I will follow this up with my one and only piece of art, but have you tried looking at frontgate catalog? They have larger pieces that are less than $1000 (not sure what your price point is) but for the size of the print i think it is reasonable..

This is hanging above my "dry" bar which is in between my kitchen and FR..
From Frontgate- IT is a pretty large piece approx. 56" x 30" and came framed.

I know some art critics didn't like it b/c it is not an "original" but I LOVE IT

I'm so sorry.. just looked on front gate and apparently they aren's selling much artwork anymore..

how do you feel about Marimekko fabric?

I have a piece of their fabric called Tuuli on a large wall in my living room. It looks like tree branches and is a light green. Most of their other patterns are much more bold.

I also have a very large fish print on a large wall in the hallway. It's a japanese print making technique called Gyotaku, where they actually paint a fish and then press the paper to it.

You can find unique things on Etsy. Or, go to one of those poster websites and you can find pretty much anything in any size in any frame style.

i like some of the more abstract works by this etsy seller.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63200834/original-painting-large-abstract-mixed
http://www.etsy.com/listing/63207221/original-painting-large-abstract-mixed

and here, but this is about the only one i really like:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83937757/original-painting-huge-abstract-painting?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=original+abstract+art&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=16&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

Here is a link to an old thread where lots of folks shared something.

Here is a link that might be useful: Care to share a piece of art thread

srg215, I didn't comment in your other thread, but I think the pieces you painted would have been fine for the wall.

Once before you had a thread where you showed some things you found on line and everyone told you that you needed something warmer, like the floral you already have.

But it seems very clear to me that you like the abstract art. I think you are quite capable of creating abstracts that you like. Also, I loved the bright green.

I nearly suggested the fabric when I was reading your other thread. There are some striking fabrics out there and all you have to do is wrap them around a canvas, staple them and hang them.

I suppose you could construct a massive abstract piece using either paint or fabric. Imagine taking all different sizes of canvas and either painting them or covering them with something, then hanging them as if they were one huge sculpture. I really don't think the average visitor would know if you made it or paid $$$ for it.

cindyloo: thanks for the advice and encouragement. i can get a very large canvas at michaels for under $100 so it's worth it for me to have some fun.

i do love the floral picture i have on the other wall, but i have not seen anything that i like nearly as much in a floral. and it's really the colors & softness that make me love it. so maybe i'll try to soften up my abstracts to create a feeling that goes w/the floral w/o being a floral.

I purchased prints from AllPosters and had them mounted on board at my local frame shop. A lot less expensive than framing and I love the look. Will try to take a pic and post for you.

I posted on your other thread as well but I do want to say that I think selecting art by consensus may lead to something you'd see in a staged home as opposed to something personal. When I revisited the thread that bungalow house shared above I was struck by the variety of tastes represented on this forum. I was also certain that many of the choices would have gotten as many thumbs down as thumbs up if those individuals had decided to go with a popular vote on their selections.

Your home is gorgeous and I think you have great tastes. Assuming you were the one who did the decorating, I can't imagine your instincts would lead you astray.

I am a very insecure decorator and I need lot's of guidance and affirmation every time I make a decision which is why I follow this forum....there are so many talented people here willing to share their god given talents with decorating impaired people like me. Art, however, is a much more personal process for me. I'm less concerned about what "goes" and more about what fascinates me. If I keep coming back to it time and again then I'm pretty sure its a good choice for me.

Here are some of my less conventional choices. They don't qualify as investments, they don't necessarily conform to the style of my house but they interest me and I like looking at them. BTW, no one else in my family shares my enthusiasm for these paintings but these quirky deviations from traditional decorating have become my signature.

If nothing draws you in, then I say try creating your own art. Once you master the basics of the medium you can keep working at it until you "find" what you are looking for.
Let us know what you finally decide.

I think your idea of making your own is a good one.
I liked the one you showed on your other thread.
If it does not work out you are out 100. dollars. Not that anyone wants to throw away the dollars but I think it might be something you can use someday in a bedroom or hallway or somewhere.
And I just have a feeling that you can create something that you love for that space in the family room. When creating that type of art, I imagine that if you do not like it you can just paint over it until something hits you as good. Good Luck!

Sidney4, I love your style! I admire the fact that you stepped outside of the box and took a risk by going with unexpected pieces. Your choices work very well by adding interest and personality!

Auntjen, thank you so much. I consider you one of the resident experts on GW so your kind words are most appreciated. I will have to share your comments with all the "art critics" in my family.LOL

I like your choices too..the woman is my favorite and I like the abstract too. Here is a wall of art I have in my kitchen. I've collected it over the years...lots of years...and it was all from flea markets, yearly antique shows out in a field or from ebay. One of my favorites came from a garage sale and cost a whopping $1.00. It's very eclectic but it's totally me. My kitchen walls are apple green..but every time I take a photo the camera picks the color up as a sick acid green. It's really not so excuse how it looks in the photo. And the lighting isn't great but you get the idea. Anyway, a lot of people think I'm quirky...and I don't care...so go for it if you like it.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Storklady, you have a wonderful collection of art. You must be from the New Orleans area. You are fortunate to have so many talented local artists to pick from.Its one of my favorite places to gallery hop. BTW, I think quirky is cool. Maybe we should have a thread devoted to quirky.

sidney4: i love your abstract.

Thanks srg215.......its by Karen Silve. I got it from Gallery Direct.

Here is a link that might be useful: Karen Silve's artwork

Javachic,
Love your art of the guy and girl embraced. It's funky. Can you share where you got it?

joanie38 - It's "The Kiss" (tapestry) by Gustav Klimt. I recently saw a print of it hung horizontally. Although the original was made to hang vertically, I really liked the variation.

I have this photo on my living room wall my mom is an artist and she created this abstract painting. I personally love it, and I think that's the great thing about art. Not sure what you created, but the nice thing about paintings is that you can change them out. Put it up and live with it a while. See what you think!

[spaces design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/home-design-ideas-phbr0-bp~) by san francisco media and blogs dalma darling

Here is a link that might be useful: Affordable Art for the Home

{{!gwi}}