Making My Mark On Extra Large Canvas Art
My subjects are old.
If you take a look at the subjects I choose for my extra large canvas art, you’ll notice that there are no skyscrapers. There are no people, few buildings, and almost no signs of manmade structures. What I am working on today is topographical art, where I utilize maps, charts, and atlases to recreate the aerial views on extra-large canvases. That’s not to say that I’ve never included people or structures in pieces I’ve done, but for now my interests lies in topographical painting and sometimes landscapes.
Like I said…my subjects are old. Shorelines have been there for thousands or millions of years. After all, barring some human intervention in places like The Netherlands (of which 17% of the country has been reclaimed from the sea), shorelines don’t change much. Most topographical art that I create would be recognizable to someone flipping through a 17th-century atlas in most cases. Often my art is even more accurate than maps of old.
My subjects are old and have been recreated by artists and mapmakers for hundreds or thousands of years. All of my subjects have been put to ink or paint in the past. How can I make my mark on these pieces?
The Familiar and the Unfamiliar
When looking at my “Geographic Abstraction” series, found on the homepage of my website, the first thing you’ll most likely notice are the familiar shapes of countries and states. There’s Africa, there’s Texas, there’s California. Nearly every American could pick out the shapes of the Great Lakes, even if they couldn’t call each by name. Whether they are represented entirely by their geographic shapes or they also include man-made borders, they’re recognizable.
But then there’s the unfamiliar. While there are millions of representations of the United States in art, I’ve also chosen some places that most people would not be able to recognize, such as Guangzhou and The Pearl River Delta and Scandinavia.
I make my mark by choosing the familiar and the not-so-familiar. But isn’t it amazing how easy it is to identify as topographical art even if you don’t recognize the particular location?
Size
If the first thing you notice on my homepage is the topographical nature of the art, the second thing you’ll almost certainly take note of is the fact that it’s extra-large canvas art. At first it might not be so obvious, and that’s why I’ve stepped in to pose with my extra large paintings. As you can see, a six-foot-tall painting is not out of the ordinary in my studio.
Why have I chosen to make such large canvas art? Being able to show such a fine level of detail is certainly an important reason, though it’s not the only reason. Making large art is simply a part of who I am as an artist and probably stems from the artwork that inspired me.
Sculpting
While at first my paintings might seem two dimensional, you’ll certainly see a difference when you see them in person. While I often call them extra large paintings (because of the use of paint), the paint is actually sculpted and layered upon the canvas with palette knives in order to represent the physicality of land and water.
Colors
There are dozens of ways to represent land masses on paper and on a computer. Sometimes the colors represent elevations, other times the general environment of the land (making forests green and deserts light brown, for example).
I’ve chosen a different way to represent the land masses via color. I think I said it best elsewhere on the site: “They are created using silver, copper, and gold acrylic iridescent paint…In not using traditional colors to interpret the subject matter, I have divorced the works from traditional geographic depictions.”
Making My Mark
If you’re interested in extra large canvas art or topographical paintings, I hope you’ll consider my artwork for your home or office. I’ve made my mark on canvas, and now you can make a mark on your space.
Should You Frame A Piece of Extra Large Canvas Art?
When you take a look at my extra large canvas art, whether seeing it on my home page or taking a look at my new large canvas art, you’ll notice that they are not framed. You’ll be seeing them just as they left me, with the artwork stretched over a canvas.
But the questions is often asked, should extra large canvas art be framed? When you are purchasing some extra-large wall art, is a frame appropriate? I’m not necessarily talking about my extra large paintings in particular; let’s just discuss this from an artistic point of view for all canvas art. Here are some points to consider when deciding whether or not to frame large contemporary wall art.
What’s The Point Of A Frame?
Framing has been a part of art for as long as canvases and boards have been around. We can see three basic reasons why art has been framed.
It Denotes Importance
When a piece of art is framed, it denotes importance. While there might be other stuff hanging on the wall — posters, calendars, flyers — the item that is framed is important. It’s important enough that extra was paid in order to have a metal, plastic, or wood frame made for it.
Of course, framing isn’t always necessary to denote importance. Sometimes something is so obviously important (a piece of extra large canvas art, for instance), that there’s no mistaking it for smaller items hanging on the wall. It stands out on its own.
