Sometimes finding large-scale art for the home—that’s actually affordable—is a challenge. We love many alternative ideas like creating collages or DIY art projects, and are liking this simple but effective art solution we found on a photoshoot for an upcoming house tour.
Utilizing an oversize canvas, architect Mark Meyer (of La Boîte fame) placed a small photograph in the center, and in effect created a eye-catching, affordable piece of large scale art. Sure, canvas isn't exactly free, but compared to a large oil or acrylic painting, this idea of his is much less pricey. And, sometimes oversized blank canvases can be found on sale, at thrift stores and on Craigslist. We really like how the canvas being so large draws more attention to the photograph--your eyes go straight to the bit of color on the large field of white.
We also think this same effect can be used with really large frames, a small piece of art or photograph and a really oversized mat. Of course, getting something framed isn't cheap, and the larger the more expensive, but again, we're thinking more about those giant frames you find at a thrift store for cheap that have unattractive art you can replace.
What do you think about creating an eye-catching art piece by placing something small on a large canvas or in a huge frame? Do you think it creates an interesting solution to an affordable piece of art? Or is a bit awkward?
And be sure to check back in early May when Mark's house tour is published---his Mid-Century apartment is amazing and chock-full of simple ideas.
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sorry but i think this just looks stupid. i thought it was a "before" shot to show how silly it looks to have a teensy photo on a large wall.
I do not love this.
Terrible!
Really, really, really terrible!!
I tried to like it in the context of the room, but I don't. Maybe it would look better if the colors of the picture were different, or even if it were square? I DO love the boldness of the statement, however :)
This doesn't work for me. I want to offer my criticism in a constructive way, but it just sounds silly, like: "I think the image needs a smaller canvas."
no.
It's a wonderful technique.
Looks like they bought the painting on layaway and could only afford the first installment.
A prime example of "I'll do this and everyone will love it" by someone with a heretofore good reputation. My sleeping cat is art, this is not.
i think in the proper place this may work - like a huge room with huge walls, and high ceilings. but in this setting it screams stupid and out of proportion.
The picture seems ever so slightly off center, which makes me want to rip my hair out one strand at a time.
This is just obnoxious.
This is a nice idea, but a poorly executed one.
The canvas shown here is just too large and doesn't elicit any other reaction than a yawn.
I think it's eye-catching, but I find the all white canvas, irritating at best.
I have some very tiny art work (4x4") and it looks amazing with a lavender silk mat cut to 16X20" in a larger plien air (gold leaf) frame.
I believe you can absolutely play with scale and really draw attention to art that is small (but arresting/powerful) by framing it with larger mats/frames.
Sadly could have come off better with a slightly smaller frame, or using inexpensive acrylic paints and toning the brilliant white of the canvas down a tad. Or better yet, use said paints and do something ala Pollock or some other modern artist.
I think it's ridiculous.
Like putting one sock in a drawer, and nothing else - Ever.
The Virgo in me wants to at least center the image on the canvas.
I LOVE w-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-de mats on photos, so I do like this idea. I just don't LOVE it, here, on the graphic wall. Too many visual "look at me's".
"Plein air" translates to "gold leaf"?
Wow, edit much? It's Mark Meyer, not Meyers! And I forgot to link to La Boîte. And I forgot the accent! Fixed.
ahahaha that looks silly
I like this idea very much (and it is nothing new, by the way). But I'm not sure it works here -- is the image too high to view comfortably?
It is interesting how various elements in this space are working together to thwart our perception of scale. Really interesting space. Mark clearly has a sophisticated understanding of proportion/color/scale. Looking forward to seeing the tour.
I bet if most readers saw this in person, they'd actually like it.
This is a great idea.
Asymmetry of the canvas works well here - particularly where the wall on the left is painted a primary red. I think the point is that the canvas becomes a secondary wall/plane and gives interest to what could otherwise be an ordinary shoebox room.
Just like oversize furniture in a small room; small scale art in a big room can be magnificent.
Bravo
It's ridiculous. A large white canvas WITHOUT the piece of art might work here, to brighten the room from the dark brown walls.
Lame
I agree with mongoose1 -- it could work if the mat weren't white.
This is definitely in the running for the dumbest thing I've ever seen on AT
There's definitely a great idea here.
They definitely missed it.
Concept? Yes.
Execution? Nooooooooooooooooooo.
Ridiculous.
Why? I don't think that it really works, and my eyes go to the bright light in the corner, not to the off center snapshot.
Wouldn't a plein air "frame" be an easel? Like those travelling box easels? Which reminds me that I love those.
That must be a REALLY great photo to deserve a mat that huge. It kind of looks like a bulletin board.
ridunkulous.
Completely ridiculous. I would be tempted to doodle on it!
I love oversized frames. I even love massively oversized frames. But I don't love ridiculously massively oversized frames, like this one.
And sticking a snapshot to a big blank canvas smacks of feigning art rather than creating it.
I'm having a negative visceral reaction to this.
Hahaha. Buy some paint. It'd look better if your two year old did something with it.
There's art on those large rectangles?
In fairness to Mark Meyer he did say that this was the start of a piece of art and it was not complete.