Decorative painter?

[Sonya]

Please will someone tell me the difference between a decorative painter who uses oils and just an oil painter who does still lifes? I just don't seem to be able to see the difference. For instance Sherry Nelson does beautifull flowers,birds,gardens ect. She is catigorized as a decorative painter, why?

[busy91]

Let me take a stab at this. You pros correct me if I am wrong.

A decorative painter is someone who paints on items such as furniture, wood, glass, tin etc. The ones who paint on (wood, glass...etc) are more classified as Tole painters, where as decorative painters encompass everything from Murals, furniture, tole etc...)

A oil painter who paints pictures does just that. Paints pictures on canvas.

This Sherry Nelson? Does she paint Murals? <--

OK, I went to check out her site, she mainly paints on surfaces other than canvas and that classifies her as a decorative artist.

Hope that is coherent! :D

[Sonya]

Thanks! Busy 91 So in reality if she painted the same picture on canvas it would be an oil painting. I always thought of decorative painting as being the arts and crafts type of designs. Thanks again Sonya

[artchic]

Hi All,
Yes, a decorative painter paints on furnishings, containers and does mural work..I do all of the above but I also paint on canvas...most of my work is done on furnishings and tin but my style is not that of a 'tole' painter..tole painting is a totally different technique...ie:stroke work, very precise

From the Shore,
Carole

[Decor Delights]

I alway think of decorative painting as done on functional items - furniture, boxes, picture frames, containers etc. Don't you think any kind of painting as decorative? I do <grin> :)