So Valentines Day is just around the corner…and what to buy this year…flowers…chocolates…perfume…again…! Why not ring the changes this time with a unique canvas print for that special person in your life.

OK red roses say it all, but sadly they fade and die, but not so with our high quality canvas prints. Buy the red roses if you like, but why not take a photograph of them, and have that photograph transformed into a canvas picture, perhaps with some special artistic effects, such as a black and white canvas print with the roses printed in red for a stunning effect and a lasting memory, and imagine the brownie points you would gain from this oh so very romantic gesture…!

Maybe you are an especially romantic person and you’re planning to propose on Valentines Day, or even re-take your marriage vows, so here’s an idea…slip the ring somewhere into your roses, somewhere it can be clearly seen obviously, take your photograph and have it transformed into a canvas picture.

Perhaps have your canvas printed in black and white, with the roses printed in red, and the ring printed in colour, (we call this the colour splash effect) what a stunning piece of wall art that would create, and an everlasting memory of the very moment of your proposal…a treasured moment to last a lifetime and beyond.

Interestingly, if the letters of the word rose are rearranged they spell the word Eros, the God of love.

Roman legend has it that a beautiful young woman called Rodanthe was being pursued by several unfavourable suitors, all trying to win her heart, but alas, she didn’t care for any of them.

In their attempt to reach her they broke down her door, which angered the Goddess Diana so much that she turned Rodanthe into a flower and her unfortunate suitors into thorns, so they never reached her. Another popular Roman legends tells the story of Cupid carrying a vase of sweet nectar to the Gods on Mount Olympus, some of the nectar spilled on the ground, and from the spot where it fell sprouted the beautiful Rose. The Ancient Egyptians were probably the first people to cultivate rose gardens, and rose petals were a favourite of Cleopatra, and there are records of rose fossils which show them to be at least 35 million years old, so let’s face it, there’s just no getting away from roses, nor would we want to, symbolising unconditional love, desire and passion, so why not symbolise your deepest emotions and create your own legend this Valentines Day, and win the fair heart of your Rodanthe without angering the Goddess Diana, with a bespoke high quality canvas print. Don’t let the wrong choice of gift this Valentines Day end up as a thorn in your side…!!!

Perhaps if just one of her ill-fated suitors had been able to offer Rodanthe one of our bespoke high quality original canvas prints her story would have had a different ending, ah well, such is life…

But enough of legend, history and geology, in this our 21st century we have the technology, and advancements in technology have given us the opportunity to offer you high quality personalised canvas prints, at prices which may surprise you, using high quality hand made frames, high quality canvas  and high quality colour fast inks, inks which are the equivalent of the most expensive champagnes to accompany your Valentine gifts, to ensure true colour reproduction and high levels of UV protection for many years, and to ensure you win the fair heart of your Rodanthe, and that your story has the perfect happy ending you desire and deserve….Happy Valentines Day…

In the wheel of the year as January gives way to February, we welcome the Pagan festival of  Imbolc, a fire festival that marks the start of spring, being halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, signifying the end of winter (yes, believe it or not), and celebrating the awakening of the land and the growing power of the Sun.

The previous festival, the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night, was all about reflecting, and is traditionally the time to celebrate the truly important things in your life, your family, your children, your home and a time to look forward positively to a wonderful year to come.

Why not capture these treasured moments forever as a canvas picture?

Many associate the Winter Solstice with death, as nature is then dormant, many plants die off and crops are scarce, but it is the turning point of the year, and from then on the sun becomes stronger, willing the earth back to life, so, ever the optimist, I prefer to think of the Winter Solstice as a celebration of rebirth, the turning point of the year. Also known as Yule, it’s a time to honour love, and new birth, the birth of the Sun God in Pagan beliefs.

It is, of course, all about new beginnings so why not wrap up warm and get outdoors and capture the rebirth of our dear earth on camera, the winter buds as they now appear on the bare trees, the dusty hazel catkins teasing us with promise of the spring to come. As life begins to stir under the frozen earth capture these precious moments and create for yourself a stunning canvas print of your best spring shots.

Do you, as I do, look forward to the first snowdrops. Imagine a bespoke canvas print of that perfect shot of the first snowdrop, a symbol of Imbolc, snowdrops and white candles are used to represent purification and refer to the return of the life forces of spring, a festival of green and white, such a fragile little flower, perhaps just popping up through the glistening winter snow, bravely announcing the end of winter, challenging the winter to retreat and bringing cheer to our hearts (and let’s face it, we’ve had plenty of snow this winter and are all ready for some cheer!), a unique piece of canvas wall art to bring hope to your heart in the depth of the deepest winter, captured forever as a canvas picture.

