Art is essentially the crown jewel of any home. It's a bad idea to just buy art in a rush, or end up with only a very few pieces you're happy with. On the other hand, I know that everyone is different, and so, there isn't one golden rule for how you should go about it. By the end of the article, we'll all have the information we need to make sure you choose great art for your home.
Don’t hang your artwork too high or too low. The middle third of most walls is considered an ideal height for hanging wall art because from this vantage point, it is visible from practically anywhere in the room and elicits the strongest emotional response from viewers (unless you are decorating for children).
In my experience, there are two primary ways to approach color when choosing artwork for the home: either make it match or make it pop. We’ll start with the first option.
If you want your artwork to blend nicely into any room, I recommend choosing pieces that have a similar color palette or coolness/warmth as the rest of your space. For example, if you have cool blue accents in every other room in your home, finding an abstract painting with similarly colored tones will help tie everything together and create a more cohesive look throughout your space. If you have a lot of neutral colors in your apartment—think creams, whites and greys—you can also play off of this by choosing a piece that has similar tones in order to add some subtle visual interest while keeping things quiet and calm.
On the flip side, if you like making bold statements and want something more eye-catching than complementary colors, I would suggest considering pieces that include accent colors that contrast with one another to create visual tension and excitement (e.g., an orange accent wall paired with a light blue abstract painting). Other options include adding color through nature-inspired prints featuring pops of reds or oranges or going all out by creating a gallery wall full of bold patterns and bright pops of color for maximum drama.
What type of furniture do you have in the room?
If you have a large, overstuffed sofa, look for art that complements its shape. For example, a curved sofa might be complemented by an art piece with similar curves. If your furniture is more tailored and linear, look for an art piece with similar lines. The chair above has a loose but tailored feel to it; the painting above it is more formal and structured, but it's still loose enough to match the chair. Both of these pieces are traditional and soft, so they work well together.
What color is your furniture?
If your furniture is neutral—a white or gray sofa in linen or tweed—you can go wild with color in your artwork. If you want your artwork to be the focus of the room, choose something bright and bold that draws the eye immediately upon entering (the image below). Or if you'd like to add some texture or pattern without adding color, stick with subtle patterns in black or gray (below). You can get away with these colors even if your furniture is colored because they're not competing for attention.
There’s a reason that it’s called “local art.” The artwork you buy will likely be created by someone who lives in your area, so when you purchase their work, you are supporting the local economy and a fellow member of your community.
Whenever possible, buy from local artists instead of browsing online or looking at mass-produced items that can be purchased from any big box store. You should also try to visit galleries or art fairs to purchase directly from the artists instead of going through a middleman. Purchasing artwork this way can make it more affordable, too—you won’t have to pay extra fees for shipping and handling or sales tax if you buy locally.
A great benefit of buying local artwork is that it can give you insight into the culture and history of your area. No matter where you live, there are probably many talented artists in your community who have created works about their experiences and their interpretations of life there. This can give you an opportunity to learn more about people who might have very different backgrounds than yourself and broaden your horizons by seeing something unfamiliar in a new light.
Art can be an incredibly powerful way to express yourself and the things that are important to you. Consider looking for art with a message behind it. Art is often more than just images on a wall; it can also carry meaning and messages that relate to your life, or remind you of something you've been through, and inspire you in some way. Art with a message has the added benefit of being able to start conversation. You can tell visitors about what it means to you, how it reflects your own personal experiences, or why it inspires you.
When you think about what interests you in life, consider your hobbies and activities. What is important to you? What do you enjoy talking about? What do you enjoy learning about? What makes you happy? When looking for art pieces, seek out something that reflects those qualities.
There are few things more beautiful than finding a piece of art that you connect with. The colors, shapes and textures can bring to mind so many different emotions and memories. The secret is that homes with art look better and make their owners happier. Of course, it's not hard to believe that having lovely artwork in your home looks good — it's science!
Don't be intimidated by abstract art. It's easy to find modern canvas art and decor pieces that match your personal aesthetic. Browse by space, size, or style to discover wall art with a hint of texture. Look for modern abstract paintings that complement your existing decor and create a unique look in any room. Instead of looking at decorated walls as static, consider them as functional pieces of furniture that can shape the mood of your room. You'll be surprised at how much impact one simple alteration can make in your home.
Art prints are printed on paper. They usually have a white border around the artwork and are available in a variety of sizes. These are one of the most affordable ways to own art, with prices starting at as little as $15.
