Coastal cottage style is one of the most popular decorating styles due to its down-to-earth warmth combined with the exotic feel of an endless summer vacation.

And in almost every cottage decor magazine you’re guaranteed to see a liberal use of ocean-themed nature art prints.

Whether it’s a pair of black and white over-sized starfish prints in the dining room or a casual grouping of framed pages from a vintage field guide to shells lined up on a bathroom shelf, ocean art prints can enhance any room in your home.

The highly colorful oceanography prints, combining all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures such as squid, sea cucumbers and other crustaceans, work especially well in children’s rooms.

But where can you find prints of fish, undersea-life and oceanscapes at a reasonable cost?  One source is ebay: search on the term “Vintage fish prints.”

Another source for ocean and coastal vintage art prints is TIAS.com. TIAS is an online antique and collectibles mall featuring dozens of individual shops. You can search for vintage sea shell prints and find them offered by many unique sellers.

The prints are usually colored bookplates from actual original books, so they may be printed on both sides.   Or, the prints may be digitally enhanced from the originals and re-printed with high-quality modern inks on acid-free paper.

Because the prints started out as book pages, they are never very large.  Sizes range from about 5 x 7 inches to 12 x 16 inches.  Some illustrations covered a two-page spread and may leave a crease in the middle.

Using today’s high-quality scanners and printers, you may be able to scan the original print and size it up (or down) to fit the desired frame size (and because they are vintage prints, no copyright laws should apply).

Most unframed prints sell at a very reasonable cost of between $5 and $40 and are shipped in squash-proof envelopes.

Copyright 2011 by Holly B. Martin. All Rights Reserved.

Roses by Paul de Longpre, Athaneum

You’ve seen them in all the shelter magazines–from Traditional to Modern Eclectic to Romantic and French Country styles. Botanicals and realistic nature prints of other subjects such as sea shells, ferns and exotic birds, fit into so many kinds of home decor, that they never seem to go out of style.

But, aside from ordering through a high-priced decorator with a 100 percent markup, where can you buy botanical art prints for your own home?

One source is your local frame shop.  You may not see exactly what you want on display, so ask to look through the catalogs.  Often a shop will order prints and not charge you until you see them and decide to buy.

Another source of botanical prints is eBay. Search under the Arts & Antiques section for prints or floral art, or by the artist’s name.  Many eBay stores carry botanicals by the most well-known artists, such as Redoute and de Longpre. Generally, the prints you find on eBay will be framed, and they are usually available to buy instantly, without going through an auction.

Framed botanical art prints are also sold at discount, department and home specialty stores. Most often, these are matted in pink, hunter green or maroon, and framed in gold. You may get lucky and find the perfect print for your wall, with a mat and frame coordinated with your decor, at a very reasonable price.

However, to get the exact print you want, in the perfect mat and frame, and at the best price, try an online source, such as Art.com.

By searching through online catalogs, you get the largest possible selection to choose from.  Then, using the miracle of technology, you can “try out” your print with different mat and frame combinations.  Some art websites have a page that allows you to display the print, mat and frame on a background color that matches your walls.

Because internet art sites skip the middleman, they can offer botanical art prints at the lowest possible price.  Your order can be shipped quickly and within a week, you can enjoy the beauty and tradition of botanical art prints gracing the walls of your home.

Copyright 2011 by Holly B. Martin. All Rights Reserved.

Nature Art Print using Giclee Printing Process

Many nature art prints are made by the Giclée printing process.  The term Giclée comes from the French and is pronounced “zhee-clay.” It is based on the verb meaning “to spray.”

Giclée is an advanced printmaking process that uses ink jet printing technology, along with fade-resistant “archival” inks, to create high-quality fine art reproductions. The inks used are specially formulated to last as long as 75 years.  It is the ink jet nozzle, or
sprayer, which gives us the term Giclée.

To make a Giclée print, first the artist creates an original work of art using conventional means such as painting, drawing or photography.  Then a printer reproduces the artwork digitally using the Giclée process. The result is nearly an exact replica of the original piece, achieving exceptional intensity of color and intricate detail.

Giclée prints are valued by galleries, museums, and private collectors. The artwork can be printed on either fine quality art paper or on a stretched canvas, which is mounted on a lightweight wooden frame.

Once you have selected your Giclée nature art print, choose a mat and frame that coordinate with your room’s decor.  The result will be a valuable and beautiful piece of artwork that will enhance your bedroom, study, front hall, living room or home office for years to come.

Copyright 2009-2011 by Holly B. Martin. All Rights Reserved.