June 3, 2013

Upcoming Exhibitions at the National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art showcases world-class collections in painting, sculpture, and graphic arts. It houses an extensive selection of the finest works from the Middle Ages to the present. The Museum serves the country by preserving, collecting, exhibiting, and fostering understanding of works of art at the highest standards. It offers different programs, tours, free lectures, and resources to educate the public about art history, art appreciation, and more.

The National Gallery of Art will be opening its doors to several exhibitions in the coming months. Try to visit the Museum for these upcoming events. Passes are not required for these exhibits.

A World of Bonds: Frederick Sommer’s Photography and Friendships
June 16 – August 4, 2013
West Building Ground Floor

This is a one-room exhibition showing 27 photos, prints, collages, and drawings of Frederick Sommer (1905-1999). Sommer explored a wide range of subjects such as surreal arrangements of objects, disorienting landscapes, and virtual abstractions. The exhibition will let the public be able to take a peek inside how Sommers shared ideas with his friends such as Edward Weston, Max Ernst, Man Ray, Charles Sheeler, and Aaron Siskind.

In the Tower: Kerry James Marshall
June 28 – December 7, 2013
East Building Tower

Kerry James Marshall is one of the most celebrated painters known for large-scale paintings. His pieces reflect African American life and history. This exhibition will showcase 10 paintings and 20 works on paper; and it is the sixth in a series of Tower installations showing the developments in art since midcentury.

Yes, No, Maybe: Artists Working at Crown Point Press
September 1, 2013 – January 5, 2014
West Building Ground Floor

Yes, No, Maybe looks at the artist’s creative process by placing side by side fully resolved prints and other working proofs produced at the Crown Point Press from 1972-2010. The exhibition features some 80 prints by a range of artists including the illustrious Richard Diebenkorn, John Cage, and Chuck Close. It will also display prints from the more recently acclaimed artists Mamma Andersson, Julie Mehretu, and Chris Ofili.

Tell It with Pride: The 54th Massachusetts Regiment and Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Shaw Memorial
September 15, 2013 – January 19, 2014
West Building Main Floor

The National Gallery of Art commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Wagner by opening an exhibit which celebrates the “Shaw Memorial” by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The monument honors Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The exhibit features daguerreotype, tintype, and carte de visite portraits of the soldiers, the people who enlisted them, and the nurses. The are also letters, recruitment poster, and works by 20th-century artists including Lewis Hine, Richard Benson, and Carrie Mae Weems.

Charles Marville: Photographer of Paris
September 29, 2013 – January 05, 2014
West Building Ground Floor

This exhibit presents a scholarly catalogue on the celebrated 19th-century French photographer Charles Marville (1813-1879). It shows Marville’s art and biography, his true identity and background. There will be around 100 photographs covering Marville’s luminous career, from landscapes, architecture, to photographs of Paris.

June 2, 2013

How to Frame a Canvas Art

Framing a canvas painting allows you to hang and display the art piece while protecting it. A frame can help your audience focus on your artwork when they are beautifully displayed in the showroom or even your home. Framing a painting on canvas can be a daunting task to many. There are lots of information out there on framing but here is a detailed way to frame a canvas art.

Materials Needed:
Go to your local art supply shop to get these materials.

Mat – A mat should overlap the edges on the painting to serve as a border between the print and the frame, and between the print and the glazing panel. Mats are available in pre-cut form in most art supply stores but they can customize the size of the mat upon request. Mats are available in different colors and are usually 4- and 8-ply thick. I would suggest using a white mat since colored mats tend to fade.
Backing board – A backing board should be acid-free. Use a backing board that is the same size as the outside dimensions of your mat.
Adhesives – Use acid-free adhesives such as a brushed on adhesive or spray adhesive. You can also use a mounting film, or mounting tape.
Glazing panel – It can be glass or acrylic. There are also plain and UV-protected panels.
Frame – There are many frames available in your local art supply store which are made of wood, plastic, or metal.

Steps:

Measure the length, width, and depth of the canvas. Use these measurements when buying your framing supplies.
Draw the borders inside your backing board.
Apply the adhesive to the backing board.
Put your canvas print over the backing board, using the borders as your guide.
To make sure that you’ve positioned your print correctly, lightly position the mat over the print. If you are satisfied with the position, remove the mat.
Use a clean piece of paper and apply pressure to bond the print to the backing board. Remove the paper and check again the alignment of your print and backing board.
While waiting for the adhesive to set, clean your glazing panel. You can use an anti-static cloth to remove miniscule marks, oils, dust, finger prints, etc.
Put the glazing panel inside the frame, followed by the mat, and then the mounted print.
Secure the frame and canvas with the clips at the back of the frame. Most frames come with a pre-attached bracket so you can readily hang it.

