'Let the sky take hold of your breath' original starling murmuration painting. Grey and blue and brown watercolour and natural ink wash background with tiny black ink and watercolour birds in a starling murmuration.

How do you know if a painting is meant for you?

'Let the sky take hold of your breath' original starling murmuration painting. Grey and blue and brown watercolour and natural ink wash background with tiny black ink and watercolour birds in a starling murmuration.

'Let the sky take hold of your breath' Original Artwork by Agnes Becker (2022)

 

How do you know if an artwork is meant for you and your home? Perhaps you feel suck in indecision, wondering whether a piece you're considering is ‘good’ art, whether it goes with your decor, etc.
 
The truth is, the decision on whether an artwork is ‘good' or not lies very much in the eyes of the beholder. I've lost count of the times I've been told by someone who doesn't do a lot of art that if a piece looks like “they could do it”, it isn't “proper” art. 
 
Of course, skill has a huge part to play and the better an artist gets at their craft the more they can use their skill to get across the feelings they want to convey in their work. For some a very detailed picture of an animal may light them up, for others, it may be a huge abstract piece based on a landscape that resonates.
 
So, how do you tune out all the external noise telling you what is ‘good’ or not and instead hear the intuitive voice inside? Here are 3 questions you can ask yourself:
  1. Do I love artwork? If the first time you look at the piece you love it, then it resonates with you on a deep level. If you still aren't sure, ask yourself:
  2. How does the artwork make me feel? If what comes up is how you'd like to feel in your home, then the likelihood is that whenever you gaze at the print on your wall, those feelings will be sparked. For example, perhaps you want to feel inspired in your home. If the artwork helps you to feel inspired when you look at it then it will make a great fit for you and your home.
  3. What does the artwork remind you of? Perhaps the piece sparks some beautiful memories of times with loved ones or a time in your life where you took brave decisions. If the memory or reminders that come up are ones that support you and lift you up then this artwork is for you.
And if you're worried about how it works with your decor, you may find the words of interior stylist Hannah Bullivant helpful:
 
"Think of your home as a museum of you filled with things that move you, remind you of happy memories, and connect you to your favourite places and experiences…choose artwork that lights you up, fills you with joy and means something to you personally."
 

How I would love you to feel

Of course, as the artist, this is how I'd love you to feel when you see one of my starling murmuration artworks on your wall, but in the end, what you love is what is most important:

 

You're in a rush when you see it. The painting.

It's morning and you need to get somewhere and the kettle broke so you didn't get your tea. And you'll probably be late. Again.

But as you run down the stairs, you see the painting in front of you and for a moment you stop and begin to melt into the ancient world beneath - the world that is always there. The world where you feel alive and full of wonder and creativity.

And in that moment you can almost feel the cold wind on your face, almost hear the rush of wings as birds gather in the winter sky. The murmuration begins to move and swirl and dive, a thousand wingbeats fluttering, together. Like the mutter of pages turned in haste. You are transported to a moment, a moment not long ago and also as old as life on this earth. A transformation takes hold.

You take a deep breath and carry on - heat on, coat on, boots on. The panic in your body replaced by the starling murmuration swirling in the wild, untamed places of your mind - a remembering that you are nature, you are powerful and beautiful and full of wisdom. You are more than enough. You belong.

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