Hanging Art in your Cabin

Lake Tahoe cabins are absolutely gorgeous! Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, these cozy retreats offer the perfect blend of natural beauty and comfort. Imagine waking up in the morning to breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear blue waters, and spending your days exploring the great outdoors or relaxing on the cabin’s private deck.

Inside, these cabins are just as charming, with warm and inviting interiors that feature comfortable furnishings, cozy fireplaces, and rustic touches like wood beams and stone accents. Whether you’re lounging in front of the fireplace with a good book or gathering with friends and family for a home-cooked meal, Lake Tahoe cabins offer a welcoming and relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

In short, if you’re looking for a beautiful and peaceful retreat, Lake Tahoe cabins are a perfect choice.

Why should you hang art in your cabin?

There are so many reasons why someone should consider hanging art in their cabin! Here are a few:

1. Art adds beauty and visual interest: Well-chosen pieces of art can enhance the overall aesthetic of a cabin and make it more visually appealing. Whether you prefer abstract paintings, sculptures, or photography, there’s an art form out there that will suit your personal style and taste.
2. Art can bring joy and pleasure: There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being surrounded by beautiful things that inspire and uplift you. Whether you’re admiring a stunning landscape painting or a unique sculpture, art has the power to bring joy and pleasure to those who live in or visit the cabin.
3. Art can express personal style and creativity: Adding art to a cabin is a great way to inject your own personal style and creativity into the space. It’s an opportunity to create a space that truly reflects your individual taste and personality.
4. Art can increase the value of your cabin: Adding art to a cabin can potentially increase its value, as it may make the property more attractive to potential buyers.

Overall, hanging art in your cabin is a wonderful way to make the space feel more welcoming, beautiful, and personal. So why not consider adding a few pieces to your cabin today? I promise you won’t be disappointed!

What makes art in your cabin “pop”?

The aesthetics that will allow a cabin to “pop” will depend on the personal preferences of the homeowner and the overall style of the cabin. However, some general tips for making a cabin stand out might include:

1. Using bold colors: Adding pops of color can help to bring a cabin to life and make it feel more welcoming and inviting.
2. Incorporating natural elements: Using materials like wood, stone, and plants can help to bring a sense of the outdoors inside and make the cabin feel more connected to its surroundings.
3. Adding textural interest: Using different textures, such as rough-hewn wood, plush fabrics, or smooth stone, can help to add depth and interest to a cabin’s interior.
4. Incorporating personal touches: Adding personal touches, such as family photos or heirlooms, can help to make a cabin feel more like a home and less like a rental property.
5. Using lighting to create ambiance: Proper lighting can help to set the mood and create a cozy, inviting atmosphere in a cabin.

Ultimately, the key to making a cabin “pop” is to choose aesthetics that reflect the personal style and preferences of the homeowner, while also taking into account the overall style and character of the cabin.

What artists are best for cabins?

There are many different styles of art that can be suitable for cabins, as the best choice will depend on the personal preferences of the homeowner. However, some artists whose work may be particularly suitable for cabins include 2Wild, Rolinda Stotts, Jon Paul, and Malcolm Tibbetts.

2Wild, a Brother and Sister Collaboration

2Wild is an artist collaboration known for creating colorful, abstract paintings that often feature nature-inspired themes. These works could be a good choice for cabins with a contemporary or modern aesthetic.

The forest animals painted by 2Wild are absolutely beautiful! Their use of bold, vibrant colors and abstract, contemporary style brings these creatures to life in a way that is both playful and dynamic.

One of the things that I love most about 2Wild’s forest animal paintings is the way they are able to capture the unique personalities and characteristics of these creatures. Whether he’s painting a mischievous squirrel or a regal owl, 2Wild has a talent for conveying the essence of his subjects in a way that is both artistic and authentic.

If you’re a fan of colorful, contemporary art and forest animals, I highly recommend checking out 2Wild’s work. I think you’ll be struck by the vibrancy and energy of their paintings, and the way they are able to bring these creatures to life in such a lively and expressive way.

Rolinda Stotts Bella Rotta Art

Rolinda Stotts is an artist who specializes in creating detailed, realistic paintings of mountains and other nature subjects. Her work could be a good choice for cabins with a more traditional or rustic feel.

