Art Buying Guide

Choosing art

Many elements go into each piece of art, some of which will appeal to you and some of which will not. It's easy to look at a piece of artwork and know immediately whether or not you like it, but will that artwork look right in the room you are decorating? Will you like looking at the art every day? Start selecting your artwork by deciding whether or not you like it. Then, by evaluating the elements, you will have a better idea if the artwork you like will be the artwork you'll love to have in your home.

Composition elements

The composition of artwork can affect the mood of an entire room. The lines created by the elements in the art may energize or calm you. These lines are not always obvious. A calming horizontal line may be the horizon in a pastoral scene or a reclining figure. An energizing vertical line may be images of tall trees or standing people. Choose artwork to reflect what happens in that room. For example, if you would like help relaxing in a sitting room, choose artwork featuring horizontal elements.

If you want more help energizing a room, choose artwork with a feeling of action. Action can be literal, such as a scene of horses running. Action can also be suggested by abstract lines moving in many directions on the canvas. Viewing this artwork will help your mind wake up. For example, you may need help getting ready in the morning, so you could hang artwork of dancers in your dressing room. However, if you have trouble sleeping at night, hanging that same piece of art in your bedroom could be too stimulating.

The formality of the room will also be affected by an artwork's composition. Art featuring vertical lines is more suited to a formal room, such as a living room. Art featuring horizontal lines is more suited to a casual room, such as a game room.

You'll also want to consider compositional elements of artwork that relate to the furniture. If you have a long, low sofa, artwork that duplicates this line will be very attractive hanging above it.

Colors and themes

Although it is not necessary to match art to your furniture, choosing artwork in a similar color family will be very soothing. Artwork in neutral colors can be very calming. For a more lively room, choose artwork with bright, vibrant colors.

If you have decorated your room with a theme or motif, you can carry that through and into your artwork. Art that is similar to your décor will feel comfortable and will create a consistent mood in the room. Here are a few art themes you may want to consider:

• Vintage art: If your furniture came from estate sales and antique stores, complement the pieces with vintage art. From turn-of-the-century advertising, to classic pin-up girls, to old movie posters, vintage art fits into a room where the past is fondly remembered. Vintage art will also fit into a room featuring contemporary décor, especially advertising art.
• Sea and shore art: Whitewashed bead board, cerulean blues and seashells in jars: when you have decorated with a beach theme, add sea and shore art. Choose from artwork featuring sun-drenched palm trees or rain-soaked lighthouses depending on the mood you want for your room.
• Landscape art: In addition to being very soothing, landscape art can also open up a small room. By hanging a landscape art print on the wall, you simulate a window, making a little room feel larger.
• Asian art: If you have filled a room with shoji screens, cut bamboo and tatami mats, it makes sense to hang Asian art on the walls. Lotus flowers, bamboo prints and Kanji (Japanese writing) scrolls all emphasize your Far Eastern style.
• Flowers and still life art: With so many choices of art featuring flowers and still life, anyone who appreciates the beauty of natural elements is sure to find a perfect piece of artwork. From bright red and orange poppies to creamy white magnolias, every flower lover can find floral art to coordinate with the décor.
• Cuisine art: For a kitchen, a dining room or a home bar, cuisine art reminds you that food is the main reason you're there. Cuisine art has a variety of colors and themes as wide as a farmer's market, so if you want to decorate with this type of artwork, you're sure to find something appetizing.
• Country charm art: The rustic charms of the country make a comfortable décor style which can be completed with country charm art. Whatever country means to you--mountain cabin, quaint cottage, Provencal or Americana--there's artwork to complement your down-home tastes.
• Contemporary art and abstract art: Sleek lines, neutral colors and metallic finishes are perfectly accented with contemporary art or canvas abstract art that adds a splash of bright color or a geometric pattern.
• Cityscape art: From old European cities to modern American bridges, cityscapes reflect the style of the city they represent. For example, if you decorated your home to look like a Paris apartment, finish it off with black and white photography of the Eiffel Tower.
• Children's art: Cartoon characters, whimsical animals and sweet children fill the children's art that is perfect for your child's room. Bright colors in the artwork let you easily coordinate hues with the décor, and fun themes will delight your child's imagination.
• Motivational art: When decorating an office--at home or work--a motivational art poster print will inspire you to do your best. Inspirational art may also be more personal in nature, so hang it where you can see it whenever you need your faith to be renewed.

