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'Changing Tides In The Decorative Art World'

Painting by Jean Restout - French, 1692 - 1768

The discipline of 'painting' has been around since Adam was a boy! Art as we know it, was all that 'Art' was, until the Impressionists came along and shook things up, to say the least. On a more subtle note, for many years now, Decorative Painters as we are know to the art world, have fought a battle against the 'Fine Artists' about the differences and similarities between our two artistic communities.

Mostly because of the originality of the designs we decorative painters work with and the methods we use to teach our art. I do believe this is where the heart of the argument lies, not in the level of skill attained through Decorative Painting, but in the originality of the designs and how decorative artists see themselves. However, as times passes, we see these lines blurring and the two communities becoming closer and merging on many levels. Times are changing!

I begin writing this article with some quiet trepidation, not wanting to sound critical of any one area, instead my motive is to continually draw attention to issues that get artists thinking of ways to raise the bar and make our industry strong. There's a perception which speaks to bigger issues existing within this industry of Decorative Painting. An industry that I hold near and dear to my heart. Having been on all sides of the business, and having had the unique opportunity to experience it from different vantage points, and had more than some opportunity to make assumptions based on what I've seen, first hand.

Change is Inevitable
In the last five to ten years, there seems to be an obvious change. I've discussed this with countless other teachers, shop owners and students from all walks. I've seen it in the retail end of things, at the Conventions, from the students point of view and also from the designers and teachers view. Change is inevitable yes, but what this change has brought to our industry can be both good and bad depending on who you ask. From the more negative side, the constant closure of Decorative Painting shops across Canada and the United States, tells us something is happening to the industry that is not being addressed, and even if it is, I don't think some are paying attention. There're many theories to explain these changes, most blame it on higher operating costs and tougher economies. There is more to this issue than meets the eye I guess. Economics is only one symptom of the real cause and this trend has been slow and steady.

Remember I mentioned that there was also 'good' change happening within our Industry, well, here's what I have noticed and paid attention to. Personally, I am excited about the change. There's a large movement within the Decorative Painting Industry towards Fine Art. Haven't you seen it? There're teachers within the Fine Art industry who've now recognized that there's a very viable market within this, our sector of painting which presents them with a new set of students to teach. It's no coincidence that we see this blurring of lines between the Fine Art sector and Decorative painting as the two become ever closer in the types of classes, styles of painting, selections of patterns and books being offered to students.