Bringing home a new piece of art is exciting. If you have a wall space already picked out, all you need to do is add your hanging hardware and you are good to go. But what if you aren’t sure where you want it to go? With this kind of art, you want to make sure that you place it where it will receive the best light to make the colors stand out. Here are some things to think about when deciding where to hang your canvas:

Lighting is everything! Does your space have a lot of natural light? Test out different spots on the same wall and see if the light reflects differently in various spots. Adjusting the height even just a few inches sometimes can make a big difference.

Surrounding colors can enhance your paintings. If you are pairing your new canvas with other art think about the color combinations. Similar colors can either enhance or sometimes even diminish the vibrance of your art. Contrasting colors are usually great to pair together as they complement each other. Pairing your new painting with another that has one or two of the same colors can really highlight those colors when they are close together.

To frame or not to frame? That is the question. Unless otherwise noted, most of these paintings are done on a 3/4” thick canvas. If you decide to frame your art piece, you will need to find a frame that is specifically made for canvases. They can be expensive, but it gives the picture a very finished look. Most of the pieces that I do have finished edges that continue the pattern of paint so an attached frame will cover that. I prefer to show the edges, so I get around this several ways. Sometimes I install the canvas directly to the wall and then put a larger frame (without glass) around it. Another option is to attach the canvas to a painted wood panel that is larger than the canvas itself, giving it a framed look but still exposing the edges. The third option is to mount the canvas onto a larger thin canvas board and then simply put it into a regular frame without the glass. (see pictures below)

Hang it or lean it. Based on space and personal preference, these paintings look great either way!