Art prints come unframed and you'll need to buy or make your own frame. If you're not sure how to do this, ask a friend who's crafty, or try an online tutorial. Or consider buying an art print that comes with a frame designed specifically for that particular piece of artwork.
A canvas art piece is a great way to express yourself through art. You may choose a picture that means something important to you or one that sets the tone of your room. Regardless of what you choose, it will be something that expresses who you are as a person and what’s important to you.
If your art sets the tone for the room, then it can also help start conversations with friends and family members. For example, if all of your pictures are from memorable trips, then people visiting your house may feel free to share their own experiences with traveling. It’s a great way to get closer to the people in your life.
It’s also one of the most affordable ways to decorate your home or office space! Canvas art is less expensive than framed prints or paintings, making it easier on both time and money commitments when planning either a simple refresh or an entire redecoration of a space.
Last but not least, canvas art makes for a fantastic gift! People often want to add new pieces into their homes that represent their interests, personality traits, or big life events like travel and marriage. However, sometimes they don’t have the time or know-how to find exactly what they want. If you know someone well enough then choosing them an appropriate piece of artwork can be easy while still allowing them control over what they put up on their wall because they get final approval before placing any orders!
What is framed art?
Framed art is a combination of a framed piece of art and a mat. The mat is the area around the artwork, usually white, that is used to make the artwork look more attractive.
Mirrors are a great way to add interest and dimension to any room. Not only do they reflect beautiful artwork and home decor, but they also act as accent piece themselves. Mirrors can be placed anywhere and in any room. They can be displayed by themselves or in arrangements with other mirrors or wall art. The different sizes and shapes of mirrors allow you to play around with different arrangements until you find the one that fits your style the most. If you are working with a small space, mirrors will give the illusion of a larger area due to their reflection ability. Another reason to use mirrors is that they bring light into the room through their glass material, which gives off an airy feel in small areas that receive little natural light from windows.
If you plan on using mirrors for home decor, it is important that you maintain them regularly so they don't become damaged over time due to dust buildup or condensation upon contact with water vapor in the air. A cleaning solution should specifically be made for glass because this will protect your mirror without negative effects while removing dirt and stains on its surface.
Your home is your sanctuary. It should make you feel good, relaxed, energized (not drained), happy, at home and inspired. The best decor does all of this for you.
Buying art as an investment isn't a simple process where you just start buying up anything and everything you can to put on the walls of your house. You have to be smart about the purchase. Take your time, explore all the options, and consider all your options.
A major indicator of an artist’s potential for future success is their previous sales history. The more someone has sold at auction or through galleries, the more likely they are to continue to sell—and well.
The artist’s awards and honors are also a key element in determining their value as an investment. If artists have won major awards in their field, this may be a sign that they will continue to be recognized for their work throughout their career and beyond.
The recognition of an artist within the art community is important as well. Artists who work with other artists often benefit from shared attention and publicity for exhibitions and collaborations. The number of exhibitions that an artist has had is another helpful gauge of how much interest there is in them among the artistic community at large.
Media coverage can also help determine a particular artist’s success now and in the future. Media coverage influences the public perception of figures in any field—a positive media campaign can propel someone towards greater visibility, while negative media coverage can diminish public interest quite quickly (eBay).
The representation by major galleries also suggests that an investment would be worthwhile since galleries only choose artists whose work they believe will sell well, both now and later on down the road when it may gain even more traction with collectors who seek out early works by successful contemporary artists (Investopedia).
Finally, reviews by curators and critics tend to help solidify an emerging artist’s reputation within the field; if critics consider someone to be a promising young talent who will continue to produce worthwhile works throughout his or her career, others will follow suit when it comes time for them to invest in a piece of artwork themselves
When you're looking at a piece of art, you should be able to tell how much work and care went into it. It's worth taking the time to look for the artist's signature on paintings, as well as other signs of quality craftsmanship.
For example, when looking at paintings, examine how the piece is framed. Does it look like something that came from a thrift store? Or does it appear professionally finished with wood or gold-leafing?
You should also take a look at the construction of the piece itself. Is there anything falling off? Are there holes in it? These are all factors that can affect its value.
In addition to examining these details, also pay attention to what materials were used. For instance: was high quality canvas employed? Did they use strong materials instead of cheap ones like paper mugs or plastic cups?
