bad art gone good.
via the brick house.
as most of you know, i have a thing for vintage portraits. the funkier, the better. i like the irony i find in a fun vintage painting, and the sense of humor. they can add a unique touch, to a simple, mundane room. i looked around at the selby, at etsy vintage, the paris hotel boutique — all places i know to find good inspiration for this kind of artwork, and found a few great examples of what i mean when i say kitschy, unexpected art, can look really, really good.
via emma’s design blog.
via living etc. magazine.
via the selby.
via the selby.
via sfgirlbybay.
via the selby.
via the uncommoneye.
via sfgirlbybay.
via the brick house.
via paris hotel boutique.
wonderful group of portraits. animals are my first love, the boy and his dog fishing, oh how I wish it was warm enough to do that.
These are great. My mother despises some of these amazing family portraits that an aunt of our painted but I think they are amazing. There is actually one of my mother and she looks so beautiful. I’m sending this to her just to show her that portraits are totally in. :)
oh man,i love all of these! and i’m KICKING myself for not buying this beauty when i was at Alameda in December: http://www.flickr.com/photos/inkonmyfingers/4203689477/in/set-72157623019184006/
:)
oooh, that was a good one, susannah. but tricky to transport to the UK, huh? ;)
Love this post! Pretty much one of my favorite things is to take bad art & make it awesome.
wonderful collection. my favorite thing about thrifting is finding those soulful, abandoned pieces.
you might also like this kitch number, but be gentle, it’s my mum :) http://www.flickr.com/photos/karins/3874270831/in/set-72157622479825004/
I think they look great in the right environment! They could also look awful in the wrong homes… ;)
It’s nice to find portraits like those in flea markets though, because there are tons of them, and most people just walk past them! :)
Nothing like some vintage art (conventionally tacky or otherwise) to add charm and character to one’s home!
so many beautiful portraits…
My husband is obsessed with bad art and has an extensive collection. I’ve mostly banned it from the house but this gives me new perspective. He actually owns three portraits done at the same time (from photographs) of the same woman at three different ages. Crazy.
You’ve inspired me! I’ve been umming and ahhing over this but reading this brilliant post just pushed me over the edge! http://www.lemonlight.org/weblog/2010/03/the-french-mistress.html
Thanks for the inspiration. A great blog!
great finds! these are lovely. xo
just amazing!
It’s cool that kooky art can rock when it’s in the right setting. I love all the pictures you found!
What a nice surprise! I’m reading the post, and there I am. Thank you sooo much! I’m crazy for them too as seen in my house. Thanks for the tips on the others. I’m off to look now!
XOX Lynn
this is amazing!! I love “bad art” Looks so good in the right settings! I love the office! great inspiration.
I like that about you. SO unique in your collection. Every time I see one of these I want to ship it to you. =]
so glad you all like these as much as i did.
lynn – my pleasure! :)
leaca – thank you so much!!
Oh yes, LOVE these! You’re right, something so quirky and beautiful about them
Creative pictures. Really nice work, Thanks for sharing.Keep on posting new creations.
regards
elleinteriors
I love portraits, it gives so much atmosphere to a room
Oh I love vintage portraits…especially when they’re hung in a collection. They just look so charming and whimsical and actually can make great conversation pieces too :)!
i love portraits (and yarn art), but my husband doesn’t. so they are all in my craft room. i found the BEST portrait of an old lady in a great matching earring and necklace set at a yard sale for 75 cents. the lady selling it said “You’re going to paint over that right?”!!
I love found paintings and art. It’s quite lovely to bring someone else’s story into your home.
Portraits are my absolute favorite. Loved this post!
i would have never thought to display vintage portraits — but it’s lovely! my grandparents were both painters and their basement is FULL of old portrait paintings… i may have to go scavenging!