Image from here.

June 1, 2013

Canvas Painting for Beginners

School break is near and students now have all the free time in the world to do anything they want. Instead of wasting your time in front of the TV or laptop, why not do something productive this summer? This summer, dip your fingers in canvas painting. You may think you don’t have the talent and money to do painting but with the right knowledge, you can start this creative activity. The Internet is full of helpful tips and information, and even videos, on how to start canvas painting. If budget is your problem, there are many local art supply retailers offering art supplies at a discount.

Before you start on that first brush stroke, you first have to know the various tools required in canvas painting.

Types of Canvas
You first have to have a canvas to be able to start painting. Two of the most common material for a canvas are cotton and linen which are available in different qualities and color. Both canvas are available primed or unprimed. For beginners, choose the cotton canvas since it is less expensive than linen and get the primed version so you won’t have the trouble of priming it at home. Primed canvas may cost a bit more than the unprimed one but you don’t have to mix, apply the sizing and ground. Ask your art supplier about the perfect canvas for your painting.

Types of Paintbrushes
Try experimenting with different paint brushes. For oil and acrylic painting, bristle and sable brushes are recommended. Bristle brushes have harder bristles than sable. Use different shapes of brushes to see which brushes suits your painting style. For amateurs, use large-sized brushes to help you focus on the whole painting and less on the fine details of your piece. Use the small brushes when you’ve had practice and you’re confident with your painting skills. Also, start with the cheap brushes first.

Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is recommended for beginners since it is easy to use, dilute, clean up, and affordable. If you’re not sure which shades of paint to buy, here are some suggestions for a basic palette. These paints are available from high end acrylic brands.

Burnt Sienna
Burnt Umber
Napthol Crimson (red) or Cadmium Red
Yellow Ochre or Cadmium Yellow
Pthalo Blue or Ultramarine Blue
Pthalo Green
Ivory or Mars Black
Titanium White
Titanium Buff

Other Materials
Mediums
Mediums are used to thicken or thin the oil. You have to take time in using mediums to know which suits best for the painting you have in mind.

Paint Palettes
Paint palettes are available in different materials such as wood, plastic, or metal. Paper is easier to use since you can just throw each sheet after use.

Painting knives
Painting knives are used for mixing the paint, and for some artists, for painting as well.

Images are from here and here.

May 31, 2013

Hotels for Art Lovers

There are numerous museums all over the world and it seems that whenever there is a museum, there will also be hotels. If you love traveling and art, here is a list of the world’s best hotels for art lovers.

Minos Beach Art Hotel
Crete,Greece
The Minos Beach Art Hotel is one of the finest hotels in Crete. It has a seafront setting and is located near the Agios Nikolaos Archeological Museum and Lake Voulismeni. It offers bungalows, suites, and villas to tourists wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The hotel also serves as an art gallery, displaying sculptures from leading Greek and foreign artists.

Baur au Lac
Zurich, Switzerland
Baur au Lac is one of the world’s best hotels, maintaining the top position in the international luxury hotel industry for more than 165 years. The posh rooms offer spectacular views of the Swiss Alps and Lake Zurich. The hotel organizes an outdoor sculpture exhibition called Art in the Park where world-class artists display their works on the property’s grounds. Art pieces of Robert Indiana, Joan Miro, and Sol Lewitt have been included in this twice-a-year exhibit.

W South Beach
Miami Beach, Florida, USA
W South Beach is a resort hotel that also displays museum-caliber art pieces. The selection owned by the hotel’s co-owner Aby Rosen and the pieces are from modern artists like Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The hotel is located close to the Bass Art Museum which recently opened the exhibition called “From Picasso to Koons: The Artist as Jeweler,” an exhibit showcasing around 200 works by 135 artists.

Gramercy Park Hotel
New York City, USA
New York City boasts hundreds of museums, making it a haven for art lovers. The Gramercy Park Hotel has an impressive selection of art pieces. It houses the work of world-class artists such as Andy Warhol, Richard Prince, Keith Haring, Julian Schnabel, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Damien Hirst.

Hotel Siru
Brussels, Belgium
Hotel Siru offers 101 unique rooms. In the 1980s, the hotel commissioned 130 Belgian artists to work on the rooms so now, all the rooms and public areas features contemporary works which includes framed prints, 3-D papier mâché sculptures, and murals. If you’re staying at Hotel Siru, try and visit the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée or the Comic Strip Museum.

