Types Of Art Discussed Here

I will detail some of the better ways on how to care for wooden wall art in the home. In terms of decor and aesthetics this kind of art can be beautiful. The other side of that coin is that there can be minor problems which become an annoyance.

I will bring out issues which surround carved panel art, driftwood, branches, and the sculptures. These issues can significantly decrease the value of wood art.

There is an additional art form which needs to be discussed concerning mobiles. Wooden mobiles can suffer similar annoyances as caring for wall art.

Traditionally mobiles are hung or mount to structures. This mounting is more often from ceilings or to the floor or ground. Nevertheless due to certain aspects of the mounting process being similar to wooden wall art, I will include this in the discussion here.

Wood Panel Art

The complications that come with wood panel art are commonly weight, thickness, and hardware options that physically attach to the art itself.

When I say attaching to the art itself, there are times when one has no choice but to drill a hole and place a screw into the art. It can be the only way by which to install a wire for hanging.

Some pieces I ship already prepared for wall mounting. Others I do not. If you are purchasing from an artist like myself this is likely to be the same case depending upon the art.

The safest way to mount a wire to wood panel art is with screws to the backside of the panel. I have never had a failure with this method. If you do this yourself be sure to predrill smaller holes for the screws and match weight, bracket, and wire to the panel.

I often use a small plastic washer to act as a spacer between the wood and bracket which the wire is tied to. This way there is flexibility for movement, reduction of friction, and I can control the depth of the screw as it goes into the wood.

In terms of hardware for the wall, anchor wire can work for mounting if you are careful to apply the proper wire. Select according to the applicable weight.

Alternatively I have used sheetrock screws and even deck screws going into a stud within the wall. Yet it is not often a stud is exactly where you want it to be. Thus why anchor wires are a great option.

More importantly, do not use light weight mounting options. Things like command strip type hangers, or anything that does not mechanically secure in some way is a bad idea.

The wooden wall art I create can reach in excess of 10 lbs. For wood art this is not heavy, but it is heavy enough to stress command strips over time. Typically for wood panels weight is not the biggest obstacle.

The thickness of the panel matters where the art will be used as an inlay for the wall. Be sure to measure carefully. There is one additional complication to doing an inlay.

Not all panels remain perfectly flat after carving. Due to material removal and the wood grain itself, a slight curl that is not visibly noticeable can occur.

This can cause complications for a flush inlay or to achieve an even lip protrusion from corner to corner. It may be that a border, much like a frame to a picture, is needed in order to give the best aesthetic appeal.

Driftwood And Branch Wall Art

Some of the more unique pieces which can be found in driftwood art or tree branches. Mounting these can become quite challenging depending upon the piece.

Many suggestions online you will find for mounting is to drill a hole through the branch and the wall at the same time. Then one applies an anchor into the wall. After this the screw goes through both branch and anchor.

I really prefer to not use this method unless absolutely necessary. There is a host of problems which can arise from this method including the destruction of the art.

A Better Mounting Method

A better alternative is using what is called a branch hook. These are quite similar to anchor wire, but they hook around the branch holding it.

These cause no damage to the branch and minimal damage to the wall. In the event of a larger and heavier branch one can use the more aggressive screw option.

There is also another way to help yourself if the branch hook is not realistically viable. You can tie loose wire around the branch and in turn simply tie it to the mount.

The advantage to this method is that it is easier to adjust, balance, or later add to the wall art. The wire in some cases may not be hidden, so decorative options may exist to help it appear more aesthetic.

The greater problem with branch art is maintaining a close profile to the wall. Tree branches are never straight. A branch that protrudes excessively away from the wall can be unsightly.

There really are no easy solutions to this. With branches that are smaller, these can be soaked in water and manipulated. When drying the branch you can apply a form in order to manipulate its shape. This is not 100% successful in all cases yet it does help.

