What is custom art?
Custom art consists of decorative,
illustrative or abstract designs that take a variety of forms. Flat work can be
painted directly onto the wall or can be mounted art in a variety of media on a
paper, canvas or other two dimensional substrate. This substrate or base can be
completely flat or painted to create an illusion of dimension via depth of
image field or surface effects. Surface effects include texture, light
reflecting embedded material and build up relief. Custom art can also come in
three dimensional and sculptural applications, including works that project
more dramatically from the wall than relief or fully three dimensional works
that are mounted on static or movable bases. Bases for movable works include
pedestals, hanging fixtures, and custom built easels.
Flat
works painted directly onto the wall are generally referred to as murals. These
wall paintings can consist of a variety of paint or mixed media and cover small
areas or entire rooms. Small areas are called insets, and are usually smaller
than three by three feet. Larger murals start at sizes above the three by three
foot expanse. Murals can be located on walls, ceilings, architectural and
structural columns, and even floors. Protective finishes are recommended for
all forms of mural to minimize damage to the art, increase the ease of
cleaning, and integrate the mural into the surrounding surfaces. In the case of
full room murals, furniture and floors are protected during the painting
process with tarps or moved out of the area until the paint and protective
finishes are dry. The direct application of paint to the wall distinguishes
murals from other forms of flat work.
Flat
works on paper can be crafted from paint, drawing material, collage or a
mixture of these media. These works are generally framed for hanging on the
wall. The subject matter, color palette and dimensions of any flat work are
completely personal choice. Size may be defined by the available space,
placement of furniture, light sources, and focal walls. Within the scheme of
your interior design, a range of choices exist for matching your décor,
highlighting colors, and bringing new or unifying elements into a room.
What
are trompe d’oeil? Trompe d’oeil are a kind of inset or mural. The word “trompe
d’oeil” is French for “fool the eye” and refers to the illusions of three dimensions in accomplished
with flat paint. Often trompe d’oeil subjects include architectural and
sculptural motifs, florals, still lifes, landscapes, and active narratives and
people. Examples of architectural motifs include adding columns, windows, or
niches to otherwise narrow spaces. Sculptural motifs include figural forms in
niches, and other classical designs, as well as borders, and abstract forms.
Florals and still lifes are often combined with niches to create the illusion
of a vase or dish or shelf in a wall. Landscapes and active narrative or
illustrative images are fabulous for focal walls where the eye tends to dwell.
These can be break outs that look like an opening in the wall or integrated
with architectural motifs such as windows or bracketed between columns. For the
most illusory form of trompe d’oeil, select an active narrative that includes
people paused in motion. Visitors to your home or business will do a double
take as they try to ascertain whether the person is really there.
Faux finishes are generally
abstract and colorful accents on a single wall, pair of walls or all walls of an
entire room. Textural and patterned elements create interest, while integrating
design motifs. Choosing colors that pull in elements of the room’s interior
design scheme and unique decorator accents can bring the whole room into
dynamic focus. Your personal mementos on display and sculptures can be
highlighted by a faux finish as well.
Whether you are seeking a small
unifying element or a whole home or business scheme, a design consultant can
coordinate and create the perfect combination of custom art for your needs. Now
that you have an idea of what the choices are, contact our representative for
your own consultation and begin personalizing your space!
commissioned portrait for Betty and Terry Hendricks
completed 2010.
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