A Family Art Gallery

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

03 Jun 2008 07:07 PM

With three children making pictures, it never took long to fill up the space on the front of the refrigerator. We started several art galleries in our house to showcase their work. Framing the children's art makes them feel important. And I love the way it looks on our walls. It's a fun family look. I'm not talking frame shops here, but something you can do yourself.

If you've ever had a piece of art framed you know that it's very expensive, and you probably picked from a mat or two to highlight the art. You can easily copy the mat effect by placing the art work on a larger piece of paper. I like to use black, but any matching or contrasting color works. Over the years I've used construction paper, scrapbook paper, mat board samples, and even the black paper that came with the frame. All but the frame paper worked fine. For some reason the frame paper wrinkled.

We've decorated a wall in our living room and our hallway. You can use regular picture frames, but they don't seem quite right to me. I love these art frames. The glass cover clips to the black of the frame. It's easy to change art work in and out. And it really does look an art gallery.

Floating picture frames are perfect for odd shaped pieces. The idea behind these frames is that you sandwich the artwork between pieces of glass. Then the outside frame covers the edges of the glass. It's also really easy to change out the art with these frames.

Poster frames are also inexpensive. They are great for larger works of art, or you can position several pictures inside one frame.

It's also fun to add a little shelf for small sculptures, or nail flat things directly to the wall.

Have fun making and hanging original works of art.

Also See:

Displaying Children's Artwork

Fun Ideas for Things to Paint On and With

Easy Paint Projects for Preschoolers

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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Courtney Mroch (9169) 03 Jun 2008 07:39 PM

How clever, Lauri! I loved all the pics you included in here. You've got some talented kids!

tangerinelullaby (553) 03 Jun 2008 08:09 PM

That's fantastic! I know how your kids feel! They must have been proud and happy that they are well-received and supported of what they do. :D!

-Yvie

http://tangerineslullaby.eachday.com

PDeverit (283) 03 Jun 2008 08:27 PM

We sometimes spend so much money on video games, or other expensive toys. But the best toys are often the least expesive. Ones that encourage creativity (crayons, playdoh, even just a cardboard box!) are the best at fostering kids imagination. Whereas videogames can stunt it. Love the ideas. Thanks. Phoenix

Dale Harcombe (10399) 03 Jun 2008 10:42 PM

we have two paintings on canvases that we given to us last Christmas by our young grandchildren. I've written about it here http://christian.families.com/blog/all-it-takes-is-a-word. The grandchildren were delighted on a recent visit to see them hanging on the wall.

Lauri Griffin (2703) 05 Jun 2008 05:38 PM

Courtney, I think they are very talented too. Thanks!

Lauri Griffin (2703) 05 Jun 2008 05:39 PM

Tangerine Lullaby, they do love having their art framed and on the wall.

Lauri Griffin (2703) 05 Jun 2008 05:40 PM

PDeverit, creativity is important. Glad you liked the ideas.

Lauri Griffin (2703) 05 Jun 2008 05:41 PM

Dale, I'm sure your grandchildren were honored and thrilled to see their artwork on your walls. I think that's wonderful.

tangerinelullaby (553) 07 Jun 2008 11:37 PM

Lauri, your kids are so lucky to have you as a mom. :D

-Yvie

http://tangerineslullaby.eachday.com

Lauri Griffin (2703) 10 Jun 2008 02:00 PM

Tangerinelullaby, that's one of the nicest compliments I've ever had!