By Ian Bunn

The trend of stylish art hanging is picking up pace in modern times, so if you want to keep up with the Jones’ then you had better keep reading and find out just which picture hanging system best suits your needs but maintains the style and flair of the Jones’.

Unfortunately, artwork rarely ever comes with a manual on how to hang it successfully nor does it come with any picture hanging equipment. This part of the process is left entirely open to the individual and is dictated primarily by the size and weight of the artwork you wish to hang and the surface on which it is to be hung.

Some different picture hanging options are discussed below to help you ascertain which system would be best suited to your own specific needs.

Direct Fixing

If your picture is small and light in weight, a nail or hook fixed directly to the wall could be sufficient to hold it firmly in place. With plaster walls however, the most secure way is to ensure that this nail or hook is fixed directly to a timber stud inside the wall as nails hammered directly in to plaster have a tendency to slide out again if they are holding too much weight. The difficulties here are two fold. One, it’s really difficult to locate the studs without a stud finder as you can’t see them and two, if you do find one, it’s not always going to be in the spot that you need it to be.

The other problem with direct fixing is if the walls are masonry. Direct fixing to a masonry wall requires drilling and special masonry plugs. You also run the risk of chipping the masonry coating when drilling. The worst part is that if you go through this process and then decide your favourite piece of artwork is in the wrong place, you are left with gaping holes in your wall surfaces to remind you of where you didn’t want it to go.

Picture Rail

A picture rail with picture rail hooks can provide a good alternative. A picture rail is often made out of timber and fixed directly to the wall at a set distance down from the ceiling. As it is fixed at numerous places along its length, a picture rail can hold a substantially greater amount of weight than a single fixed hook, so is a good option for your larger pictures or mirrors.

A special hook designed specifically for picture rails are simply placed at intermediate locations along the rail. The pictures are then hung from wires connecting to these hooks. The benefits here are the hooks are easily moved with no damage to surfaces, and the height of your picture can be adjusted by altering the length of the hanging wire. The down side of this system is that a picture rail is quite bulky and very visible and tends to suit more period style homes.

Clip Rail System

A third option in this modern age is a picture hanging clip rail system. These systems are exceedingly simple to use, stylish and simplistic and yet discreet in their appearance allowing the artwork to speak for itself. The rail buttons in this system are fixed to the wall directly under the ceiling line and then a slim line cover is clicked into place to hide the fixing screws.

The cable used to hang your artwork can then be either nylon, which visually disappears in to the wall or stainless steal which creates simple yet striking lines. The hooks at the top of the cable clip smoothly in to the rail and slide horizontally. The hooks at the bottom of the cable on which your picture hangs are also simply adjusted along the vertical plane allowing for adjustments in the height of your picture.

To allow your collection of artworks to speak for itself, it is vitally important that it is hung correctly and with the most appropriate picture hanging system for your set of circumstances. Just because one particular system has worked for the Jones’, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for you. Do your research and find a system that is appropriate for your own specific set of circumstances and I can guarantee you that the end result will a rewarding visual delight that will last the test of time.

Renowned Artist Ian Bunn Shares His Expertise On The Best Art Hanging Systems Available Today.
Find Out More By Visiting www.prohanging.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Bunn
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Hanging pictures has always remained an integral aspect of embellishing our homes since the time humans learned the art of painting cave walls in prehistoric times. Ancient people considered art as a magic that ferried us from an earthly to an eternal life. Surprisingly this concept has more truth to it than you would imagine as what we take in visually remains in our subconscious mind.

What we see has the capacity to captivate us and whisk us to another world magically and wondrously. To enhance the impact of this miraculous journey, it is all the more important that artwork is hung appropriately and is compatible to the ambiance of the room. Rather than recreating the wheel, leading artists and art galleries have published some of the techniques they use when hanging pictures to maximize their visual impact. And if we follow their example we can come that much closer to creating the most eye catching, breath taking visual experiences within our own homes without the heartache of trying to work it out for ourselves.

