Nicole’s Faux-tisse Wall

My trip to Europe earlier this year left me inspired from head to toe.  A favourite stop during my time in the South of France was a visit to the Musée Matisse in Nice.  The museum showcases one of the largest collections of the French painter’s work in the world and is home to many of his famous cut-outs; I immediately fell in love with all the rich-hued, organic and somewhat naïve shapes.

This place had some floor to ceiling collage type murals of his shapes and recently, I felt compelled to try my hand at a mini version.  I used my split leaf philodendron as the inspiration for my shapes, because I had earlier made a connection between the plant & the painter.  I drew a bunch of free hand monstera leaves and cut them out…I’ve always loved cutting and pasting :)

I then stuck all my paper cut-outs up on a wall in my living room.  I tried to use the biggest pieces at the bottom and even included the small leftover bits near the top.

Et voilà!  Just call me a Fauve ;)  I really like the ephemeral nature of my faux leaves- you can switch them up whenever you like!  I think something like this could be cool as party decor…instead of a garland or something.  It’s kind of like a version of a blackboard wall…you can add some color or take it down whenever you want.  Merci Monsieur Matisse!

{Project by Nicole Valentine Don for Justina Blakeney est. 1979.}

For more Nicole,  visit her blog and follow her on instagram.

Photos by: Fiona Galbraith