Walking down my stairs makes me happy. It’s not the walking, it’s not the direction, and it’s most certainly not the stairs that improves my mood. It’s the recently acquired artwork.

A while back I decided that my house needs to represent me better and that it sure could use a splash of color on the walls. As easy as painting appears to be, it’s a challenge for us literally unhandy Tredways (if you don’t get that, I apologize—it’s another blog post for another day). What I wanted was artwork. Made by friends. I know a number of really creative, really talented people and I wanted their handiwork on my walls.

So, from my sister-in-law Kristin, a photograph. Emily, my childhood cat, lived her happiest years with Adam and Kristin. The image is the sweetest composition of Emily, basking happily in the sunlight on top of an armoire, and it sits above my desk, at the base of the stairs, for inspiration.

Then my friend Liz Estudillo Chaffee showed her work before leaving the states for a new job. I had spent the day at the last garage sale I will ever host—really, I mean that—and I ran my weary self over to the gallery with permission to buy an anniversary present for myself. Within minutes of walking by Liz’s paintings, I knew which piece I wanted and Liz even commented that she thought that one was for me. It’s companion piece resides with my friend Christina, which is a little fact that makes me happy. When a friend kindly hung it above our stairs, just opposite the front door, I felt for the first time that my house reflected me.

Kristin’s photo. Liz’s painting. And now, Collin Geldmeier’s work.

We have two very tall friends at church. Collin in the younger tall dude and he is a talented photographer. I’ve enjoyed viewing his work over the last year and I am so glad he answers my photography questions with grace and his characteristic laidback attitude. I was immediately attracted to the work he showed at the Redeemer gallery last summer and was thrilled when those pieces came into my possession. They are photos of winter scenes, from Colorado I believe, and they are perched above the window in our stairwell. Every time I walk past them I think, “Thank you, Collin.” They add quite a bit of elegance to such a small corner of the house.

I walk up and down this staircase a lot. When I do it with my eyes wide open, I find beauty from the handiwork of some awesome folks. Trust me, it’s much better than the blank walls that were there before. Much much better.

**This post is part of a series called January Reflections. It is hosted by Corrin of The Glorious Impossible and I’m doing it because I like to write but sometimes need a bit of prompting to do so.