One of my absolute favorite things as an artist is to see artwork hanging in its permanent home, so I'm really excited to have had the opportunity to snap this picture of an embellished giclee of the Capitol after we hung it up. I love how perfectly it matches the living room furniture with the beige and navy blue accents, and how the frame complements the gorgeous crown moulding.
Since I offer to frame pieces in addition to creating them, I often get the question of what size to create, what style to frame in, etc. etc. Since this is quite subjective in nature, I can give my opinion, but I typically offer up a couple questions to narrow down the field. When looking at artwork, here are a couple great questions to ask yourself:
1. Where would you like to put the piece and how much space are you working with?
This piece above is a 36"x54", which is quite large, and is a perfect size as it is hanging in a large living room with ample wall space. When you walk in the front door, the piece is visible from the foyer, which makes a larger piece even more enjoyable as it can be appreciated from the moment you walk in the door. So when considering a piece, consider the angles and distances at which the painting can be enjoyed, as it may make you realize a larger piece is the way to go!
2. How large are you willing to go?
I typically paint larger pieces, because I paint with a lot of detail which can be appreciated better in a larger size. While you do need a certain amount of space for a large piece, it's important to remember that if the work is a centerpiece, any room with sizable wall space and enough room to step back from the painting can handle a piece larger than you would think. Notice how in the picture above, there is no need for sconces on either side, as it's large enough that the curtains frame the piece on either side without totally overwhelming the wall. Any smaller, and it would have gotten lost on the wall without something filling the space on either side. Also, notice how the room is light and airy, and the furniture is classic but neutral, which can easily handle a colorful, larger piece without overwhelming the room or making it appear busy. It becomes the focal point and complements its surroundings. The point of all of this is to just remember not to be afraid of a big painting! You'd be surprised how much wall space you actually have!
3. When considering a frame, consider the painting, but more importantly, what does the space look like?
I get the question, "How would you frame this?" a lot. This is almost an impossible question to answer, as picking out a frame can sometimes be like picking out a paint color. Very few people will pick the exact same one. In the example above, Heather, who I created this for, really wanted a rich looking, but not ornate, white frame. Her vision was absolutely brilliant. Look how it pops with the moulding and yet blends with the beige and off white furniture. It is perfect in the space, and makes the Capitol itself come to life. Great job, Heather! While there are certain frames that I might not recommend because it might clash, if everything in your room is decorated in dark woods, go for a dark wood frame. If you decorate with lots of polished metals, go for a silver frame. The possibilities are endless, so I always say, stick with what your taste is, and then we'll find a frame to complement the painting according to your taste!
Design and art go hand in hand, I hope on this sunny Monday this helped to inspire you and your space!
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