Discover the GROUND FLOOR Series - Retro, Textured Paintings
GROUND FLOOR large canvas diptych
GROUND FLOOR 1 - SOLD
GROUND FLOOR 2 - 72 × 36 inches
Explore GROUND FLOOR 1 & 2 paintings
each measuring 6 feet wide by 3 feet high. As a pair, or diptych they cover 6 square feet.
They’re a bit like fraternal twins.
They don’t need to be together to stand out. They’re similar enough to create a WOW factor alone, or as a pair.
I alway love to create my paintings so they can be hung in any direction. For me it offers the chance for others to react to my paintings in a personal way.
Depending on your own preference and the wall space, they can be installed alone, together, vertically, horizontally or any direction.
How’s that for versatility!
GROUND FLOOR painting shown over a sofa
GROUND FLOOR diptych shown installed horizontally
My inspiration to paint the two large GROUND FLOOR paintings came from the worn colors and patterns of an old linoleum floor from the 1940’s or 50’s.
I’m not the only artist attracted to these designs, colors and textures. Many artists have been inspired by this design period.
How Linoleum Patterns of the 1940’s and 50’s influence Artists today
Here are some interesting ways that linoleum patterns from the 1940s and 1950s have influenced artists:
Retro Aesthetic in Modern Design: Artists and designers use vintage linoleum patterns to evoke a nostalgic, retro feel in modern works, often through bold geometric shapes, pastel tones, and contrasting colors typical of mid-century aesthetics.
Graphic Patterns in Pop Art: Pop artists have drawn inspiration from linoleum’s repetitive and graphic patterns, integrating them as backdrops or elements in paintings, especially in works that emphasize consumer culture and domesticity.
Textural Inspiration in Digital Art: The worn and sometimes uneven texture of aged linoleum floors has inspired digital artists to recreate these effects, adding a layer of tactile realism to digital illustrations and design.
Patterned Ceramics and Pottery: Ceramists have replicated the iconic linoleum patterns, with checkerboards, swirls, and floral motifs, in glazes and surfaces of ceramics to reference mid-century household aesthetics.
Installation Art and Immersive Spaces: Some installation artists recreate entire rooms or flooring patterns reminiscent of 1940s-50s linoleum to immerse audiences in a vintage, nostalgic experience.
Textile and Fashion Design: The patterns, originally intended for floors, are now being adapted in fashion and textile designs, appearing on fabrics as bold, repeating prints in vintage-inspired clothing lines.
Illustration and Poster Art: Illustrators borrow linoleum’s color schemes and pattern styles in posters, greeting cards, and book covers, using the instantly recognizable retro patterns to communicate themes of warmth and home life.
Printmaking Techniques: The repetitive, durable designs have inspired printmakers to experiment with linocut techniques, not only using linoleum as a medium but also echoing mid-century motifs in their work.
Urban and Street Art: Some street artists incorporate linoleum-inspired patterns in murals, creating an anachronistic blend that connects mid-century domesticity with modern urban settings.
Upcycled Art and Collages: Artists interested in sustainability use reclaimed linoleum pieces in collages or sculptural art, repurposing these materials while preserving their historic patterns and textures.
These influences reflect how linoleum, once a utilitarian floor covering, has become a muse for a variety of contemporary artistic expressions.
Dive into the love of physical texture and retro color with the GROUND FLOOR diptych paintings.
Watch the Video below to get the whole story and see the old floor patterns that inspired me.
In this short video artist Shirley Williams talks about the inspiration for the two paintings titled Ground Floor.
The four detail shots below, give you a closer peek at the intricate collage, paint and drawn layers of colour and texture in this series.
I use only professional quality paint and materials that are 100% archival to create my art. The paint texture will never peel or flake off and the canvas will never sag.
Every painting is finished with special acrylic varnish to protect it from dust and UV light.
This professional grade varnish means hanging near a window is totally ok!
Close-up details of the painted and textured surface of the GROUND FLOOR paintings.
Below you see me sanding and scraping the painting surface. This process reveals the colors and textures beneath the surface.
The multiple layers of hand-painted paper collage and acrylic paint create a sensuous effect that becomes more fascinating the closer you look.
Visual Artist Shirley Williams working on the layers of two GROUND FLOOR paintings.
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