Perhaps have your canvas printed in black and white with just the green of the snowdrop picked out in colour (we call this colour splash), what a stunning piece of wall art that would make as a bespoke canvas picture to bring cheer to your heart in the bleakest of the bleakest winters for many years to come, or as a gift to someone special, using high quality hand made frames, high quality canvas and high quality colour fast inks, ensuring true colour reproduction and high levels of UV protection.

Thinking back to the Pagan festival of Samhain on the 31^st October, we welcomed the winter as the harvest season closed and the days grew darker and shorter, another important fire festival, the time of year in which we pass from light into darkness, into winter, and we look forward to the festivals to come. Spring Equinox and the year in perfect balance, Beltane and the days are longer and the earth is in flower, Summer Solstice sees the earth in full bloom, Lughnasadh and the days are growing shorter and the fields are heavy with crops ready for harvest, the Autumn Equinox and light and darkness are again in perfect balance as the crops are harvested, and as the wheel of the year turns we arrive back at Samhain.

As the wheel of your year turns imagine displaying that perfect canvas wall art of your favourite festival photographs transferred onto canvas. At the time of each celebration why not have your individual piece of corresponding wall art displayed in honour of the occasion.

Perhaps, like me, you have so many photographs from the Pagan festivals you have attended, on computer, on memory sticks, on disc, curling up in the attic…..! Maybe you can’t choose between them, so why not have all your best shots displayed on your wall as a canvas collage or canvas montage for a unique stunning effect and as an everlasting promise of good things to come as the earth turns through the wheel of the year.

Bright Blessings this Imbolc…..capture your memories forever on a bespoke high quality canvas print.

Perhaps you have several favourite photographs and you can’t choose which one…frustrating isn’t it…following a wedding just how long does it take to choose ‘the picture for the wall”. That picture will be there for many years to come, so it has to be the right one doesn’t it, then how about a collage or montage canvas print. Why limit yourself to just one, when you could have all your best shots displayed proudly on your wall as a canvas collage or montage, and what a wonderful and unique gift it would make as a gift for the happy couples first anniversary, and, of course, as we all know, it won’t stop there will it….first anniversary, first house, first patter of tiny feet, baby’s first birthday, first day at school, graduation day, 21st…! Your family history captured on canvas prints. Imagine a canvas print of your new borns tiny hands and feet, they grow so fast don’t they, transfer such photographs to canvas prints and you’ll be able to coo over them for years to come…or at least until the next patter of tiny feet…and then you can start all over again…!

Digital photography adds the option of making the best of your photographs; they can be enhanced and altered. Take out that dreaded ‘red eye‘…! (come on we all do it don’t we!), brighten the colours, change a colour photograph to a black and white canvas print, add artistic effects, whatever your choice the result will be a stunning, unique and inspirational gift to be treasured for ever.

Never be stuck again for ‘knowing what to buy’. What about those people we all know who seem to have everything…they’re so hard to buy for aren’t they…a canvas print is an ideal solution and would be greatly appreciated, and most likely unexpected, and the unexpected gifts are always the ones we like the most.

Canvas prints, box canvas, stretch canvas, canvas wall art…whatever you like to call them, are an ideal choice for a wide variety of occasions. Advancement in technology has lead to an increase in the quality of both the printing and the colour fastness and a knock on effect has been reduced costs, so the prices will surprise you. So for a truly original gift look no further – don’t leave your favourite photographs on discs, memory sticks, computers, or even curling up in your attic – canvas prints could be the solution you’re looking for.

Below is a recent commission given to us by a customer in Manchester, which is an image of the City of Manchester Stadium, converted into wallpaper using the measurements provided by the customer, to allow a full wall to illustrated – giving the appearance that the bedroom is actually overlooking the stadium.

Personalised Photo Wall Paper

Customer comment :

I can’t thank you enough for the printed wallpaper you produced for me, for my son’s bedroom, of City of Manchester stadium. My Son is thrilled! He walks into his bedroom now & feels as if he’s walking into a private box at the stadium. It’s actually amazing the difference it’s made, we just thought it would help personalise his room a bit more to his taste – but it’s done a lot more than that, it’s actually made the room seem a lot larger than it is. Friends & family who’ve visited have also been amazed at the difference it’s made – and I think you’ll be hearing soon from some friends in London who’re wanting personalised wall paper for their daughters room, and some friends in the Midlands who’re into surfing, who want a full wall printed with am image of a surf beach at sunset.  I’ve had another friend, a Man United fan, ask if you’ll print wall paper for them of Old Trafford – I’ve told them it may be tricky as I think you’re Man City fans .

Thanks again, fantastic service – will recommend you again & again.

Ruth in Manchester

Personalised canvas pictures are the result of printing images to canvas, which is then wrapped around a wooden frame – a photo gift that is completely unique as well as being a work of art.

