The ever-popular weekly Sunday Art Review series has been primarily a more "traditional" study in art for the past year. Which is why last week I branched out and featured the Snow Art post for fun. As I contemplated the topic for this week's post, I wasn't quite ready to return to a more "serious" study just yet. While out running errands yesterday I stopped in a locally-owned store and noticed a wonderfully tacky velvet painting on the wall of this business establishment. "Perfect!", I thought to myself. What could be more fun that that? It's important not to take life too seriously-thus, the inspiration for this week's post was born. It reminded me of a friend of mine- he used to work in an office where there was a velvet Elvis painting that mysteriously made its way around the office on various people's birthdays, anniversaries, etc. No one ever knew who moved it around, and it became part of the office folk lore and the inside joke. But when the velvet Elvis painting showed up in your office, the unwritten rule was you had to leave it until it made its way elsewhere, without notice or fanfare. It had a life unto itself. I'm rambling now so I'll reel this back home. So without further delay, welcome to The Sunday Art Review: Velvet Paintings...Tacky? You Decide! Our lead feature above left is a twist on an old favorite, the velvet "Dogs Playing Poker".
above: "Velvet Camel" and "Velvet Deer & Tiger"
above: If you can believe it, "Velvet Charles Nelson-Riley" and "Velvet Sherawali"
above: "Velvet Elvis", practically a classic, and "Velvet John Wayne"
But this last one takes the cake:
above: "Velvet Jesus and Elvis" a must-have!
I can't say I'd own a velvet painting but they sure make for good conversation. So, now it's time for YOU to vote: Velvet Paintings, Tacky or Just Plain Fun? Go ahead, leave a comment with your vote. And while you are at it, which one do you like best?
-Rick Rockhill
-Rick Rockhill
I say they are tacky. They just dont quite make me feel like I am looking at a painting. Then again, I love tattoos and most people think they are not art.
ReplyDeleteConclusion: canvas is a canvas despite the material.
I remember years ago working a flight out of Mexico into the US....and we had all sort of of cheap gifts on board that people had brought back...our closet was packed full with junk that wouldn't fit under people's seats. At the end of the flight I pulled out one of those things you've described...the Velvet Jesus...in large form about 20x20 or so. I pulled it out of the closet and just as I did a male passenger yells out, "Oh Look, Here Comes Jesus Out of the Closet!" I about died laughing....but did my best to keep it to myself.
ReplyDeletecharles nelson-riley looks like jane hathaway from the beverly hillbillies to me!
ReplyDeletesmiles, bee
xxxooxxoxooxoxxo
I think the velvet jesus and elvis combo is loads of fun. Actually, my 80 year old mother would love it. (scary as that is)
ReplyDeleteI'm not into that type of art..and the ones with the doggies playing pocker, just makes me want to go to Las Vegas for a quick weekend away with bri and no kids.
ReplyDelete:) Instead, it'll be hotel for dogs with the boys.
happy Sunday and saturday!!
Rick, true story: I was taking a course called "art for interiors" (during my interior design school days). And for thise course we would visit homes of local art and antique collectors. These were the homes of prominent Nashvillians.
ReplyDeleteWe visited the penthouse of this one couple who had an incredible art collection. One of the wife's prize pieces was a Bouguereau that was priceless. You would have loved the lady. She was elderly at the time (1990), but a great mix of Rita Hayworth and Ruth Gordon (I know, quite a mix)...
Well, she had a sunroom in the penthouse that was wall-to-wall art. I kid you not... she had a velvet dogs playing poker on the wall next to some very fine pieces.
Unfortunately, the penthouse caught fire and I think she died shortly thereafter...
Whenever I see the "dogs" piece, I think of her. I learned from her that sometimes you don't have to be so darn serious....
Hugs! Happy Sunday!
Not into velvet at all, but I like the Duke the best. He was my hero.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific Sunday. :)
Large. Velvet. Paintings.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing those when I was a kid. They were always of cultural icons --though Charles Nelson Reilly is a new one on me! I guess once you're deemed fit for Velvet, it must mean you're some kid of star!
I would say Just Plain Fun Rick! I love the Elvis paintings!!! I wouldnt hang one up but I do like them...lol. And the Duke!!! what a guy!I have always enjoyed the dogs playing poker, its so cute!!! Wonder if they have beggin strips for snacks??? lol
ReplyDeletelol, they are hideously tacky, but that "charm" makes them perfect for the office hijinks you describe what a hoot.
ReplyDeletethe jesus/elvis one cracks me up because it looks like jesus is trying to figure out why elvis has a halo and he doesn't.
They are tacky, but good plain fun as long as no one takes any of these as high art. The last one is a hoot!
ReplyDeleteThe Dogs playing Poker is my personal fav...I have always loved the whole concept of this, whether on Velvet or something else....And as you said, it has been around....And on a personsl level....the one of Charles Nelson Reilly....He was an old friend and so it is more sentimental than anything.
ReplyDeleteA very Fun idea, Rick!
My vote: tacky. Totally tacky.
ReplyDeleteI was just scrolling down your long list of celeb pics! My God, you've met EVERYONE! Even though I am pretty sure you're not the country music type, could you please arrange for me to meet Rascal Flatts or Kenny Chesney? Just asking....
J.
Oh, and I forgot to say...These win the TACKY AWARDS of the Century...lol!
ReplyDeleteI'm leaning -a lot -on the tacky side. If I had to choose one though, it would be the Poker Playing Dogs -just a nice bit of humor there, ya know.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by to my blog, though you don't understand what I wrote there, Rick. :-)
ReplyDeleteElvis is one of my idol.
Not to my taste, but I'm sure they 'speak' to some. They do make me smile, though!
ReplyDeleteDogs playing cards. Always my fav! BUT JESUS AND ELVIS?
ReplyDeleteEW!
Haha! I had totally forgotten about the existence of these tacky things!
ReplyDeleteHowever, back in the day I must admit I colored in a of my own, bought at the local art supply store. I was intrigued by the idea that I could touch velvet while coloring paper.
I'm ashamed to say I had one of those velvet paintings hanging in my first apartment some 38 years ago. My husband has a strange affinity for that kind of art. He purchased it in Juarez, Mexico prior to our marriage.
ReplyDeleteLet's just say that on our first move, it mysteriously disappeared!
love the velvet charles nelson riley...
ReplyDelete