Driftwood applications can be the same as with tree branches. The main difference between the two depends on how long the driftwood was exposed to the elements. Genuine driftwood can become brittle if it had considerable aging in the wild.

By design not only has this wood spent a good deal of time in water but also facing insects. Its decomposition though that time can compromise the integrity of the fibers. Drilling a hole and placing a screw through it can be excessively damaging.

Wood Sculpture Art

When it comes to wooden wall art it is less often that you see wood sculptures. Typically these are seen as being free standing. Yet there are many sculptures which are wall mountable.

If these are purchased from the artist it is likely that they did not build into the design a way for it to be wall mounted. Nevertheless there are ways for this to be achieved.

Aside from small shelves, these can be self made and often the best option, mechanically mounting to the art itself is the only solution. Wall mounting hooks and keyhole mounts allow for the least invasive of selections.

Ultimately to physically mount to the art requires some measure of a screw or bolt. The value of the art or decor will often determine if this is desired.

The downside to wall mounting sculpture art is how it stands out from the wall. Within high traffic areas this is obviously undesirable. Sculptures can also create an odd balance to the space if not selected well for the purpose.

Wood Mobile Art

The more common problems you will find with wood mobile art go back to mounting options and weight. With mobiles you will find wire mounting as the easiest solution. Unfortunately it is not the most aesthetic.

The visibility of the wire can be undesirable. In lightweight applications heavier test line commonly used for fishing can accomplish this task. It makes the visual far more appealing.

With heavier wood pieces there is no choice but to use some kind of visible line. Yet often these pieces are larger and the visibility of the line is of less importance.

Wood mobiles that are designed for floor mounting can be made more aesthetic by incorporating a wood design to the mounting process. This can be carved braces, molding, or other similar concepts.

When these wood mobiles are designed to be a piece of Kinetic Art ensure to have adequate space for the piece. These kinds of pieces will often demand a dedicated footprint in the home to house them.

Impact Of Humidity On Wooden Wall Art

Note that if you use sub par mounting methods new problems could arise. There are differences from traditional art compared to wooden wall art that many are not accustomed to.

Steam has long been a way to supply moisture to wood for bending. Humidity can over time cause warp in the wood.

Where wood grain is allowed to retain its texture more moisture can enter. This as opposed to epoxy resins being used to encase the wood preventing moisture penetration.

Within wood the amount of moisture can change anywhere between 8% to 25% by weight due to humidity from the air. The wood does not need to come into direct contact with water to absorb moisture.

For a moment think of the possible ramifications this can cause. It surrounds more than merely its weight. While a mount that is not properly selected could be compromised, this is only one potential issue.

As the humidity impacts the overall weight, it also impacts the balance which the piece has on the wall. Here is where multiple points of contact for some pieces become critically important.

As the weight changes due to humidity the piece could in turn shift its balance and displace itself from the mounting device. No one wants their wall art to come crashing to the floor.

With branches or driftwood which cannot sit flush against the wall this problem is compounded. As the wood swells it can pull away from the wall. This is why hooks or wire is better than screws.

If a branch is screwed to the wall at multiple points it can cause the wood to warp, crack, fracture or break over time. Ultimately the art is destroyed by the mounting simply due to the wood being unable to move with the environment.

Abuse And Misuse Of Wooden Wall Art

There is little else which can go wrong with wooden wall art other than the scenarios I have detailed above. The greater issues which can arise comes from abuse or misapplication.

If your wood art is designed for indoor use be sure to keep it indoors. It is best to maintain a climate controlled environment.

For stain finished pieces, excessive sunlight can easily damage or degrade the color and finish of the art. When displayed indoors it is good to minimize how much exposure to sunlight the piece has. This will ensure the beauty which was intended is preserved for a lifetime.

Obviously exposure to moisture is also undesirable. What can be easily missed is when art is displayed in areas where excessive humidity can be found such as bathrooms.

Wood itself is rather resilient. Despite this, it is best to treat wood art as fine art especially when it is designed to be as such.