IN THE RIGHT LIGHT | Rules for Lighting Artwork
Picture frame lighting adds high style to a room by illuminating artwork and turns artwork into a dramatic point of focus. Lighting is critical when paired with fine art and even a slight difference in direction or type like fluorescent, incandescent, halogen, natural, etc. can make all the difference. Like anything else, art lighting is a compromise and requires a little expert advice.
Types of Light | Art looks great in natural sunlight but most art will deteriorate in this light. Fluorescent lights are not recommended for art in most cases since they give off a high amount of damaging UV rays. Incandescent bulbs are great for warm colored paintings but not recommended for paintings with cool colors. Halogen bulbs are not completely safe since they emit some harmful UV rays and in many cases heat. It is not advisable to use these types of bulbs for fine art. New LED lights are the best option. LED bulbs emit zero heat and no U.V. making it the best option for illuminating fine art. L.E.D.’s are Earth friendly too by providing a long bulb life with a very low power usage.
Wiring for Lights | The best solution is to professionally direct wire to a recessed box behind the painting. But, if you don’t mind seeing the cord, lights can also be plugged into the outlet with ease. Remote control and battery powered lights are another option when a power source isn’t easily available. However, they are far from perfect and come with larger transformers and shorter battery life.
Choosing the right size | When shopping for a picture light, consider that the ideal light should measure two-thirds the width of the frame. Traditional shades and contemporary fixtures are available in sizes ranging from 4” to 4’ or more at prices ranging from $20 to several hundred.
Light positioning | How a light is positioned affects how artwork is highlighted. Place the light at a 30-degree angle to the work of art to minimize glare.
Avoid Heat Damage | Take special care when using hot halogen lights. Place lights far enough away to avoid damage from heat that can crack oil paintings. To test the heat from your lights, put your hand between the art and the light source. If you can feel heat from the light, it could damage a textile or oil painting.
For more advice on showcasing your artwork or information on purchasing lighting fixtures contact Meg at 208-888-9898.
New in the Gallery
In the middle of our road trip along the Pacific Coast, we stumbled across Bryce Dimitruk. His gallery Vine Art Glass is on highway 101, a few miles south of Bandon, Oregon. His blown glass ornaments demonstrate a mastery of skill; blending molten glass with color, pattern and textures to achieve a deliciously wonderful combination. I couldn’t leave without one… so I bought a dozen more and am delighted to offer them in the gallery.
HANG UPS | Everything you need to know about hanging art in your home
A home is a place that should comfort you, filled with precious things you’ve collected and memories you’ve made with people you love. That’s why artwork is such an important part of what makes a house into a home. When you’re displaying art in your home make sure you keep these tips in mind to keep your home picture perfect.
Group collections together for maximum impact
Keep it Together | It’s important to display collections together for maximum impact. Etchings, photographs, maps and the like are perfect arranged together. Group similar items by theme or pattern to create a dramatic focal point like a polished pro. Different sized and odd number items can have similar frames for an informal arrangement but same sized pictures in the same collection should have identical frames for a more structured, modern look.
Hang Ups | There are rules professional decorates following for showing artwork to its best advantage. Artwork looks its best hung 60” – 62” from the floor to the center of the picture. In rooms where the art is viewed sitting down, like the dining room, I install closer to the 60” to center mark. In hallways for example, a higher 62” is closer to eye-level. And for over a mantle, 7” is the perfect height. This rule applies to over the sofa as well.
Get Creative | If original art isn’t in your budget, consider framing a cut piece of beautiful fabric or wall covering. There are many interesting alternatives to traditional wall decoration. But I would caution you to avoid the temptation to hang photos on clothes pins, as is popular on sites like Pinterest. That can cause damage to the picture and there’s no glass protecting it from sunlight or other environmental hazards. The web is filled with creative ideas. Just remember to use caution with any original photographs.
As always, our experts stand ready to assist you with hammer and nail, or just friendly advice. Call us at 208-888-9898
Learn to Paint with Watercolors Class
Join national award-winning painter Joyce Green for a fun and informative workshop to learn techniques for painting with watercolors. You’ll enjoy her playful spirit while learning her secrets for planning a strong composition and mixing and applying color. $35 includes lesson and materials. Only 6 spots are available, so call 888-9898 to reserve your spot!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
6:30pm – 8:30pm
164 E State Street | Suite B | Eagle, Idaho 83616
FIRST FRIDAY | March Art Party
The first Friday in March marked the kick-off to downtown Eagle’s First Friday event and opening night for painter Rena Vandewater. The steady stream of art lovers came to see her whimsical and vivid oil paintings.
Art lovers enjoy the March Art Party
Rena shared her inspiration for her pastoral scenes.
“I work very intuitively,” Rena explains. “The painting talks to me the whole time I’m working on it. The patterns and shapes evolve in the process, and although I see the image as a whole, each space has a life of its own.”
Art by Rena Vandewater | In the Land of Milk & Honey
Rena’s work displays a maturity that comes from years of painting while pursing her masters degree in art. Although the scenes depict a playful fantasy land that only exists in her colorful imagination, she is serious about her technique. Rena employs a technique simliar to post-Impressionist painters Gauguin and van Gogh. Cloisonnism is a style of painting with bold and flat forms separated by dark contours. Rena’s show In the Land of Milk & Honey will be on display through March.
“To create the dancing pattern of circles, I use a technique of painting with the hot glass. The colored glass is my glass canvas and clear glass is the paint, creating playful and transparent designs.”
Marianne creates the "Ringleik" designs by painting with hot glass
The bowl pictured here has sold, but there are others available. Call for inquiries 208-888-9898