Defining Nature Wall Art
Knowing what nature wall art is, and which is best for the home, will change how you see your home decor. To define this art it can fall into two categories.
First it can be representational art such as paintings of nature. More specifically this is Naturalism Art.
Secondly it can be art which is made from nature itself. The second is where I will place my focus here.
Should Nature Wall Art Be Handmade Or Manufactured Decor?
Original art is always the best way to go. Nevertheless discovering natural wall art of the handmade variety will often lead you to “crafts”. This is undesirable.
That being said the manufacture decor will too often be of the same garden variety. You simply pay more for a brand name.
It is not always easy to calculate the cost of crafted decor pieces. Genuine craftsmen and artisans work stand out from these imitations.
There is a whole other world waiting for you to explore.
I will break these options down into three main categories. Within them will be several options that can be had either from artists or alternatively one can diy some of these.
If you do it yourself, upon successful completion let me warn you that a new hobby may begin for you with a serious addiction.
If one wishes to search for authentic works of art of this genre you would search for Naturalism Art. There you will find a wide range of works for your liking.
Wooden Nature Wall Art
In most situations I always prefer my wall art to rest flat against the wall. If a wall sculpture protrudes out from the wall when placed in a wrong location it then becomes an obstacle.
Clearly this obstacle would not be desirable for traffic areas and here is where flat panel wooden decor wins.
This art form is one of the arts I specialize in. Essentially a wood plank of a more exotic species is taken and cut then joined to make a wood panel.
I then carve the art into the wood in such a way that it stands out from the surface. This is called relief wood art.
Stains are used to give color variations while the wood grain is displayed as a natural art. The outcome is very unique and is within its own class which can be difficult to find.
Not all panel art must be this intricate or detailed.
Nevertheless panel art of a natural variety will most often be made of wood. There are those who paint or alternatively engrave designs into the wood. These are less expensive but still offer unique beauty.
Can this be done as a diy project? Absolutely yes. Some tools will be required to achieve this. A table saw, planer, and the ability to join the boards.
A router at minimum for surfacing the panel but it is best to have access to a cnc. Of the projects I will present this one would be the most complicated to take on as a diy project.
Why use flat wood panel art? When exotic woods are used for art there is a next level beauty to them that nothing can compare to.
Grain patterns are strong, colorful, and become a part of the art. The work will rest flat to the wall like a painting so it will not become an obstacle in traffic areas of the home.
Wood Shelving As Nature Wall Art
Not many people think of shelving as a decor item. Rather it is thought of as a functional piece for storage or display.
Years ago live edge wood became the rage for many things including fireplace mantels. Wood shelving of this kind of variety pays dividends in appeal and beauty in the home.
With these shelves if you like the live edge appearance it can be best to stay with at least a half inch thick or more. It will allow for the edge to stand out and be seen. The thicker the board the more prominent this becomes.
While this style is most often found in tables, few know that there are many boards which are not big enough for table making. These boards will be taken by those like me and made into other things.
Your local wood guys who play with this stuff as a hobby know where to find the goods.
Small mills and hobbyists can have the perfect variety at an affordable price. The natural appeal that this wood brings will offer something new that nothing else can duplicate.
What is best about this option is that it is very easy to do yourself.
All one needs is a saw and sander with your choice of stain and finish. Mounting the shelf to the wall is easy enough and you have revolutionized the appeal of the space where it is used in your home.
It is inexpensive yet easily a project within scope of the average persons abilities for maximum benefit in home appeal.
Driftwood Wall Art
Not many people think of driftwood as something to use as decor. They are missing out on some of the most unique and beautiful pieces on the planet. There is a trick to how you use it.
Often these pieces cannot be cut, planed, or joined like normal lumber. Typically the wood has suffered too much or is too small for this to be achieved. So how is it used?
You have a few options here. Large pieces can be used whole as a focal point on a wall in decor with other art or pictures surrounding it. They are great for creating themes.
Often the size used for this can be between 3 to 12 feet in length. If desired multiple pieces can be used.
Smaller pieces can also be used to create shapes, designs, and some have used driftwood to make wreath like decor.
I have seen others make picture frames from this wood. The cool thing about this option is how versatile it can be for its use.
