Friday's Art article - DIY Frame for Posters and Art

If you're a bit crafty and have access to some power tools, you can make a unique, handcrafted frame for your two-dimensional art.

Friday's art article - SELECTING ART MATS

Today's article of interest to art enthusiasts is on different considerations for selecting mats for an art purchase. While a frame is important to a piece of art, mats are just as important for helping to complement the piece. This article goes over some basic considerations in selecting the right mat for a piece.

Friday's art article - Displaying and Grouping wall art

So just how can you pull several images together into one cohesive wall display? Check out this article on Displaying and Grouping Wall Art, which gives readers several ideas on how to bring different pieces of art together into one beautiful display.

Friday's art article : (Video) How to Pick a Mat for Picture Framing

You've got a piece of art selected and bought. Next is finding the perfect mat. Help! This is a short, two minute video showing examples of 4 different types of matting options for the same art print.

Friday's art themed article: How to hang a picture on a wall

Through our email box, we receive questions from customers on just how to display their art once they receive it. If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much help is a video?! Enjoy this short (approximately 2 minute) video on how to hang a lightweight painting.

How to Choose the Right Picture Frame For Your Art

Choosing the right picture frame is a big deal for many people. When you have a special photo or painting, the right frame can enhance and draw attention to it.

There are many different types of picture frames on the market today. Big ones, small ones, humorous and elegant, antique or modern; wood, metal ceramic or plastic, choosing the right frame for your photo or painting is very important.

Before you go shopping for frames, look at the picture. Determining what type the picture is will assist you in deciding what type of frame to purchase. If the photo is a professional portrait then you may want to consider a wood or etched frame, something that is somber or elegant. It is also important that you set a limit on how much you want to spend on your frame. Picture frames can range in price for just a few dollars up to hundreds of dollars.

Another consideration is where you will be displaying the frame. Consider the décor of the room and the color scheme. If you are thinking of a colored frame, choose a color that will not only draw attention to the photo, but also blend in with the colors of the room. Many people opt for a natural wood because it not only blends well into any décor, it can also be painted or stained should you change your décor.

The room where you will be placing the picture or painting is a major factor in deciding on which type of frame to use. Choosing a frame for a nursery is very different than choosing one for a living room. A ceramic frame with pink and blue balloons may be perfect for a baby's room, however it does not go well in a living room. It is important that you take into consideration where the frame will be placed.

Choosing the right size frame is critical to any décor. If you have small frames already, choosing a large frame for your photo or painting may seem like it is out of place. Taking the photo with you and placing it in different frames will assist narrowing your choices.

Another factor you want to consider is whether or not you want a border around your photo. A border can enhance a photo, especially if you match it to subtle colors of the photo.

Photos that are lighthearted or humorous are always incredible reminders of a family vacation or special events, and displaying them in frames that match the personality of the photo can give it a more special meaning. This is not always the easiest task, however you will find the right frame.

Choosing a frame for a painting can be a little more tedious, especially if the painting has sentimental value. Paintings of landscapes are beautiful, and you want to display them in a frame that will only enhance the beauty. Elegant frames such as etched wood are the perfect frame for paintings that have a natural beauty all their own.

Choosing the right frame for your photo or painting does not have to be difficult if you decide before hand what you want, the most important factor is finding the perfect frame. If you are having a difficult time in deciding, ask the assist of friends or relatives for their assistance.

Photos come in all sizes, as do picture frames. It can take a while to find the right frame, however when you do, you will proudly display it where everyone can see.

Peter Geisheker is the CEO of The Geisheker Group marketing firm. One of Peter's clients is GNP Frames, a manufacturer of high quality picture frames for photographers and artists.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Geisheker

Friday's art themed article: How to Hang and Properly Showcase Your Artwork

If the walls in your home seem a little too plain, try livening up your living space with some art. Framed photos or paintings are a great way to show your style and add personality to a home. Sadly, many wince at the tricky business of properly hanging art. Fortunately, you've come to the right place. These simple guidelines will help you get that artwork looking great and hanging level in no time.

