One of the most challenging parts about decorating is finding interesting art at reasonable prices. I needed a large piece of contemporary art for a wall in a dining room. The client requested the art have an “ocean feel” but not the typical “seascape”. The budget did not allow for an artist to be commissioned, so it was up to me. I presented this idea to the client and they liked it.
They said it was almost like looking out a window at the ocean.
This was fairly simple to do. What made it work was the repetition of the 6 canvases and the color division on each. By themselves they are just line and color…together they are a composition.
To paint this, I used regular 20×20 inch canvasas. The paint was just acrylic craft paint. I used masking tape to divide the colors and get a clean edge. I blended in a few shades of each color to have the feel of sand, sea, and sky (extending the paint around all sides of the canvas, so no need to frame). Easy, economical, but made the statement we wanted.
If you need some art and can’t find what you’re looking for (or don’t want to pay the price), try your hand at painting something. Keep it simple, incorporate the colors in the room, and the best part…its an original by you.
1. Thanks for this great inspiration! I actually just came back from an art store and purchased a canvas to paint a picture for my bathroom. Your seascape act ually gave me some inspiration for a different project in the future. I also like the fact that you didn’t frame the paintings, I have spent more money than I would like to admit on frames for artwork I have purchased and I was hoping it was okay to keep the canvas in it’s “natural” form. Any suggestions for covering up the staples around the end of the canvas? Thanks!
by Michelle [...] — 9/1/07 at 6:47 pm #
2. I love the painting and wonder if i can get one like it and how much?
by Ann [...] — 9/1/07 at 9:48 pm #
3. Hi Cathy,
This is wonderful! I feel like I am looking out of a window at the beach/shore. Who would have thought to do this in this manner? You are so talented and you give great ideas/suggestions about how to decorate a home and successfully entertain. This is great!
by Betty — 9/2/07 at 10:29 am #
4. An the results was beautiful and unique, a fresh, diferent idea that give the idea of looking to the ocean in six peaces of canvas. I love it!
by Gisela — 9/2/07 at 11:50 pm #
5. Now this is beautiful & calming. I love the color on the walls as well as the blues & almond tones in the pictures. Nice job.
sincerely,
Judie Rose
by judie — 9/4/07 at 8:33 pm #
6. Bravo Cathy!!!!! I love the paintings you did..they look great in the room…you are a very talented girl….your client must be thrilled with the end result..thanks for sharing the pictures and for all the advice you have given all of on on your posts!!!! Margie
by margie [...] — 9/4/07 at 9:09 pm #
7. What a fantastic idea! This is a wonderful way to fill a large wall with something unique and imaginative. I hope you don’t mind if I copy your idea, Cathy!
by Lynda [...] — 9/4/07 at 10:17 pm #
8. Thank You Judie,
I’m glad you like it. What you can’t see is the chair upholstery. Its a tone on tone blue stripe to pick up the colors in the painting. The wall color is a chocolate milk color. Warm and relaxing.
Thanks for writing in
by Cathy — 9/5/07 at 11:40 am #
9. Hi Margie,
I just sent a reply and its not showing up here, (lost in cyberspace).
I’ll wait to see if it comes back before I rewrite. We’ll talk soon. C.
by Cathy — 9/5/07 at 12:08 pm #
10. Hello Lynda,
You’re welcome to copy if you like. ( I do it all the time, LOL). Yes it does fill a large wall and adds the color and definition the room needed.
Also I found the principle of repetition, in this case 3’s, works well…3 pictures on each row, 3 chairs on each side, 3 vases with a flower on the table. Subtle but effective.
So glad you wrote in!
by Cathy — 9/5/07 at 12:27 pm #
11. Hello Michelle,
It sounds like you’re an artist and able to paint your own art work. A rewarding experience.
The canvases I purchased were wrapped and stapled on the backs of the stretcher bars, so not a problem in this case . I’m not sure you can paint over the staples enough on the sides to cover them completely. You could wrap some sticky tape on all around, or glue on some grograin ribbon to wrap all the edges.
Nail on a simple frame made from “Lath” (as in lath and plaster), and stain or paint.
I don’t mind unframed art, especially contemporary art. As long as the sides are painted or trimmed in some simple way.
Thanks for your comments.
by Cathy — 9/5/07 at 12:54 pm #
12. Hello Ann,
I’m glad you like the art work. The only way to get one is to paint it yourself or hire me. LOL ! I can contact you via your e-mail if you want more information.
Thanks for writing in.
by Cathy — 9/5/07 at 1:02 pm #
13. Thank You Betty,
You are wonderful! You always have such complimentary remarks… and back to you on talent… I’m so impressed with all you do as well as all the others that post here.