The Ritz-Carlton Millenia
Marina Centre, Singapore
The Ritz-Carlton commissioned art pieces worth S$5 million dollars which are positioned in the best feng shui locations. A detailed map will show you the location of all 4,200 pieces on display which includes the works of Zhu Wei, Dale Chihuly, Andy Warhol, Frank Stellar, Henry Moore and David Hockney.

The Merrion
Dublin, Ireland
The Merrion Hotel not only offers the finest accommodations in Ireland, it showcases the work’s of the country’s most important artists including Daniel Maclise, Nathaniel Hone, Paul Henry, and Mainie Jellet. Guided tours are available from the National Gallery.

Images are from here and here.

May 30, 2013

Tips on How to Sell Canvas Art Online

With the latest advancements in technology, artists are taking their careers online. Using the Internet, artists now have more platforms in sharing and selling their canvas arts outside the usual art galleries. There are thousands of online markets where artists and buyers meet. With many fish in the sea, how can you stand out so your canvas art prints are the ones sold online? Here are some tips that you can use to get more exposure and help boost sales of your art.

1. Take time to write the best descriptions for your artwork. The best online art galleries allow full descriptions for each artwork uploaded to their websites. Make your descriptions easy and enjoyable to read, free of spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. Include keywords in your descriptions that art buyers use when searching art online. Also, prepare a small bio and artist statement to introduce you to website visitors.

2. Create a portfolio site or blog. Upload the photos of your artwork and include complete descriptions. Make sure that you use good and clear images of your work since the colors of your art and its photo may vary when posted online. Promote your work and use a friendly tone to invite new visitors and potential buyers. Provide the information on payment, handling, and shipping.

3. Use the social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest are some of the most popular social media platforms available today. Use them to introduce yourself and your work to your network and your friend’s networks. Create a YouTube channel to showcase your artworks and your skills. Join forums that you enjoy to network and don’t just settle for art forums. Expand your network beyond the art world by joining forums related to the themes you use. If you paint nature, join a botany forum. Put a link to your website in the signature line of your posts.

4. Create newsletters for art lovers. If you own an art blog, it’s easy to send email newsletters to your subscribers. This is where you can inform them about the latest in your projects and finished pieces. Regular contacts with them can help you build long-term relationships and to let them know what you’ve been busy with lately.

5. Choose one online art gallery. The President of BoundlessGallery.com Luke Terpstra advised artists to do a lot of research about online art galleries but choose only one to try out wholeheartedly. He said it’s more productive for artists to concentrate on one venue than be all over different galleries and become overwhelmed with all the inquiries and issues in managing the business. If you give all efforts and still don’t get the sales that you expect in your chosen art gallery, then go to another venue and see if it will give you what you seek.

Image from here.

May 29, 2013

Linen Canvas vs Cotton Canvas: Which to Use?

As young artists, we are faced with lots of choices even before we start that first brush stroke. We think about the theme of our painting, what medium should we use, the size of the canvas to use, where to get inspiration, or which canvas would be perfect for our art. It could be overwhelming, especially for newbies out there who have just started in the art of painting.

There are debates on which canvas is better: linen or cotton. Here we lay down the benefits and drawbacks of using a linen or cotton canvas.

Linen

Pros
Linen is a canvas made from flax fibers. The word is derived from the Latin word “linum” which means the flax plant. Professional oil artists prefer linen canvas for its longevity and high quality. Linen is very receptive to sizing and priming applications. Sizing is a glue barrier which prevents the ground and the paint from coming in contact with the linen fibers, making it a more durable choice of canvas. A linen canvas preserves its natural oils and easily adapts to moisture changes which gives the fiber’s flexibility and helps prevent cracking over time. The linen fiber has a more natural weaved finish and is available in different textures, weights, and smooth or rough finish.

Cons
Linen canvas may be a better quality canvas and resistant to wear and tear but it is not that widely used because of its price. It is more expensive than cotton, jute, or other fibers used as canvas because producing linen is quite labor-intensive. If you’re just a student, the high price tag may turn you off. Also, you may have difficulties in priming and stretching a linen canvas but it provides the smoothest and stiffest painting surface, perfect for oil paintings. Students should avoid using a linen canvas unless their painting skills and quality of work are outstanding and are comparable to well-known artists.

