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How do art prints play a role in Feng Shui?

The imagery we surround ourselves with is very important for our overall harmony and well-being. Being selective of the artwork we display is particularly significant for the people who reside or work in the environment, those who spend many hours in the presence of the art. The subject matter, the colors, the quality of presentation, and the size of the overall piece in proportion to the room are some of the factors which affect us psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. Art has the power to affect us on conscious and subconscious levels, making artwork a wonderful and popular Feng Shui enhancement.

After we select a piece of art which we find beautiful or meaningful at a particular moment in our lives, Feng Shui reminds us to be mindful as we grow and evolve. Weeks, months, and years go by, during which time we’ve changed and matured. There are new people in our lives. We’ve acquired new skills, hobbies, interests, and goals. Our artwork should reflect who we are today, to support where we are in life and the direction we wish to advance in.

Will “classic” pieces, such as Water Lilies by Claude Monet, accompany you throughout your lifetime?

Once artwork is selected and displayed, there may come a time when it is hardly looked at or enjoyed anymore. We hope not, of course. We hope we’re purchasing “classic” pieces to accompany us throughout our lifetime. But sometimes there’s a print or photograph, a poster we’ve received as a gift perhaps, and sooner or later it has become a square or rectangular blur in our peripheral vision as we walk by. The initial enjoyment of receiving or selecting the art has dissipated, and so has its energy, its good chi. It’s critical at that time to recognize what has transpired, and then it’s time to shop for new art.

As a Feng Shui consultant, I ask my clients to seriously consider their artwork. Does it continue to have a positive effect on them and their environment?  Can they confirm and re-affirm that the meaning behind the art and the initial attraction remains relevant and continues to support who they are today and what they desire to attract into their lives? I ask them to pick a time, perhaps New Years Day, to inventory their art and see if they’ve lost touch with it and need to reconnect with it, or if it needs to be replaced.

Besides the importance of subject matter and our attraction to the piece, its quality and presentation are equally important. A recent client had a framed print of a vibrantly colored landscape, a forest with a gently flowing stream, but because the print had aged poorly, the now faded colors created a bleak, depressing energy. The image simply was not the beautiful print originally purchased. Rather than bring delight, the imagery shouted that the person is quite possibly stuck in the past, has difficulty letting go, or has a hard time making changes in their life. The print hung in the Creativity sector (based on the bagua), so it is not surprising that while this dreary, worn out artwork was part of the environment, the client’s imagination and creative expression had become stifled and needed to be reawakened.

The artwork we choose should give us a good feeling, should send an uplifting message, should be pleasant to look at. If we live in a household and the image is located in a common room, for example- a living room, we need to be sensitive to the feelings and opinions of everyone who shares the space. Selecting the artwork together eliminates this potential problem and makes shopping fun and purposeful.

What are some Feng Shui guidelines for choosing colors and imagery for a bedroom?

In adult bedrooms, artwork should represent couples, such as Endless Love by Alfred Gockel.

The bedroom should be a place of peace and relaxation, as well as sensuality and passion. When we require solitude, sleep, rejuvenation, or romance, we should be able to retreat into a welcoming and private environment. To create a room which supports these primary needs, pink (the blend of red and white- the colors of the Relationship sector), peach, light greens, and soft blues are commonly recommended.  White stimulates mental activity and makes shutting off the mind challenging, thus leading to too much thinking and difficultly falling asleep. If you are restricted and unable to paint the white walls in your bedroom, art is a great ally.

Each individual, each couple, and each floor plan is unique. Tastes vary from person to person, and the bagua can suggest colors according to the bedroom’s location.

Art print selection for adult bedrooms should be romantic, sensual, and peaceful. The options are endless. To support relationships, artwork should represent couples (happy couples!) and exclude images of single people. Hanging artwork in pairs is another Feng Shui tip for people already in a relationship and for those seeking one.

What are some Feng Shui guidelines for choosing colors and imagery for a children’s bedroom?

Images with a lot of green, such as Safari Group: Giraffe and Rhino by Yuko Lau, are great art prints for children's rooms.

