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Near your feedback. I'm trying to get away from the manufactured art from Hobby Lobby, etc. and don't want to do mirrors and family photos on my living room wall. I found this old piece of art that my husband's aunt had painted for him many years a go. She was experimenting with different animals. It's painted on poster board. As I'm ready for "real art" but can't afford it, I hung it in our living room. We live in an old 1940's cottage in Austin. What do you think about Goat and Hound??? I'm torn. Would you keep it up or put it back in the closet? Thanks for your honest feedback.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: AliDecor,

I'm going to propose something that might make art lovers shudder. Could you have the painting divided in two and frame each animal separately? The figures are well done, but there isn't much continuity to the picture. Perhaps Lady of Shallot could weigh in or ask her artist husband if he has an opinion.

Well, I'm drawn to the painting, so I say leave it up.

I am too -- I think it's neat and since a family member painted it and painted it well!

Martha

I'm a capricorn (goat) and I have a sheltie (though that might be a collie?), so I say keep the painting! It is quirky and charming. It needs to be set apart from the white wall though - did you try it on the green?

When you are able, have it professionally framed. The colors are enough continuity to keep the painting as is. Just find a lovely frame to add to the piece.

Having family pieces throughout the house definitely moves you away from the manufactured look. We have an old sketch my uncle did years ago. Having it professionally framed really stepped it up notch. Just gorgeous!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: junk collector,

Welcome. I agree w/ the others and feel it's a keeper. It's rendered very well, is unique, is neutral and has personal meaning. I also agree that having it cut in two and individually framed will make each animal even more special.

Thanks y'all. This seems to be a fun forum. I did think briefly about cutting the picture but like some of you said, it seemed to be sort of against the principles of art. I would add it to a darker wall but really it's that space in our living room that needs something. And I love the beige in the living room and the light chocolate accent wall in the back of the space. I should add that we put up another work of my husband's aunts in my daughters room a couple months a go. She named her horsies "Possomus" and "Hay" and I think they're great for her room. Here's an attached picture of those beauties. But yes, I will definitely think about a frame. I just didn't know if without one, it sort of gave off the rustic (not trying too hard) vibe.

What talent! You're fortunate to have these pieces.

My DGD would LOVE that horse print in her bedroom. At 5 yrs. old, she's grown a passion for horses. Could be her summer Horse Camp had an impact.

I happen to love the rustic edging on the art; that's what gives it such appeal...and the goat and the hound together are just quirky enough to be utterly charming. NOT your typical Hobby Lobby art.

I would not separate the goat and the hound; nor would I frame the pieces, if it were up to me.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: aychihuahua,

I would get a piece of 1/4" plywood and paint it the color You wish to accent out of the paint colors for example grays or darker browns.
Then have the prints professionally protected to keep dirt and dust off (and hand oils) then hang, or add a bit of small molding around the backer board and then hang. You can also have them matted and framed with a knock-down glass.

I think your prints are wonderfully painted and beautiful, they do give an air of the animals and are creatively done. I love them, and you are lucky to have real art you enjoy on your walls.

quote:

Perhaps Lady of Shallot could weigh in or ask her artist husband if he has an opinion.

I will ask him but I think he would say that the artist wanted the two animals on the same canvas. . . so honor her intentions.

Myself, I would be very proud to hang that work in my l.r.

Also if you look closely, it would not be possible to cut that canvas so that each section would be the same size (looks like you would cut off the collies nose!)

Just a weird idea: what about having a mat made using one of the colors in the chair pillow.....but instead of having the openings cut in a rectangular shape, angle the bottom of the goat's opening and the top of the collie's opening so the middle section is like a Z crosspiece.

Then I would frame it and use glass to protect the picture. The large craft stores usually offer 50% coupons on custom framing and it would really make it stand out on the wall.

Another way to make artwork pop on a wall is to paint a colored rectangle on the wall that is larger than the piece you are hanging. Then frame the rectangle with molding, and hang the artpiece in the center. It creates a mat effect without touching the actual painting.
This would accent your artwork and give a more finished look.
It is more difficult to tell from a picture but my impression is it looks unfinished without some sort of frame to set it apart from the wall. (Kind of like when we hung posters in our dorm rooms, LOL)

JMHO,
Candy

Another way to frame the piece, if you decide to frame it, would be to float the art. That means that you have the frame, and then a solid piece of mat board, and the art work is mounted in the center of that. This way the edges of the piece would still show, which I think would be essential. The way the artist left the edges without paint, in my opinion, is a huge part of the appeal of this art.