It Complements The Art
Sometimes a frame is used as an extension of the piece of art as well. The art might have been created with the express purpose of being framed later on, with the frame complementing the art and becoming part of it.
To Make The Art Match and Flow
Sometimes a frame can represent the transition between the wall and the artwork itself. Favorite art doesn’t always match its surroundings, and the frame can be the means of helping a piece of artwork fit the space. If the frame can find a happy medium between the extra large painting and the existing walls/molding, then it’s doing its job.
Do You Want To See The Overage?
There’s always going to be some overage on a piece of canvas art, that part of the painting that’s wrapped around the canvas frame and shows from the side. This part of the art can be endearing to some and annoying to others. It’s usually kept in a state that the artists can live with; either they like the way it looks or they fully expect someone to frame it later in order to hide it.
That brings up another very important point…
What Does The Artist Want?
When you purchase a piece of large original canvas art, you may or may not be in contact with the artist. If so, why not ask them what their intentions were with the art? They might be aghast at the idea of framing it, or conversely have sold it unframed so that the purchaser could have it framed to match the space (see above).
If you decide to purchase a piece of extra large canvas art from me or commission me to paint a particular piece, I’d be happy to talk with you about the way I envision seeing the art hung. Ultimately, what you do with a piece of canvas art is up to you, but having the artist’s input might help you appreciate the work more.
Would A Frame Detract From the Painting?
Like it or not, a frame becomes part of the art viewing experience…and sometimes a frame simply makes the art look worse. While large, ornate wood frames can enhance the look of oil painting from centuries ago, they can easily make a piece of large contemporary wall art look much worse than if it had no frame at all. Even subtle frames can detract from the look of a painting, so be very careful in choosing the frame and don’t be afraid to go frameless if necessary.
What’s The Answer?
So, what’s the final answer? There really isn’t one, because each piece of art is different. Talk to artists, talk to designers, and talk to framers (ones that don’t have a monetary interest in framing the piece in question) to help you decide how to present your newly-purchased extra large wall art. If you purchase large canvas art from me, I look forward to seeing how you’ve decided to present it on your wall.
Why Is It So Important To Have An Original Piece of Extra Large Contemporary Wall Art?
For many people living today, the idea that you couldn’t own a high-quality reproduction of a favorite piece of artwork is unimaginable. After all, head to any poster shop and you’ll be able to get a copy of Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night or Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa for just a few dollars. While they certainly don’t offer the splendor of seeing the original, such prints do a good job of providing beauty to a bedroom or dorm room.
But prints aren’t pieces of art that really impress. So when it comes time to decorate an important space — grand living rooms, banks, corporate offices, casinos, or cruise ships — you’ll want to look well beyond prints and put up something that will really wow anyone who sees it. We’d like you to consider original extra-large contemporary wall art, because it’s sure to impress. Let’s take a look at why you should choose large canvas art over something lesser.
Extra Large Canvas Art Offers 3-Dimensionality
One of the important aspects of a piece of original art is how it changes as the light hits it differently. While a print is just two dimensions, paintings are often three dimensions due to their nature; paint builds up on the canvas as the painting is created. This is especially true with my work, as I sculpt the paint with palette knives in order to give it a raised look that represents land and water.
While the amount of paint differs from painting to painting and artist to artist, a painting will always give you the eye-popping effects that were intended by the artist…something that a printed piece could never do.
It’s Original
One of the most common ways that a business tries to appear special is to put unique artwork on the wall. Even if a bank has multiple branches throughout the city, they will almost always have different pieces of original fine art on their walls.
That’s because they want to appear special. While they have spent a lot of money on branding so that it’s obvious which bank you’re in (usually via the ubiquitous logo and color scheme), they still want something original on the walls to make this particular branch feel special. This combination of familiarity and uniqueness makes the customer feel comfortable while subtly letting them know that this branch of the bank is here to offer personalized service (in other words, the original art suggests personalization).
It Impresses
Most items in today’s world are mass produced. Walk into the average business and 99% of everything, from the furniture to the lighting fixtures to the carpet, is mass produced. That’s why people are so impressed by items that are unique. When you purchase a piece of extra-large contemporary wall art, you’re putting something on the wall that is handmade. And such large canvas art truly does impress.
