I have a picture on my office wall that my wife hates

I know art can be divisive but it’s always surprised me how it’s just this one picture that stirs up such emotions.

“It’s just so depressing, I don’t know how you can have it hanging on your wall and stare at it every day!”

Granted, it is a bit dour, not helped by the fact it’s black and white and a subject matter that’s well, not exactly life-aspiring or cheery. Also, I appreciate, it’s a reflection of what a lot of people are experiencing at the moment. For all the gloom, it’s always had a positive effect on me – the window frame to my left (filled with colour, movement and sound) is starkly juxtaposed with the not so ‘bundle of joy’ linocut to my right.

It’s not that I’m a gloomy character, fugly has just always been more intriguing for me, especially in the visual arts, guess it’s just a matter of taste.

Which leads me nicely into other people’s taste

I’ve always taken an interest in peoples’ choice of wall art; the size, colours and sometimes dodgy subject matter, as if I can talk! Occasionally I ask what inspired them to choose a particular piece, sometimes it’s best to avoid it altogether.

Now that we’ve been communicating a lot more through video chats, this got me thinking about my little linocut of misery (I do have cheery pictures too!) and how a ‘bit of art’ can spark interest in a room. I know it’s difficult finding something affordable or knowing where to start, especially if your taste is… unusual.

I’ve always had a soft spot for printmaking. It’s a perfect medium for creating affordable, limited edition original artwork, direct to a wall near you. And at present, I’m all too aware that artists out there desperately need your support, especially as confinement has limited access to their communal studios. I thought I’d share a link below to a faithful servant in times of need.

So, as I’m just about to settle in for another Zoom chat (other online chat services are available), I’ve just made sure the office is presentable, that there’s a smile on my face, but more importantly, making sure my picture frame stays well and truly out of 'the view'.