The Inspiration for Three Groovy Retro Paintings

The inspiration for three groovy retro paintings came from my daughter, Margaret. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in May, and wanted to upgrade her apartment for graduate school. Her lookbook photos were suprisingly 1970s. In the end, we went with persimmon instead of burnt orange- because items in this color were readily available and just a tad bit more modern. The persimmon substitute gave her groovy style a modern twist.

I liked the colors in the progressive dandelion pictures from the Stylized Boutique, but wanted to substitute the tan color with mustard yellow. The photo from Justina Blakeley’s blog looks more desert than South Carolina, so we left the blue and pink out of the color scheme for the apartment. The combination of abstract paintings, drawings, and plants is appealing. Also, I appreciate how both room photos are less than perfect, like someone has just gotten out of bed, leaving the covers nicely rumpled.

Let’s look at the before and after pictures of the decor scheme before delving into the paintings it inspired.

Before and After Pictures

The bathroom in my daughter’s apartment was cute before, but very neutral. The new colors are like a breath of fresh air! The flowers on the shower curtain are described on Amazon as “shabby blooms.” The leaves have muted greens and grays to match the new bathroom rugs and sage comforter in the bedroom.

The apartment bedroom was unadorned and devoid of paintings or accents. However, the sage green comforter was a perfect starting point for the persimmon, lime green, and bright yellow items we added.

We switched out the old dresser for a small side table and deep coral lamp. The cafe canvas and bird painting were thrift store finds with the colors we were seeking. Next, we added silky gold sheets and textured pillows in retro patterns to give the subdued bedding the burst of color it needed. We aren’t finished yet, and I definitely want to add more plants and accents, then pop in and take my own photos of the space. But for now, I am happy with the results.

Seize the Day When Inspiration Strikes!

I have always loved string art, owls, mushrooms, and all things 1970s. The progressive dandelion paintings in Margaret’s first idea photo (the third picture of this post) had my attention. I couldn’t stop looking at it. Does it represent the wind or someone making a wish?

The trio inspired me to paint a trifecta featuring three types of mushrooms. Traditional 1970s burnt orange, avocado green, and mustard yellow were the perfect combination.

Most trifecta, or trio paintings highlight the same thing in three different ways. One example I have seen a few times is a trio of palm tree paintings. The middle painting usually has a single object (a tree, a landscape, or whatever) while the two paintings on the outside might have a pair of the same objects or scenes painted from different angles.

The idea for the burnt orange mushroom painting was a “forest of mushrooms.”

I painted the single mushroom in avocado from the viewpoint that it towers over the viewer, since it is the center and focal point of the trio.

Have you ever painted, or wanted to paint, a trio or trifecta? Do you have one in your home? I would love to hear from you. I hope you enjoyed reading about The Inspiration for Three Groovy Retro Paintings.

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