Welcome!

Creating the Magic We Seek: Experiencing Art at Home

Hi friends, and welcome to my first blog post on SheltonArt!

When people come to my site, they often ask me why I make art. My answer is simple: art isn’t just something to hang on a wall — it’s an experience. It’s a way of shaping our inner world by shaping the spaces around us.

Too often, we wait for inspiration to find us. But what if we created the magic ourselves?

Art as an Everyday Aesthetic Experience

As fall approaches, the crisp Midwest air reminds me of Harry Potter—all the cozy, candle-lit spaces, pumpkins, and Hogwarts hallways. That feeling isn’t just nostalgia; it’s an aesthetic experience. It’s the way color, texture, scent, and light combine to evoke emotion.

You don’t need a castle to feel that magic. You can build it right where you are.

How to Start Creating Your Own Magic

Choose one small area of your home—a corner of your desk, an entryway table, a shelf—and think of it as a canvas. Then add elements that speak to your senses:

• Color: Warm reds, oranges, yellows, browns, olive greens, and deep purples immediately signal autumn and nature.

• Texture: A soft throw blanket, a small cluster of pinecones, or a handful of faux maple leaves with a few acorns.

• Light & Scent: A candle flickering with a scent you love (vanilla, cedar, or something seasonal) transforms a space instantly.

These little choices are not “just decorating.” They’re micro-acts of art—moments where you shape your surroundings and, in turn, your own mood.

Why This Matters

We all carry an inner child—a part of us that remembers wonder, imagination, and comfort. Some of us didn’t have picture-perfect childhoods, but as adults we can nurture ourselves now.

Adding artful touches to our home is a way of telling that inner self: you matter, your space matters, your experience matters. Research in environmental psychology shows that our surroundings influence our energy, focus, and creativity. Nature-inspired design—called biophilic design—reduces stress and restores mental clarity.

Art isn’t a luxury. It’s a tool for well-being.

My Own Practice This Week

This week I’ll be re-creating some of my favorite autumn moods. I plan to play Harry Potter Blu-rays on my Xbox while sipping homemade butterbeer and sketching loose drawings of Hogwarts characters. These little rituals feed my art and remind me why I make it in the first place.

I hope this post inspires you to create a corner of magic in your own home. Start small. Add something beautiful. Breathe it in. That’s where the aesthetic experience of art begins.

Until next time,
Elizabeth