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Living in a Museum

Living in a Museum

Rick writes:

Maria and I recently had guests visit. After tea and some great conversations, we walked around our home, telling them about all the art that covered the walls (and the woodwork and the furniture and the windows and the . . . you get the idea).

 

 

 

 

 As they were getting ready to leave, one of our guests asked, “What’s it like to live in a museum?”

My first thought was to say, “Create some art, hang it up, and you will find out for yourself!” 

But I second-guessed myself. Would that come across as too blunt and harsh? So, I answered with something generic like, “It’s wonderful.”

After she left, I thought, “What a missed opportunity!” 

So, with the benefit of hindsight and more time, here is what I could have said. 

“It’s wonderful. But it’s wonderful because Maria and I and our family made most of the art you see. A few were gifts. A few were family heirlooms. A few we bought.  
 
“The main point is, you can make any place you live into your very own museum. One way to do that is to display your own artwork. In our home, our creations are mixed in with pieces we collected over the years . . . it all adds up to the feeling of a museum. 
 

"So, this is my challenge to you. 

"First, create something yourself. This is the beauty of the Zentangle Method . . . you discover that it feels great to surround yourself with your creations – like a gardener would feel walking in his garden.

"Second, figure out a way to present it with respect and gratitude. Perhaps you find a beautiful old frame for it. If the frame is damaged, well, you can make that beautiful as well! 

"Third, find a place of honor in your home and hang it up. 

"Repeat. One beautiful creation at a time. 

"Soon enough, you will have the answer to your question, 'What’s it like to live in a museum?'”

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I heard that George Weiss, CZT, displayed his Zentangle art in his home. I asked if he'd share some images from his "museum." I know I had high expectations, but what he sent blew those away. Thank you so much, George!

George writes:

"The value of framing and hanging your Zentangle artwork at home is in its presence as a decorative reminder that you can bring beauty and soul into your daily life – no admission ticket or fee required. You’re the curator and only you can add, remove, and replace each creation ("no mistakes"). Each of them is helping you refurbish your Zentangle house – one picture at a time."

 

 

 

Maria adds:

It was always a dream for me to live in a museum.  I mean . . . really live in one.  Maybe I should have been a docent, visiting the artists as I pleased, guarding the art like it was my job.But now, here I be, living and loving the dream.  Who knew it was so easy? You just need to dream it and create it, one piece (peace) at a time. (And . . . be willing to have lots of holes in the old walls!)I find moving them around, from room to room, sometimes turning them 90 or 180 degrees makes me see them in a different light, changing my own perceptions of each piece.And it’s a great way to entertain visitors.I highly recommend this way of life. 

 

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So, dear reader, please tell us in the comments below what it's like to live in your museum! 

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Thank you to everyone who shared your heartfelt stories with us on our last blog, Pulling at My Hearstrings. We have randomly selected commenter Molly Siddoway King to receive a Zentangle surprise. Please send your snail mail address to julie@zentangle.com

Rick Roberts

45 comments

  • Love your museum… keep it coming

    Jefletch on

  • My house is full of zentangle, fiber art, drawing and other media – most of it done by me! I love seeing all my things on a daily basis. I would love to see pictures of other folks’ museums – and share my own.

    Stefanie Spikell on

  • Thanks for sharing your museum story! We’ve been cultivating and living our own, as well, and love how it enriches our lives. Visitors – adults and children – are captivated and express feelings of welcome and warmth and acceptance. Sweet!

    Danielle on

  • I studied art in community college when I was oh so young! I remember buying my first painting from a Mexican artist on a trip to Mexico. My dear husband was in the Army and we both love to travel, so I’ve been blessed to see so much of the world! And I continued to purchase art whenever I could find something from a local artist I also worked in a fine art frame shop for awhile so I have several of my own pieces framed. Art from around the world, art from friends, and family members and my own art. I never thought of it as a museum before and now I will always be grateful for living in my own museum! Thanks for this beautiful post!

    Brenda Campbell, CZT 29 on

  • A gardener walking in their garden … A perfect metaphor.

    Thank you for making me aware that my home is my gallery, art museum and ‘living history’ of my 70 years.

    Leave a mark!

