ML GUEST BLOG: Expert Advice for Adding Art to Your Home

August 25, 2010 in Mountain Living by Christine

In Mountain Living’s “Best Of” Issue, I revealed in my editor’s letter that I was once one of those people who hung her artwork way too high on the wall. Thanks to my husband’s advice, I’ve reformed and our artwork is now happily hanging at an appropriate height. But I must admit that hanging artwork, especially groupings of art, can still be pretty daunting.

Fortunately there are helpful folks out there like Maren Bargreen, owner of Park City’s Gallery MAR (pictured above in her gallery), who upon reading my editor’s letter sent me an e-mail offering her expertise and this helpful tip: “I typically recommend a height of 61 inches for the center line of an artwork,” she told me.

I wanted to hear more of Maren’s advice for incorporating artwork into my home (and I thought you might too), so I asked if she wouldn’t mind sharing a few more tips. Here’s what she had to say:

Use your eclectics to create a “salon-style” wall:

“Several framed pieces can look fantastic on a wall, in a non-traditional collage. The key to success is to choose one element and go with it: genre, medium, frames or spacing. Lay out your pieces on the floor and negotiate the spaces between the works. You can measure and even use blue painter’s tape to lay out the installation on the wall. Or do what I’ve done in my own home (below) and freely hang the works, allowing for a more organic look that is less precise. Choosing a salon-style hanging, where the spaces between the paintings are never the same, keeps the wall from looking too regimented and lets you add to and expand the installation.”

Art as architecture:

“Sometimes the obvious choice for an architectural element in your home is just that: too obvious. Why not spice up your space with some unexpected and functional art pieces? Try using blown glass for a powder room sink and rinse your hands in fine art. One of my favorite ideas is to use a wall hanging or large canvas painting in place of a headboard. To hang the piece, allow about 5 inches above where your throw pillows sit. I recommend a 60-inch wide painting above a king-size bed. Or, commission an artist to paint a three-paneled folding screen for your living room. I saw a piece like this in a collector’s home in Scottsdale and it was the favorite piece in the collection.”

Fill your home with memories:

“Adding art to your lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive. Do you make a beloved trip to Martha’s Vineyard each year? Next time, bring back a watercolor scene of your favorite private beach. Or stop at a glass blower’s workshop in Seattle for wine goblets that you can use all year to remember your trip to the Emerald City.”

About the expert: Maren Bargreen is the owner of Gallery MAR, an art gallery located on Main Street in historic Park City, Utah. The modern space showcases a selection of fine contemporary art, from detailed still life works to abstract landscapes and whimsical figurative pieces. To learn more, visit www.gallerymar.com.

Posted via email from Mountain Living Magazine

“Flower,” 20″ x 16″, $2075

“Bubbles,” 9″ x 12″, $1200

“Boutique,” 24″ x 13″, $1975

Currently Fred Calleri uses each piece as a new lesson. The desire is to have a goal for each piece that may relate to mood, palette, light or expression. By looking at the way Sargent used his palette or Vermeer’s light and use of pattern, Calleri is able to garner a small lesson from that and use it from that point onward. As he explores different paths, the figure resonates throughout each piece. While exploring the figure and representational painting in general, Calleri found by adding a slight distortion he was free to let the image take him where it wanted to go. By distorting the image the bonds of reality and style become less commanding and the piece develops a style on its own.

This year’s Arts Festival kicked off new program and venture for the Kimball Art Center: RELEVANT, through which young, emerging artists are mentored and supported and encouraged to flourish and create right here in Park City.

Daily work sessions included critiques by mentors and peers and round table discussions, of which I was able to be a member. The residency requires dedication, long hours, deadlines and flexibility and will continue next year in 2011.

Through this artist-in-residence program, students were given the experience of developing art for sale, while being challenged to expand their artistic boundaries. During the residency each student’s primary goal was to create a piece… of artwork that was sold at the Opening Night Art Auction and Gala. Ryan Hughes’ painting was picked up at the Friday night Gala by two very lucky collectors– myself and Mr. Mullin.

The rest of the weekend brought even more events and artistic experiences.  On Friday night, Ron Russon painted a demonstration here at the gallery and on Saturday and Sunday we featured two jewelry artists, Susan Richer and Cyndi Sharp, here at Gallery MAR.

Two of our Gallery MAR artists, Penelope Moore and Aaron Memmott, were featured in the festival, and we are fortunate to have new works by both artists in the gallery today. The BMI Cafe at The Downstairs blasted fantastic new musicians all weekend long, with our favorite Seattle-based shown artist above, Alan Stone.

Last night I arrived home at midnight from a whirlwind trip to the Sun Valley/Ketchum, ID area.  About 5 hours north of Park City, Sun Valley has incredible galleries, restaurants, biking, hiking, and skiing (later in the year!). We were amazed by the friendliness of the community and the events and activities that they have to offer their summer visitors.  It’s about as fabulous as Park City in the summer time… well, almost!

Gilman Contemporary Gallery, Ketchum [Ashley Collins Dog, Left]

Friesen Gallery, Ketchum [Michael Kessler painting]

There are quite a bit fewer galleries in the Ketchum area than there are here in Park City, but ones that are there are all top notch. Gilman Contemporary has received the Best Gallery award for two years in a row, but it is Gail Severn Gallery that truly stands alone. This vast gallery showcases artists from Chris Reilly, to Michael Gregory and (my favorite) Marcia Myers. Gallery MAR’s Michael Kessler exhibits at Friesen Gallery (who also has a location in Seattle) and his works truly shine in this space. Another highlight is Kneeland Gallery, who showcases local Utah artists and one of my personal friends Shanna Kunz.

Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum [James Cook landscape]

What an inspiration to see so much fantastic art in a small town. In addition to the art tour, my husband and I rented bikes– we rode down to a bridge and jumped into the river for a quick cool off, then rode back to sit on the lawn and enjoy the Sun Valley Summer Symphony play with Garth Brooks for an incredible concert. Sunday brought us up to the Sawtooth Mountains and some river rafting on the Salmon. Whew! For a 30 hour trip, we certainly packed it in.