“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
This is one of many sage thoughts by Dr Jane Goodall who is famous for her work with wild chimpanzees. I am a great fan of Dr Goodall and her writing. This is a timely reminder given the state of our world today.
At any time our actions have consequences, some good, some bad, some having an intended impact, some having an unintended impact.
Having An Impact
The quotation is also very pertinent in the context of developing a piece of art. The idea of deciding what kind of difference, what impact, you as an artist want to make is something I can really relate to.
As I have said before my art is designed to create a mood, often to impart healing and promote a sense of well-being. I make choices in developing pieces about what mood I want to create, what particular illness, perhaps, that I want to work directly with through my art, or perhaps the context in which I can see the work hanging (office, hotel lobby, hospital room, someone’s bedroom etc). And then my intent is focused on the final image I have in my head that needs to be created. I set out to make a difference.
Having An Impact With Bedroom Art
So, for example this piece ‘Primula Lilac Fantasy’ started off as a simple photograph of a Primula (Vulgaris Belarina Amethyst Ice for you avid gardeners) which has large lavender-blue double flowers. Stimulated by the lavender color, I wanted to create a soft, relaxing, pretty piece ideal for a bedroom and where I could offer a piece of wall decor with a matching duvet cover and throw pillow (scatter cushion to you Brits).
Therefore, I adjusted the colors to make the flower petals a softer lilac color and allowed that to bleed through the image rather than remain in the boundaries of the flower outline. The result is a pretty, relaxing image which should have the desired impact in a bedroom.
Looking At Things In A Different Way
For this experimental piece, ‘Look Another Way’. I took a completely different approach. As before, it started with a photograph, this time of an interesting roof structure – I am a sucker for lines and angles! I could then see the potential for creating a mirror image and enhancing the suggestion of a pair of eyes so are you staring up at the roof from inside or is someone looking in on you from outside? So, this is designed to be looked at and to challenge your perceptions. It certainly has an impact!
Relaxing and Peaceful Images
‘South Downs View’ is based on a photograph of a flock of sheep grazing in the sunshine against a dramatic backdrop. Nature images are particularly relaxing and useful in healthcare settings so I knew that this would be the perfect image for a patient’s waiting room, hospital room or a care home. At the same time it would work well in hotel bedrooms. I deliberately adjusted the coloring of the image to enhance the highlights to create a softer feeling and add a texture. I could sit and watch those sheep graze all day (I wish it was hanging in my doctor’s surgery instead of bare white walls!).
‘Tranquility Discovered’ is a really peaceful image I created. I became a contributing photographer to Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals and donated this image. Since then my photograph has been used in Australia, Careggi Hospital in Florence, St. Paul Minnesota, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. I think you can call that having an impact!
A version of this article was original published on 7 March 2016 and this reworked version was published on 25 February 2022.
Before you go
My name is Dorothy Berry-Lound an artist and writer. You can find out more about my art and writing at https://dorothyberryloundart.com.
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Thank you for reading!
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