Art Should Move Your Soul, Not Match Your Curtains

There’s a phrase I hear sometimes that always makes me pause: “I love it, but it doesn’t go with my curtains.”

Now, I completely understand the desire for a beautiful home where everything feels harmonious. We all like things to ‘go’. But when it comes to art, I believe we need to think a little differently. Art isn’t supposed to simply fill a gap on a wall or coordinate with the fabric of your sofa. At its best, art moves your soul. It speaks to something much deeper than colour schemes or décor trends.

Dreamscape

The right piece of art isn’t chosen the way we might choose a new cushion or lampshade. It’s something you connect with on a level that’s hard to explain. You see it and feel that little spark inside—a moment where your heart lifts, or quiets, or stirs. It might remind you of a place you love, a memory, a mood, or even a feeling you can’t quite name. That’s what art is meant to do: create an emotional response. It’s about heart before house.

When I create my linocuts, whether it’s a windswept coastal scene, a peaceful forest, or a vibrant tree in blossom, I’m always aiming for that connection. I want someone to stand in front of my work and feel something. Perhaps they’re reminded of childhood holidays, or the calm that comes from standing under ancient trees, or the simple joy of watching sunlight dance on the waves. That moment—where their world pauses for a second—that’s where the art lives.

Paper Lanterns

Of course, it’s lovely when a piece also happens to work beautifully in your home. But it shouldn’t be the first or only consideration. Because homes evolve. Furniture gets updated. Paint colours change. But art that touches you will always belong. It will find its place wherever you are, because it holds meaning that endures beyond trends and swatches.

I often think of the customers who’ve shared their stories with me. The woman who returned again and again to the gallery to look at the same seascape until her husband surprised her with it for her birthday. Or the person in Japan who bought one of my prints because it reminded them of a trip to the UK coast. These pieces now live in their homes, not because they matched a particular shade of blue, but because they spoke to them personally.

So, if you ever find yourself saying “I love it, but…”, I’d gently suggest flipping the question: Does it move me? If the answer is yes, you’ve found your piece. The curtains can take care of themselves.

Flame Tree

Because at the end of the day, art isn’t really about decoration. It’s about connection.

Joanne