The Bella Rotta style used by Rolinda Stotts in her Lake Tahoe-themed paintings is absolutely stunning! This style, which was developed by the artist herself, involves creating detailed, realistic paintings that capture the natural beauty and character of her subjects.

One of the things that I love most about Rolinda Stotts’s Lake Tahoe paintings is the way she is able to convey the sense of peace and tranquility that can be found in the natural world. Whether she’s painting a beautiful mountain landscape or a serene lake scene, her paintings have a way of transporting the viewer to another place and time.

In terms of technique, the Bella Rotta style involves layering thin glazes of paint to create a sense of depth and dimensionality. This technique, combined with Rolinda Stotts’s keen eye for detail and her love of nature, results in paintings that are truly breathtaking in their beauty and realism.

If you’re a fan of beautiful, realistic paintings and the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe, I highly recommend checking out Rolinda Stotts’s work. I think you’ll be struck by the beauty and tranquility of her paintings, and the way she is able to capture the essence of her subjects in such a detailed and authentic way.

Jon Paul photography

Jon Paul is an artist who creates stunning landscape and nature photographs. His work could be a great choice for people who want to include a little of the outdoors in their cabin.

Nature photography by the artist Jon Paul is absolutely breathtaking! His images capture the beauty and majesty of the natural world in a way that is truly awe-inspiring. Whether he’s photographing a stunning landscape, a vibrant flower, or an animal in its natural habitat, Jon Paul has an amazing talent for capturing the essence of his subjects.

What I particularly love about Jon Paul’s nature photography is the way he is able to convey the sense of peace and tranquility that can be found in the natural world. His images are often calming and serene, and they have a way of transporting the viewer to another place and time.

If you’re a fan of nature and beautiful photography, I highly recommend checking out Jon Paul’s work. I think you’ll be blown away by the stunning beauty of his images, and the way he is able to capture the magic of the natural world in a way that is both artistic and authentic.

Malcolm Tibbetts wood sculptures

Malcolm Tibbetts is an artist who creates intricate wood sculptures that often feature detailed patterns and designs. His work could be a good choice for cabins with a more contemporary or modern aesthetic.

The beauty and intricacy involved in a piece of wood-turned art by Malcolm Tibbetts are truly breathtaking! His wood sculptures are known for their incredible attention to detail and the way they capture the natural beauty and character of the wood.

One of the things that I love most about Malcolm Tibbetts’s wood sculptures is the way he is able to create intricate patterns and designs that seem to dance across the surface of the wood. His sculptures have a sense of movement and energy that is simply mesmerizing, and the way he is able to highlight the natural grain and color of the wood is truly impressive.

In short, if you’re a fan of wood art and appreciate the beauty and intricacy that goes into creating a truly extraordinary piece, I highly recommend checking out Malcolm Tibbetts’s work. I think you’ll be blown away by the level of craftsmanship and artistry that goes into each and every one of his sculptures.

We can help with art for your cabin

Whether you prefer colorful, contemporary paintings or intricate wood sculptures, there are so many amazing artists out there whose work would be perfect for a cabin setting.

Hanging art in your cabin is a wonderful way to enhance the beauty and character of the space, express your personal style and creativity, and bring joy and pleasure to those who live in or visit the cabin. It’s also a great way to make the space feel more like a home and less like a rental property.

So why not consider adding a few pieces of art to your cabin today? I’m confident that you’ll love the way it enhances the beauty and character of the space and brings a sense of personalization and individuality to the cabin. Happy decorating!

Placing sculptures is an excellent way to take your home decor to the next level. It brings an extra dimension to your living space by bringing art off the walls and into the room. Sculptures are a very versatile device as well. They come in many different sizes, styles, and mediums and can accommodate a variety of interior color palettes. You can use a sculpture as everything from the centerpiece of a room to a coffee table display and it will create impact.

It’s a good idea to plan your artwork picks and interior decor together to preserve aesthetic harmony across your home. Sculptures with muted color palettes tend to draw attention to their form and design. However, when framed against a similarly-hued wall, much of their appeal is glossed over. Try to incorporate subtle contrast through accent walls and tablescapes as you place your artwork.

Read on for tips on using decorative sculptures for your home’s unique spaces.

