Inspired by art crawls, we thought it'd be fun to take a virtual look inside the homes of some of our team members to see what art they have surrounding them. We're hoping to spark some thoughts about how art is different to every person, as well as reflect upon what we have chosen to hang on our walls or display on a shelf -- and why. Art has the amazing capacity to be whatever a person decides it is, whether it is a painting by a famous artist or a drawing by your child or a found photograph.
If you haven't heard, our Ride Out is happening THIS Saturday (the 24th) at Stanley Park so we're bringing you our final tour in case you happen to receive a gift of art and need some inspiration for how to place it in your home!
Michele Mateus is our Project Coordinator and Co-Founder of Papergirl Vancouver. Michele has a love for art and community, which is why when the idea of Papergirl was brought to her by one of her volunteers at the Roundhouse she instantly became excited about the chance to put together an project involving volunteers and art! Three years later Papergirl has grown bigger than she could ever had imagined, and has taught her so much about the arts and how it can help to bring community together. "This project has restored my faith in humanity, it's so nice to see how much work goes into Papergirl, from both volunteers and artists; not to mention I have grown a love for bikes and enjoy looking for quirky works of art everywhere!" says Michele. This is evident when you look around her home and see the many works that have been collected on her travels, from friends and purchased works.
"I am a true believer that framing things, even as simple as a post card that you picked up on a trip or was sent by a loved one, is as special as an expensive work of art you purchased in a gallery. I am a minimalist and don't like a lot of clutter, though I do like to have special pieces from my travels around our home. It reminds me of experiences I've had and people I love as well keeps me inspired." Michele moved into her first house one year ago and shared that having to do this Art Tour reminded her that they need to hang up much of their art still, "It's so funny how we moved into our first house about a year ago, which has so much more space then our tiny condo had, though so much of our art is still lined up on the floor waiting for their spot on the walls!" As far as style goes she does not have one style, though her and her husband love music, mid-century modern and quirky graphics as well as abstract looking works. "I recently went to buy frames for a bunch of work and the store clerk asked if I was decorating a child's room. That made me giggle; I guess my husband and I have an inner child that comes out in the art we like to decorate our home with."