Here is an example of "floating" art when framing it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cocok,

What cocok said. Glad she brought up the floating frame option.

I like it, and I love cocok's idea of floating it in the frame, so that the edges are not lost.

~Lady50

Thank you all! You all have some great suggestions. Yes, I do love the idea of it in the floating frame so as not to lose the charming rustic edges. Do you know who does stuff like that or can you DIY? It seems like setting it off is the biggest obstacle, but it sounds like most of you dig the art. I'm pretty conservative with decor and putting up a goat in my living room is definitely a big step for me. Ha! I can just see one of my friends coming in and saying, "Why do you have a goat and a dog on your wall?" And it's terrible that I need my choice to be validated by others but like I said, I'm not used to having real art.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: AliDecor,

Oh, AliDecor, you are funny! I doubt anyone is going to ask why you have a goat and dog on your wall. If anyone does, then you can tell them that it is a treasured piece of original art painted by a talented family member, and you feel fortunate to own it. It would be great if you could then add something about the woman and her life. If your friends are interested in art, then they will find that fun to hear. If they aren't interested in art, then it doesn't matter what they say, does it.

quote:

Originally posted by lady of shallot:

I will ask him but I think he would say that the artist wanted the two animals on the same canvas. . . so honor her intentions.

Also if you look closely, it would not be possible to cut that canvas so that each section would be the same size (looks like you would cut off the collies nose!)

Both excellent points. I retract my original suggestion.

Ali, you live in Austin. There are good custom frame shops everywhere in town.

If you want a floating frame like cocok suggested, I do not recommend a DIY job. And, please stay away from Hobby Lobby's frame department or Michael's. I know: I live just outside Austin and have had awful experiences with the amateurs at these two stores.

I agree with floating option.

Great piece of original unique art AND with a story! I agree it would look good floated in a frame which would also protect it and give it more presence than it has on the white wall.

although very different in style and framing this pastel portrait also "floats" in the frame.

This just a consequence of the paper size, lack of mat and frame size. But also a conscious choice often in our framing as is "bleeding" off the edge of a work of art.

these flowers bleed off the edge of the work.

All, is the painting in oils or watercolors or acrylics or what? I also like the idea of framing it or even painting the wall as Christmas Candy says. Oil doesn't need to be (and usually isn't) covered with glass but other medium should be.

BTW not a point of the thread but look at the lovely weight of that paper of the art work Cocok posted.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lady of shallot,

I agree with the floating and I think the painting is great!!

Thanks Gals! Yes, I think it's oil. Although, I'm not sure, it could be acrylics. I'll keep thinking about how I want to finalize the painting. Thanks everyone for their info.

quote:

Originally posted by AliDecor:
Thanks Gals! Yes, I think it's oil. Although, I'm not sure, it could be acrylics. I'll keep thinking about how I want to finalize the painting. Thanks everyone for their info.

I checked with someone who paints in acrylics. Her verdict: do not use glass when framing acrylics or oils that are painted on board or canvas. Thin protectors or spacers can be used. If it's on paper, that's another story. Again, please consult with a reputable and experienced custom framer for the best framing solution.

Thanks everyone for their input and advice! I went to JoAnn's the other day and found their clearance open back frames. These were frames that were custom made but the size was a bit off for whatever reason. I fell in love with this simple matte charcoal grey frame. It was a steal for only 30 bucks. I knew I would have to trim the original painting a bit so I walked away from it. Well days later, I was still thinking about that frame. So I went back last night and got it. When I got it home, I knew it was going to fit PERFECTLY! The width of the painting fit snug as a bug in a rug. And it still showcased it's rugged sides. We did have to trim a bit off from the top and more from the bottom, but I actually think it worked out very nice. It showcases the piece beautifully. I'm in love with my real art!

Great job, Ali.

That is lovely! Love how the frame just pops the piece off the wall - great find!

I love the art, wheter you keep it as one or divide in two. I also love your room.