Entryway

Sculptures can be a great way to welcome your guests and can often set the tone for the rest of the house. Feng shui and Buddhas are a popular choice as decor elements facing the front door. The belief is that when chi enters the home and encounters the positive aura of a deity, it casts an auspicious vibe throughout the place. Other decorative sculpture options include artsy key bowls and imaginative coat hangers.

Living Room

You can also make small-to-mid-sized decorative sculptures more visible in your home by adding a pedestal or base. Sculptures should ideally be displayed at eye level for optimal viewing. Some of Jack Storms’ cold glass sculptures are perfect for pairing with a raised pedestal in your living room. They’re awe-inspiring, skilfully-crafted pieces that are bound to create interesting conversation.

For something more understated, consider stainless steel or monolithic sculptures. These are usually great for pairing with other restrained artwork to create an attractive display.

Bedroom

Study

This can be a tricky place in your home for decorative sculptures. You want something that stands out and blends in at the same time. Think about your own interest and what you want the vibe of the place to be. Creative? Contemplative? Rustic? Pick something that inspires you to get down to work. Maybe even add a desk muse to your workstation. Loet Vanderveen’s animal sculptures are an excellent choice for this. Their intricate designs and beautiful patinas make them a lovely addition to any space.

Corridors

Don’t neglect your passageways. Decorative sculptures and artwork can help break up the monotony of a long corridor or staircase. Mackenzie Thorpe‘s emotive sculptures are a great way to perk up these spaces. Consider having recessed alcoves or shelves built into your walls to create a mini sculpture gallery. Alternatively, hallways are also a good place to add some display cabinets to showcase your artwork.

Bathroom

Dining Room

Dining room decor can subtly influence the mood, conversation, and even appetite of those in there. Some polished metal and ceramic decorative sculptures can give the space a stately, elegant feeling. For a more homely, rustic vibe consider wooden sculptures. Malcolm Tibbetts practices segmented woodturning, a rare technique that demands a lot of patience and skill from the artist. His pieces combine complexity, creativity, and the natural appeal of wood. They’re a good fit for places like the dining room and even kitchen.

Browse More Decorative Sculptures at Marcus Ashley Gallery

If you feel inspired by some of the suggestions here or you’re in the process of curating artwork for your space, be sure to browse through our gallery. Our collection includes artwork from internationally-renowned sculptors and features some rare and truly fascinating sculpting techniques. 

Reach out to our art consultants for advice on choosing the perfect decorative sculpture for your home. Browse through all the services we provide to enhance your art experience, including home previews and excellent financing options. We ship across the continental U.S. and all artwork is insured till it reaches your doorstep.

Your living room is your sanctuary and the centerpiece of your home. It’s where people come to gather and relax in a space that is uniquely yours. That’s why choosing art for living rooms is so important — and so tricky!

With decades in the gallery business, we have many pro tips on how to choose and hang living room art decor properly.We’ll explore our key 9 recommendations below:

1. Choose Living Room Art Decor Wisely
2. Make Sure People Won’t Lean On Over-Sofa Art
3. Choose The Width of Over-Fireplace Art Correctly
4. Use Paper or Cardboard to Plan Out Art Hanging
5. Leave At Least 4 Inches Of Margin Space
6. Use The Right Hanging Materials for Heavy Artwork
7. Use A Level!
8. Hang A Salon-Style Gallery Wall Correctly
9. Consider Leaving Curating, Hanging, & Framing to a Professional

What You’ll Need

• A level
• A piece of paper or cardboard cut out to the size of your artwork
• Rulers or measuring tape
• Painter’s tape
• Nails or screws, depending on the size and weight of your artwork
• A hammer or drill
• The right drill bit for your screws and wall material

1. Choose Living Room Art Decor Wisely

Choosing the right art for living rooms is the hardest part of the process. You want art in your living room that:

• Speaks to you on a personal level
• Makes the space feel inviting and welcoming (it is a room for living, after all)
• Fits in your space and coordinates with your color scheme

Sometimes you have artwork in mind right away, but other times, picking the right living room art decor can cause stressful indecision. It doesn’t have to be so difficult if you know a few tips. When it comes to choosing living room art prints, keep these factors in mind. 

• Scale. Is your artwork too big or too small? Make sure you choose the correct margins and you’re hanging most pieces at eye level (more on that below).
• Height. Do you have enough wall height to hang the artwork at eye level, or will it look cramped? 
• Color. Does your artwork suit your interior’s color scheme?

