Modern Art + Nail Art: Mark Rothko

I’m very pleased to report that I’ve done very well in holding to my New Year’s Resolution to keep my digits polished…this may be the first time I’ve made a resolution stick for this long! But really, it’s not that hard when you enjoy the entire process.

I’ve made the weekly manicure at home a bit of a ritual. Each Sunday evening, I queue up a few TV shows, gather my tools, and spend the next few hours polishing and chilling out.

Last week marked the last of my dark colours before transitioning into my brights and pastels for spring and summer – I’ve got a nice deep dark purple by Revlon – but midway through, I felt like kicking it up a notch and adding another colour.

Mark Rothko, Red and Brown, 1957

French tips, half moons, zigzags…there are lots of nail art ideas out there that can handle being taken into a corporate environment. My favourite inspiration is from the art world – namely, the work of American painter Mark Rothko.

Mark Rothko, Purple Brown, 1957

I love the play of colours, the simple lines and that his work can be at the same time bold, and subtle.

The base colour is Revlon’s Plum Night and the Rothko-esque highlights are OPI’s Miami Beet, topped off with Essie Matte About You. Beaded ring picked up a few years ago at an art fair here in Montreal.