What Defines Home | Beverly Gurganus Fine Art

I have been thinking a lot about home lately, and how I would define it.  Maybe because of the recent house portraits I’ve painted or maybe because of this season of staying at home (probably both).  Either way, it has been on my mind.

If we take look at Webster’s dictionary we can see home defined as “one’s place of residence”, but a home isn’t just a place we live, a means to improve our social status, flaunt our wealth or achieve the American Dream.  Home is less physical and more symbolic…it’s a feeling, and that feeling looks different to each of us.

Home is where dreams are made, new chapters begin, and stories end.  It’s being carried over the threshold, welcoming a new baby, hot meals around the table talking about the day, holiday celebrations, birthday parties, family movie nights, seeking wise council, laughing, crying, and praying together, high school graduations, collage diplomas, planning weddings, and saying goodbye.  It’s waiting for the kids to return home for a visit and holding the first grandchild. Home is our own little warm, cozy, and safe part of the world where we feel free to let life happen. Home is where our story begins and ends.

I can’t help but get emotional thinking about all of these precious moments that has happened in our home, and it has my heart filling full of gratefulness as well as sadness.  As I am approaching the big 50 this fall, I know how fast time passes.  Time will always move forward and can never be paused, rewound, or replayed, and before you know it you are left with only memories.

Creating a home for my family that evokes the feelings of warmth, comfort, security, rest, and love is important to me, and I have enjoyed using my home as another creative out lit.   Home should reflect the personalities of those who live within its four walls and adding meaningful and personal items to your decor is a great way to add personality.

As I mentioned, I have been working on some custom home portraits.  Each home is another character in each family’s story, and as I create each portrait, I think about the stories each home would tell if it could talk.  I can only use my imagination, but for each homeowner the stories are already told in their heart.  I feel so blessed to be able to be a part of celebrating the love of home with my illustration portraits.

 If you are looking for something unique and personal to hang on the walls of your's or a friends home, check out my house portraits as well as my other custom paintings to learn more.  Custom art makes wonderful gifts to be treasured for many years to come.