Let the wind move your imagination towards a nautical decor style with the following art:
Sails, ships, navigational charts, crusty seamen, knots, and the deep blue sea... Many of us love to fill our homes with maritime icons, such as the art decor at this nautical portal, just so we can pretend there's salt in the air and we're on the deck of a yacht watching the sheets taunting the wind with it's mainsail. And speaking of sails, I know there's a proverb that states, "It's not the towering sail, but the unseen wind that moves the ship," however I would like to say that as true as that statement is, I happen to believe it's the sail alone that moves me. What do I mean by that? Well, if you look at the Just the Sail Art section, I believe you will be as emotionally captivated by the photography that photographers: Alan Hausenflock; Michael Khan; or David Stevens' have created as I have been. So, come and get moved with either a dreamy or knotty emotion by sailing away into a wild, blue yonder of these nautical decor art prints and posters.
Lausen Arts
Lausen Arts
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain
No question, in my humble opinion, one of the most unique pieces of nautical artwork in this section has to be, 'The Ship' by artist, Salvador Dali. I know it's thought to be inspired from a classical work of art by Montague Dawson, however I'd like to believe that the following quote by August Hare was partly responsible for sparking Salvador Dali's imagination...
"Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, and mankind the vessel."
August Hare Quote
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So, is it 'Anchors Away', like the title artist Leslie J. Beck gives the below art print OR is it 'Anchors Aweigh' like the title of the 1945 movie that stars Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly starred in? Either way you look at it, the yacht is stopped, however that doesn't mean your home decorating project has to come to a stand still just because you can't find the perfect artwork for the wall. Hope these nautical decorating ideas help.
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Black and white photography is a perfect way of for showcasing the contrast between sailing vessel and it's elements. A classic example of the sails beauty coming out against a black sky is the image, 'Iverna Yacht at Full Sail'.
"To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it.
But we must not drift or lie at anchor."
Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote
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When it comes to colour in sailing art, one is definitely going to be guaranteed that blue will be the primary colour. The beauty of these blues is that they are alive with movement. Not a print or poster skips this aspect--even in calm waters, like Jaume Laporta's, 'White Sails I & II' series, one can still see the flow of nautical life moving amongst the sailboats.
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I'm not sure which is more important: a nautical map or a compass. Maybe the compass, because a map is not nearly effective when you're lost. However I don't think it's that simple. Take creating a home environment, there isn't one particular item that is 'the most important'—it's the synergy of all items working together to create an end result. So, in that case, I might have to say, "Don't for get all three navigational tools when you're sailing, BUT when you're 'searching' for the land where nautical art dwells, you might want to start here with a compass print, then here for a maps, then here for the sextant.
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Being at the helm is not a minor detail when it comes to sailing, in fact, it is a pretty important position to be in. So, who would you put at the helm? I'll bet the little sailor in your life would love to see 'Mickey at the Helm'. Or maybe, during a storm at sea. you'd like to have a little bit of extra support. Clearly artist Danny Hahlbohm can see that possibility and expresses it in his nautical artwork called, 'At the Helm'.
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As far as I'm concerned, just pondering over a nautical art print gets my mind sailing on the open sea of imagination and inspires me to believe that life is full of endless possibilities to explore. All you have to do is let your spirit fill your sail.
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'Three sheets to the wind' is definitely a sailing expression, but what I find the most interesting about this phrase is the word 'sheets'. Now, in the days before I learnt how to sail, I used to think that this word referred to the name of a sail, but I was wrong. It actually means a 'rope' or chain that guides the sail in the desired direction. Go figure. But, here is where we definitely know what to call a sail—nautically gorgeous! Note, the best part about this particular nautical decor for the home is that it is two for one—sail art and abstract art.
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It's what knot to do on a sailboat―leave one untied. Speaking of fit to be tied, I remember my first sailing trip and being so worried that I won't tie the knots correctly I practiced until my fingers hurt. So, having one of these prints on my wall would now remind me to have a little respect for the sailors who have this skill down to a fine art. Decor that's guaranteed to be knotty! Or at least get your decorating up to speed because one knot equals 1.151 nautical mile or 1.852km per hour (speed reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knot_(unit))
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Wonder what Christopher Columbus would think about all of our navigational electronics that get us from point A to point B nowadays? Dollars to lire, he would want to stick to good old nautical maps. But, if I was you, I would just hang one of these artful treasures on your home wall and who knows what that could lead to―maybe pirate's gold.
"If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable."
Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote
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And the race is on... so feel free to cheer for your favourite team. Maybe artist Lorenzo Mattotti's artwork will call you to a loud cheer from shore.
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As the three prints chosen here depicts, sailors come in all ages. I particularly like artist Norman Rockwell's, 'Ship Ahoy' print because it loosely represents a full circle―from the little sailor who can't wait to navigate the open waters, to the wise, old seaman who passes on his wisdom and folklore. Besides telling him how mother nature can be a force to reckon with during a storm, do you think he also whispers into the lads ear about the first time he saw a mermaid? Okay, okay even I'd like to believe in some mythical fish tales. Plus, how could I exclude the photographer Victor Jorgensen's navy photograph take in Time Square of the sailor kissing the nurse―what a classic black and white.
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For some reason, sepia nautical photography exudes nostalgia to me. The slight brownish shade has an air of antiquity to it; like of days long gone and speaking of days long gone are some of my sailing adventures. Boy, I long for those moments of freedom on the open waters where I had so much fun learning about nautical ins and outs.
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What an awkward tool for sailors to handle, but that's not the point to it really. The point is finding points.
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Still waters can run deep or they can literally mean the 'still' of little movement or activity on the surface. The following images by artist Michael Kahn typify that there is more to sailing than trying to out wit the waters and wind. After a long day of intense maneuvering the ocean going vessel, it is absolutely essential to slow down and rest. A great metaphor for our day to day grind—as in—it's okay to slow down, after a hard day at the office, and let the peace surround our weary vessel. So, lay back, put your feet up, and let a wall of nautical artwork heal your soul.
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There was promise of adventure, but I'll bet someone forgot to remind the sailors of how magnificent the storms at sea were. Can you imagine how fast the hearts were pounding onboard Rembrandt van Rijn's, 'The Storm on the Sea of Galilee'? That's the beauty of art, it lets us imagine wild experiences, where life is on the edge, in the safety of our homes...
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Tall ship art, on your walls, is instant confirmation that the room understands the mainstay of nautical decorating. These prints and posters carry not only a visual appreciation, of times gone by, but they carry the mood of the day when life was bigger than anyone could imagine and adventure was guaranteed. Can you imagine the stories Rembrandt van Rijn's, 'The Storm on the Sea of Galilee' would have...
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This could be as close as I get to owning my own sailboat. They really are a thing of beauty, so why not own two!
Tapestries are wonderful art decor for the nautical home because, to me, the textiles of the woven design symbolizes how much a sailor and weaver have in common: like a weaver, the sailor weaves to an fro; they both use a needle (compass needle for the sailor) that will take, or should I say, 'point' them in the right direction; they both use knots to keep it all steady or anchored; they both map out their course of action long before they begin; they both can do it as a hobby or for a living; and without a doubt, they both live a very 'colourful' life...