Children’s energy! I wish it could be bottled. Ideally, children should actively play outside of their bedroom (including computer and television usage) so that the bedroom functions as their retreat and entering its embracing atmosphere encourages a good night’s sleep. Try to incorporate into the décor and artwork your children’s favorite colors. Dark colors should be avoided, or brought in here and there in small doses. Primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) or colors with high saturation can be too loud and should be used sparingly. The choices are limitless and unique to each child’s taste and personality.

In Feng Shui, red is considered the most auspicious, the color of luck, strength, and success; however, too much red can promote aggression. A little goes a long way. Black, browns, or grays can cause depression or laziness. Green is a wonderful color for children, as it supports healthy growth and opportunity. This is, of course, true for adults as well.

Imagery should be delightful, playful, and to encourage right behavior and relationship with others, the art should represent togetherness, group play and activity, friendship, and love.

What are some Feng Shui guidelines for choosing colors and imagery for a living room with a purpose of entertaining?

Yellow is a wonderful color for entertaining.

Orange encourages gathering and enthusiasm. One Orange Art Print by Shirley Novak can be used as a wonderful accent piece.

It’s energetic and cheerful, helping bring people together. Orange encourages gathering and enthusiasm, but could feel overwhelming if use excessively. Richly saturated colors, such as red, purples, blues, and greens can be used as accent colors to stimulate activity and balance the elemental factors for overall good Feng Shui. In an active room, white is a beneficial color for conversation and intellectual activity. Black and white artwork works well in the Travel/Helpful People sector of the room.

The subject matter should reflect the room’s intention- that of gathering, socializing, friendship, and enjoying active, quality time together. Attractive abstract art adds a dimension of creativity and hangs appropriately in the Creativity sector of the room. Images depicting scenes of sports or hobbies relevant to the residents’ interests make nice conversation pieces while supporting the interest.

What are some Feng Shui guidelines for choosing colors and imagery for a living room with a purpose of relaxation?

Relaxing colors for a cool, peaceful environment include soft tones of blues, purples, and greens. These colors promote serenity, spirituality, and harmony. For a warmer space, use pinks and peach tones, which are healing and nurturing. An attractive shade of brown stabilizes the room, creating a restful space while having a grounding effect. However, too much brown will eventually produce sluggishness and stagnation.

This is a wonderful room to display images with meditative qualities, Asian or Zen-inspired pieces, images from your religious orientation, and beautiful, serene scenes of nature.

What are some of your favorite art prints?

Petunias, 1925 Art Print by Georgia O'Keeffe - Finished frame size: 41 x 27.625 inches, Frame: Flat Front Black, Mat: Tablet White (1 inch)

When I stood in front of John Pitre’s “Dawn of Religion”, I wanted to walk right into it. The mysterious, spiritual scene has a J.R.R. Tolkien vibe. As a lover of sci-fi and fantasy, it’s right up my alley. His “Trinity” is another favorite. And Goro Fujita’s digital art print, “Meditation” is a personal favorite and would make a wonderful addition to my meditation room.

A lover of nature, which marries well and contributes to my interest in Feng Shui, I find Georgia O’Keefe’s classic floral paintings very beautiful and uplifting. The vibrant purple in her “Petunias” is fantastic.

It’s difficult to say who is my favorite artist or print, though. It’s like asking me what my favorite dessert is!

Renate Maria Bell Bio

Renate Maria Bell holds a degree in Interior and Architectural Design from Cazenovia College and is a graduate of The Sheffield School of Interior Design’s Feng Shui Interior Design program. She is a Red Ribbon Professional Member of the International Feng Shui Guild, a Vedic Astrologer, certified through the American College of Vedic Astrology, Jyotish Visharada, and an approved teacher with the Council of Vedic Astrology. She is a self-published author of the novel “Chasing Bees” and owner at Integrated-Interiors: Feng Shui Consultations. Renate currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information, visit: www.integrated-interiors.com.

Tags: feng shui decorating tips, feng shui for bedrooms, feng shui for living rooms, Georgia O'Keefe and Feng Shui, Georgia O'Keeffe art prints, selecting art prints