You’re Supporting Artists
Even if you don’t support me as an artist by purchasing one of my extra-large paintings on canvas, I still hope you will support some artist by purchasing their original art. When it comes to prints and posters, the original artist is seldom making any money. Most of it goes to the printers, the sellers, and the museums that own the copyrights. Buying original art means that you’re helping an artist continue to contribute to the art world.
Even if I quit painting tomorrow, I would still think it very important for society to support artists. After all, artists help to make society livable!
Large Canvas Art Is The Way To Go
When you’re decorating a large space, large canvas art is an obvious choice. If you believe that one of my current paintings would be the perfect addition to your wall, or you like my style and would like to commision a piece of art, please contact me. I look forward to talking with you.
Why Have Extra Large Canvas Art In Your Office Or Hotel Lobby?
There are so many options in art when it comes to decorating a space such as an office or hotel lobby. Do you fill the space with multiple small prints or a single piece of extra large canvas art? Should you have a mural painted, or will that be too permanent a change to the space?
I fully endorse the use of extra large canvas art in an office, and that’s not just because it’s my specialty! Let’s take a look at how an original painting by an artist can elevate your office space to a new level.
An Original Impresses
I’m well known in some circles for my large original art. But I’m by no means a household name, which means that most people who see my art aren’t going to recognize the name attached to it.
But when you look at a piece of my extra large topography art, there’s no doubt that it’s an original. I sculpt with the paint in order to give it a three-dimensionality that would never be mistaken for a print. People are impressed with originals, even if they aren’t familiar with the artist. Add a plaque beside it and they’re even more likely to investigate the piece and be impressed.
The Size Draws People In
While the Mona Lisa might be the most famous painting in the world, it’s also famous for surprising people with its size. Most people get to the Louvre expecting it to be a huge canvas piece, with the subject appearing life-size. But at only 30” by 21”, it’s considerably smaller than most people realize; most reproductions are larger than the actual piece! So while it’s true that a painting can transcend its size, most people will overlook art that’s too small.
Large original art draws people in not just due to its subject matter but also because of its sheer size. If someone sees a small piece of art from across the room, they’re much less likely to go closer to investigate it. But when they see an extra large painting, they can experience it from far away and from up close. Large fine art pieces can be appreciated from multiple distances.
It Fills The Space
While personal taste in large contemporary wall art will change from person to person, there’s no doubt that it serves a very important role: it fills the spaces that need filled. Some wall spaces are so large that they simply need an extra large painting so that the wall doesn’t look empty. At the same time, multiple small pieces would make the wall space look cluttered. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, extra large painting can simply be a necessity.
Find The Piece Your Office Needs Today!
If you are ready to put an impressive piece of art on your office wall, my painting can provide the size and the interest you’re looking for. View my geographic abstraction paintings; some reach up to 10 feet wide, large enough to bring something special to the largest walls in an office or hotel lobby. I look forward to hearing from you!
The Extra Large Painting That First Influenced Me: A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie.
On my about me page, I detail the very specific extra large canvas painting that set me in motion when it came to my own life in large original art: A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie.
“My mother would take me to the Brooklyn Museum of Art and it is there where I first was exposed to the painting Storm in the Rocky Mountains by Albert Bierstadt. I was amazed at the scale and detail of this piece of large original art and wondered how the artist was able to create such a magnificent piece. I would revisit this extra large painting again and again, and it would never cease to enthrall me. It inspired me to seek artistic instruction and explore all facets of the art world.”
All these years later, the painting still impresses beyond belief, and I heartily encourage you to visit it at the Brooklyn Museum where it still resides. Let me tell you a little about it.
The Artist
Albert Bierstadt was born in Germany but brought to the United States at the age of one. He lived in New York and studied painting with other landscape artists that took the romanticism movement to a new level. They would often incorporate stark contrasts in the glowing light that seems to emanate from the landscape; this is called luminism. He is known as the most important painter of the American West from 1863 through the end of the 19th century when he died in 1902
The Surveying Expeditions
As America continued its westward expansion, Bierstadt was invited to go along to help document the landscapes. The paintings were in part used as a means of convincing the rest of America that moving into this territory was a good idea.
While we often credit Ansel Adams with bringing the wonder of the West to the American public, most of America could get in a vehicle and drive to the locations he put on film. But in the time of Albert Bierstadt, the American West and, specifically the Rocky Mountains, were far out of the reach of the average traveler. Artists like Bierstadt and a few other painters could bring the beauty of the West to people of the East. Extra large paintings were the way to both impress the public and to get as many people view it as possible. He was so influential in giving Americans a positive view of the West that they named Bierstadt Lake, one of the most popular lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park, after him.