A large amount of inventory, whether it be a few dozen or hundreds of prints, indicates that the artist is not as highly sought after. Artists are best invested in when there are only a few pieces available for purchase. If an artist has made many prints or multiples such as drawings, or even other paintings, these pieces will be valued lower than if there were only one piece in existence. If there are many pieces available, the price will likely drop over time as they all flood the market.
Cultural or political statements are not the best investment in art. To make money on art, you want a broad audience to like your piece. Avoid art that is highly specific to a particular culture or interest: for example, an astrology chart painted by an obscure artist from the Netherlands...or a painting of a shipwreck in the Florida Keys by a local painter. Rather, look for art that appeals to a broad range of people; paintings with no background and neutral colors work well.
Art investors should buy works from a reputable source and look for documentation that the work is indeed by the artist. Online art marketplaces can be good sources, but buyers are encouraged to dig deeper. Do your research on the gallery or auction house where you intend to purchase. Call them and ask questions. If they are not able to provide answers that satisfy you, go elsewhere. Asking questions of vendors will often reveal how knowledgeable they are and whether they are interested in helping their customers build a collection that suits their needs and budget while protecting them from fraud.
You can find artwork directly from artists of all levels, from beginners to masters.
Some artists may only have a limited number of one-of-a-kind works available for sale. In some cases, they may not even be listed anywhere, and you’ll need to contact the artist directly. Even when they are, though, it's always best to contact the artist first as a matter of principle.
Artists love talking about their work! They can provide information about the work that no online description or private dealer can provide. Some artists have websites or blogs with contact information; others have studios that are open for visitors by appointment. You can also find them at art festivals and galleries across the country (and around the world).
You also need to know what to look for. Quality workmanship is a must, but it's also important to consider an artist's successes and the artwork's potential for appreciation. You should examine whether there are many other pieces available and research your source thoroughly before you make a purchase. Lastly, learning how and where to find artwork directly from artists can cut out middlemen who increase the price of artworks you're interested in buying.
When someone thinks of street art, it's a common belief that the focus is on the creativity and humor involved. And while this can certainly be true, street art also touches on important current issues – making it educational as well as entertaining. This raises a question: do you think street art can make a difference?
You see it when you walk to the metro station. You pass by it on your way to work. It goes viral on Instagram, and even hangs in the Louvre. Street art is everywhere—and it’s not just graffiti!
There are no borders when it comes to street art, which is exactly why we can call it a world phenomenon. Banksy’s work has become iconic worldwide, but something else important happened as his popularity grew: people started to know there were also Bansky-like street artists on every corner of the globe. In Russia, we have P183 and Pasha 183; Argentina has Jaz; Spain has El Pez; Hong Kong has WT – street art is truly global.
What makes street art so universal? The reason is simple: street art represents a form of expression that anyone can understand regardless of their background or culture—it's an international language!
Street art is everywhere.
In fact, you don't even have to be in a big city to find it.
Your neighbor's garage door might have a mural on it, or a little purple bird may be hiding on an alley wall waiting for you to find it. You may not think of street art as something you would see in your town, but either someone has already put it there or they will soon. Street artists are like the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. They create work that can't be ignored any more than Marley's chains could go unnoticed by Ebenezer Scrooge. The power of street art is undeniable—what started as an underground movement became the voice of society and has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry with its own museum wings and celebrity status for some artists such as Banksy. Nowadays street art isn't just in cities—it's in forests, deserts and oceans too!
It is clear that there are many ways in which street art can be used as a tool of expression, conveying a message for social good. Street artists are using their work to bring awareness to social issues around the world.
Below are some examples of how street artists have brought awareness to important causes through their art:
The first step is to distinguish between street art and graffiti. Street art isn’t necessarily the same thing as graffiti, though some people use those terms interchangeably. While both can be used add beauty to a space or make an artistic statement, graffiti tends to be private, whereas street art tends to be public; think of it as the difference between writing something on your bedroom wall versus painting something on the side of a building. Because of its public nature, street art often carries a message with it—whether that’s promoting social change, supporting a brand or product, or simply decorating a neighborhood.
Street art is powerful. This form of public expression can be used to teach, inspire and mobilize people. By using their skills as artists to create street art that moves people, artists are using their work to make a difference in their communities, both local and global.
Artists have created murals with the intention of raising awareness about social or political issues that affect our world today. They use their work to communicate a message to the public about something they feel strongly about. For example, Shepard Fairey created a mural for Amnesty International that depicts women’s rights activists dressed in bright colors and flowers as symbols of hope for change around the world.
