The West Coast of North America is home to some of the most diverse and stunning landscapes, cultures, and artistic expressions. From the rugged mountains and forests of British Columbia to the sunny beaches and deserts of California, the West Coast offers endless inspiration for wall art lovers. Whether you are looking for a piece of art to decorate your own space, or you want to explore the local art scene, here are some tips and suggestions for finding and enjoying West Coast wall art.
What is West Coast Wall Art?
West Coast wall art is a broad term that encompasses any type of art that is displayed on a wall and reflects the West Coast identity, history, or environment. This can include paintings, photographs, prints, murals, sculptures, metalwork, and more. West Coast wall art can be found in galleries, museums, public spaces, and private homes. Some of the common themes and styles of West Coast wall art are:
Nature and Wildlife
- The West Coast is blessed with abundant natural beauty and biodiversity, which inspires many artists to capture the essence of the land, sea, and sky. You can find wall art that depicts the majestic mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, oceans, islands, and coastlines of the West Coast, as well as the flora and fauna that inhabit them. Some examples of nature and wildlife wall art are exhibion of west coast artist’s artworks at West End Gallery featuring Peter Wyse, Ken Kirkby, Dana Irving, Greta Guzek, Blu Smith, Paul Jorgensen, and many more talented artists, beautiful coast paintings of Lori Morris Paintings or stunning images from wildlife photographer Catherine Babault.
Indigenous and multicultural influences
- The West Coast is rich in cultural diversity and heritage, which is reflected in the wall art that celebrates the Indigenous and immigrant communities that have shaped the region. You can find wall art that showcases the traditional and contemporary art forms, symbols, stories, and values of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Asian, Latin American, African, and European cultures that have contributed to the West Coast mosaic. Some examples of Indigenous and multicultural wall art are Coast Salish Art by Susan Point, David Neel’s artworks at Daniel Neel’s Studio. There are also many west coast native galleries, for example famous Bill Reid Gallery and many more listed on Indigenous Tourism BC.
Surf and beach culture
- The West Coast is synonymous with surf and beach culture, which is reflected in the wall art that captures the vibe, lifestyle, and aesthetics of the coastal communities. You can find wall art that features the waves, surfboards, sand, sun, palm trees, and people that make the West Coast a surfers’ paradise. Some examples of surf and beach wall art are Surf Shine Art based in Ucluelet, BC. artwork of Kathy Harder at Coastal Waves or creative paintings of Andrew Talbot at Creatures of Sun.
Where to Find West Coast Wall Art?
West Coast wall art can be found in various places, depending on your budget, preference, and purpose. Here are some of the best spots to find and enjoy West Coast wall art:
Online
- If you want to browse and buy West Coast wall art from the comfort of your home, you can visit online platforms that sell and showcase wall art from local and international artists. You can find a wide range of wall art styles, sizes, prices, and reviews on these platforms, and you can also customize your search by location, theme, color, and material. Or you can explore our West Coast Wall Art galleries and purchase a print 🙂
Galleries and museums
- If you want to see and learn more about West Coast wall art in person, you can visit galleries and museums that display and exhibit wall art from established and emerging artists. Some of the renowned galleries and museums that feature West Coast wall art are Vancouver Art Gallery, Seattle Art Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art. You can find a variety of wall art genres, periods, movements, and collections on these venues, and you can also join guided tours, workshops, and events to enhance your experience.
Public Space and Streets
- If you want to discover and appreciate West Coast art in a more casual and spontaneous way, you can explore the public spaces and streets that are adorned with wall art from local and international artists. Some of the vibrant and creative public spaces and streets that feature West Coast wall art are Granville Island, Pike Place Market, Mission District, and Venice Beach. You can find a mix of wall art styles, messages, and expressions on these places, and you can also interact with the artists, residents, and visitors who make the West Coast art scene alive and dynamic.
How to Choose and Display West Coast Wall Art?
West Coast wall art can be a great addition to your space, whether you want to create a focal point, add some color, express your personality, or simply fill an empty wall. However, choosing and displaying wall art can be a daunting task, especially if you are not sure what to look for and how to arrange it. Here are some tips and suggestions for choosing and displaying West Coast wall art:
Consider your space
- Before you buy or hang any wall art, you should consider the size, shape, layout, and style of your space. You should measure the wall where you want to place the wall art, and make sure that the wall art is proportional and balanced with the rest of the space. You should also consider the color scheme, furniture, lighting, and mood of your space, and choose wall art that complements or contrasts with them. For example, if you have a small, dark, and cozy space, you might want to choose a bright, colorful, and cheerful wall art. If you have a large, bright, and minimalist space, you might want to choose a dark, monochrome, and abstract wall art.
Consider your taste
- Besides your space, you should also consider your personal taste, preference, and interest when choosing and displaying wall art. You should choose wall art that reflects your personality, values, hobbies, or passions, and that makes you happy, inspired, or relaxed. You should also choose wall art that suits your purpose, whether you want to make a statement, tell a story, or create a mood. For example, if you love nature and wildlife, you might want to choose a wall art that depicts the West Coast scenery and animals. If you love surfing and beach culture, you might want to choose a wall art that features the West Coast waves and surfers.
Consider your arrangement
- After you have chosen your wall art, you should consider how to arrange and display it on your wall. You should think about the orientation, alignment, spacing, and grouping of your wall art, and how they affect the overall look and feel of your space. You should also think about the accessories, such as frames, mats, hooks, and nails, that you need to hang and secure your wall art. For example, if you have a single, large, and horizontal wall art, you might want to center it on your wall, and leave some space around it to create a focal point. If you have multiple, small, and vertical wall art, you might want to align them in a grid, column, or row, and keep them close together to create a cohesive and harmonious look.
I hope this blog post has given you some ideas and inspiration for finding and enjoying West Coast art. West Coast wall art is a wonderful way to celebrate and appreciate the beauty, diversity, and culture of the West Coast region, and to add some charm and character to your space. Whether you are a West Coast native, resident, or visitor, you can find and display wall art that speaks to you and your space, and that makes you feel closer to the coastal nature.