An Ottawa-based gallery director, Joel Pleet opines that the most common mistake people make while hanging artwork is that the pieces are hung either too low or too high on the wall as they take middle of the piece as their point of reference for “eye level”. Pleet is of the firm opinion that eye level for different people varies dramatically therefore, when in the business of hanging pictures, the rules of “eye level” need to be broken. To maintain consistency in his gallery, he points out that middle of the painting from the floor needs to be about 1.4 metres. In homes however, one should look at “what makes sense” in particular situation rather than going for a specific rule or guideline as certain other aspects of room decor like wall space, colour, furniture and low ceiling have to be taken into consideration.

Another expert installer Paz Bundell holds firm beliefs when it comes to how the artwork is fixed to the hanging surface. His suggestion to people who hang pictures themselves is that two anchors or hooks should be fixed to the wall at least 5cm apart and then the artwork hung across these two anchors. In this way, the frame remains square as it is prevented from pivoting on the one point. He further states that hanging pictures over two anchor points provides more stability for the pieces being displayed. Toni Spanos Nordan who is a former art gallery director, also suggests using specialised art hangers when the wall hanging itself exceeds 10 kilograms. For any pieces weighing less than 5 kilograms, a long thin nail works fine if it is secured at an appropriate angle to a solid base.

Bundell also hints that as most homes don’t have straight walls and ceiling lines so any artwork being hung in a home with walls and ceilings out of alignment, has to be hung to fit the room. For example, if the ceiling is not perfectly straight but a large picture hung close to the ceiling is, then the gap between the ceiling and the top of the picture frame will be greater at one end than the other, which makes the picture appear to be hung crooked. He highly recommends that if the wall or ceiling line is out of plumb by a small amount, hang the picture also a little bit out to compensate. In this way the picture will look visually correct. Another hint he has for grouping artwork is to lay all the frames on the floor in front of the wall to determine the arrangement before physically hanging it on the wall. In this way you can play with number of combination’s until you get the perfect look without reeking havoc on your wall.

Dr. Lori. as an art historian and a museum curator, suggests not displaying the artworks for long periods of time as both natural and artificial lights can damaging to your art and could potentially result in devaluing your artwork over time. She stresses to “light” the artwork wisely. Avoid infrared, UV rays and shining of bright light directly onto the work of art. Incandescent bulbs are recommended rather than fluorescent bulbs as they have only 4% of their rays in the damaging light range.

Rather than working on a trial and error basis yourself, use the techniques of other art experts to gain the maximum effect from your pieces. Don’t forget that it is the art that emancipates us from our monotonous habitual thoughts allowing fresh perspective to our mind. So it becomes imperative to display your pictures artfully and respectfully by putting extra creativity and thought in to the process of hanging pictures.

Renowned Artist Ian Bunn Shares His Expertise On The Best Art Hanging Systems Available Today.
Find Out More By Visiting www.prohanging.com.au

Author: Ian Bunn
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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You’ve just moved to a new house and have to re-think all the arrangements you previously had for your art or wall hangings. It’s not a good idea to make excessive holes in the wall so planning ahead is advised. Always use picture hanging hooks, not just nails, and make sure they are the proper size to support the weight of the item. Nothing puts a damper on hanging art like having one fall. It will probably ruin the frame, maybe the artwork, and could be dangerous as well.

If you plan to do a grouping of several pictures or items it’s best to think of them as one unit. Laying them out on the floor with the same arrangement and spacing that they will have on the wall can be very helpful. Work with them until you get them right before hanging. How do you feel when you look at the layout? Does something about it bother you? If it does, then you’re not done yet. Re-arrange until you think – “Ah, that’s it!”. An even better way to find the correct arrangement is to cut paper the same size as the outer edge of each frame and tape the piece to the wall. Be sure to use painter’s tape so that it will not damage the wall when you remove it. You can then figure out where each picture hanger needs to be, nail it through the paper, then remove the paper. You’ll need to measure down from the top of the frame to the wire for the proper placement measurement. Remember – measure twice, nail once.