Popular Artists

Another way to achieve a theme with your artwork is to decorate with several pieces by the same artist. Filling a wall with several art prints by one artist can be very striking and will create a cohesive look. Start an art collection with one of these popular artists:

• Vincent Van Gogh: Dutch master Van Gogh is known for his later post-impressionist works which feature deep jewel tones and intricate landscapes.
• Pierre-August Renoir: French painter Renoir typifies the impressionist style in portraits, landscapes and still life pieces with deep colors and expert use of light.
• Pablo Picasso: Spanish painter Picasso was at the forefront of the development of modern art through most of the Twentieth Century. His interest in experimenting with new artistic styles led his artwork to be highly distinctive, particularly during his cubist period.
• Jack Vettriano: Art prints by the self-taught Scottish painter Jack Vettriano are among the best selling in the world, mainly due to the romantic narratives in which he sets his figures.
• Georgia O'Keeffe: Although she painted many Southwest landscapes and other desert-themed pieces, O'Keeffe is primarily known for her powerful, sensual paintings of flowers.
• Don Li-Leger: Canadian artist Li-Leger is known for his vibrant art featuring organic elements that are often combined with bold geometric patterns, creating a unique look and making his artwork perfect for contemporary décor.
• Claude Monet: French impressionist Monet defined the impressionist movement with his 1872 painting Impression, Sunrise. He is best known for his artwork depicting the gardens and ponds around his home in Giverny, France.
• Ansel Adams: The black and white photography of Ansel Adams is some of the most distinctive around, due in part to his many technical developments in photography. An avid environmentalist, Adams' landscapes of the American West capture his passion for the beauty of nature.

Finding the right size

Art prints are available in a variety of sizes, which may make it difficult for you to decide which is best for your home. First, consider the size and shape of the wall where you will hang the art. When your art relates well to the size and shape of the wall, you will create a pleasing appearance. If the wall is tall and narrow, art that reflects that shape will fit well. For a large long wall, a larger piece of art is needed to avoid looking like a postage stamp on the wall. You may also want to create art groupings to stay in scale. You can easily achieve an art gallery look when you purchase coordinating art sets.

Second, you will want to consider the size of the whole room. While large art can make a great statement in a small room, small art will only feel lost in a large room. This doesn't always mean that "bigger is better," but you'll want to be able to see your decorative art, so make sure it is big enough to be visible.

Finally, you'll want to consider the size of the furniture over which your art will hang. You'll want to choose wall art that is not wider than the furniture below it. A general rule to consider is that the artwork should be about three-fourths the width of the furniture below. This measurement also applies to art groupings.

Hanging art

The biggest mistake people make when hanging art in their homes is to hang it too high. Remember that art should be at eye level. Generally you want to find the eye level for someone about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, but if your family is taller, you can hang art a little bit higher.

• If art will be viewed from a chair, find the eye level for someone who is sitting.
• If art will be hung where people are walking, such as in a hallway, hang art at eye level for a person who is standing.
• For art that will be hanging over furniture, the lower edge of the frame or canvas should be about 6 inches above the top edge of the furniture.

Many people like to make a newspaper or brown paper template of the art and tape it onto the wall. This is an excellent method, especially if you will be creating a grouping with your artwork. Make it even more helpful by marking on the newspaper where the hanger on the back of the art is. That way, you can hammer your nail through the newspaper without any guessing.

As for the nail you hang your art on, be sure to use one that is strong enough to hold the artwork, but not so large that you are doing unnecessary damage to your walls. Picture hangers are the best way to ensure a strong hold. You'll find the weight rating on the package; many hold up to 20 pounds, which is strong enough for most artwork.

Once you have your art in place, you may want to add picture lights so you'll see that faultlessly selected, flawlessly sized and expertly hung artwork. Light it up and enjoy your personal art gallery!

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