2. Make Sure People Won’t Lean On Over-Sofa Art

Hanging art for your living room over your sofa is a great idea, but watch out: don’t hang your artwork so low that people can accidentally lean on it! 

Don’t fall for this pitfall, even if you think the artwork looks better if it’s slightly lower. Your artwork needs to stay safe and your space needs to stay liveable at the same time. 

3. Choose The Width of Over-Fireplace Art Correctly

Hanging living room art decor over a mantle? A general rule of thumb is to ensure the width of the painting is about as wide as the opening of the fireplace itself, not the full mantle. This gives an even and “correct” visual appeal.

4. Use Paper or Cardboard to Plan Out Art Hanging

If you’re not sure if your artwork is the right size, cut out a piece of cardboard with the same dimensions and hang it up with painter’s tape in your desired space. Afterwards, mark the ideal spot with pencil.

5. Leave At Least 4 Inches Of Margin Space

A crucial principle of visual design when choosing art for living rooms is creating balance by sticking to consistent margins. If your artwork or furniture is separate from each other, the brain will not blend them together. To the untrained eye, it simply looks less busy or messy.

A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 4 inches of margin space between artworks. 

6. Use The Right Hanging Materials for Heavy Artwork

Solid wood or metal frames can be very heavy, and the last thing you want is for your valuable living room art prints to fall!

Learn what you’re drilling into. If you’re drilling into concrete or brick, you’ll need a concrete drill bit and a wall anchor. If you’re drilling into wood, a normal drill bit will suffice, and you should still use an anchor for added safety. Try not to hang on drywall, but if you absolutely must, use a toggle bolt and stick to its weight rating. 

7. Use A Level!

Please use a level when you’re hanging your artwork! This easy and inexpensive tool makes all the difference. Your eyes can deceive you, especially when you’re hanging artwork up close, and constantly shifting your piece back and forth might drive you a little crazy. Use a level for every hanging, both when measuring for the drill holes and when actually hanging it. 

8. Hang A Salon-Style Gallery Wall Correctly

A salon-style gallery wall with many pieces of artwork grouped together can be quite an involved process to create. You can spend a long time obsessing over correctly grouping and positioning art for living rooms.

We have a few tips on how to create the right gallery-style art wall in your living room. 

• Make sure spacing is consistent! An even spacing between each artwork will make the overall feel much neater and more intentional-feeling. 
• Symmetry isn’t always necessary. If you have many different works of different sizes, trying to force symmetry and balance is less natural than embracing the asymmetry and hanging the artwork in a varied cluster. 
• Put the central artwork at eye level. 

9. Consider Leaving Curating, Hanging, & Framing to a Professional

When in doubt, the best decision can be for a professional gallery curator or interior designer to frame your pieces and choose the location of your paintings for you. If you’re worried you’re going to mess it up and you don’t have an eye for design yourself, you may never be satisfied with what you create. In these cases, you may be happier spending the small extra amount hiring a professional to help curate art for your living room. 

Consider reaching out to the professionals at Marcus Ashley Gallery. If you’re in the Lake Tahoe area, we can even take pieces from our gallery to arrange a private showing in your home. This way, you can see for yourself in person how our pieces look in your space. 
For any more questions or to work with one of our art consultants directly on your art selection, don’t hesitate to contact us.

The difference between decorating with regular-sized art and larger artwork is that while the former serves to enhance your space, you can often plan your room around the latter. Large scale original paintings, photographs, sculptures, and fine art prints can easily stand by themselves and serve as the centerpiece of the room.

By the same coin, they can also create unexpected outcomes. Because large scale art tends to have an outsized influence on its surroundings, it’s a good idea to put some thought into the kind of artwork you choose, where you install it, and how you showcase it. If you’re considering buying a large piece of artwork for your space or looking for tips to install it, this blog is an excellent starting point for you.