Hanging art at eye level applies in some cases but it’s more important to take into consideration the area and items that will be surrounding the art. Make sure there is not too much or too little space, for example, between the top of your couch and the bottom of the art frame. Hanging a piece of art at eye level might throw it completely out of balance. If you do hang at eye level, it should be the center of the image or the center of the arrangement that is at the average person’s eye level.

Several pieces of art with the same measurements and framing will lend a more formal look the area when hung in symmetrical form, whereas frames of varying shapes and sizes lend themselves well to asymmetrical design and informal settings. Make sure the frames and mats compliment each other and that there is nothing jarring in the collection. Asymmetrical arrangements are easy to add to in the future.

If you need an illusion of more width, horizontal arrangements can do that. Conversely, vertical arrangements add height to a room or area and can help make the furniture not look dwarfed if the ceilings are especially high. Vertical art tends to be more formal. If you are placing a single piece of art or an arrangement over a piece of furniture it should not be wider than the piece it’s above. Usually about 75 to 80% of the furniture width is good.

Don’t rush the process when deciding where and how your art will be arranged. When you’re finished you should have pleasant feelings when viewing it. If not, something isn’t done right. Give yourself a little time, go back to the trouble areas and look at it through new eyes, or have a friend look at it with you. It will come to you what is wrong and you can correct the situation. You will then have many happy moments viewing your art and wall hangings.

By June Johnston

http://www.westernshadowsart.com

We have been in the art business since 1998 and are authorized dealers for the art on our site. You will find work by some of the nation’s finest artists such as Cox, Terpning, Marris, Glazier, Bama, Grelle and many others. We specialize in western and wildllife but offer much, much more. Western Shadows Gallery is online only serving the continental United States, so sit back, relax, and enjoy browsing our site.
http://westernshadowsart.com

Author: June Johnston
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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So you want to sell your art? Want to make extra money? Interested in finding effective strategies that will increase your bottom line?

Selling your artwork or your crafts is an incredible way to increase your income. Although it may seem like a daunting task at first, the reality is that there is always a market available for your products. Here are some effective techniques that will help you facilitate sales of your art.

Create a Collective Let’s face it. You are not the only one in your community who has slaved over their art, creating incredible pieces, hour after hour. Chances are there are people on your street who are also artists. Try to seek out artist neighbors and friends who also might be interested in making money by selling their art. Approach these individuals to see if they would be interested in coming together for a collective art bazaar. Find a yard or a parking lot that is large enough. Advertise in local resources, on the Internet, or in coffee shops. In a sense, you are creating your own outdoor market to sell your art.

Local Cafes How many times have you walked into a cafe and seen art for sale on the wall? Or–better yet–how many times have you walked into a cafe and not seen art on the wall? Either way, approach the owner or manager of the cafe with some of your pieces and tell him or her that you would be interested in selling your art to the cafes customers. This is a win-win situation. You will bring in money once your art sells. And the cafe will not only have wonderful art hanging on their walls, but–obviously–they will benefit financially from the sale of your art. It is important that you negotiate a fee that you will pay to the cafe for each sale.

Flea Markets & Other Festivals Obviously, this is the most expensive route, but it also might possibly be the most financially lucrative. Flea markets or other festivals–such as municipal arts and street fairs–will bring thousands of people by your booth each day. And if only a fraction of the people decide to purchase your art, you will still make good money. Even if few sales come from the market, you will have increased your exposure to the community. Even if sales are not made initially, fellow community members might search you out in the weeks following to purchase your art.

Making money by selling your art is incredibly feasible. The number one thing that you need to do though is take action! No one can see your pieces if they are sitting stacked in your studio or in your garage. You need to get these portraits and statues in front of potential buyers in order to make a sale!

J.R. Shanley hopes to help others find out how to successfully sell your art.

Author: J.R. Shanley
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Finding a new gallery for your art can be a daunting task for many artists and not all artists have that natural-sales-ability. But, the number one Cardinal Rule for any type of sales is sell yourself! So how does one do that?