You can bring street art into your space by buying canvas prints of street art pieces. There are websites where you can buy canvas prints of extraordinary street art pieces. You can browse through hundreds of amazing graffiti and stencil art and urban artworks to decorate your home or office walls. Most of the time, these websites have a simple payment gateway that allows you to make the purchase online itself.
Buying a street art canvas print is quite easy. The first step is deciding on the type of piece that will fit in with your existing decor theme and also, what part of it do you want highlighted – such as whether it should be something inspirational or more playful. Once this is decided upon, choosing from available options becomes much easier. You can also narrow down based on color schemes if necessary; however, most websites offer filters for size and cost which makes browsing through even easier!
Street artists around the world are using their art to help make the world a better place, both globally and locally. These artists create murals that are beautiful and eye-catching, and they also have a message that can change people’s hearts and minds. The murals give hope to the communities where they live by giving voice to those who might not otherwise be heard.
Sometimes these street artists travel around the world, sharing their messages with others through their art. For example, Ernest Zacharevic painted murals in Penang, Malaysia that were powerful enough to inspire other artists in Penang and beyond. Now, tourists come from all over the world to see these murals. People often stop for photos in front of them or pose as if interacting with them—these photos are then shared on social media sites like Instagram where tens of thousands of people will see them. Sometimes it is just a picture of you standing under a street art painting; but sometimes it can be so much more than that!
You don’t have to travel halfway across the globe to get your own piece of street art. You can buy a canvas print online so you can admire it every time you pass by it hanging on your wall at home or in your office at work!
Is street art illegal? You may think I'm crazy for asking. But, if you've been to NYC lately, you'll see, there's a lot of artwork on the streets. Are these artists disrespecting the law?
Street art is a very broad term that describes visual art created in public locations, usually unsanctioned artwork executed outside of the context of traditional art venues. The term gained popularity during the graffiti art boom of the early 1980s and continues to be applied to subsequent incarnations. Stencil graffiti, sticker art, wheatpasting and street poster art are also forms of street art. Video projection, yarn bombing and Lock On sculpture became popularized at the turn of the 21st century. The terms "urban" and "guerrilla" have been added to these terms as many artists participate in site-specific performances with modified versions or collections of previously exhibited artwork.
Graffiti and street art may share some similar forms and techniques, but they are not the same. In fact, many of the most famous graffiti artists don't consider street art to be art at all. Street artists can learn a lot from graffiti artists, though. For instance how to create work that is technically simple but has a powerful impact on your viewer's emotions. You'll need to get over your fear of getting caught because while real graffiti is illegal, it doesn't involve any sort of planning or permission-seeking. Graffiti is also very immediate; you don't have time to think about what you're doing before it's done. This can be daunting for people who prefer more traditional methods of artistic expression like painting or sculpting where there are plenty of opportunities for revisions if necessary.
There are two primary ways in which street art can be used to drive social change. The first of these consists of making public the things that society wishes to keep hidden, such as poverty or crime, and forcing them onto the public agenda. This is known as protest art.
The second way in which street art can help drive social change is by redefining how we think about spaces—both physical and social spaces—as well as our relationship to them. This type of street art is often referred to as gentrification art because it has been widely adopted by urban planning committees who wish to redefine rundown areas for new audiences.
Overcoming the stigma of street art is a step in the right direction when it comes to taking down barriers for artists who may not be able to afford professional studio spaces. Street art is often political and illegal, which makes it difficult to break into mainstream galleries, since they are usually funded by rich people. In addition, local governments don't want street artists getting paid off their work because their purpose is to beautify the city without any monetary compensation. Banksy's success story illustrates how street arts can be elevated above mundane objects once they are recognized as valid forms of expression on par with other art genres such as painting or sculpture.
You can also use street art to raise awareness of social issues. Street artists across the globe have taken to the streets for a myriad of reasons, ranging from injustice in the criminal justice system or an effort to raise awareness about political reform, to drawing attention to climate change and health care reform. And it’s not just a trend among artists—corporate brands often turn to street art as a tool for social change as well. For example, Coca-Cola used street art in Jakarta, Indonesia, during Ramadan, in efforts to bring attention to clean water shortages and raise money for clean drinking water initiatives.
In the world of street art, there are many types. Street artists can vary in their interests, their mediums, and even the motivations behind their work. However, street artists all share a passion that drives them to make great waves in this growing art form.
