Banana Tropics I
Carol Hallock
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Tropical Art Essentials—For a fresh interior

If you live in the desert, during intense days of heat, you long for a little moisture in the air and someone waving a palm leaf over you until you finally doze off and are dreaming about strolling on the white sands of a caribbean island or lounging poolside and sipping a sweet coconut beverage.

So, how do you create a tropical decor style like this in your living room or bedroom? Easy, keep the palette a creamy neutral and then incorporate tropical art, emphasizing sun, green lush plants, parrots, beach scenes with evening sunsets. You can be broad with your tropical art choices or you can lean towards a specific island style. Hawaiian art is always popular, but so is the art from Tahiti. The famous Post-Impressionist artist and painter Paul Gauguin would agree with the later choice, as his art represents his passion for capturing that tropical paradise's bold colours and island charm. Too bad his relationship with Vincent Van Gogh was so rocky, as it would have been truly fascinating to see what Van Gogh's eyes would have seen, with regards to the flora, if a trip together could have been possible. After all, he had his straw hat ready for long hours painting on a sandy shore.

BALI

What comes to mind, when thinking of art with a Bali theme, is how wonderfully the Balinese understand the balance between form and function. They seem to value art that is incorporated into everyday items as much as a Bautan painting hung on a museum wall. This is a lovely home decorating concept because you can actually use an everyday item such as a pair of nicely carved wooden spoons with a parrot design on the handle as much as you can admire the artistry. And then you can display them hanging on a wall because they are usually so beautiful. However, why not enhance the dining-room with Balinese serving utensils AND with a print expressing Bali.

Artist Art Fronckowiak's, 'Bali Cove' or Rodolfo Jimenez's, 'Bali Garden' 

II' comes to mind as perfect examples of this. These prints will give your dinner guests permission to dream of Bali as they gaze off through the palm trees and tropical flora. Who knows, they may even feel like they're having an Indonesian dinner in the openness of a Bali bamboo cafe. Just don't forget to include Black Rice Pudding for dessert.

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FERNS

It doesn't get any more lush, fresh, and tropical than with young ferns. Artist Steven N. Meyers fern photography looks like the shoots just uncoiled about an hour ago they seem so fresh and new.

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FIJI DREAM'N

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FLAMINGO PINK

We have a long standing joke in our household; if you stand like a flamingo, no one will see you. Why is that a good thing? Well, they might just give up looking for you to help do the dishes... All kidding aside, a pink flamingo is such a tropical icon. You could be driving down a street in the middle of Alaska, see a pink flamingo lawn ornament, and instantly your mind will conjure images of that looks more like the southern tip of Florida. Go ahead. Try it here. Just look at these beautiful flamingo art prints and see where your mind wonders to.

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HAWAII

Hawaiian decorating wouldn't be complete without a scenic print. You can choose an art print that carries an aura of serenity, like artist John Elk III's, 'Na Pali Coast, Ke'E Beach, Kauai Hawaii' or you can go for a little island excitement with photographer

Joe Carini's photographic print called, 'Kilauea Volcano Erupts, Big Island, HI'

. Either way, these island scenes perfectly represent the word Aloha' (Alo, meaning presence and 'ha' meaning breath. To verify this hearsay I conducted some research and found that the following travel site concurred: www.to-hawaii.com/aloha.php). On every trip I've ever taken to the islands I've often wondered how I could re-create it's tropical presence in my home; this is the Hawaiian way.

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HELICONIA

Many people will often think that these little tropical botanicals would be called a Bird-of-Paradise, however that wouldn't be quite right. In actuality, a common name for the Heliconia is a false Bird-of-Paradise or a Lobster-Claw.

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HIBISCUS

Take a look at Steven Meyers interpretation of this lovely flower. The translucency and tone would give a chic elegance to any home whether is was tropical or not.

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ORCHIDS

The word 'exotic' is often how many would describe an orchid flower, but I've always found that surprising, I mean, what is so unusual about these botanical gems that we would chose a word with a meaning similar to the word 'alien'? I guess I can see them as unusual, or should I say, exotic, especially when used in the phrase 'exotic charmers'. It doesn't take me long to fall under their spell at the flower shop, and the next thing I know I've purchased a stem and I'm heading home to find an utopian spot that will do their beauty justice, while at the same time give their soft, delicate, petals protection. After all, the Infinite Creator must have encountered a similar dilemma, hence why they live in such exquisite places like the tropics where jungles protect and nourish them with fresh air and perfect humidity. That might be a decorating tip when choosing a tropical decor theme: pick an orchid print, like

artist Lee Carlson's, 'Golden Orchid I' or Annemarie Peter-jaumann's 'Orchid II'

; surround it with a bamboo inspired frame, a conservation mat and UV/Non-glare glass to protect it; then hang it on a wall painted with subtle earth tone colours that even a lush jungle would envy as a backdrop. This art will surely add an unusual charm to your Garden of Eden.

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PALM TREES

As I sit here pondering how to express exactly why Palm Tree art is so essential to consider when decorating home or office walls that long for a tropical flare, I decided that eating a sweet date would help get the juices flowing, palate wise and creatively. Yum! Delicious! Zing! Oh no now I'm dreaming that I was slurping back an ice cream date shake from Indio's Shields Date Gardens. Ok, ok that may be enough of these sweet treasures. Better get back to the topic at hand. So, what is it about this plant that speaks desert AND, in this case tropical? I think, if you were going to pick a logo representing sun, sand, and a balmy breeze abound, it would be one of these towering beauties that would represent it. To prove my point, take a close look at

artist Lois Brezinski's, 'Blue Palm'

, you may not know specific facts about where that palm could be located, but you definitely know the aura or mood of the environment. And that mood is what you, as a decorator, are pursuing when finishing a room with art prints that epitomize a tropical style.

