Art in Their World.1
Tori, Collin and there sweet Poppy invited me in their home for my first interview of my “Art in Their World” The Living Collection. This is Tori and her families story.
Blessings,
Jess.
Who are you, beyond what you do?
I am a deep-loving person who feels at my best when creating comfortable, cozy spaces to spend time with loved ones. I love providing for others and have a knack for anticipating needs. I am a strong thinker; I enjoy tough conversations that challenge my perspective. I am passionate about creating a balanced way of life and known for desperately trying to convince others to do the same. You can often find me in a garden pulling weeds, on our pool deck hosting family, downtown embracing our little hometown, or wherever my climbing vine of a baby wants me to be alongside her.
What drew you to this piece?
I love the fluidity, it gives me an immediate sense of calm. The colors also work well with our home. But this piece really took a place in our hearts when my husband said it reminded him of a painting his grandmother made. Now, whenever I pause to see it, I feel her in the room with us, admiring it too.
Where did you hang or place the piece in your home, and why there?
She hangs above our living room sofa. It’s the center of our home, and for a long time I was nervous to commit anything to that space. When we saw the piece, it was undeniable that we needed to have it there. We never questioned its placement. That’s where it belongs.
Is there a specific texture, layer, color, or brushstroke that your eyes keep returning to?
The strokes of blue through the plains are what initially drew me in, but my favorite details are the burgundy accents through the bodies. I love the ‘unexpected red theory’ but never want to force it. This piece brought that into our living room and ultimately it became the focal point of the whole space.
When you look at this piece now that it’s yours, what do you see that you didn’t see when you first found it?
In a literal sense, I see that the figures as zebras because my niece (~2yo at the time) said that once, and it was so silly and pure. But when I really take my time with the piece, I feel the generations of women who walked before me. This is preempted by my husband’s impression, and further felt after hours and days spent under the piece with my daughter. She spent months looking straight through me studying the piece while I nursed her on the couch below. It has always calmed her.
What does your home mean to you?
Our home is a place to gather. We were very intentional about choosing a home that could serve as a melting pot for the many branches of our family.