First of all, honestly ask yourself a few important questions:

• Am I ready for a gallery?
• Is my art salable?
• Is my art technically good?
• Have I developed a recognizable style?
• Do I have a cohesive body of work ready to display?
• Have I had success selling my work in art/craft shows, out of your studio and other non-gallery venues?
• Do I have the time to fulfill the supply & demand of a gallery?
• Do I have a website that showcases my art and information? (This is not a must, but highly suggested)
• Do I have a portfolio, bio, resume & artist statement?

If the answers are yes, great – you might be ready to take the next step toward finding the right gallery. If the answer is no, then do not put yourself in a vulnerable position. Approaching a gallery before you are ready is kind of like putting a gangly teenager in modeling school. It won’t help your self-esteem and it most likely will bruise your ego. Be patient and hone your craft until the ugly duckling turns into a swan.Okay. So you are ready for a gallery. Now it is important to do-your-homework and think about where your artwork belongs in the art market. This is easy to do and you can start from home:

• Flip through art magazines and look at gallery ads and the artists they represent.
• Checkout gallery websites and see if your work would be a good fit for them.
• Talk to fellow artists and have them suggest galleries to you.
• If you paint traditional floral still life paintings don’t bother approaching a gallery that specializes in contemporary abstract art.
• On the other hand, all galleries are looking for that fresh artist to add to their “artists’ stable” but – within its own genre.

The next step is to venture out and visit some local galleries in your area or take a road trip to some galleries of your targeted art market. But, observe the gallery through the eyes of a collector, not as an artist.

• Watch and see how the staff greats and treats you.
• Are they courteous and professional?
• Walk through the gallery and scan the art, look how it is hung and check the lighting.
• Ask for a price sheet if available.
• Be sure and get references on the gallery from other artists.
• Try and visualize your art hanging in the gallery and see how it compares in quality to their other artists.
• Searching for the right gallery is a process of elimination.

The more galleries you visit and research, the more informed you will be about making the right choice. Now you have a short list of galleries that are a good match and you are ready to approach a gallery. But, remember that a successful gallery with a good reputation gets inundated with dozens of artists’ submissions each week. I keep in close contact with the galleries that represent me across the country. They all have stellar reputations and therefore they are flooded with artists’ inquiries each week. So how do you make yourself stand out from the crowd?

Check your target gallery website and see if they do have guidelines, follow them (or be a rebel and do it your own way, but you might get shut down). If there are no guidelines then you can try some of the suggestions below:

But, first a bit more about Specific Gallery Requirements:

Some galleries, especially within the high end fine art market have specific submission requirements and policies. Usually artists must submit work for review. This generally means a professional portfolio of at least 10 slides, photos or transparencies or a CD depicting recent works. Always send a self-addressed, stamped envelope or risk never seeing your material again.

The Portfolio Submission:

If you chose to send a portfolio directly to your chosen gallery, be sure and follow the guidelines mentioned above. Most artists today still simply send in a marketing package that includes a professional portfolio which often times get stacked up in a pile and overlooked. Do not try and get too cleaver with the presentation. Keep your portfolio tailored, professional and filled with your best work. It is a good idea to follow up two weeks later with a phone call.

The Cold Call:

This is where you pick up the phone and call the chosen gallery and pitch yourself. Practice and have a notepad with your thoughts outlined so you do not ramble. At this point, be ready to sell yourself because there is no artwork to hide behind over the telephone. Here are a few hints to help you make that call…

• Check the gallery hours and exhibition schedule. If there is an event scheduled, make your call at least a week before or a week after the after the event. You minimize the risk of interrupting a busy and stressed out director.
• It is best to make phone calls either in the morning or at the end of the day. This is when busy directors most generally are at their desks. And…make calls during the middle of week.
• Ask to speak with the Director. If he/she is not available ask when he/she will be available and do not leave a message. (You might not get a return call) So, you call back later.
• Keep the conversation short, friendly and to the point.
• Introduce yourself, explain that you are interested in their gallery, and briefly tell them a little bit about you and your art and why you are a match for them.
• Follow up the conversation with an email linking to your website or attach a few jpeg images of your work – do this within a day so they do not forget you. Mention in your email that if you do not hear back from them, you will check back – give them one to two weeks.
• Or ask the gallery if they would prefer a portfolio, slides or a website to review