    Ann Baum on

  • I have many pieces of art work hung all around my art gallery/museum house. Some of them are county fair blue ribbon winners I did, others are family heirlooms and still others are collections of art bought from around the world or gifts. From Zentangle to fabric painting/quilting, to paper cutwork to Disney cells and more. Such a variety and love it every day. I have even set up my own private mini Zentangle gallery in our Disc golf pro shop as a place to both sell and inspire others to try Zentangle.

    Sue Lesle CZT on

  • Thank you for sharing. I have 3 framed tangles in my dining room that I look at every meal…along with pictures of grands and great-grands. Also my shower curtain that I tangled several years ago and light switches thru the house. I also make cards that I send for birthdays, sympathy, graduations etc. I will probably never buy a card again. Thanks again for sharing.

    Patty on

  • Yes, my dining room turned art studio is covered with Zentangle art. It brings me happiness to be in this special place. My artwork as well as tiles sent by students adorns the walls, is displayed on tables and is stacked on a cake stand because Zentangle is sweetness.

    Nancy CZT18 on

  • You two are a great inspiration to me. I’m waiting on a frame to come so I can display my first museum piece….PP 19. I was blown away by how it turned out and beyond proud of myself! Thank you both!

    Joyce Saunders on

  • We have art from our travels displayed and I have two pieces of my own Zentangle Inspired Art framed and hung. My husband recently discovered how much of my “art” is not displayed and has urged me to work on framing some more. My father was an artist and potter and I grew up in “museums”. You have inspired me to work on our “museum”.

    Suzanne Fluhr CZT 18

    Suzanne Fluhr on

  • Rick and Maria – your museum is beautiful. I have begun to display my artwork as well. It just makes my heart happy to look at it, that’s the simple truth. It still amazes me that I created it. You are both such an inspiration! Thank you!

    Diane on

  • Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your “museum” with us. It is truly inspiring. I’ve recently started a “museum” of my own and enjoy it daily!

    Carol R. on

  • I’ve started this process in my craft room. I love walking into it. Now to start letting it spill over into the rest of the home.

    Lori Riden on

  • What a wonderful way to ‘live in a museum’. I absolutely agree with Rick – why not surround ourselves with our own art interspersed with a few special acquired pieces? Simply creating something wonderful and then storing it in a drawer means it may never be looked again. What a shame that would be.

    Kathy McMurtry on

  • Amongst framed jigsaw puzzles, favorite photos/prints, sayings, and a few quilted pieces, hang some Zentangle creations. You can even find them mixed in on the fridge with the magnets we collect on our travels! And on my desk. Little frames picked up at yard sales remind me of our neighbors, their “trash” now my “treasure”, holding yet more, moveable from space to space. A feast for the eyes, heart, giving me pause and respite in a busy day, And spurring me on to create more, to express more from my heART.

    Ginger White CZT34 on

  • I am SO inspired by your home ‘museum’…gorgeous! I have so many Zentangle ‘works of art’ scattered around, in boxes, albums, really everywhere, but very few on display! Time to dig out the many frames that are stashed in boxes and closets…call me INSPIRED! Thank you so much for sharing with us, not only the Zentangle Method and this wonderful story, but your lives as well! Grateful!

    Marty Deckel on

  • After getting over a long illness.I started to display my art work on top of a long book case in my living room. Every time I pass it I think of how far I have come …not only in getting well but with my drawing display I can see how joyfully my life has evolved by learning the Zentangle method

    Julie Crosby on

  • Love this…much inspiration! I’m off to pull out the odds and ends of frames I’ve stashed in closets and drawers…and then to frame some of my Zentangles. Soon to live in my own museum!

    Pat Miller on

  • I love your museum. Recently I had a particularly stressful day. I sat down to draw and was so agitated I couldn’t do it so I pulled out my Zentangle stuff. I felt such a sense of calm. I could not believe it. It was amazing. I’ve never felt that kind of transformation before. Thank you for such a wonderful gift.

    Barbara on

  • I have really just started feeling confident enough to frame and display my own artwork, mixed among the special items I’ve bought over the years. It truly makes our home feel extra special to be surrounded by things we love, and it’s also rewarding to get compliments from friends when they visit. I never thought of it as a museum, but you’re so right!

    Kathy Cody on

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