At its inception, the pop art movement brought relief to those that had grown tired of works created by abstract expressionists. From there, it went on to become one of the most popular art forms of the rebellious 50's and free-wheeling 60's. Today, designers’ passion for decorating with pop art featuring Andy Warhol helps to keep the love affair going.

Warhol, for those readers that may have not been around during the early pop art movement, was born in the 1920's and died in the winter of 1987. His work was renowned the world over. The colorful, iconic images that he used helped to convey what was going on in pop culture, whether the activity was ultimately controversial or not. As such, his artwork often stirred strong feelings in fans and critics alike.

When decorating with pop art featuring Andy Warhol prints, there are several schools of thought to consider. For instance, some interior designers like to display Warhol’s art in areas that match the picture’s subject matter. Others prefer to put the artwork in unrelated, unexpected spots that help jolt viewers out of their rote activities. There are also those that focus more on the colors and patterns inherent in Warhol’s artwork than the actual subject matter.

Take Andy Warhol’s Knives, c.1981-82 picture as an example. It could be hung up in a contemporary dining room or kitchen that has pops of black and cream coloring throughout. On the other hand, it could also be placed in a study or office with his series of Guns artwork and Skull, 1976 to show a love of mystery novels and forensic sciences.

There are other Andy Warhol prints on the market today that feature the artist’s quotes and images. One of our favorites is the one titled, Think Rich, Look Poor. It would look great on display in a bedroom changing area or walk-in closet. As would prints like It Takes a lot of Work to Figure Out How to Look So Good, Diamond Dust Shoes and Two Female Fashion Figures c. 1960.

To learn more about decorating with pop art featuring Andy Warhol, please contact us today. We have many prints of the artist’s work in stock as well as several other pop art prints of note.

Barn Owl Primitives started out small. Christi, the creator, started out making handcrafted Christmas gifts, specifically hand-painted, door-hanging snowman, when money was tight. Friends and families became her first customers but, then, the word got out…and friends of friends started placing orders as well. Since snowman is rather synonymous with winter, Christi started other ideas that weathered seasons: word art that are perennially appealing. Barn Owl Primitives was born and “signs to decorate your life” becomes her signature motto. Since then, her Barn Owl Primitives has birthed various categories of word art:

Family Rules

It’s true every family has its own rules, but some rules seem to be universal. Short of repeating yourself often, it would be neat to have these rules written out and place in strategic places as reminders. Need help to maintain order in the playroom? Enlist the help of Playroom rules word art – all the gentle reminders conveniently placed on the canvas (or neatly framed) – a great way to reinforce rules without nagging. How about kitchen rules? Barn Owl has a series of that too: Sit up Straight or simply entitled “Kitchen.”

Encouragement

We could all use a little “pep” talk now and then, a little pick-me-up encouragement. What better way to motivate yourself or others than a word art décor? Whether you want to be brave (or reminded you’re brave), strive to be real or just want to love and be loved, Barn Owl primitives have a range of selection to cater to your needs.

Holiday Signs

Want to create a festive mood? Or get into the holiday spirit? Holiday word art can help you do that without really trying too hard. Hang one up and allow the magic to diffuse the room with that seasonal joy and longing, a little nostalgia or warmth. Christmas, Halloween or just to welcome a new season, take your pick. Order up some holiday cheer, it's that time of the year.

Sports

Know a husband, a father, a son, a brother or a friend who loves sports? They live, eat and breathe sports and you may experience a little neglect when the sports season is on? They would love one of the word art on sports. Football or soccer, these word art will make great gifts for sports fans.

Using Barn Owl Primitives word art for decor is a great way to add character, swag or mood. Buy them for yourself or to give away as gifts. Feel free to browse our website or contact us for more information.

Warm up a rustic kitchen or family room with the earthy hues of Tuscany. From neutral wall paint colors to cultural art, you’ll feel like you’re relaxing in a foreign land. The best part of travel art is that it creates a home that is both cozy and worldly.

Tuscan art for your Kitchen

When decorating the kitchen with travel art of Tuscany, focus on images of wine bottles, grapes, apples and lemons. Or go for the bigger picture with a garden landscape. The blue skies in garden art complements the warm brown and orange tones of the Italian landscape.

Decorating ideas:

* Clay tiles, from your local home improvement store can be used as a back splash, or use the individually as drink coasters.

* Wooden decorative objects in the shape of pears, pepper mills or wine bottles add to ambiance.

* Try your hand at decorating a small area with a leafy green stencil. Keep linens including table settings and window treatments in off-white hues.

