on feng shui - a note from the artist

Simple Feng Shui Rules to Follow When Choosing Art for Your Home

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese science of living in tune with the energies of the earth. When correctly used, Feng Shui is known to create great fortune, improve your material well-being, and look after your good health. Literally translated, Feng Shui means wind water. In China, it is believed there is a powerful form of energy (chi) flowing around your home and workplace which can flow or stagnate according to the shape and form of your environment. If this energy (chi) flows at a steady, gentle pace; It brings benefits, such as good fortune and health. If the this energy (chi) is allowed to stagnate, or flow is blocked, the energy may bring illness, unhappiness or poor luck. The placement of paintings in a home is a good way to activate good luck. The basic rule to follow is if a painting allows you to feel good it will create harmonious energies for your home. If a painting appears threatening then it must be avoided.

Place a landscape when you first walk into a home. Paintings of landscapes which attracts the eye will give the illusion of drawing ourselves into the main part of the home.

Paintings of mountains are best displayed behind where you sit. Mountains offer symbolic support, and are excellent when hung in the study or work office.

Paintings of water views are best placed in front of you.

The living room, full of romantic energy, is the best place for paintings of flowers. Paintings of good fortune flowers are Peony, Chrysanthemum, Orchid and Magenta. It is believed that if a girl wants to marry, she would hang a painting of a Peony in the South corner of the living room. If you are single girl who wants to marry and find a good husband then hang a Peony outside your bedroom door. Note: Avoid flowers of peony in the bedroom of a married couple, for they could create the danger of additional wives.

If you want to marry, have a partner, want happiness in romance or family life, then hang a painting of the opposite sex. This will activate the opposite sex energy. For example if you are male hang a painting of a female, and if you are female hang a painting of a male. This results in a balance of energies and creates a happy ending.

Hang paintings of fruits where you dine. This creates the energy of abundance and wealth.

If you want children and are having trouble conceiving, hang a painting of children in the vicinity of the bed.

Avoid any paintings that seem threatening. For example, wild animals. Also avoid abstract art that contains sharp point, sad paintings such as Picasso's Weeping Woman and aging people. These paintings may send an inauspicious energy. If it feels threatening simply avoid it. If you're attracted to a painting and it gives you a good feeling, then most likely it will be auspicious, and will create harmony in your life and home. It's as simple as that.


The Relationship of the Five Elements and Choosing Artwork For Your Home

Wood is the East and is represented by the color green. It's season is Spring. Wood paintings would include young trees, green plants and skies with thunderbolts. If you want to activate family relationships and wealth prospects, place your wood painting in the east section of your home, room or office.

Fire is red, which is an auspicious color. Fire is also summer and represents the South. Paintings representing the fire element would include the color red in it, such as a red firey sky, flames or a picture with triangular shapes, as in jagged mountain peaks. If you want to activate your luck in either your reputation or personal fame place a fire painting in the South of your room or home.

Metal is the color white, and sometimes gold. Metal symbolizes the West and represents fall. Paintings of the metal element would contain trellises, metallic or round objects. To activate children's luck use the metal element in the West part of your home.

Water is the color black or dark blue. It represents winter and is placed to the North. To activate career opportunities and deep wisdom, introduce the water element in the West. Water paintings can be represented by winter landscapes, fountains, and also water scenes as in ocean landscapes.