The tackiness of black velvet ... paintings.

@Winter08 (441)
Canada
February 10, 2008 2:26pm CST
Earlier in the week, I ran across a discussion about a black velvet painting. The person posting the discussion made a comment about this type of painting being considered "tacky." When I looked at the picture she had posted, I could see nothing the least bit "tacky" about it. It looked like a well painted picture of two dogs and, by her comments, it seemed to be a picture she loved looking at. I did a bit of an internet search and it seems painting on black velvet has been around for centuries, possibly since the 12th century (according to one internet reference). My question: If we are drawn to a painting done on black velvet, if we get pleasure from looking at that painting ... how can it be considered tacky?
3 people like this
3 responses
kykidd
@kykidd (6812)
• United States
10 Feb 08
LOL, I think we are all drawn to something strange at some point in time. Back in the 70's these would have been all over teenager's walls along with a few black lights in the room.
2 people like this
Winter08
@Winter08 (441)
• Canada
11 Feb 08
I remember those black light pictures. Haven't they made a come back? I think I've seen them in some stores again.
Winter08
@Winter08 (441)
• Canada
11 Feb 08
Some of the black light poster art from way back then was really amazing.
Coralie Raia Darsey-Malloy
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
10 Feb 08
Hi Winter... I am on the same page...or 'canvas' with you on this one. Over the years I have been the proud owner of paintings on black velvet and have seen many that are anything but tacky. I guess it is like most other things in life...people see things through their own lens. They form opinions on art in the way they do most everything else...with a unique set of filters. Hope you don't mind all the photography metaphors I am the proud owner of a new camera and I have pictures, settings and photographic perspectives on my brain! Cheers... Raia
1 person likes this
Coralie Raia Darsey-Malloy
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
16 Feb 08
Hi and thanks for your encouragement on the camera. I am having fun with it...and it does a lot. I have taken shots of the same image with different settings and it is fascinating to see how they turn out. So yes, I will be posting new images...excpet that I need David to compress them if I want to post them here. The pixels and the amount of space they take up are too high for Mylot. So I might be using the old one for that. Anyway, I am glad you offered this 'perspective' on velvet paintings. Yes, preferences they are certainly unique. I have often wondered what draws us to one thing and repels us to something else. Whole other topic.. So long for now.. Raia
1 person likes this
Winter08
@Winter08 (441)
• Canada
11 Feb 08
I've never owned a black velvet. But from what I've seen, I will have no hesitation to buying one (or more) if I am drawn to it/them. The metaphors are good. I like expanding my expressions vocabulary, Congratulations on the new camera. I look forward to seeing new pictures posted.
1 person likes this
lightningMD
@lightningMD (5931)
• United States
12 Feb 08
I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One person may look at black velvet art as tacky. The next person may think it looks like a masterpiece. Thank goodness we all have different likes and dislikes or this world would be pretty boring place to live.
1 person likes this
Winter08
@Winter08 (441)
• Canada
16 Feb 08
If only everyone would trust their own interpretation of beauty. It's unfortunate that some let what "they say" influence them. This person seemed to get great enjoyment out of her painting, yet still made the reference to the "tacky" reputation "they" have given to black velvet paintings.