I’ve always been drawn to enchanted paintings – the kind that feel almost alive, as though they’re whispering secrets from another world. You know the ones: women with flowing hair, jewel-like colours, strange flowers with hidden meanings. The sort of art that lingers in your mind and stirs something deep inside.
Recently, I’ve been diving into the Pre-Raphaelites and other mystical artworks from history, and I realised something – these enchanted paintings are more than just beautiful. They’re full of symbolism, emotion, and mystery. No wonder I can’t stop staring at them!
So I thought, why not bring that fascination here to the blog? I absolutely love hosting the Songful Style series with Shelbee and Marsha, and since I’ve just started taking part in the Style Imitating Art challenge again, I figured – why not take it a step further and explore the magic behind the art itself?
Art Witch: A Year of Enchanted Paintings
Each month, I’ll share a different artwork – usually Pre-Raphaelite or in a similar style – and explore the story behind it, the atmosphere it creates, and the feelings it evokes. Because I love fashion and creativity, I’ll also take a little style inspiration from each painting, imagining how we might bring a touch of that same energy into our modern lives. Some of the paintings I’ll be talking about are pictured.
Here’s what you can expect in the series of enchanted paintings:
- The enchanted painting itself (and the story behind it).
- The hidden symbols and meanings that make it so captivating.
- Style and mood inspiration you can actually play with – whether that’s colours, textures, or just an energy you might want to carry into your own day.
- A touch of spirituality – things like meditation, crystals, or simply soaking up the atmosphere of a painting the way you’d enjoy a poem or a song.
The idea is to explore how art can be more than something you hang on a wall – how these enchanted paintings can inspire us, lift us, and even change how we see ourselves.
Our first stop is September, and the painting couldn’t be more perfect: The Beguiling of Merlin by Edward Burne-Jones (1874). Think autumn shadows, magical forests, and the sorceress Morgana herself weaving her spell…
Stay tuned – this is going to be fun. And if you want to join in, please comment below so we can find your posts! I’ll be sharing the first post on Monday. See you then!