Installing Large Scale Art: How to DIY

If you’re researching how to install a large scale painting or sculpture by yourself, it’s easy to get inundated with confusing advice as well as overlook some crucial things. Here are some basic tips to get you started on the right foot:

Find the Correct Level

Ensure you find the right height to hang your art before you begin boring holes into your wall. There are some tried and tested metrics you can follow for this. Ideally, your large scale art should be hung so that its midpoint is about 60 inches above the floor. If it’s going to be hung in the bedroom or sitting room, leave 8-10 inches between the bottom of the artwork and the headboard or the back of the sofa. Hang it around six inches above the surface of the mantel — unless you intend to place it on the mantel have it lean against the wall.

Use a measuring tape to determine the right height to place your fixings. Mark off your drill spots with a hard charcoal pencil so that it’s easy to erase. Use a step ladder so that you’re stable throughout the process and to ensure you’ve made your markings correctly. 

Use a Stud Finder

It’s important to understand the structure of your walls when you’re installing large scale art. They may often have water pipes and electricity lines running through them. In modern homes, these are usually channeled around the edges of the walls, but this isn’t always the case for older houses. If you drill in the wrong spot, you might end up puncturing a pipe or nicking an electric cable.

A stud finder is a device that helps you locate the studs in your walls. Studs are heavy wooden beams that serve as a frame for your whole structure and are better equipped to support heavier objects like a large scale painting. 

Pay Attention to Fixings

When hanging any kind of flat artwork, it’s always recommended to use double fixings on either side of the painting, rather than a single, central fixing. This helps prevent your artwork from leaning forward or moving every time someone brushes past.

With large scale art, it’s better to employ slightly bigger fixings than you might think necessary. A couple of screws on a simple plaster wall aren’t likely to support a large painting for very long.

If you’re looking for professional advice to correctly install your new artwork, the art consultants at Marcus Ashley Gallery will be delighted to help you out. 

Decorating with Large Artwork

Large scale art is more than just a painting or a sculpture that happens to be oversized. It’s meant to command a space and be an immersive experience. When you’re displaying it, you’ll want to ensure that there’s harmony between the art and its surroundings, so that it’s an intriguing presence rather than a jarring one. The last thing you want is to splurge on a piece of art and display it in a room with a number of other distractions that take away from the effect of your largest showpiece.

Consider some of these ideas when choosing and displaying your new artwork:

Enhance an Accent Wall

An accent wall is often the perfect backdrop for large scale art. It can elevate the effect of an imposing painting or sculpture and together serve as the star attraction in your home. Depending on how impactful your accent wall is to begin with, you could try adding in a minimalistic canvas with neutral hues and large brushstrokes for a timeless feel. You could also use it as a backdrop for a white marble sculpture, using the contrast to accentuate the artwork.

Over the Fireplace

This is a favored place for most people to hang a large scale painting or photograph. It works quite well since a fireplace is often the focal point of a room, especially a sitting room. It can create interesting conversation among your guests, allowing them to appreciate it together. In fact, it’s a great way to ensure that a stunning piece of art doesn’t go unnoticed. Everything from landscapes to abstract artwork and mixed media originals work well for this setting. You could also try placing it on the mantel and lean against the wall for a more eclectic, laid-back vibe.

Above the Sofa

This is another excellent spot in your living room to hang large scale art. If your sofa is set against a blank stretch of wall, try framing it with a large painting. Choose complementary colors paired with pillows and drapes to retain a uniform aesthetic throughout the space.

Against a Stairwell

Have a long stairwell? Give it some character with a large scale painting. Try adding something with narrative or movement, such as a period piece or a mythological depiction, so that your guests can appreciate it better as they’re moving across it. 

Over the Bed

This is perhaps the ultimate way to indulge your individuality with large scale art. Since not everyone has access to your bedroom, what you display there has special meaning. Don’t hesitate to be bold and expressive in the artwork you put up — perhaps an imposing portrait or photograph or something that’s personally meaningful to you.

Centerpiece for an Open Space

Sculptures and other large scale art creations are the perfect way to add some character and focus to a big empty space, such as a building’s lobby, your home’s foyer, or a massive hallway in your home. It’s an ideal setting to showcase a sizable sculpture, since people have 360° access to it, with plenty of space to move around and admire all the little details the sculptor would want them to notice.

Explore Large Scale Art at Marcus Ashley Gallery

Marcus Ashley Gallery hosts an extensive collection of large-sized artwork from a range of talented artists. Browse through some of their work below and on our website.