To start, take your available wall space into consideration. Are you looking for a piece that will dominate the living room, or just something that will add interest to a small section of a hallway or staircase? There are frames and art for almost every situation, so be sure you know what you're looking for before you buy. You'll also want to make sure that the artwork doesn't clash with your existing furniture or color scheme. For instance, abstract works of art will generally fit better with IKEA furniture than a classic Victorian style, though of course the choice is up to you. Also, if you plan on being able to see the art, make sure the area you choose is well-lit.

Once you've got your artwork, it's time to figure out your placing options. Most experts recommend hanging art so that the center of the piece rests at eye level, usually around 60 inches from the floor, although this will obviously not always be possible. Measure and plan carefully before installing hanging fixtures, as you don't want your wall to end up full of holes from botched attempts.

If you're hanging a series or set of pictures together, place the most important one in the middle position, since the eye will be naturally drawn to it. Differently sized pictures will look more level if aligned along their centers rather than their edges.

Now that you've got your artwork and your location, it's time for the hard part, actually hanging the picture. You'll want the picture to rest flush against the wall, and of course, hang levelly. Your own gallery hanging system should be easy to use, simple to install, and most importantly, sturdy and reliable. Avoid using a wire hanging system, as they tend to slide around and become crooked, however, if you must use a wire hanger, try using two hooks instead of one for added stability. Hooks with more acute angles will also hold a picture better and rest flusher with the wall. If possible, though, try solid fixtures such as D-rings or triangle loops instead, as these are much more reliable. Another excellent option are bracket cleats, which securely lock the artwork in place, and are very sturdy. Double-check the fixtures to make sure that they're level. If they're not, you'll have to adjust your wall-mounted fixtures to compensate.

Carefully mark where the fixtures will end up on the wall, and install the other end of your fixtures. Make sure to use a level before and after installation to make sure that you are completely straight. If hanging your art from drywall, make sure your fixtures are well anchored in a stud in order to prevent cracking or tearing.

If you've done everything correctly, you should now have an attractive piece of artwork that looks great, straight, and steady. Enjoy!

Many thanks to guest author Steven Rosen for this post.

Steven Rosen is a marketing consultant and content writer for AS Hanging Systems. He has an educational background in marketing and communications and is quite the handyman in terms of home improvements and decor.

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: FRAMING WORKS OF ART

Framing a work of art is an important part of enjoying and displaying it for a long time. I get questions from customers on how to properly do so with their purchase. I recently came across a very straightforward article on Framing, Matting and Mounting Fine Art Prints, Drawings and original art works. The article gives a very complete and thorough explanation of the many points that should be considered when framing a piece of two-dimensional art.

Friday's article of interest to art enthusiasts: 28 TIPS FOR HANGING ART

In continuing with the series on how to display art, I have linked here to an article on about.com for 28 tips on hanging art. What I liked best about this article is the inclusion of pictures to allow people to visualize just what the author was referring to. The pictures are very helpful at giving examples and perspectives about hanging art.

Friday's article of interest to art enthusiasts: DISPLAY ARTWORK IN YOUR HOME

On Friday's, I generally pick one website that is an all-inclusive source for art information. I do from time to time, however, find a "gem" of an article (no pun intended) that I would like to share with my readers. I've got them bookmarked and plan to share them with you on Fridays over the coming months.

I get lots of questions about people needing help with their art. They know what they like, they buy it, get it home and EEK! What do I do now?! Today, I'm linking to an article on How to Display Artwork in Your Home. What I like most about the article is that the author encourages people to think non-traditionally about how they display their art. Your home isn't a museum, it's your home!

Caring for your art purchase

Today's website of interest for art enthusiasts comes from the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. I have included a link to their section on the website about caring for many kinds of art. I have found that people purchase and display their art only to find out after a few years that the piece has been damaged by sunlight, humidity, improper storage and such. This website goes into great detail on how to properly display and preserve many forms of art in order to keep the beauty for many generations to come.