how do you hang a canvass painting without framing it. what is the best canvas to get when doing this???

Question

what would a gallery prefer? i really like doing paintings on canvas and painting on the sides but i don't know how to wire them. honestly, i am some what poor but love to paint. i would love to show my work to a gallery or sell some paintings.

Answer 1

you do not have to frame them , but you have to put them on a stretcher.

Answer 2

The same way you would hang a framed canvas. A stretcher bar can handle a few hooks and the stress of hanging.

Galleries do not care about that. They want to sell what you give them the way you present your art. I have seen crumpled paintings on the floor in galleries... that was how the artist wanted them to be presented.

The more 'commercial galleries' have a framing service and will sell their customers a frame to go with the painting they want. Usually they have paintings on stretchers in a 'generic' frame on the wall.

For good measure. This is a stretcher bar:
http://www.ucsart.com/pics/bob-holding-stretcher.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stretcher_bar

Some galleries are even happy to accept rolled, unstretched and unframed (obviously) paintings.

Answer 3

However you sort it out...galleries want it ready to sell, that means it needs to be finished enough that people will hang it on the wall or the aesthetic of the piece will allow it to be rough finished or have an unusual or alternative solution.
In my own work I have covered up raw edges with; furring strips, rubber, fabric. metal studs, nails, hose...I am sure you get the picture...

if it is a straight forward painting and you want to exhibit it frameless you can....
paint (solid color) furring strips and nail them to the edge of the canvas..this gives a rough hewn finished look..
you may also tuck the canvas around the stretching strip and paint the sides of the painting/stretcher strips

You won't sell your work to a gallery...you want to look for a gallery that will represent you....this is the end goal and will take a long time. Small galleries will consign your work or invite you to participate in a group show and hopefully work up to a solo show. While you are looking for galleries set up your own show...at a library, coffee shop, high school, college moose lodge...you get the idea


put together a CV (a resume for artists and academics)
this list education, exhibits, memberships to art or community groups, lectures or talks given etc...
not enough for a CV do a Bio listing the above mentioned

an artists statement..it can relate to a body of work or your overall view of Art and you art. Keep it to one page

These need to be updated often...
Look at online avenues....check out VALSARTDIARY on
you tube....she is incredible as an artist and a marketing strategy.
she video tapes the work on the painting in her studio then sells it on ebay...absolutely brilliant

She works ebay and always sells them due to the exposure of her videos on youtube.....
Check into sights such as deviant art

good luck

Answer 4

You can purchase "gallery prepared" pre-stretched canvasses from many art & craft stores (including "Michael's" in the US.) The staples are not visible on the front or sides.

Answer 5

There are a number of methods / techniques for hanging works of art on the wall:

Nails [of various types], hooks [hook & wire], velcro, security devices [several types are used], push pins, L-pins...

I've used all of these methods in museums and galleries.

Answer 6

I don't think I can add much to what the others said, but in my Art Group we hang unframed canvases (on stretchers) with D-rings, which any hardware or art supply store should have.

Answer 7

Clip on drapery hooks.