My parents instilled in me a severe love of art and a habit for collecting pieces. As we travelled the U.S. on extensive summer road trips, our van would be loaded with pottery, prints, and various thrift store finds. I have very distinct memories of watching my parents scrutinize watercolors from local artists at the Oregon Coast and selecting earthy plates to bring home for our pottery collection. I cherish those holidays and get such a thrill seeing the pieces in daily use at my parents' house.
From their example, I likewise accumulate artwork. In Cyprus, I stocked up on handmade baskets, pots, and paintings. I can't wait to unpack them all! When I went to Utah a few weeks ago, I visited one of my favorite galleries with my mom. Once again, I was making memories and deciding to bring some of them home with me in the form of handmade craftwork. While the space is stuffed to capacity with pottery, the walls are adorned with some of the most breathtaking paintings of the southern Utah landscape. I fell in love with the epic vistas and warm colors. Knowing full well that I a) didn't have space for a giant painting in my carry-on, and b) that I couldn't justify the cost of such a glorious piece, I opted for a travel and pocket friendly alternative. The gallery had a lovely selection of 5x7 notecards with some of the images I loved the most for $2 each. I selected three that I thought worked well together and brought them home with me. (Easy fit for that carry-on!) The frames were a steal from Walmart, costing a measly $3 a piece, including the mats. So for less than $20, I have a lovely triptych to fill the walls of our future House of Dreams.
Art doesn't have to be scary, expensive, or inaccessible. It can be as simple as a pretty card framed in a cheap frame. It can fill your home with memories and deepen your appreciation of all the places you have been. Art can be for the everyday, not just the gallery.
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