Aleksandra Rozenvain

Aleksandra Rozenvain is a contemporary impressionist. She creates stunning cityscapes and landscapes that showcase some of her favorite settings from around the world. Her art is an interesting mix of a very structured technique and experimentation with her medium of work. She lives in Toronto with her husband Michael Rozenvain, also an established artist featured at Marcus Ashley Gallery.

2Wild

2Wild is a collaborative collection from the brother-sister duo of Barak and Miri Rozenvain. Inspired by their rural upbringing, they’re both drawn to natural and wildlife-oriented themes. Much like their parents, Aleksandra and Michael, they too like to combine unconventional mediums in their artwork. However, their experimentation is much bolder and results in stunning mixed-media large scale art that is a joy to decipher and appreciate.

Jon Paul

Jon Paul’s nature photography is breathtaking in its scope and impressive for the technical skill it showcases. He uses a large format photo film camera to capture his panoramic images and blends it with images from a small digital camera to highlight smaller details and nuances. His large scale art photos are available as both aluminum and paper prints.

Boris Kramer

Boris Kramer creates exquisite figurative sculptures that are often larger-than-life. He uses mediums like bronze, steel, copper, and brass. Kramer is fascinated by human relationships and his work often showcases human-like figures engaged in exuberant dance routines, always evoking intensity and dynamism. His large scale art sculptures are perfect additions for open private and public spaces.

Learn More with Marcus Ashley Gallery

If you’re keen on decorating with large artwork, reach out to our art consultants today for help in finding the perfect piece for your space. With our gallery, you have access to a number of services, including home previews and private art shows to give you a sense of what your new large scale art might look like in your space. We also offer excellent financing options as well as annual certificates of replacement value for all your artwork.

Mixed media artwork is totally free of restrictions. Any limitation a particular media might have is forfeit when you blend materials to create your own new style. The lack of barriers can be overwhelming for some, but the best mixed media artists utilize the full extent of their creativity to produce utterly ingenious artwork.

Here, we’ll explore why mixed media art is breaking boundaries and the contemporary mixed media artists that are shaping the genre. Learn more from the art connoisseurs at Marcus Ashley Gallery.

A Brief History of Mixed Media Art

The definition of mixed media can simply be “artwork that uses more than one medium,” the concept of which has been around since as long as artwork has been around. As a respected art form in the Western world, however, mixed media became popular around the time of Picasso around the 1910s. 

Picasso would blend previously unheard of materials like canvas, rope, and seemingly random materials such as wallpaper in his work. His peers, including Braque and Matisse, experimented with collage and cubism in new and eccentric ways, blending media in a way that was previously considered gauche or unacceptable.   

The mixed media artist Marcel Duchamp truly took collage to new heights, however, with his innovative and often bizarre collages. He took strange items like newspaper clippings and broken pipes to make artwork that really “stood out” — and even infuriated some fine art connoisseurs at the time.

Mixed media artwork often existed to challenge the very idea of what artwork was to the art world, especially those in high society salons who were still firmly rooted in classical techniques and approaches. Mixed media artwork was one of the big steps towards breaking down boundaries for artwork that existed between the rich and the poor. Its message: “You can make art out of anything.”

Contemporary Mixed Media Artists We Love

At Marcus Ashley Gallery, we’re proud to host work from some of the finest mixed media artists of our time. Mixed media allows artists to push creative boundaries and give two-dimensional works interesting texture and unique 3D elements. 

Below is some of our favorite mixed media artwork on display at our gallery. Make sure you explore more artists at our online exhibition!

2Wild (An Artistic Collaboration of Barak and Miri Rozenvain)

Brother and sister duo Miri and Barak Rozenvain are some of the best known contemporary mixed media artists today, and they do not hold back in their ambitious experimentation and soaring creativity. Both siblings are impressive and accomplished artists in their own right, and together, their art soars to new heights. 

No media is off limits for 2Wild. They use everything from map clippings to glitter to sand in their artwork, all carefully collected from places in which they’ve gathered their inspiration. They also take commissions from clients, and are happy to represent the themes and inspirations that are important to you in their unique style. 

Dave Archer

Dave Archer’s cosmic mixed media artwork is not just superficially fantastic; the scientific approach to his work makes it completely out of this world. 