In recent years prices have risen some on this type of wood as it becomes more difficult to find. Yet if you explore the outdoors it can be had for free in many natural settings and locations.
Cleaning and preparing the wood is a part of the fun for those who enjoy collecting. Seriously it is great for family fun to be into this hobby.
There are two varieties that can be had in driftwood. The genuine stuff which people go out and find then sell, and then wood that is made to be imitating the real thing.
Genuine driftwood takes time for nature to do its work. As it becomes more popular the more rare the real deal becomes.
Nature Wall Art Mounted Wood Displays
Here we take things up a step from shelving. Still this can be an easy thing to make on ones own with basic tools.
A series of live edge boards framed in together can serve as a display for key pieces. Plates will stand on the shelf if a groove is routed across the center of the board.
Pottery which is another natural option to explore can also be displayed in a similar way. Yet these small displays serve to add a natural art while also providing additional function in decor.
There is something really cool about its potential few know so I will share a secret here.
I cannot count the times where friends who specialize in this sort of thing have been asked to make a secret compartment within the item. The largest was not a wall piece but rather in a china display case.
The back had a hidden compartment which would slide out and valuables could be stored.
This idea I have seen duplicated into many smaller wall displays including large slab shelving or mantles. Often this function can be hard to come by in regular stores.
A local craftsman is typically the one asked to provide something such as this for a homeowner. It is a great hideaway for cash or jewelry.
Free Standing Wood Art From Crafted Objects
I had to add this option in although unrelated to walls. I owe this plugin here to those like my neighbor who specializes in this kind of art and I cannot leave those guys out.
Besides it is a perfect option for displaying on your new wood shelving. This is not your Kirklands stuff.
Commonly bowls are popular but there are many variations to this art. I have seen some artists take driftwood and carve unique display items. Some will hold votive candles or allow for water to float within the wood as herbs or other scented items are mixed in.
How can water be in a wood container? A special resin is used to waterproof the container.
After this it can serve many functions for beauty depending on its size. Larger bowls have been used for floating flower petals and live plants. The options are endless.
Commonly these pieces are not very expensive with the exception of rare wood varieties or when resins are used. The more exotic or exceptional the wood which is used the more one would expect to pay.
Yet with it comes a piece that cannot be copied or found anywhere else. Often once made there will be no other like it.
Aside from these bowls, holders, or other similar items we step into constructed art. In this variety there is a wide range of options.
Within my work another specialty I enjoy is making box art. These boxes are unique with the wood which is used, each is handmade and carved with art.
The higher end boxes have wooden hinges and the closure has a hidden magnets to keep the lid shut. In this way there is no external metal hardware to be found.
It maximizes the beauty of the wood while providing a function for someone to store small items within.
In terms of free standing art there is no better decor option made from the nature. It can be displayed anywhere within the home where a flat surface can be found.
Why Use Nature Wall Art As Decor?
The key to it all is beauty. There simply is no other way to match the beauty which nature can give on any scale. The goal of any wood artist is to maximize this natural beauty retaining as much of this as we can. We are not carpenters.
This is really where the difference lay between a woodworker and a wood artist. We recognize that we cannot make something more beautiful than nature has already made.
Rather we wish to bring this aesthetic out while providing a purpose or adding to what already is present.
We treat our lumber like a canvas. Often pieces will sit in storage for long periods of time until the right project comes along which matches the wood.
Never is a board simply cut and forced to a form or finish. Even with panel art the key to its beauty is the grain which is to be displayed.
Few other natural materials offer the level of beauty and complexity that wood can achieve. Here is where a clear difference can be found between a branded store and what is found made by an artists or craftsman’s hands.
It is about the end goal of what is made.
In terms of value there can be no comparison. Once one begins to hold these creations in your hands the difference becomes more self evident.
These works of art will not be outdated nor thrown away. General decor on the other hand can typically have a seasonal shelf life.
An additional quick plugin here for the reader. If you were ever looking for a family activity which will spark creativity and is fun for the family this art is definitely it.
You are only limited by your imagination. Carving, painting, crafting, building, shaping, and designing are all possibilities for your children to learn.
Few mediums can cover so many possibilities for a creative mind. It will get everyone off the couch and out in nature away from people. You are hunting for that next valuable piece. Explore with fun but always remain safe.