It's controversial but ...

You know, for weeks I have been planning to write a blogpost about a controversial topic—those darn “live, laugh, love” signs. How could those be controversial you may ask? Well, I wanted everyone to rip them off their walls and put real art up. I wanted you to boycott big box store art sections where they don’t attach an artist and their name to the work of art being sold. I wanted you to support art and therefore support artists and designers who create the item you’re hanging on your walls.

But here’s the thing, this pandemic has changed the world and changed me. I sat down to write about how terrible those signs are and I just can’t muster the words. If you like those signs, and they bring you joy, then keep ‘em up I say. Joy is needed right now, and you should surround yourself with the items that bring you joy. (So somehow, this post is turning back into a controversial topic because designers and artists and other galleries may disagree.) It’s just that, now more than ever, your home should be your sanctuary.

You should be able to walk into your home and have it bring you a sense of happiness and love. Your home should be the place that reflects you and your family. It should show off your love of travel or be covered in the colors you want to be around. And honestly, if those “live, laugh, love” signs are an important reminder to you, then by all means, have one in every room.

If I may though, I’d love to offer a non-judgmental alternative to those signs—why not try some original art? Whether it’s from our gallery (and of course, I hope it is) or from a local artist whose work you adore—try art first. By buying an original work of art you will simultaneously be supporting another human and their passions and also fill your blank walls with something beautiful. A double whammy of goodness and you can feel great about where your hard-earned dollars went. And speaking of those dollars, it doesn’t have to be expensive. Sure expensive is relative but you can find original work at a huge range of price points. I’ve personally purchased original work starting at $30.

So my my thoughts are not-so-controversial anymore, I just want you to live around the things and the people (at a safe-distance when needed) that you love. That’s what I think the world needs, and maybe just maybe, consider original art that makes you live, laugh and love.