Luxury Light: Art, shmart! (And other brilliance)

First….thanks for awesome welcome back!

I am really excited to get back to writing about things I love (like unicorns and glitter!) and hopefully some new projects!

So on my journey of embracing “Me Time” (a.k.a. unemployment) I decided girlfriend here needs some culture! I’ve been wanting to see the Helmut Newton exhibit, “White Women – Sleepless Nights – Big Nudes”, at the Museum of Fine Arts, so what better time than the present, right?

Oh, did I mention my cable is out…

Going to the MFAH was like catching up with an old friend…and old friend who has a kick ass art collection, but isn’t snobby about it, but still won't let you touch it (even if you washed your hands! Twice!) Those of you from Houston have probably gone to the MFAH countless times on school field trips, but when was the last time you went on your own? Hmm….Exactly. Here are my reasons why you should go:

Your cable is out and you have exhausted your “Watch Instantly” que on Netflix. (What?!)
So people notice the little round MFAH sticker on your shirt and think “She’s good looking aaand cultured. Schwing!” (yes, I just used a Wayne’s World reference while talking about fine art, literary juxtaposition at it's finest)
It’s air-conditioned. (‘nuf said)
You don’t have to spend more than 5 seconds looking at a painting you don’t want to. (there’s some weird art out there that frankly, I don’t get.)
When was the last time YOU saw a Van Gogh, or a Picasso, or a Monet, or an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus? (ME: Yesterday Beeechez!)
The ticket to the exhibit was only $7.00! (Suck on that Edwards Cinema!)
There are pretty things to look at.
This world has produced some pretty amazing, talented, and fascinating people and the proof is in their art.

So what kind of ‘art’ do you have in your home?

Oh, me first? Ok.

I’ll give you a hint – it rhymes with “shmotography”. Since I’m just rolling in dough at the moment (not) my means to obtain any pieces are at this time – limited. But I have always loved photography, especially black and white. Not only do I love the end result, but more so the process it takes to create the piece…and the process I am talking about has nothing to do with uploading, photoshop, or color correcting. Processing film, manipulating light, concocting the correct chemical bath, and the moments in which you watch with bated breath as an image develops onto the page like magic is, well, pretty damn awesome. Photography used to be more of a tangible experience but now has turned into a very technical and somewhat sterile one, in my 'professional' opinion. Yes, it’s great that you can instantly see the image and delete if it’s not to your liking…but don’t you remember the excited feeling you got when Walgreens called and told you your prints were ready? (Because you know we all checked the 1-hour processing box). And when was the last time you actually printed a picture? That long ago, huh?

(Oh, yeah, that's me in the pic, self portrait, age 20.)

Try creating an actual album instead of just one on Facebook.

Are you sick of me babbling about art yet? Me too. Almost done. Promise.

Create a “Gallery Wall” in your home to showcase your family’s art. This can be a collection of photographs, children’s art, prints, you name it. Here are some of my favorites…

Very simple and very DIY...

Source: younghouselove.com via Meredith on Pinterest

If you have a collection of cool prints...

Source: betterlivingthroughdesign.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Small Area - Big Impact... (PS - love how the thermostat just disappears into the art!)

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Have a bunch a mixed frames? Paint them all 1 color and BOOM...anchors your art collection!

Source: traditionalhome.com via Meredith on Pinterest

I call dibs on this nursery! (You use my inspiration and I will cut you.) Oh and yes, my hipster baby needs art too.

Source: paloma81.blogspot.com via Meredith on Pinterest

And before you just start hanging crap...er...I mean, art on the wall. Plan people!

Source: bing.com via Meredith on Pinterest