Graffiti art is a form of street art done on public property, such as buildings and walls. While it may appear to be vandalism, it is actually an expression of the artist. Graffiti artists can create their work in a variety of styles and often express political or social messages through their pieces.
Graffiti art is a type of street art that can be appreciated for its artistic value.
Graffiti, street art, and urban art are almost all the same thing.
Graffiti: The word graffiti means “drawing on walls” in Italian, but the term has come to encompass a wide range of works from simple names written on buildings to elaborate works covering huge surfaces. Graffiti can be traced back to ancient civilizations, but it gained popularity in the United States during the 1960s and ‘70s. Graffiti artists use anything they can find as their canvas, such as mailboxes, train cars or public benches.
Stencil art: Stencil graffiti is a modern style that uses stencils to create sharp images on walls. Banksy is one of the most famous artists who uses this style. Stencil graffiti became popular after World War II when soldiers started spreading messages through stenciled words or images on cities around Europe and Asia.
Murals: Street murals are large-scale paintings created with spray paint and acrylic paints that cover an entire building wall instead of just a small corner or surface like other types of graffiti art. Murals are often used by governments or civic organizations as a form of public education about local history or culture—or simply to beautify neighborhoods.
Public interventions: Public interventions are more conceptual than visual forms of street art because they include performances, installations and even political activism. Most public interventions do not leave behind any physical traces aside from photographs taken at the scene once they’re over
A wall-crawl is usually a large piece of graffiti, covering an entire wall. It may cover the whole of a stairwell or other hidden location where it can be seen only by those who go looking for it. A wall crawl will typically be the work of one artist and often displays a singular style and theme.
You can see several different examples in this video from YouTube user eBaum’s World:
Stencil graffiti consists of images or text produced by applying spray paint through a cut-out template. These templates, called stencils, can be made from one or more layers. To create the stencil, artists use paper, cardboard or other non-porous material to stop the ink or spray paint from going through the holes in the template. Spray paint can be applied through the cut out sections of the ply-board with a brush or roller to make this work easier and quicker. These templates may include layered colors or images; however, they are most commonly 'one layer' (meaning only one color is used at a time).
Tagging is one of the easiest kinds of graffiti to make. If you're new to creating graffiti, this is probably the first kind you should try. It's also the most recognizable form of graffiti -- many people associate tagging with graffiti styles in general. Tagging is often considered vandalism by law enforcement and property owners because it defaces property without permission from the property owner. The taggers themselves see their actions as an expression of independence, creativity and originality. Making a tag entails using paint or markers on any surface - paper, cardboard, concrete walls - with a quick-moving arm motion that creates long lines and curves like those used in calligraphy (the art of beautiful handwriting).
Reverse graffiti is one of the most eco-friendly forms of street art. This type of art is created by removing dirt and grime from a surface to reveal a clean area.
For example, in London in 2008, a reverse graffiti artist created a portrait of Winston Churchill by removing dirt from a wall, which took about three days to complete. In this case, cleaners didn't wash away the artwork; it was slowly wiped away as people touched the wall.
Another example is an artist who uses stencils and pressure washers to create reverse graffiti murals on dirty streets and sidewalks.
The first category of stickers is those that are used for communication. These may be practical stickers such as the ones used to affix notes to waste containers, or they may be toy or character stickers intended for children. The second type is advertising stickers. These are often found on automobile bumpers and serve to identify a product or service that the driver wishes to promote. The third type of sticker is a rarer form, but one that has become more common in recent years: street art stickers. Artists have taken advantage of the low cost and ease of application when using this medium, offering a unique visual perspective on their surroundings. Finally, there are the protest stickers that offer political commentary and critique on current events.
This form of art is an expressive one, with the purpose of highlighting a variety of issues such as unemployment, racism, homophobia, genocide, and war. Artists use street art to raise awareness about these issues and bring attention to a cause. Street art is frequently used as a form of protest due to its ability to communicate messages quickly and effectively. In addition to raising awareness about political issues, street art can also be used by artists as a means of providing commentary on society more generally.
Whether it takes the form of murals or crude slogans written in chalk on the sidewalk, street art can be found in most major cities around the world.
The artistic expression of political activism, which is often a form of protest art, as seen in guerrilla art and graffiti art. Murals, stencils and slogans are common forms of political street art.
These artists have the potential to influence thousands of people who visit these public spaces every day. The site of the artwork is chosen specifically to spread the message or highlight the issue it represents, creating a dialogue between the artist and viewers that can both raise awareness and inspire action.