* Upgrade cabinet hardware French Country knobs and handles.

Black wire baskets and candle holders finish out the Tuscan look in your kitchen.

Tuscan Living Room

For a Tuscan theme, consider your rooms with beige or golden mustard walls. For pops of color in the room, use large golden yellow or burn orange candles.

Add details to every corner:

* Use small garden statues as bookends.

* Spice up the room with coffee-colored furniture or decorative objects.

* Decorate the largest wall with multiple pieces of Tuscan art.

* Use small images in wooden frames on shelves and end tables, to resemble personal travel photos.

* Decorate windowsills with leafy vines in stone vases.

* Create a focal point in the room with a tall garden vase to complete the worldly transition.

Shop your favorite Tuscan art today and save 50%! For more information on decorating a with culture art, please contact us. 

No country home is complete without country art!

So your home has that good old country vibe to it. You have cute country style drapes hanging over the kitchen window and you possibly have the horseshoe hanging over the door, but what good country home needs is some stylish country art. No country home is complete without some country paintings. For the living room or the family den, you may have styled to feel like it's the open range or the mountains. You have animal skins hanging up or maybe you have a cow print rug on the floor, well how about adding a painting like log cabin retreat to the scene. It gives off that sense of wilderness and the colors are vibrant. It would go well with any room you're trying to give off the nature vibe. Maybe you're looking for something that'll really capture your guests' attention when they're in the kitchen, you have yellow walls, maybe rooster or fruit drapes, well add a painting or two into the style.

 Bless our home would go well with any yellow decor or color scheme. It even has sunflowers and you can't top sunflowers. Maybe you want something that just totally stands out that just pops then check out Razzberry Creek crossing. The colors are very soft and it could really stand out in the kitchen. If you're finally fixing up that bathroom and you decided to go with a bear theme then add some bear art! Country bath would not only fit in with your bear and wilderness theme, but it's completely adorable! If you want something more cute than that, a big favorite is bear necessities. Not only will it give your bathroom a zing to its decor, but it'll remind your guests of the Disney movie The Jungle Book. So if you're look to spice up your country home then check out Fulcrum Gallery for all their latest country master pieces.

Father’s day was first proclaimed in 1910, but it was not until 1972 that it became a nationwide holiday. If you’re celebrating Father’s day, the question of gifts often comes up. Ideas abound, but if you know the special man in your life is an avid golfer or an aspiring one, why not consider golf art? It will be the perfect sentiment for a day designated to express appreciation, love and gratitude. Golf art will grace his walls and he will be reminded of the gift giver (yes, that's you!) every time he looks at it. Consider these golf art for dad:

Golf Scene

A beautiful golf course, set on rolling plains, beside a lake perhaps. Or a postcard-perfect picture of ice-capped mountains in the far distance with manicured greens, framed by trees. A picturesque turf-meets-surf scene set in Hawaii or one on the hills? The truth is pictures of golf courses are not just beautiful to look at, they offer an escape---the go-to place when a little dreaming is needed, perhaps when work becomes demanding or life is too much.

Vintage Golf Scene

Perhaps your dad appreciates antiques and throwbacks to the good old days. He collects antique golf paraphernalia and enjoys learning more about the history of golf. If that’s the case, why not consider vintage golf pictures? It can be one with a light humor like Free Golf (with the caption “Play golf free while getting your suit pressed.") or a single picture of golf clubs and golf balls in sepia tone. Vintage golf pictures make for a classic collection that will withstand the whims of change and style.

Golf Word Art

Words are clever little things. They can make you laugh; cry, pine, wishful or they can inspire or take you to that special place in your heart that no one can go. Golf word art uses words to express golf sentiments, whether they are observations that ring true or just telling as it is. For instance, Karen Tribett Golf (Golf: Where you yell “fore,” shoot “six,” write “five.”) may strike a chord with golfers.

Golf Shots Series

Capture the many faces and stances of golfers with golf art. From a picture of concentration to one of anticipation as the ball tees off, the golf shots series capture the different moods and stances well from the Sand shot to The Drive to The Putt. Buy a series to create that visual effect – a gift so priceless, it will make your dad proud.

Frederick Remington is one of the most famous practitioners of western art of the past century and a half. Before motion pictures began to color our perceptions of the American West, his paintings, illustrations, and sculptures captured images of the western frontier, of cowboys, Indians, and cavalry troopers who populated the era he was born into and worked as an illustrator for Harper’s Weekly.

His focus was on people and animals, especially horses, of the American west, with the landscapes of secondary importance. Many of his oil pieces depict men on horseback moving at various speeds across the canvass, creating a sense of motion and energy that catches the eye and holds the attention.