The Walk In:

Get ready to sell yourself. This is a more aggressive approach that can or cannot work – it all depends on how attuned you feel with the director or owner. There are no set rules so be ready to go-with-the-flow. Here are some ideas to help you take that step in the door:

• Just like the ‘cold call’ check the gallery schedule and make sure you are not interrupting a major event or busy time.
• Hopefully you have done your homework and familiarized yourself with the gallery.
• Look your best.
• Ask to speak with the owner or director Be informed and demonstrate that you understand the gallery program.
• Let them know why your work is a good match.
• Do not walk in with paintings tucked under your arm – this looks desperate. Leave a business card with your website information or a portfolio for their review.
• Don’t overwhelm them with too much information, leave them wanting more.
• Walk in with a good attitude.
• Be courteous.

Now let us say they really like you and things have gone well…they might ask to have you send them a few paintings for their approval – or they might ask to see some work in person. At this point (this has worked for many of my artist friends, especially when they are on a road trip) have few small framed samples of your best work out in the car.

The Look-see:

Invite your targeted gallery to visit a current showing of your work. Many artists show their art is art/craft shows, restaurants, banks, interior design firms, frames shops and their own studios. If you are lucky enough to live in a community that has a possible gallery for you this approach might work. I suggest you send a printed invitation with an image of your art to the director followed up with a phone call.

The Referral:

This is the best way of approaching a gallery. It has worked wonders for me in the past. If you network with other artists, you most likely have friends with good connections. And yes, just like in Hollywood – it’s who you know. Ask your artist friend to recommend you to their gallery. Make sure to have your friend send them to your website or give them a portfolio of your art. This will peak the gallery’s interest in you. Within a week it is up to you to follow through. Give them a call and remind the gallery that they were recommended to you by your mutual artist friend. From there, hopefully you can build a working relationship.

The Gallery Request:

“If the mountain can’t go to Mohammad, let the mountain come to Mohammad.” What do I mean by that familiar, old statement? This is when the gallery approaches you! Yes, this does happen and has for me many times. But before you say, ‘yes,’ make sure to check the gallery’s references and business record. If they measure up and look like a good fit, this can be the best of all worlds. The gallery picked you. That means they are excited to show your work in their gallery — and this can mean more sales.

The above suggestions are advice that I have compiled from my years as an artist and talking with galleries and fellow artists. We all have battle scars and war stories to tell, but I hope these ideas help keep your pain to a minimum. But, remember — “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” and “Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.”

Lori Mcnee is a nationally recognized professional artist who specializes in still life and landscape oil paintings. Lori shares valuable fine art tips, techniques and art business tips on her blog http://www.lorimcnee.com/ or http://www.finearttips.com/.

Author: Lori Mcnee
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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There was a time when I would have never considered buying original artworks for my home let alone for investment. Too expensive! Too complicated! When it comes to collecting art most people feel inadequate or intimidated. I thought art collecting meant having specialised knowledge and spending a great deal of money on world famous artists. Isn’t art just for people with lots of money?

It’s true that people of wealth do invest in art. It’s one way they increase their wealth. But fortunately you don’t have to start off wealthy to enjoy art or make money from it. You don’t have to be an expert on art to collect art. Anyone can become a successful art collector.

Like me, you most likely already have some type of art hanging on your walls. You chose your art because it suits your décor or you just liked the look of it. The painting you have may even have been expensive. But wouldn’t it be great if just hanging art on your wall offered more than just a pretty picture. It makes a lot more sense to buy originals to invest in that could possibly become very valuable some day. Even modest investments in art can be very profitable.

Rule number one is you don’t always have to spend a lot to get a lot. A lot of beautiful art is very affordable. Australia has some very impressive, well respected and profitable artists. Australian art is becoming ever increasingly popular on an international scale. Starting with a purchase of a known Australian artist that is already making profits on the second hard market is a wise choice. If you feel unsure about investing in a certain work of art, do some research about the artist. Most artists and online galleries with provide you with some background information which as a collector you will want to preserve along with your artwork purchase.

