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West Meets East© By Caroline Patrick Invitation to Write Captions for Pictures for ARCHITECTURE+ Recently I was asked to write an article about Feng Shui and the power of color in design for an international architectural magazine. After explaining the Bagua used centuries ago to divide our living spaces, design places of worship, and create peaceful surrounding which invite and attract good Chi or energy, I began visually taking the reader around the eight-sided equal form using examples of paintings I have created. to enhance each section of the home through Color, Shape and Element.
Colors are symbols of different aspects of Chi. They correlate to the five elements of water, wood, fire, metal and earth and their corresponding colors on the Bagua. Using artwork to activate any space is a powerful way to enhance any floor plan. The change is immediate. Color transforms the room with either the correct image to match the floor plan or "destroy" the flow with a destructive force. Example: don’t place a painting depicting Water in the center of a home, or workplace. The center of a building or house contains the Earth Element and reflects the health of the family or workers. Water erodes Earth!
Captions for the paintings counterclockwise are as follows starting with the Gua or front entry of any space.
CAREER/JOB OPPORTUNITIES: A painting entitled THE CROSSING, an image using the colors of black, dark blue or dark gray will encourage the flow of Chi into the doorway, inviting money toward your life. Place near the entry to your home or business to active job opportunities.
KNOWLEDGE/WISDOM: Entitled THE GUIDE, in colors of blue & green, I painted this unknown image one day starting with the eyes, not knowing where this watercolor image was taking me. I felt ancient wisdom merging throughout my body as the wise woman reveled herself with each brush stroke. Use artwork in this area symbolizing Knowledge, a picture of any deity or person you consider inspiring. Place a blue book on a bookshelf under this picture to complete the balance.
FAMILY AND HEALTH: The TREE OF LIFE’s predominate color is green with some yellow to indicate health of the family. The subject of lush trees and forest ensures the stability of the family and the flexibility of the unit as the leaves and limbs bend in the wind.
WEALTH/PROSPERITY: Entitled ABUNDANCE. Use colors of purple or blue and red to insure abundance in your present and future. Lush flowers, coins, fish and water features are all good choices. Watch out for storm-related images forcing and blowing money the wrong direction or huge massive water falls pressuring money down the drain.
FAME/REPUTATION: Title THE AWAKENING. Red dominates the wall in wild explosive action as Chi or energy bursts into the room. This painting has been a favorite of my clients. I haven’t been able to part with this picture as it is me. Creating this large painting for a Napa Valley Expo Gardening Show was my pleasure as it demanded passersby to enter my booth. Using red or featuring animals in this area of the Bagua can assure you attention in the business world.
PARTNERSHIP/RELATIONSHIP: CIRCLE OF LIFE also remains in my collection as a reminder of the energies of the Chinese Zodiac assimilated into a perfect relationship, whether in a marriage or business venture. Pink is the dominate color of love, or a mixture or reds and whites can stimulate romance. Use pictures in the bedroom with a romantic theme.
CHILDREN AND CREATIVITY: Title BUDDIES. Fun and hobbies are the purpose of this space. White is the color used to indicate a metal Qua. I use this room or side of a structure for the studio, playroom, office or kitchen, where happy pictures smile down on the occupants in a playful manner.
HELPFUL PEOPLE AND TRAVEL: THE GUARDIANS. This is the Gua where things happen. An overlooked section, in my opinion, in which the color gray mixes business and pleasure. Using a spiritual image for symbolizing help from the other side or maybe a painting of a far-off place you have been or plan to visit.
HEALTH/CENTER/OR THE TAI CHI. WALKING PATH. Now to the middle of the Bagua. I have spent many hours walking on this land where I lived in Hawaii, grounding me to the Earth. Using colors of yellow changes the vibration of any space with a health-producing effect. You can also use oranges and tans with subjects using square pottery the shape symbolizing Earth.
For a visual understanding of paintings and how they influence your home and business, log on to my websites for more examples of the power of color and how it can change or support your intentions when Feng Shuing spaces.
Career profile for Caroline Patrick, author of THE POWER OF FENG SHUI ARTWORK IN THE HOME AND BUSINESS Caroline Patrick has conducted over 2500 Feng Shui consultations and has documented many of these experiences in her weekly newspaper column titled WEST MEETS EAST, which has been a highly popular addition to the Benicia Herald’s newspaper each Wednesday for the last six years. Teaching is her passion and for the last 35 years Caroline’s range of subjects has included art, herbs and Feng Shui. Her classes and workshops fill with eager students learning ancient ideas in a modern format. Her past and present teaching experiences include Cochise, Pima, Arizona Central, Solano and Skagit Valley Colleges in Arizona and California and Washington State. Santa Clara County Teachers Council Conventions, AMA Continental Congress Convention of Surgeons, and Medical Research Facilities have asked her educate their employees and spouses, and Feng Shui their facilities. She has appeared on television and radio. Business owner of Caroline’s Arts and Feng Shui Shoppe in the San Francisco Bay Area for eight years, Feng Shui Practitioner, speaker, teacher, writer and author, Caroline has recently relocated to the Northwestern U.S. and lives on an island in the San Juans. Her current consultation business is called Caroline’s Feng Shui Concepts. Caroline can be reached at: Caroline’s Feng Shui Concepts 2511 Commercial Avenue Anacortes, Washington 98221 (360) 293-2268. caroline@fengshuiartistry.com www.fengshuiartistry.com www.moongateschool.com |