Remington was just as adroit in executing bronze sculptures, the most famous of which was “The Bronco Buster,” which depicts a cowboy breaking a horse that is busily trying to unseat him.

Remington was born in 1861 in New York where he spent most of his childhood. After some failures at business and a rocky marriage he found his true calling working for Harper’s Weekly, a job that frequently took him to the American west in the 1880's and 1890's, executing some of his subjects from life. Unlike many artists, he was a shrewd businessman and a self promoter, something that redounded greatly to his success. He was an early champion of photoengraving process over wood engraving to reproduce visual art into magazine illustrations. He had an informal agreement with Harper’s Weekly for a first look at his art, but was free to sell it elsewhere.

Unfortunately Remington struggled with obesity all of his life. It eventually killed him in 1909 when he underwent an emergency appendectomy during which his girth complicated the procedure, resulting in peritonitis.

Over a century after his death, Remington remains an iconic artist/chronicler of the American west, capturing in his paintings and sculptures an era and a way of life, perhaps in some ways idealized, that is now long past.

If you are like most people, you may often struggle to find the ideal gift for a friend or family member. No matter how much thought you give it, you struggle to come up with an original idea and end up giving a gift card or something equally anonymous. Well, have you ever considered giving the gift of framed art ?

It's not as daunting as you may think. There's no need to dress up and head to a swanky upscale gallery or auction house. At Fulcrumgallery.com we have a huge array of fine quality framed prints to match any taste. Perhaps you have an Uncle or Grandfather who would love to see the wall of his den displaying a photograph of Joe DiMaggio sliding into third base or the iconic picture of U.S. Marines raising the Stars and Stripes over Iwo Jima? These and many other amazing photography prints can be shipped usually the same day.

If you know someone with more classical tastes, we have a wide range of classical masters, such as Johannes Vermeers' "Girl with a Pearl Earring". Or perhaps for the modernist, Gustav Klimts' "The Kiss" would be more appropriate, or even some Pop Art, such as Andy Warhols' Campbells Soup Can or Roy Lichtensteins' "Ohhh Alright"?

Whatever the taste of your intended recipient, whatever the occasion or whatever the room, we are so convinced that we have the perfect framed art gift for them, that if you aren't completely satisfied, simply return it to us within 30 days of purchase and we will give you a full refund or replacement, less shipping charges .

Once you've found the perfect framed painting or photograph to complement your home or office decor, it's time to think about the optimal lighting for it.  A properly lit piece of art will show the artist's intended nuance and won't give off a glare or shine that makes it hard to view comfortably. 

Where you place the framed art in your home or office will play some part in the lighting, of course. If you have a room with large windows or another source of natural light, then you should also consider what changes that natural light will bring to the artwork at different times of day. Placing your paintings in direct sunlight is not recommended, however, as the UV rays may cause color fading.

Your lighting choices will also depend on the medium of the artwork. Oil paintings, for example, reflect  spectral highlights if a beam of light is pointed directly at the painting, whereas acrylic paintings are far less glossy and can be comfortably lit by a single beam of light.  For oils, you'd do well to think about a broad-based light that is diffused in some way. 

Another twist on the path to good lighting is whether or not your artwork has been framed behind glass. Glass that has not been treated with an anti-reflective coating will be shiny when viewed from different angles, or if catching natural light at different times of day. If you do have a piece of art that is behind reflective glass, you'll need to experiment with your lighting sources to find the best way for that particular piece of art in that particular room. Generally, the DIY Network recommends placing lights at a 30 degree angle to the art, in order to reduce glare. 

It's important to assess the kind of light that is already installed in the room in question, before adding any additional sources for your artwork. Most homes have incandescent bulbs in the fixtures while offices may have fluorescent lighting. If you want to place a painting under fluorescent light, you should be aware that the higher quantity of UV rays in fluorescent light may cause painting colors to fade over time. 

Once you have found the placement and assessed the available light, you can begin to consider different choices for additional lights. 

There are three kinds of lights that are commonly used to illuminate framed artwork:

• "picture" lights
• mantel lights
• track lights

Picture lights are usually small--three inches or less in diameter--and hang above the painting or on the frame. 

Mantel lights are on a shelf ("mantel") under the painting or photograph and point up at it. 

Track lights, usually a series of lights set on a track on the ceiling, are more flexible than the other options, and are ideal if you have several pieces of art in the same room. 

And, if you're still looking for that elusive perfect art piece to decorate your home or office, we offer a variety of styles of framed art. Don't hesitate to contact us.