giann, partner listing agent.

Here's what Damian Bruno, the listing realtor, Coldwell Banker First Affiliate, of the home has to say:

Please Join Us for the Sedona Dome Home "Xanadu" Community Open House - August 21st from 12-5pm. Please RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1871678656390719/

One of Sedona's most famous structures and now you can see the inside. Held by Damian Bruno and Danielle Giann Coldwell Banker First Affiliate along with Omar Kenney of Bay Equity Home Loans and Michelle Murie of Lawyers Title.

Live Music from Doc who will be playing acoustic guitar on the properties stage. Come meet local artist Braylee Rush of Mary's Fine Art and see her works on display!  

Free Food provided! Mary's Fine Art on Display!  

Come join us for a preview inside one of Sedona's most unique properties the Dome Home!
http://www.sedonarealestateagents.com/

New Day mixed media painting plays with the
delightful light coming in through the skylight of
this master bedroom.
New Day, Mixed Media on Wood, 12 x 12 inches.
Copyright 2015 Mary Gravelle.

Come on out!

Please leave a comment on your thoughts of artists showing their art at open houses.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle (Braylee Rush)

The handsome, Sir Kitty. Meow.

About the author: Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved assistant, Sir Kitty.

Art for the Office

Desert Arteries, 24 x 48 x 3 inches, Acrylic on Wood.
Copyright 2006 Mary Gravelle. In private collection, Tucson, Arizona USA.

I recently sold one of my southwestern landscape paintings to be hung in a new office space in Tucson, Arizona. Desert Arteries is 24 x 48 x 3 inches and an acrylic landscaping painting on wood. It's a handsome piece, or perhaps, pretty, since it's pink.

There is a possibility that more of my southwestern paintings will be purchased for the same office. The person who bought this painting is a friend. Not only does she love my paintings, but also wants them to be seen by the international audience that will be coming through the office space. It's always nice to have a champion of my art go to bat for me.

Original paintings lend themselves to commercial spaces such as offices, lobbies, or healing centers as well as personal home spaces. The energy that emanates from the original paintings enhance and uplift the ambience of any space.

"Original works of art have certain energies about them that reproductions and mass-produced decorative items simply don't have. You know just by looking at it that another human being made it, and not a machine." – http://www.artbusiness.com/whatgood.html

Follow the link from the above quote to find many more reasons for owning art, especially in the workplace.

What are your observations about original paintings hanging in office spaces? Does it detract or attract your attention and interest in that office? How does it affect your time spent there?

To see more of my southwestern landscape paintings, go to my website.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Gravelle (Braylee Rush)

The handsome, Sir Kitty. Meow.

About the author: Braylee Rush (Mary Gravelle) is an artist and writer who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved assistant, Sir Kitty.