All the best,
Cathy
by Cathy — 9/5/07 at 1:19 pm #
14. Hi Gisela,
Thank you, an ocean view is always relaxing and calming to me. So even that feel through a representation is nice to see.
Thanks for commenting.
by Cathy — 9/5/07 at 1:26 pm #
15. Hello Margie,
I’m not sure where my comment went to. That was strange! Oh well, I get to write to you again. I bet you’re excited to get down to your Florida home next month and start decorating. Keep us POSTED on what you do, you’re like one of the family.
The room came together well once we got the art figured out. The clients style is pretty contemporary so we didn’t know if the chandelier would work, but we liked the contrast in styles so much we kept it and it seems to work well.
Glad you’re enjoying the posts.
Thanks for all your nice comments Margie, you’re the best!
Take care, write soon,
Cathy
by Cathy — 9/5/07 at 10:28 pm #
16. Just lovely, Cathy!! Pls share some more inexpensive “custom” ideas to compliment all we buy at Homegoods!! Can you pls do something “Old World”?? Tks!!!
by Stephanie — 9/8/07 at 9:13 pm #
17. Thanks Stephanie,
Luckily, HomeGoods sells such a wide variety in design styles, from “Old World” to Contemporary. Anyones taste can be satisfied.
I will try to work on your requests in upcoming posts.
by Cathy — 9/10/07 at 11:14 am #
18. I know this is a long shot, but..I.had seen a beautiful black & white framed picture of a couple standing in Italy near condola’s, the umbrella the women was holding was a vivad orange. I left the store in ahurry and went back for it the next day but as most things in this store they don’t last long.
If anyone has seen such a picture please let me know the location of the store.
by deborah [...] — 10/10/07 at 1:09 pm #
19. Hello Deborah,
I think i’ve seen that print in a few places??? Can’t remember where though. Keep your eyes open and look at some “ART” online.
Like I’ve said before… If you see something you like and the store has a return policy, buy it then and there or it will be gone when you go back.
You can always return it if it doesn’t work.
Hope you locate the piece.
by Cathy — 10/11/07 at 11:26 pm #
20. Cathy,
Can you tell me where HomeGoods buys the art they sell? I am just curious as to who the suppliers are. I would like to point a friend who is a wonderful artist in that direction for possible sales.
Thanks.
by Sharon — 1/19/08 at 12:46 am #
21. Hi Sharon,
I don’t know who buys the art HomeGoods sells. Its great though! why don’t you e-mail them and see what they can tell you. Go back to the main HomeGoods site page and click on “contact us”. They’ll be happy to talk to you.
by Cathy — 1/19/08 at 1:02 pm #
22. Hi, Cathy I thank you for your idea, is simply beautiful !
You have given me a great idea for the guest bedroom that I am redecorating for my son and his wife. We have traveled together and spent many trips going to several beaches in Vieques, off of Purto Rico and to beaches in Chile, South America and Costa Rica. When I am finished I will submit pictures of this project!
You have inspired me to take some of my photos and turn them to some of the most beautiful and origional wall and room decor. Sincerely, Bettyj
by bettyj — 4/18/08 at 9:49 am #
23. Hello Bettyj,
I’m glad you like the idea. Yes, photos enlarged and mounted on canvases or framed would make wonderful art for a wall. The beaches you talk about sound so perfect for this application. And, they are meaningful to you as well. Much luck on the project. We would love to see pictures…submit them through “customer finds” in the top right side bar. I’ll be looking for them.
Thanks so much for telling us of your plans. It will be fantastic!
by Cathy — 4/18/08 at 5:52 pm #
24. Cathy,
I live the art work and the wall color as well. Could you tell me the Brand name and the color of the paint on the wall? Thank you for your help.
by Gina — 9/17/08 at 9:40 pm #
25. Thanks so much Gina,
I do not know the paint name and color as it was already there when the new owners bought the house. We liked it so much we decided to leave it. The only thing I can relate it to, is chocolate milk. Kind of a medium brown. If I find out more I’ll let you know.
Thanks for asking.
by Cathy — 9/18/08 at 11:03 am #
26. Thanks so much for your ideas, I already have the off white canvas in my bathroom, with blue and aqua towels, still looking for a picture for the 1 large wall, abt. 28″ wide by 31″ tall, ocean scenery all the cool colors, maybe looking out a window effect. Any ideas where I can look for such a print??? Thanks for any help, again, Carol
by carol — 6/26/09 at 2:30 pm #
27. Your welcome Carol,
I do remember seeing something similar to what you want on the “Touch of Class” site. Click on “canvas wall art” or write in “Sea View canvas set”, or check similar sites. Don’t forget to check out HomeGoods, they may have something as well.
Good luck with your project, it sounds delightful.
by Cathy — 6/29/09 at 12:01 pm #