It always makes me smile when we visit our friends. Most of them have large, expensive pieces of art on their walls, sparsely hung to suit their stylish interiors.
We, on the other hand, have a mad clutter of bits and pieces hotch-potched onto every available wall. Sure, we have a few larger pieces, like this limited edition John Olsen lithograph that I picked up from Reverse Garbage for $2…
But mostly our walls are packed with family photos, framed postcards by artists we admire, and homemade projects. Every piece has a story and every piece is treasured. And here’s what I’ve come to realise over the years – art doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has to bring you happiness! Sitting on a wall and seen daily, it can not only lift the spirits, but also serve as a gentle connection to the people who created it.
Pete’s beloved cousin Sarah passed away in 2011. Twenty years ago, she and I traded a stack of homemade blankets for two animation cells from her short film Small Treasures, which hang in our hallway to this day. They make me smile whenever I stop to look at them…
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Here’s a simple craft project to add more art to your life…collect all the dodgy advertising magnets that end up in your letterbox…
Stick them onto the back of postcards or photos with double-sided tape. I used magnetic sheets that I found from Reverse Garbage for mine, but I’ve used fridge magnets in the past and they work just as well…
Voila! Instant fridge art! These gorgeous postcards from my friend Han Cao cost just US$4 each, but they bring me cheer every time I open the fridge…
Of course, there’s always room on the fridge for Grayson Perry…
I took this photo of Chuck Close’s self-portrait when we visited San Francisco MOMA in 2016. It’s been on the fridge ever since, a happy reminder of a wonderful day…
Also, don’t pay a fortune for new frames! We’ve discovered that our local Salvation Army stores sells used ones for very little – these two cost us just $5 each. It was the work of minutes to display a few more of Han’s postcards in a stylish and very sustainable way…
Finally, my favourite work of hers (at the moment) is Sisters, perfectly showcased in this $1 rescued frame that I picked up. It’s hanging by the door to our living room, and always invites conversation…
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If you’d like to read more about framing postcards, have a look at the Charley Harper post I wrote a few years ago. Wishing you all a fun and creative day!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Fun, fun, fun art! Nice that what we put up makes us happy.
I love this Celia. We’ve been doing the same thing. Collecting art that feels like us and that we love. It’s been bringing me so much joy.
That’s the secret, isn’t it, hon? We don’t need to impress anyone or keep up with the Joneses, so we get the freedom to cover our walls with whatever we like! 😉
yes that’s what we do too. bits of this and photographs of that that invoke a memory from another time in our lives. Probably the most expensive piece is a Michael Leunig cartoon he signed I bought and framed as a gift for my husband. The caption reads :Love one another and you will be happy. It is as simple and as difficult as that. There is no other way……… Kind of sums up reality.
I love all of this! Our house is also filled with art that means something to us – mostly the kids art over the years, once put into a frame it becomes a gallery piece and like you Celia, each picture gives me a smile and a beautiful memory. We have treasured photos framed and an oil in hues of purple that a friend painted for Matilda. I love our eclectic style, it’s ours.
It’s so important to surround yourself with images that make you happy. I have collected art since I was in my 20s, none of it very expensive but all of it original and things that made me happy AND helped to support the artists. I think my most expensive painting made me defer getting a mortgage for 6 months. But it was worth it; it makes me smile every time I look at it, and 6 months is nether here nor there in the lifetime of a mortgage, is it?
Second hand frames are very useful – and can be spray painted to make them fresh if they’re looking a bit ‘seedy’.
I agree that art has to be something you love not something you think might increase in value. They won’t necessarily make you happy.
Love this! I enjoy searching thrift stores for unique pieces to put on the gallery wall in our bedroom. Such a fun way to find cool artwork!
Jenna ♥
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So much fun! The best walls and homes reflect what the owner’s personality and they love the most!
Super ideas for lovely art displays. I was interested to see that you mention Grayson Perry. He has lifted my spirits during lockdown with his two ‘Art Club’ series on tv. I don’t know if you are able to watch it but if you can it is such a great feel good programme.