CREATING A HAPPY GALLERY WALL
Everyone I know is watching The Home Edit! Yessssss! Why not make a special wall or hall around your home super happy, too?
I can PROMISE you my laundry room doesn’t look like this photo most days! I did tidy to show you that despite the USUAL loads of “clean but unfolded” laundry all over the place, this room makes my heart so HAPPY. Because it’s filled to the brim with years of my kids’ creations.
Don’t stress! Hanging up and showing off your kids’ artwork should NOT induce anxiety!
It’s best to find a place in your home that can handle ALL the goods - as in, ART EVERYWHERE! This could be your laundry room, a stairwell, a playroom, a wall in your child’s room, or even a bathroom! Let them know their artwork gives you joy and pride. Mix up some colorful/fun family photos or notes you treasure along with your artworks. This is all about creating a happy place.
Use cheap frames, nice frames, washi tape, masking tape, or stick pins. This is the chance to embrace imperfection and just begin. Filling a wall or a hall somewhere in your home with ART will fill your artist's’ love cup. They’ll know you’re so super proud of them.
When looking at a blank wall, I always begin in the middle. That way as our collection of art can grow “up and out” over the months or years. I literally “eyeball” frames or papers to hang up. I try to have around 2-3 inches around each piece so that there’s a little order to the fun chaos.
Your child’s artwork will mature and evolve as they grow older, and I believe WHOLEHEARTEDLY that you should not have to “change out” artworks each year. Just keep adding works to create their “art journeys” made visible. It is so common for children to look at their work from the past (even last year) and say they don’t like it…. your job is to remind them of how much they grow each year, and how PROUD you are of their work! If they are absolutely determined to have a piece taken down, then by all means honor that…but usually a situation like that is a great chance to talk to your awesome artist about growth and maturity as an artist, and grace towards themselves!
I hope this little post inspires you to just begin! Keep creating, my friends!
Liza
*** Amazon Affiliate Links to the frames I love are here. You can also find these easy snap-on frames at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s! Or head to your local thrift store to make a magical eclectic wall of different frames.