Whilst a custom canvas picture would once have cost hundreds of pounds, canvases have now become a relatively inexpensive way towards finding your loved ones the perfect photo gift for their birthday or special occasion.

When To Choose Canvas Pictures

Canvas prints are great for families to share. They help to capture memories of spending time together, as well as showing loved ones that you really care. Canvas pictures have now become especially popular with the older generation.

Many of our grandparents or parents already have everything they need, making birthday gift ideas hard to come by. But there’s nothing more special than the gift of a memory that is beautifully reproduced and will last for years to come – that fact will not go unnoticed.

Canvases are not just great for birthdays, you can find photographs for all occasions including Mother’s Day, Father’s day, a special anniversary, or just to show that you care. Canvases will be unexpected and often take pride of place on the walls of your loved one’s home.

Choosing the Perfect Print

Designing your own canvas picture is not as hard as it might sound. All you need to do is pick a digital image or scan an existing photograph onto your computer. You can then simply tell us at photo image art how you would like it to appear on the canvas, we will do the rest.

Would you like a colour picture turning to black and white? No problem, just tick the “black & white” option when uploading your image on our website, or give us a call and then email the image.   The same is true when it comes to sepia, popart / warhol effect, cartoonize, red eye removal, adding text & creating mosaic / montage photo canvas prints, and all the other effects & alterations that we can offer free of charge.

Just let us know what you want, and we’ll create it for you, to ensure that this a personalised photo birthday gift to remember.

]]> http://photoimageart.co.uk/canvas-prints-blog/canvas-prints-general/canvas-pictures-as-special-photo-birthday-gifts/feed/ 0 http://photoimageart.co.uk/canvas-prints-blog/canvas-prints-general/try-canvas-pictures-for-the-perfect-anniversary-gift-2/ http://photoimageart.co.uk/canvas-prints-blog/canvas-prints-general/try-canvas-pictures-for-the-perfect-anniversary-gift-2/#comments Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:37:46 +0000 admin http://photoimageart.co.uk/canvas-prints-blog/?p=130 Canvas pictures is an industry that has really taken off in recent years. People are now making  a lot more use of their digital photos, as well as looking for new and inspiring gift ideas for all occasions. And one occasion that canvas pictures are just perfect for is a wedding anniversary.

An anniversary is undoubtedly a special and personal time – especially for a milestone such as the first, the twenty-fifth or even the sixtieth! There are many standard gifts given for such occasions, but if you are looking for something extra special then a photo canvas print might be just the idea.

What Is A Canvas Picture?

A canvas picture,  ‘photo canvas’ or ‘canvas print’ is simply a photograph that has been transferred to high quality canvas. The photograph,  photographs, images or pictures used are entirely up to you.

You could choose to use a picture of the happy couple on their wedding day, or perhaps a less conventional idea such as an image of a holiday you spent with them. You can even create a wall canvas photo collage representing the couple’s years of marriage – it is completely up to you.

Transforming the Image

Photo canvas gifts are not only valuable due to the treasured memories they call to mind for the couple, but also due to the fact that they can be proudly placed on the walls as a work of art. Using digital photographs adds the option of enhancing and brightening the image which, along with the texture of the canvas, will make for a much more stunning picture than traditional photographs.

If you are looking for a large canvas print then it helps to have some high resolution digital images available, though this isn’t always possible in the case of old wedding photographs. Just look for a service that is able to convert your standard photo into a high quality wall canvas.

Not only can photographs be enhanced with canvas pictures, but they can also be altered. You might choose to convert the image to black and white, as well as applying artistic effects. This is a great way to personalise the gift according to the couple’s individual taste.

Whether you have an anniversary gift to buy or simply want to commemorate your own anniversary, a high quality personalised canvas print could be just the thing to make the day even more special.

Canvas pictures is an industry that has really taken off in recent years. People are now making  a lot more use of their digital photos, as well as looking for new and inspiring gift ideas for all occasions. And one occasion that canvas pictures are just perfect for is a wedding anniversary.

An anniversary is undoubtedly a special and personal time – especially for a milestone such as the first, the twenty-fifth or even the sixtieth! There are many standard gifts given for such occasions, but if you are looking for something extra special then a photo canvas print might be just the idea.

What Is A Canvas Picture?

A canvas picture,  ‘photo canvas’ or ‘canvas print’ is simply a photograph that has been transferred to high quality canvas. The photograph,  photographs, images or pictures used are entirely up to you.

You could choose to use a picture of the happy couple on their wedding day, or perhaps a less conventional idea such as an image of a holiday you spent with them. You can even create a wall canvas photo collage representing the couple’s years of marriage – it is completely up to you.

Transforming the Image

Photo canvas gifts are not only valuable due to the treasured memories they call to mind for the couple, but also due to the fact that they can be proudly placed on the walls as a work of art. Using digital photographs adds the option of enhancing and brightening the image which, along with the texture of the canvas, will make for a much more stunning picture than traditional photographs.

