Close of Day

What is is about sunsets that made them so perfect for decoupage pieces like this?

Is it simply that everybody loves a sunset? It seems to signify a day spent. The feeling of making it through another slice of your life. 

Maybe the wood and mod podge combo just lend itself nicely to the colour palette of a sunset (or alternatively, a sunrise). It's definitely one of the nicer elemental experiences you can frame. I don't think I've ever come across a decoupage piece of it raining. I've never before and I'm confident in saying I never will come across a decoupage piece of SNOW. I can't even picture one.

In a moment of zen or possible mental illness, I once laid out plans to start a cult. The main notable feature of this cult is that no matter where you were or what you were doing, you had to stop and watch the sun go down. I wanted to call it the "Sunsetters" and I won't bother sharing the other characteristics involved because firstly, I don't have the power or authority to start a cult, and secondly, that would spoil the surprise if I ever did. 

While I've given up for now on those daydreams, I still try to catch the sun going down any chance I can and with every available format. I have videos from every mobile phone I've had since the first iPhone of the sun setting. I have it in 4K UHD and I have it on Hi-8 tape. I have AUDIO of the sun setting. As useless as that may be. The quality of video differs but the content is mostly the same

This prompted me to think again, what is it about a sunset? Not just for an appropriate image to apply decoupage to wood, but in general.

I came across a website called pyschologs.com, which claims to be India's first mental health magazine, that had a bit more info on this. It's referred to people like me, and probably you, as Opacarophiles. A loose definition states..

An opacarophile is someone who finds beauty in sunsets, entranced by the shifting hues that dance across the sky as the day makes way for the night.

Ok, cool, but why? 

Well..

Studies have shown that sunsets have a strong mental effect that lasts long after the colors have faded. This effect provides stress alleviation, calmness, and peace. Furthermore, sunsets generate a state of mind that feels similar to the joy we feel after meditation. As a result, a person who enjoys sunsets has a peaceful and composed attitude.

It makes enough sense to me.

While this decoupage piece has yet to bring me total peace, it's possible it might just work on you.