While at first you might imagine Bierstadt lugging huge canvases and gallons of paint thousands of miles across the country, the process was actually much simpler. Bierstadt would make sketches of the scenes in question, then return to his studio in New York and create the actual work that would be seen by the public. No doubt the months (or even years) between the viewing of the actual landscape and the painting of it helped to create the idealized versions of nature found in his works.
The Painting Itself
The extra large painting is approximately 6-feet tall by 12-feet wide and is oil on canvas. Inspiration came from an 1863 expedition that Bierstadt was on, but the painting wasn’t completed until 1866. The extra large canvas art traveled the country for a year to various exhibitions and museums before returning to the Brooklyn Museum for permanent display.
The Majesty
Yes, A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie is large, but even when viewed on a relatively small computer monitor it still evokes an amazing majesty. While it is best viewed in person, the artist’s talent creates a feeling of awe that transcends the viewing medium.
It is difficult to put into words everything that is going on in A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie. Perhaps the first aspect that most viewers will notice is the stark difference between the bright sunlight and the black thunderclouds, a hallmark of luminism. The light highlights some of the nearby mountains and plays on the surface of the lake. But the darkness from the clouds leaves the lake half black, mirroring the stark contrasts above.
The clouds cover most of the rising mountains, which at first might seem like an odd choice in what is essentially a mountain scene. But further inspection shows a nearly pure-white peak breaking through at the top, almost a cloud itself despite its jaggedness. Most believe this to be Mt. Rosalie.
No fewer than three sources of water feed the lake, one dropping from such a height as to be blown by the approaching storm. At the same time, an eagle or hawk fights through the high winds.
But there is action as well! Dwarfed by the majesty of the mountains and water features are the Native Americans in the foreground that could go unnoticed at first viewing. There are two horses and three Native Americans hunting deer, accompanied by what appears to be a small black dog. And this isn’t their first hunt of the day, as there is a small encampment nearby with a dear already dead. It’s interesting that Bierstadt chose to include people at all, but it seems that he was interested in bringing the entirety of the Old West into one oil painting.
In Closing
Is the painting a perfect representation of what Bierstadt actually saw? No. Like he did in many paintings, Bierstadt exaggerated the respective sizes of the mountains in order to make them more majestic than they might appear in real life. (Today, photographers can do the same thing by using a telephoto lens to compress the image, bringing items that seem further away closer to the scene.) Mt. Rosalie doesn’t actually have such a distinctive point, and the three sources of water feeding the lake are probably exaggerated. Did he actually see Native Americans hunting deer at this altitude and in such an idyllic scene? It’s unlikely. But despite the romantic notions, it still makes for one of the most amazing and awe-inspiring paintings of the American West ever created.
I was so inspired by this amazing painting that I now work as an artist in large contemporary wall art. If you’re interested in extra large canvas art, whether topographical art you see on my website or you’d like to commission a piece of art from me, please contact me and we’ll talk!
Inaugural Blog
Welcome to my inaugural blog post. I hope to be diligent in these entries as I share my experiences in the art world. As my son is enrolled in School of Visual Arts in the Cartooning program I have had the pleasure of accompanying him on a number of gallery visits in New York City. I am constantly amazed at the breadth and scope of creativity that artists exhibit while applying new and innovative materials and techniques.
No artist illustrates the use of limitless materials and application better than Murakami one of the greatest artistic forces in the art world today. These works were exhibited at the Gagosian Gallery in New York City. Using fiberglass, steel, synthetic resins, aluminum and platinum leaf, carbon fiber, and a host of diverse materials, Murakami’s unique blend of high art and cartooning allow him to push the boundaries of the very definition of art itself. He creates under his own dogma: “My happiness is in direct proportion to the amount of work and effort put into the project”. He also illustrates himself as a caricature in many of his works. He has a melting pot of inspirational subjects at his disposal, ranging from manga, anime, J-POP culture, and Japanese art history.
After witnessing Murakami’s work firsthand at this spectacular show, I have renewed energy and motivation to pursue my own path. Until next time, thanks for joining me.
-Darryl