Cotton

Pros
Cotton is a soft fiber from a cotton plant native to the Americas, Africa, and India. More artists choose cotton canvas because its cheaper. Since cotton is more available and has low manufacturing costs, the price of a cotton canvas is more affordable than linen. It is more flexible and easier to stretch properly, making it a popular choice among art students. It is good to know that a properly prepared cotton canvas can be as durable as a linen canvas. So, if you want to use a lasting canvas without hurting your wallets, consider a cotton canvas.

Cons
Cotton is known for its flexibility and its ability to stretch easily, but it is not advisable to use it in very large paintings since it is prone to sagging.

Before you choose a canvas, consider the medium you are using and what you want to achieve on the canvas surface. For students or hobbyists, a cotton canvas is recommended because of its practicality and affordable price.

Images are from here and here.

July 19, 2012

Canvas Art: Horizon Lines

In the Arts community there are certain terms that are used for determining where painting will take place. A term that I love hearing from fellow artists is “Horizon Line”. When I first heard this term, I immediately thought of a sunrise over a nondescript beach setting. I knew that it was incorrect but I had no idea what the term meant so naturally, I Googled it! For my fellow lay artists that are new the world of Fine Art and painting on canvas allow me to help you become familiar with one of the most important terms you will use throughout your career.

The Horizon Line means “eye-level” or as Ask.com’s Marion Boddy-Evans puts it:

” In ‘real life’, the horizon is where the land (or sea) and sky meet. In painting perspective, it’s the level your eyes are at, an imaginary line to which things recede. It’s important to know where it is if you’re painting a realistic scene, and it needs to be put in straight, as you need to apply perspective rules to the objects in relation to this. ”

Seems pretty cut and dry, right? That’s because it is!

Just know this term and how it relates to your relationship with canvas can help you determine the amount of canvas you will need to complete projects and commissions! Think about it: Once you’ve determined your horizon line, or eye-level perspective, for a landscape painting that features a barn and a roost of chickens you’re halfway done with your creation… you just have to paint it!

Horizon lines are also important because they aide you in deciding the size and shape of the canvas you will need to purchase to make a certain idea work. For example, you may be commissioned to paint a portrait of a client’s child or parent. For this type of painting, a canvas size of 18″w x 24″ h would be a good start. Knowing this size will help you determine where the horizon line needs to be for the portrait.

Horizon lines also come in handy when explaining abstract artwork to clients and individuals the love you but may not necessarily understand your art! I’ve found that by helping those individuals that are unaccustomed to viewing some of my own abstract artistry to focus on the eye-level starting point of my work, they’ve developed a firmer grasp on what I’ve been painting all of these years.

In a nutshell, that is how the Horizon Line can help you as a canvas artist save yourself more time for creativity and less time priming for a canvas purchase.

Until next time, stay informed by keeping a bookmark on CanvasLot.com’s Blog!

July 19, 2012

How To Make A Canvas Your Own

Many of us enjoy canvas art. We frequent art galleries, employ or commission artists to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece for our home or office, and even go well out of our way to gain inspiration from the most revered artwork in far-and-away cities states and countries. So what happens when we decide that we can paint just as well as any famous artist, and forgo the cost of paying someone else to create art for an empty wall in our home?

After many hours of forced creative concentration and a few art supply store expeditions, we decide to make a canvas our own!

Now that the power of self-sufficiency and creativity has been mustered up, where do we begin?

I will tell you, my friend! Here are a few suggestions I have for you as a burgeoning self-taught artist that is interested in mastering canvas for your home office and/or living spaces!

1. Visit CanvasLot.com and purchase bulk pre-stretched canvas at a discounted, wholesale rate. Since Canvas Lot offers top quality canvas at the most affordable prices online, you can’t go wrong!

2. Select a few of your favorite colors of oil-based paints – be as wild or as subtle as you’d like to be! Since I am a sucker for loud colors, I recommend a happy marriage of turquoise and chocolate brown for just about any canvas.

3. Using two coats of paint on every sides, paint all of your canvases a solid color. Then, take a step back and let those beautiful solid panels of paint dry!

4. After the paint is dry, the fun can begin! If you’re artistically inclined but pressed for time, the simplest form of canvas mastery is to take multiple colors of paint and smear them on your canvas surface without thinking about placement or horizon lines: just go for it! With this style of free-flowing creativity, you will be amazed at the abstract art you can create for your home and living space! If you’re not too keen on free wheeling brushstrokes and lines, create a simple stencil instead and paint inside the lines with a paint brush or art sponge. Some of the most popular stencils of today are birds, flowers, stars, and even the old stand-by happy face!

5. Let your paintings dry! If you are using an oil-based paint as I recommended you will need to allot for a longer dry time than with most other paints. As the old adage goes: good things come to those who wait!

