Art for the walls

Sometimes people say to me about a particular rug, "You'll never be able to sell that one." And I always seem to disappoint them when I say, "Yes it is for sale." Over time I sell all of my rugs.

If one I feel I cannot sell, I give it away. Like the portrait of my mother over the fishbones. That was donated  to the Shorefast Foundation that runs the Fogo Island Inn. The collection, The Very Mention of Home belongs to the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. If I feel so attached to a rug that I cannot sell it, then I want it to go to a permanent collection of art somewhere where it will be looked after for a long time. 

Mostly, I want to sell my rugs so they will belong to people, to families. I love the idea of the rugs keeping people company in their homes. Of children seeing the same piece of art in that place again and again and associating it with home. The idea that my rugs grace people's homes comforts me. I know the pleasure and comfort that I get from the rugs and other artwork that is in my home. They remind me of things, they take me places, they soothe me, they make me think. Living with art is powerful and transformative in a way that is similar to making art. 

Knowing that another living soul put their spirit into the image on your walls changes your relationship to it. It brings life into your space. I love art for this reason. It deepens my space, makes it unique, solely my own. There are some pieces of art in my house that I have lived with for thirty five years. Others are just a few years old. I have not stopped buying art because I believe that my soul needs new art, and I also want to support artists and small creative businesses. They are so important. Art and craft make my home my home, one that is handmade, beautiful and cozy. 

So I am happy to sell all my rugs for another reason, and that is because it inspires me to make more. Knowing that my rugs are in someone's home makes me want to make more for other peoples walls. I know what art can do for a home and I love that other people discover this. I think about what they see in the rug as it becomes part of their daily life. How it becomes a symbol of coming home or being home. It comforts me to know that it comforts them.