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Speaking at Design Week Rhode Island: Art as the Soul of Interior Design

Shilo Ratner geometric abstract painting in modern interior design - Design Week Rhode Island speaker - image credit: Powell Fine Art Advisory (powellfineartadvisory.com)

I'm honored to be included as one of the speaking artists at Design Week Rhode Island, joining Kelly Taylor Interior Design for a panel discussion on how art transforms interior spaces.

Art Meets Interior Design at Design Week Rhode Island

I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be speaking at Design Week Rhode Island alongside Kelly Taylor Interior Design and Candita Clayton Gallery. This is an incredible opportunity to share how I work with interior designers to help their clients visualize how original artwork will live and breathe in their spaces.

I believe deeply that art plays a powerful role in transforming a space — not as an afterthought, but as a foundational element of great interior design. I'm excited to share my knowledge and experience with fellow artists, designers, and collectors at this special event.

About the Event: Artful Harmony

Artful Harmony: Art as the Soul of Interior Design is a combination talk, Q&A, and gallery show that explores the essential relationship between art and interior design.

The event is built around a simple but powerful premise: Would you have a living room without a sofa? Or a bedroom without a bed? For Kelly Taylor Interior Design and Candita Clayton Gallery, art is simply a non-negotiable component of any interior.

What You'll Learn

Selecting art for your home can feel like a daunting task — but not when you have the right tools and team. In their decade-plus collaboration, Kelly and Candita have honed the process of helping clients learn to speak their souls and complete their interiors with art. At this event, you'll discover:

  • How to select art that truly reflects your personality and complements your space
  • How artists work with designers to visualize artwork in client spaces before purchasing
  • The secrets of integrating art with interior design seamlessly and confidently
  • How to get started collecting no matter your space or price point
  • How to truly enjoy the experience of building an art collection

My Role as a Speaking Artist

As one of the featured speaking artists, I'll be discussing how I collaborate with interior designers to show their clients how my geometric abstract paintings will work in their specific spaces. This is something I'm deeply passionate about — bridging the gap between artist and collector through the language of design. That drive is rooted in a core artist philosophy I've developed over years of working at the intersection of minimalism, landscape, and abstraction.

My contemporary abstract paintings are designed to elevate interiors, bringing calm, sophistication, and visual interest to modern spaces. Working with interior designers allows me to ensure that each piece finds exactly the right home.

Art and Interior Design: A Natural Partnership

The relationship between art and interior design is one of the most exciting conversations happening in the design world today. Great interiors aren't complete without art — and great art deserves a thoughtfully designed space to live in. When art and interior design work together:

  • Spaces feel complete — art anchors a room and gives it soul
  • Color palettes harmonize — art can set or complement the color story of a space. My own approach to color has been deeply shaped by the work of Josef Albers and his theories on how colors interact
  • Personality emerges — art reveals who lives in a space in a way furniture alone cannot
  • Investment value grows — original art appreciates while enhancing daily life
  • Emotional resonance deepens — art creates moments of pause and reflection in the home

About Kelly Taylor Interior Design

Kelly Taylor Interior Design is known for creating interiors that are as personal as they are beautiful. Kelly's approach centers on understanding her clients deeply — their lives, their tastes, their aspirations — and translating that understanding into spaces that feel authentically theirs.

About Candita Clayton Gallery

Candita Clayton Gallery in New London, New Hampshire, is one of the galleries that represents my work. Candita's expertise in connecting collectors with art that speaks to them makes her the perfect partner for this kind of event. Her decade-plus collaboration with Kelly Taylor is a testament to the power of art and design working hand in hand.

Event Details

  • Event: Artful Harmony: Art as the Soul of Interior Design
  • Part of: Design Week Rhode Island
  • Date: Tuesday, September 19, 2023
  • Time: 5:30–7:30 PM
  • Venue: The Studio at the Dye House
  • Address: 46 Dike St, Providence, RI 02909
  • Format: Talk, Q&A, and Gallery Show

Who Should Attend

This event is perfect for art collectors looking to learn how to integrate art into their homes, interior designers seeking to deepen their relationship with original art, first-time buyers who want to start collecting, design enthusiasts interested in the intersection of art and interior design, and anyone who wants to make their space feel more personal and complete. If you're unsure where to start, my room-by-room art size guide is a helpful resource before you attend.

Explore Original Art for Your Interior

If you're inspired by the idea of original art transforming your space, I invite you to explore my collection of geometric abstract paintings. Each piece is created with the same intention — to bring calm, sophistication, and visual depth to the spaces where it lives. Whether you're working with an interior designer or curating your space independently, I'm happy to help you find the right piece for your home or office.

View Original Art Collection

Commission a Custom Painting


Follow along on Instagram for studio updates and event announcements.

Auch lesen

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