Archer actually uses a handheld Tesla coil to electrocute a mixture of acrylic resin paint, which produces “cosmic clouds” he then paints over with planets and surreal galactic elements. He manipulates the paints on the back of clear glass with two million volts of electricity, and takes inspiration from real photographs from space telescopes for his imaginary galaxies. 

Archer is a fantastic example of a mixed media artist who uses technology and specialized materials in his craft. He was one of the pioneers of mixing electricity with art as well, with his earliest works first made in the 1970s. His works are truly like no other, and have even been featured in shows like Star Trek!

Rolinda Stotts

Stotts uses a mixture of different types of woods and acrylic to create beautiful natural landscapes and evocative scenes that respect her powerful love of nature. 

What’s fascinating and unique about Stotts’ artwork is that she intentionally breaks and cracks her work. The results evoke images of ancient frescos and decayed wood, adding beautiful layers of texture and tactile depth. Imperfection is beauty to Stotts, and there truly is a deep beauty in her one-of-a-kind mixed media artwork. 

Discover Mixed Media Artists at Marcus Ashley Gallery

At Marcus Ashley Gallery, our passion is representing some of the best artists of history and today. We host fine works from some of the best mixed media artists in the United States and beyond, and we’re delighted to share them with you both online and in person in South Lake Tahoe. 

Our concierge gallery services allow you to collect fine artwork for your own personal collection. We can provide the highest gallery services including custom framing, fully insured international shipping, and certificates of replacement value. Come visit our expansive gallery or consider purchasing artwork for your collection online. 

When it comes to selecting pieces of art that reflect your home’s personality, energy, and sensibility, there are a myriad of options to consider. If you are just embarking on the journey of choosing art for your home or are looking for more inspiration on decorating with art, we at Marcus Ashley Gallery are here to help! 

Some of the most popular artworks for decorating interiors include original oil paintings, pastel drawings, watercolor paintings, giclee prints, lithographs, serigraphs, photography, and sculpture. Let’s look at some types of art and types of collections to consider while exploring some of the different artists and their techniques in our collection below.

Original Paintings 

 

Original paintings are a special addition to any art collection and are one-of-a-kind. Limited edition prints of those originals are often available and at a more moderate price point, making them a great place to start for aspiring collectors.

There are a wide variety of painting techniques used in original paintings — some of the most popular options are oil paintings, acrylic paintings, pastel paintings, watercolor paintings, and mixed media works utilizing multiple painting or drawing media. Knowing the basic processes used in creating original paintings can help you when planning how to choose art for your home. 

Oil paint is a slow drying medium and can be used to create wonderful textural effects, and the history of art can be told through this medium since it is one of the most iconic, and withstanding, art mediums in the world. It produces rich colors and is a timeless medium that contemporary artists like Michael Flohr and Mario Jung, Todd White, and Alexander Volkov continue to explore the possibilities of, with some artists pioneering new, experimental techniques such as Rolinda Stotts’ Bella Rotta works. 

Painting with acrylics also yields vibrant works of art. These paints are fast drying and long-lasting. Pablo Picasso and Jean-Michel Basquiat are famous painters who used acrylics during their lives. We love to see when contemporary artists take acrylics to the next level, experimenting with this medium and painting surfaces to great effect as seen in the playful works of 2Wild, Steve Barton, and Maya Evantov.

Drawing with pastels and painting with watercolors are other techniques known for softer tones and colors, such as the works we know and love from Mary Cassat and Claude Monet. However, both mediums welcome a world of experimentation and “breaking the rules” with bolder colors and unexpected applications. Many artists of the 20th and 21st centuries took these mediums even further with experimental techniques, seen in the painterly pastels of Mackenzie Thorpe and the photoreal watercolors of Eric Christensen.

Modern-day artists use a range of these techniques (or a mix of all of them in mixed media) to create memorable works that will be welcome additions to any wall in your home or office. 

Reproduction Prints

In order to produce more than one painting from a single artwork, artists have been using printing techniques for centuries to make copies of an original piece of artwork. Often, artists will do a limited number of these pieces, hand-numbering and signing them for their collectors to easily obtain limited edition, but premium quality, reproductions of the original artwork. 

At Marcus Ashley Gallery, the artists we represent largely all offer limited editions in this way, providing a valuable destination for those seeking masterpieces by renowned artists Michael Parkes, Fabio Napoleoni, and Charles Pabst, for example.