If you are looking for a large canvas print then it helps to have some high resolution digital images available, though this isn’t always possible in the case of old wedding photographs. Just look for a service that is able to convert your standard photo into a high quality wall canvas.

Not only can photographs be enhanced with canvas pictures, but they can also be altered. You might choose to convert the image to black and white, as well as applying artistic effects. This is a great way to personalise the gift according to the couple’s individual taste.

Whether you have an anniversary gift to buy or simply want to commemorate your own anniversary, a high quality personalised canvas print could be just the thing to make the day even more special.

]]> http://photoimageart.co.uk/canvas-prints-blog/canvas-prints-general/try-canvas-pictures-for-the-perfect-anniversary-gift/feed/ 0 http://photoimageart.co.uk/canvas-prints-blog/uncategorized/personalised-canvas-prints-%e2%80%93-unique-personalised-gifts/ http://photoimageart.co.uk/canvas-prints-blog/uncategorized/personalised-canvas-prints-%e2%80%93-unique-personalised-gifts/#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:47:05 +0000 admin http://photoimageart.co.uk/canvas-prints-blog/?p=119

Canvas prints – also known as giclee canvas prints, wall canvas, box canvas prints – are a fantastic personalised gift idea, allowing you to give a truly unique gift to those you’re particularly special to you.

There was a time not so long ago that unique photo canvas prints cost hundreds of pounds, even for relatively small box canvases. Like all technologies, prices tend to decrease as the advancement in technology decreases the price of the equipment, and as more competition adds motivation for prices to drop. This is certainly what has happened with the canvas printing industry over recent years – and this is very good news, as canvas prints are now even better quality in terms of the quality of the print & colour fastness – but they’re also now far less expensive, meaning that they’re affordable to the masses, rather than the fortunate few.

This isn’t at all to say that personalised canvas prints are any less unique – because of course the uniqueness is all down to the image itself. That photograph you have of your kids playing on the beach, or of the dog when he was a puppy, your daughter riding her horse, or whatever it may be – is completely unique, and personal to you – or to the person you’re having the canvas produced for as a very special & unique personalised gift.

So if you’re looking for gift idea’s, and you would like to give someone special a gift which is completely unique – canvas prints are the perfect choice.

Don’t you find that people get harder to buy gifts for, the older they get?

Children are usually not much of a problem to buy for, children like toys – regardless of the age, the toys just get bigger, and more expensive with age.

Young adults aren’t too much of a problem to buy for, but then as we get older, it becomes more & more difficult to buy gifts that you really want.

In fact, a good sign that you’re growing old, is that you get a lot of boring gifts.

The main characteristic with the dull & boring gifts that tend to be given to older people, is that they’re impersonal, and quite often unwanted. Well, no one really knows what you want, what you’re going to enjoy, so it’s difficult.

But there is a way out of the monotony – with personalised photo gifts.

From one extreme to the other, you really can get no more personal than personalising a gift with a photo which is of importance to the recipient, whether it’s a photo of a memorable event, a special person – a special pet, whatever it may be.

The king of the personalised photo gifts is of course the photo canvas print.

What used to be a privilege only few could afford – thanks to developments in technology over the years, it is now very affordable to have photographs transformed into high quality canvas prints.

In fact at Photo Image Art, our photo canvases start at just £19.99, and include free photo restoration & any required special effects such as black & white, sepia, pop art / Warhol effect & much more.

So don’t get stuck in a rut with gift buying, get personal, with personalised photo gifts – and if you really want to give a gift to remember – the canvas print is the way forward.

So, you’re looking for a gift for your grandparent or grandparents, whether it’s Christmas, Mothers day, Fathers day, wedding anniversary – whatever the occasion may be, what do you give as a gift to your grandparent or grandparents?

A plant? Flowers? A new Scarf? Slippers?

The standard grandparent gifts are a bit boring aren’t they? And if they’re boring for us, they’re going to be even more monotonous for them, receiving the same kinds of gifts from family members all the time, can’t be very exciting.

If you want to give your grandparents something that will really fill them with joy, you really can not do any better than taking or finding a special photo, and having this turned into a high quality canvas print.

Canvas prints are one now of the most popular gifts for the older person, and really the reasons are quite apparent. When you’re a child you want toys, when you’re a big child (also known as adult) you want bigger more expensive toys – when you’re older, and enriched with the experiences life has offered, you have memories, treasured memories – an there can really be no better gift than to immortalise special memories & special people, onto high quality canvas wall art, to be enjoyed for years to come.

So, the next time you’re thinking of a special gift for grandparents, and you really want to raise a smile – don’t go out & buy a plant, or a scarf – find a really special photo, and have it transformed into a high quality canvas print.