Diane Jarvis-Schuller

Your home or office can and should be a unique expression of who you are, changing and evolving with you, over time. So rather than mass produced prints from the local box store, hang art that is meaningful and representative of you and your lifestyle. Canvas gallery wraps are one way of accomplishing this simple aesthetic.

These are beautiful products and come ready to hang (framing not necessary) – a true work of art.

24 x 36 canvas gallery wrap in darkened room highlighted with picture light

Have one of your images created on canvas or order one of Diane’s fine art images. Canvas wraps are printed directly onto archival canvas, UV protected, then stretched over a wood frame. Please note that part of the image actually wraps around each of the four sides of the wrap. These are made only at a top quality lab using the highest quality materials & workmanship (cannot compare to those sold at retail box stores). The fine canvas gallery wraps begin at 11″ x 14″ and up — the larger they are, the more impressive they are. Custom sizes are also available for special applications.

detail showing the tight corners and properly finished backing on a canvas gallery wrap

What you may not know about purchasing your canvas gallery wrap from Diane … you get a huge BONUS: For each image from your photo session that you order as a canvas gallery wrap, you receive the corresponding high resolution digital file. Since I provide a full print release with this item, you may then print as many copies in any size(s) your heart desires. Imagine how many gifts you can print off with this amazing offer! This bonus does not apply to Diane’s fine art images; it only applies to images from your custom photo shoot.

Here’s an image that I’m going to order in a large canvas gallery wrap for my home. Several things about this appeal to me and express elements about me. This is from a personal experience I had on a particularly sunny day. I love animals and was intrigued by this playful, soft-eyed harbour seal. I’m drawn to many other elements of this image. I have a deep connection to water, especially the sea with it’s ripples and the ebb and flow of the tides. The ripples in the water from the seal popping its head on the surface plus the play of the many reflections provide so much visual interest. The way the seal is nearly camouflaged among all the undulations and reflections gives the overall image an almost abstract quality. How’s that for multiple reasons for wanting this blown up on a canvas?!

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Photographs Never Forget!

First I have to tell you all about a giveaway over at Decor Happy. Head on over to enter for their draw for the decorating book, Restore. Recycle. Repurpose. I love decorating ideas that utilize some form of recycling or repurposing and I hope one of us wins the draw for that book! Now on to another tip I have for you that ties in with the title of that giveaway book.

My last post provided you with a great tip for using & displaying all those snapshots you have buried in boxes or albums (see What Can I Do with all my Snapshots). Displaying photos is definitely a part of our decor, of course. Here’s a recycling tip for you. The other day I was in town and stopped by our local thrift store. They had several picture frames and many of them were pictures in frames.  I sorted through them and brought these ones home. I’ll be fixing them up a bit but all it will take is a can of spray paint using a cardboard box (outside) to prevent the wind from blowing the paint everywhere. I’ll paint the frames but that darling photo easel I plan to use as-is. I’ve done this before and highly recommend heading to your local thrift store to see what great finds you can bring home and use for getting some of your photos up on the wall.

The added bonus is when you do something like this, often the frames don’t need any touch up, but even with the fresh touch of paint, I have two new frames and a photo easel at a steal. I paid $ 3.85 for both frames plus the easel. When you’re at the thrift store check for those nice wood recipe boxes. They make ideal photo boxes and if you leave the lid open with a photo or two slipped up, guests will be enticed into looking through them. In the past I’ve often picked up hand made doilies for less than a dollar that I use throughout my home. Don’t get me going on tips for repurposing things either — I could go on and on with that subject!

NEWSLETTER:  I should also mention that I plan to resume producing the monthly newsletter. My newsletter will be filled with tips such as some of the ones I’ve been sharing with you lately. I also plan to include resources and other useful information. I’m going back to the newsletter because I’m needing to refine my online time. This means I will be making far fewer Facebook posts but I will continue to leave the automated setting so all these blog posts go to my Facebook page. But to get all the ‘juicy’ stuff, I’ll be including that in my newsletter. Sure a few things will continue to be included here but the monthly newsletter will have directed content of use to anyone. If you or someone you know may be interested in my monthly newsletter, you can let me know either by adding your name over at my website, enter from the opening page, and click on the little envelope icon that appears at the bottom right of the screen. Alternatively, if you leave me a note above using the Contact tab, so that I have your email address. I will be setting up with an automated email company so I can assure everyone they won’t be spammed and so that it is easy to opt out. It may be a couple weeks before I have all the details ironed out and then I’ll contact everyone. Thank you so much for your loyalty and for your understanding while I work at streamlining this part of my business.

Photographs never forget!