Rules number two, if you are serious about buying investment art read up on the various styles and art forms. Perhaps you have always been attracted to impressionism but you didn’t know it was called ‘impressionism’. This can help you when searching for a certain style.

Rule number three; consider the calibre of artist you are going to investment in. Emerging or relatively unknown artists can be very profitable investments but hold more risk. It’s wise to learn as much as you can about the artist before you purchase. This is where the internet can be a very helpful tool. All kinds of information is available at the click of the mouse.

Rule number four – buy what you love! Can you see yourself enjoying it for years to come? This is an important consideration when you are buying art or anything else for that matter. Whether it becomes a priceless work or not, you will have the satisfaction of having chosen and enjoyed something you really like.

Most importantly, you can become a successful art collector and investor. Don’t stand still! Don’t procrastinate! Go out and start searching for art that is right for you. Everyone has to start somewhere! I can speak from experience and say that learning about art and investing is rewarding intellectually, aesthetically and financially.

Sian Whitehall

Smart Art Investments

Sian Whitehall is the co-founder for Smart Art Investments. An Australian art investment website. She has built a knowledge base of Australian artists and art investment information and would like to share her own knowledge and understandings with others.

Author: Sian Whitehall
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Hanging pictures in a space, along with adding decorative flair to a room, also allows us to bring style and character to the spaces reflecting our individuality. Everything we choose, colour, type or shape of artwork adds our personal touch and warmth to any space. How the wall art or framed photographs or any other collectibles are hung, either as a single frame or as a grouping of frames, influences the entire look of any room. Hanging pictures properly needs more deliberation and concentration than one might actually think as it is not just hammering a nail in the wall and resting your picture on it.

The following are 7 best tips and tricks for hanging pictures besides following the foremost guideline which is to hang the picture at the eye level for the average person.

1. The wall art, when hung, should aesthetically please the eyes of an admirer once fixed on the wall. So remember, the size of the frame should always be proportionate to the size of the wall. Smaller frames best adorn the narrow walls whereas larger frames or group of frames look best on comprehensive wall sizes.

2. Wall art should be relative to furniture size. An artwork broader than the item beneath will give a feeling of “off-balance”. Make sure that the length of the frame is 75% to 80% of the length of the furniture piece placed below and should also not be placed too high; the distance between the base of the frame and the top furniture should be 20 cm maximum.

3. If you want your picture to stand out and make a statement, select a picture that best complements the colour of your room or couch or carpet and effectively brings out the mood you want to attain. Vibrant and bold colours add flamboyance whereas pastel shades infuses serenity in the ambiance. However if you are looking for an art-deco-inspired look, then main colour of the picture should be in contrast to that of the walls. For instance if the walls are green then select a picture that has bright red tones in it as it will not only make the wall focal point but also add vigor to the entire room.

4. Hang the picture securely. Make sure that the frame rests flat against the wall and use specially designed picture hooks instead of nails. If the frame is heavy or very large then install the hooks in the wall studs to get the robust support that is required.

5. In recent years, the trend of an art shelf has emerged to rest the art pieces. In fact it is a great way to give a stylish and contemporary look to a room. You can also mix and match the artwork with other ornamental objects like silver, crystal, books and other collectibles to create a more elegant vignette.

6. Hang one big picture or canvas in a prime position to make a statement. A focal point in the room can be created in this way where a natural bay window or fire place is missing. A bench or stool can be placed below the large paintings to “anchor” them to the space.

7. While hanging pictures in groups, try to add diversity to the arrangement by using frame and mats of different shapes and sizes but still complimentary to each other.

To tackle a blank wall can be very intimidating but I am sure with these tips on hanging pictures, you can create a well-dressed wall.

Find Out Which Picture Hanging System Renowned Artist Ian Bunn Uses. For More Picture Hanging Tips Check Out www.prohanging.com.au

Author: Ian Bunn
Article Source: EzineArticles.com