As you can see, these five simple steps to making canvas your own can take up very little time and money. Canvas Lot will help you expedite the creative process by cutting your drive time to an art supply store, too! So get started, Picasso! Your canvas awaits!

July 19, 2012

Fredrix Artist Canvas

Fredrix Artist Canvas is one of the world’s most well-known art supply companies that sells high quality art supplies, canvas, paper, and notebooks. But why should you, the beginning artist or seasoned veteran, choose to purchase canvases made of Fredrix materials from CanvasLot.com? Because of both companies, you are going to receive the best quality pre-stretched canvas at the best discounted prices from companies that are locally established. Pretty cool, eh?

Founded in 1868 by entrepreneur E. H. Friedrichs, Fredrix has been the go-to art supply company for beginning artists and is now being brought to you through the online shop of CanvasLot.com. Fredrix canvas material is primed with acrylic gesso, which creates an excellent surface for your oil based painting needs!

According to ARTTalk.com:

“Fredrix shops all over the world to find the finest artist grade cottons, linens and blends, which are all woven to their rigid specifications. Thousands of years before what we now know as artist canvas was available, cotton and linen (flax) were being used in many ways. For instance, the linen used to wrap mummies in the ancient tombs of Egypt was created over 6,000 years ago. It was part of their unique burial method and, along with the dry climate of the desert, preserved the linen. The Shroud of Turin, believed by some to be the shroud in which Jesus was wrapped after his death over 2,000 years ago, was also linen. These examples speak volumes of linen’s archival qualities.”

Wow! That is fascinating! Not only is Fredrix wildly popular in the art world, it is apart of an extensive history that dates back centuries… impressive!

With so many options to buy quality canvas online, CanvasLot.com is your best budgeting bet for your buck because of its use of Fredrix canvas. All canvases are hand stretched with the Fredrix’s carefully woven duck that allows for a smooth and absorbent surface. This means that you’re paying for pre-stretched canvases pulled and primed by hand as well as allowing yourself to be apart of history by painting on the world’s most popular surface!

Now that you’ve learned a bit more about Fredrix and the history behind your brand new painting surface, visit the Canvas Lot site to purchase your piece of the pie! CanvasLot.com offers multiple size options to fit your painting needs. You can also order multiple canvases at discounted, wholesale rates that will please your financial sensibilities and keep your pocketbook plump with savings!

July 18, 2012

Cotton Duck Canvas – All Its Quacked Up To Be?

CanvasLot.com strives to provide all artists and individuals who use pre-stretched canvases for projects with the best product they can offer. What you may not know is that the material used to create your brand new blank canvases is a traditional, well-known textile called cotton duck canvas. Let’s explore this remarkable textile that is as rich in its historical uses as it is beautiful hanging on art gallery walls!

This material has been a tried and true textile for the arts community since the sixteenth century! It gained popularity in Italy, one of the world’s most well-known places for Fine Art and modern design. Although it is known that panel painting was used most commonly and widely throughout Europe, duck cotton began to make its move within the Arts community as the centuries rolled on. Today, cotton duck canvas is the common textile used to stretch into a canvas for artists all over the world.

Oftentimes, duck is un-sized, and its uses are determined based on weight. For those of us outside the textile industry, the material duck is known as “canvas” and is commonly used to make fashion accessories such as shoes and handbags. Did you know that it is also used to make shower curtains and sails? What a versatile textile!

The editors of Wikipedia have the most comprehensive explanation for those of us that need information in lay terms:

“A numbering system is used to describe the various weights of duck cloth, based on the weight of a 36×22-inch piece. Weights below 19 ounces are called numbered duck. The grade of numbered duck refers to the number of ounces subtracted from 19 for a 36×22-inch piece of fabric. For example, a piece of #8 numbered duck with dimensions of 36″×22″ weighs 11 ounces (19 − 8 = 11); those above 19 ounces are called naught duck.^[2]

Numbered duck is nominally made in weights from 1 to 12, but numbers 7, 9, and 11 are no longer used. ”

[Retrieved on July 18, 2012 – Gerilyn Hayes]

Another point of interest to you should be the good company that CanvasLot.com is keeping with renowned Fredrix. Fredrix has been an art materials and canvas supply company for over one hundred and forty years! That’s quality you can believe in, and one that I recommend for artists in need of bulk blank canvas purchases.

So it’s true! Cotton duck canvas really is all it’s quacked up to be! To purchase your very own canvases at discounted, wholesale prices visit CanvasLot.com.