Buying reproduction prints in limited edition or even open edition adds beauty to any collection when considering how to choose art for your home. 

Additional Styles and Media for Art Collections 

Fine art photography continues to be a sophisticated choice for decorating with art, particularly when you consider adding landscape photography by artists such as Jon Paul. These act like veritable windows to the outside world without you leaving home and such photography is known for instilling a calming, serene mood to interior spaces. 

Sculpture adds a different kind of presence to a space, quite literally! Artists have been working with sculptural techniques since prehistoric times, and the ways in which humans have learned to shape something from natural or synthetic materials continue to evolve. Our collection tells an intriguing story about the evolution of sculpture: featuring a range of artists from Michelangelo, to 20th and 21st-century figurative pieces by Michael Parkes and Boris Kramer, wind sculptures by Lyman Whitaker, or bronze animal sculptures by Loet Vanderveen, to the innovative cold-glass optical sculptures by Jack Storms.

Curating An At-Home Art Collection 

 

How you display the artwork in your collection is almost as important as the artwork itself. A beautiful display gives the artwork the justice it deserves, while a poor display can potentially reduce the artwork’s integrity.

There are two key elements regarding how to hang artwork: the aesthetic arrangement, and the technical process of hanging it on a wall. Here, we’ll go over both aspects: how to hang unframed canvas and framed art, and how to hang art gallery style.

Steps

1. Measure Your Artwork 
2. Cut Out Paper the Size of Your Artwork
3. Plan Your Layout with Painter’s Tape
4. Drill or Hammer Holes
5. Hang the Artwork

What You’ll Need

• Ruler or measuring tape
• Pencil
• Paper 
• Painter’s tape
• Level
• Nails (or screws for heavy artwork)
• Hammer (or a drill and screwdriver for heavy artwork)

Tips On How to Hang Unframed Canvas

If your artwork doesn’t have a frame, then it requires a few more steps. You’ll need to attach a wire to the stretcher bars in order to have a place to hang it. Here’s how:

• Insert two eye hooks into opposite stretcher bars.
• Cut a string of wire slightly longer than the painting.
• Attach the ends of the wire to each eye hook. 

Tips on How to Hang Art Gallery Style (a.k.a. Salon or Museum Style)

What’s important to note is that there are no real rules regarding how to hang artwork in your home, so you should use your own artistic vision to determine how art is arranged on your wall. 

When you let your own vision and inspiration guide you, your art collection can tell a story, an idea one of the artists in our collection, Rolinda Stotts, might agree with. To quote Stotts, “You have a story to tell. How will it be told?” Rolinda is a master of figuring out how best to display art on a large wall creatively, and we are always inspired by her local home show displays. 

Inspiration and vision matter, but there are some important and common guidelines you can follow so your artwork is arranged attractively if you need some ideas. 

There are four primary ways of hanging framed art:

• Straight across in a line
• Evenly spaced in a grid
• Clustered, arranged in free formation
• Gallery style (also known as salon style or museum style)

Gallery style is perhaps the most cohesive and professional way that you can display your collection. To learn how to hang artwork gallery style, follow these key tips:

• Align the top and bottom of the paintings horizontally, and align the left and right of the paintings vertically. Your paintings should have a neat upper and lower bound which should remain an appropriate distance from the top of your wall — likewise with the vertical edges.

• Define clear visual lines. Gallery style hanging looks messy when it doesn’t have clear and even visual lines separating the artwork. Ensure there is a margin of at least a few inches between each painting, and keep the margin consistent. These first two tips are what differentiate gallery style from clustered style. 

• Plan the design out before drilling holes. This should go without saying, but it can’t be left unsaid. Many home designers can get nervous about drilling a ton of holes in their wall only for the whole design to turn out slightly off-center. The solution is to hang up placeholder paper with painter’s tape, as we suggested above.

Contact the Professional Framers at Marcus Ashley Gallery

There are endless factors involved in creating your personal art gallery: the space you’re working with, your preferred aesthetic, the frames, the artwork itself, and much more. If you would like personalized advice on how to hang artwork from experienced curators, then don’t hesitate to contact the knowledgeable team at Marcus Ashley Gallery. Our art hanging and framing services are here to help you create the most beautiful home collection possible.