Does a busy schedule keep you from getting away? Bring spectacular views of nature and wildlife indoors. Escape the stress of urban life with the colors of landscapes, open skies, and your favorite plants and animals.
Attention Restoration Theory (ART) asserts that people can concentrate better after spending time in nature, or even looking at scenes of nature. As a student of the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art, then as a scenic artist and muralist, I have painted landscapes of every type in every color of the rainbow. Just the act of creating large-scale vistas has a calming effect on me as I transform the feel of a space with a scene.
Besides opening a space by adding depth to a room; there are many opportunities to create natural surroundings in both public and private areas:
Man Caves, especially for the outdoorsman, could have a mural that recreates a favorite fishing or camping spot. I painted marsh scenes on the inside of rolling metal doors to a man cave decorated with photos, neon signs, and hunting trophies – it had an arcade, bar, television and other toys for entertaining with his boat and travel bus outside.
Feng Shui uses the elements of nature to create a sense of balance and can add a meditative feel to rooms for relaxation, for instance – a master bath, sunroom or library. Images of earth, water, air, and fire necessary to achieve feng shui can be represented by paintings of a zen rock garden, a bamboo grove or a pond with water lilies.
Workout Rooms can benefit from creativity – a stationary bicycle can be placed in the middle of the French countryside and using a treadmill can be a walk in the park complete with squirrels and pigeons. In the Polynesian Paradise mural, I was able to piece together Tony’s love of Tiki culture with some of his favorite creatures in a tropical landscape.
Dining Rooms, with an outdoor setting painted on the walls, can create the experience of an open-air picnic in a temperature-controlled environment without the nuisance of pests. I was able to mix local greenery and wildlife with iconic landmarks from Manchac’s past for Middendorf’s Restaurant. This Bayou Scene mirrors the view of the lake seen from the opposite wall of windows. Diners are surrounded by images reflecting the culture and landscapes of Louisiana.
Make nature a part of your daily routine by combining the arts of landscape and mural painting in your home and benefit from the sensation of a “staycation”.
- Treat clients or customers to a brief escape from urban life by offering a natural getaway when visiting your spa, restaurant or gym.
- A sense of peace and tranquility can be brought to day-cares, classrooms and other spaces for children.
- Visit the links below and throughout this blog to learn more about the using nature to reduce stress and increase well-being.