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PARROTS

One of the most amazing moments of my life was the first time I saw a wild parrot. I was onboard a cruise ship heading into the Panama Canal. Anxious about seeing one of the wonders of the world, little did I realize that I was about to see another wonder of nature—two wild parrots, flying in formation, crossing the bow of the ship heading towards, what I'd like to believe, a South American jungle. At first, it didn't really sink in just how nonchalant I had been about seeing birds, especially parrots, in captivity. I would never make that mistake again. They are wild and they are beautiful. Here, the following artists, have captured that essence. Of course, based my experience, I just had to offer you artist

Joel Sartore's photographic artwork called, 'A Mated Pair of Red and Green Macaws'

. Now, that's a special capture...

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PEACE LILY

Most Peace Lily flower images are often set against green, which makes sense as that would be the colour of its home walls, so to speak. However, when I created the

black and white fine art photographic print titled, '0001 Peace Lily Flower'

, I knew I wanted to focus on how beautiful the white petal was. It was so luminous in that moment that it was almost transparent. The only thing not perfect about this piece of artwork is that I should have given it a more regal art title, like 'Tropical Radiance' or 'Illuminating Peace'. Guess I'll just have to come to peace with it...

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PLUMERIA

Everyone enjoys receiving a warm Hawaiian welcome with a Lei around their neck, especially one that has been created with Plumeria blossoms. They have such a sweet fragrance. So, why not have an entrance or hallway carry a warm tropical welcome in your house or beach cottage with some Plumeria art prints. Personally, I love the pure white little flowers, like the ones in the

art print titled: 'Plumeria View' by artist Peterson

. That way, no matter what your wall or carpet colour is, the image will complement the aesthetics in an exquisitely fine and pleasing manner, which is exactly what this little bloom lives for.

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STRAW HATS

"Put your hat on or you'll get sunstroke!" Gee, how many times have you heard that at the beach. And you will definitely hear that in the tropics during the heat of the day. So, whether it is a straw hat, a panama (like the hat I am wearing above), a pith helmet, or a chupalla make sure your tropicana walls have at least one hat on it.

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SUNSETS

You would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful sunset than what you would find at the end of the day on a tropical beach. Just look at those orange tones; magnificent!

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TAHITI UNSPOILED

When it come to Tahitian art, one can't help but think of Paul Gauguin. I couldn't possibly do the artist's bio justice, so I'll recommend wikipedia.org for that, however, I can tell you what still remains in my mind from my art history classes. He was an artist that had convictions. Maybe not ones that a church or government of his time would agreed with, but none-the-less, he stood by them. The one I most identified with was his longing to find freedom in paradise—paradise spelt u-n-s-p-o-i-l-e-d. As far as his art goes, no doubt his woodcuts were the closest to representing native artwork of the South Seas, however most of us find his paintings the most appealing, especially the

art print titled, 'Tahitian Landscape'

 as it is very popular. The bold, rich colours. The simple unspoiled life...

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TIKI TIKI

I wish I could say that the first Tiki I ever laid eyes on was during an aircraft fuel stop on the Cook Islands, however, it wasn't. That would have been the second time I saw a Tiki. That would have been an authentic wooden statue. No, instead my first Tiki sighting was a decorative embellishment at a Polynesian restaurant that was located smack dab in the middle of a city. I don't know how, or exactly when the Tiki culture emerged to adorn the exteriors and interiors of restaurants, but it came our way—far, far away from any tropical island. Instead of a refreshing sea breeze over the Polynesian-styled table-setting, there was an indoor heater blowing such dry air it chapped our lips. Instead of palm trees tickling the sky overhead, there was a... Well, there's really no point sounding like I was un-approving of the restaurant, because I wasn't. In fact, I loved it so much it inspired me to save money for travel to the lands where pineapple beverages were freshly squeezed, the sun was the source of heat, AND the Tiki guarding the front entrance, commanded such a presence that even you didn't dare question the Maori myth that the image represented first man. Personally, I like the story that these wooden icons mark a sacred site. Isn't that what your home is? So, if you're looking to decorate your space with a significant tropical symbol, then I highly recommend hanging a Tiki print.

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UMBRELLAS

If you can't find your straw hat, at least put up an umbrella to hold the sun's burning rays at bay. That way you can stay outdoors longer and enjoy the cool ocean breeze that circles the equator. According to Wikipedia.org, approximately 40% of the human population lives within the tropical zone, and who knows the number of tourist visiting the zone at any given time, so just imagine if everyone had an umbrella; that's a lot of umbrellas! Yikes, my mind is wandering like I've been in the heat too long. Better get under the shade too. Anyhow, you will only need one piece of umbrella artwork to set a tropical decor style. More umbrella art under Beach Decor.

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WATERFALL

What would a tropical island be without a waterfall to bath under?

Tom Weber's, 'Waterfalls I' art print

 would definitely knead the kinks out of your back with that kind of flow. But, for a quieter, romantic setting,

Rodolfo Jimenez's tropical print titled, 'Sacred Pool I'

 carries that type of soothing essence. All you have to do it choose the energy you'd like your home interior to convey.

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WICKER IS THE PATTERN

To create a home environment with a tropical touch one must gravitate towards a light and airy feeling and the best textures to create that feeling is with wicker. Now, if you would like a different take on the concept of 'wicker' why not use art prints that express that very statement. A close-up of a woven basket definitely registers a way of living that will breathe freely.

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