If you are one of the few people who actually gets your snapshots printed (what a concept!), have you questioned what you can do with all of them? I’m sure you have. I have too. Here’s a great idea I actually got from a friend who does this very thing. She had all kinds of snapshots of her family, her garden, and trips they had taken. The problem is, she’s not keen on taking time to put them all into albums but she does keep them organized in photo boxes. (Between you and me it wouldn’t matter if she kept them in shoe boxes — at least she has physical copies of them rather than leaving them on her hard drive!). So here’s what she does.

If you drop by her place for a visit, on her coffee table she always has a pretty dish or bowl prominently placed for all to see. The trick is, that bowl or plate is never empty. Instead of filling it with mounds of apples or a variety of fruit, she has a scattering of photos inside that pretty bowl. I can tell you it’s usually hard to resist picking up some of the photos and getting a closer look. It can even be a great conversation starter when you have a gathering of people over for a visit.

I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself, “That’s well and good but that’s only a few photos. What about all the others?” Ah ha! There’s more to it. She leaves the snapshots out for a while (I’m sure that can be whatever time period you like: a week, a month). She then gathers the dishful up, puts them back in the box and brings out another handful or two and drops them in the bowl. How clever is that? You and I could do that too. The snapshots are being rotated and you, your family, and guests will always have them right there in front of you to view. I certainly wouldn’t worry about the few fingerprints or the occasional rubbed edge on a snapshot — the snapshot still exists and at least they’re being shared as they were meant to be! Snapshots are meant to be a reminder of moments past. But if we never look at them then why take them in the first place? Besides, not only is it easier on the eyes browsing through photos that you can actually hold, but those moments linger in your mind simply because they are visible and being seen.

[caption id="attachment_2489" align="aligncenter" width="432" caption="snapshots on a white plate on display as home decor"][/caption]

At your OFFICE: You could do the same thing at your office. Bring a vase that flares toward the top or an empty box from chocolates (line the box with tissue first) and toss in your photos. I bet you’ll start a trend at work or compete to see who has the best display vessel! Go ahead, get those snapshots printed and on display.

I’d love to know how you take advantage of displaying your snapshots — the ones that are printed out and not wasting away on  your computer. If you have a photo of them on display, include the link and I’ll come take a peek!

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Diane is a custom photographer who values images that are in print rather than sitting on a disc or hard drive.

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Photographs never forget. I can help you keep your memories alive. Contact me at:  photos @ dianeschuller . com (remove spaces) or use the contact tab above.

Sometimes what I love most about an image isn’t the subject at all. In this image what I love is the soft, velvety background. So simple.

If you have an image you can show me, tell me what you love about it. Is what appeals to you what we see at first glance, or is it something we have to look for? Leave a link in the comments and I’ll stop by for a look. Thank you to all you wonderful people who stop by, whether you are clients, friends, or delightful cyber-friends. I’m grateful for each of you.
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These photos are copyright © Diane Schuller. It is illegal to copy, download, take screenshots or use these in any way whatsoever. I am a reasonable person and if you contact me directly if you are interested in using a photo, I’m sure we can work something out. Permission in writing is absolutely mandatory. Thank you for respecting my copyright.

If tears could build a stairway,
And memories a lane,
I’d walk right up to Heaven
And bring you home again.
~ Author unknown.

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These photos are copyright © Diane Schuller. It is illegal to copy, download, take screenshots or use these in any way whatsoever. I am a reasonable person and if you contact me directly if you are interested in using a photo, I’m sure we can work something out. Permission in writing is absolutely mandatory. Thank you for respecting my copyright.

Art is another way of keeping a diary. Each diary and its contents mean something different to every reader or viewer.

Who says livestock and horse photography can’t be considered fine art?! Bah humbug, of course it can. This exotic looking Scottish Highland cow is a prime example of how a photo can be transformed into fine art. Plus, when printed on canvas or fine Hahnemule art paper an image such as this becomes a beautiful work of art enhancing anyone’s home or office.

Sometimes simplicity is the key to high impact.

This draft [draught] horse study is one of my favourites after being turned into a work of art through mixed media including photographic texture. I can imagine this printed on canvas, enlarged to beyond life size, and hung in a prominent place on someone’s wall in their home or office. What a conversation piece! {{NOTE: I have recently opened up an online storefront where you can purchase prints, matted & framed, or canvas gallery wraps of some of my work. You’ll recognize some of these images at my shop. Feel free to share the link with friends.}}

Some of you may recall my recent post discussing the value of purchasing original works of art. Whether you consider something from me or from any other artist, when you support original works of art, you are making an investment that you can treasure for years to come but also supporting the future for all artists. Some things are well worth saving for — art is one of them.

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Diane can also create original fine art from photographs of your pets, horse, or livestock. She also creates fine art from a wide variety of subject matter. Get in touch and find out more.

The creative act lasts but a brief moment, a lightning instant of give-and-take, just long enough for you to level the camera and to trap the fleeting prey in your little box. ~Henri Cartier Bresson