Displaying Your Original Artwork

I thought I would post an Article I wrote for Etsy a while back.

I give a how-to on the merits of original artwork and how to display it to its best effect.

Are you tired of your old dusty prints on the wall? Think original artwork. Pick a piece that speaks to you. If you're going to pay for it, you want to love it!

Think different! You want to make a statement. Try a large abstract painting in a formal, more traditional room, like the one I've placed in the above image.

Mats and Frames:
Have your original painting matted well. There is no magic formula for deciding how wide a mat should be, but it is better to choose wider spaces, as it gives the eye somewhere to rest between the picture and frame. Small borders give the impression of a picture being squeezed into a frame that is too small.

Place a thick white mat and frame around any artwork and it will enhance its beauty. I always put my artwork in 3 to 4.5 inch off-white or white mats. Another extra touch is to use a double mat. See how the thin red mat accentuates the red crab painting? By adding a little color, the red crab stands out!


Have you ever heard of “floating” a painting? You may want to consider floating the painting in the frame if there is a deckled edge. (A soft natural edge that is compatible with its linen like texture.) When you float a painting the mat does not cover up the edges, so you see the rough deckled edge. You can also float acrylics and oil paintings.

So artists, take that extra step and present your artwork with added professionalism. Placing a mat around your artwork will give the buyer a better idea of what the finished product will look like. You can buy pre-cut acid-free mats at most art supply stores. I use cheapjoes.com for ordering in bulk. For framing your originals, I recommend finding a locally owned framer with whom you can build a relationship. They want your business and will usually give you lower prices than national retail stores.

Hanging:
Don't be so symmetrical! Shake it up a bit and create an extra artistic element on your wall with the shapes you create with your grouping. Place an odd number and different sizes together. Think about your space. For instance, don't hang a small painting on a large wall — it will get lost in proportion. Either go with one large painting or create a grouping, as mentioned above.


Don't be scared! So many people are afraid of hanging artwork because they're not confident that they've found that one perfect and exact place, and they don't want to be stuck with holes in the wall. Just do it! You can always move paintings around. I do it ALL the time...

It shouldn't be a chore — have fun with it!