Thursday, August 23, 2012

Golf Pictures Are More than Just a Picture of a Golf Course

Golf course art is rapidly assuming its own place among the ranks of golf collectibles. There have always been people who appreciate the beauty and complexity of a golf course layout, but it’s only recently that golf pictures by well-known photographers and golf artists can command top prices in the art world. Once, paintings of golf course holes were confined to gracing the walls of a golf club, or perhaps display in the home of a professional golfer who wanted to commemorate a particular win or pay homage to a devilishly difficult challenge on a golf course.
That’s true no more. For some years now, the Augusta National Golf Club, home of the annual Masters’ Tournament, has commissioned artists to paint each of the holes on the course. The original paintings hang in the club, and are sometimes lent out to museums, particularly during Masters Week. The artists frequently release limited series of prints to be sold on the auction and golf art collectibles market. There are a number of artists whose work routinely sells well, and a number of golf scenes that are guaranteed to attract buyers, even when painted or photographed by unfamiliar names.
Linda Hartough
In 1984, Linda Hartough was commissioned to produce a painting of Augusta #13, and then of Augusta #16 and #18. She has since gone on to paint other holes on the course, including Augusta #12, Golden Bell. Hartough is the only artist commissioned to produce paintings for both the U.S. Open and the British Open. The official U.S. Open series includes 20 paintings, and the British Open series includes all eight courses in the rotation. Nearly all of them are available to collectors as limited edition prints.
Marci Rule
Marci Rule is known for her sports art, but it is her golf landscapes that have brought her the most fame. Rule began her love affair with golf course art when she lived in Pinehurst, NC. In the 16 years since, she has painted the best-known golf holes throughout the country, including all three holes of the Amen Corner at Augusta National, including Augusta #12, which she has painted at least twice in different light and different times of year. Her new golf pictures are always eagerly awaited by fans of her work, who often place orders for prints before the actual release.
Golf course art graces the walls of many offices and public buildings, but more and more, these classic golf pictures are finding their way into private homes and private collections. If you’re a fan of golf pictures, this is the time to start or add to your collection of signed golf course paintings.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Golf Pictures and Memorabilia for Your Home Decorating

If you’re looking for a unique slant on home decorating or ideas for man room décor, look no further than some of the most impressive golf pictures available. Golf, easily the most popular leisure sport in the world, provides so many different types of golf memorabilia and golf art that it’s not hard to find exactly the accent you’re looking for to fill in that empty spot above the bar or the place of honor in your home golf room. Golf course art is appropriate décor for decorating your office, the executive dining room at the club or the walls of your restaurant. Choosing golf pictures and golf memorabilia is easy if you keep a few things in mind.
Choose Golf Course Art for Formal Settings
Golfers aren’t the only celebrities in the sport. Golf courses are often stars in their own right. Many views and scenes of golf courses are famous the world over, and many pro golfers can tell stories about the time they faced Augusta #12 or the 5th hole at Pebble Beach. Unlike baseball diamonds and football fields that conform to rigid standards, golf courses are each designed by golf course architects and designers who take into account the natural features of the land. They put as much thought into the landscape and surroundings as they do to the placement of the holes and the greens. Thus, golf courses are among the most beautiful manufactured landscapes in the world.
Know Your Artists
A few artists have made it their life’s work to specialize in painting the famous golf courses of the world. Their golf course paintings are far more than a mere picture of a golf course. They are gorgeous works of art that manage to convey the beauty and the challenge inherent in each of the golf course pictures they choose to paint. Among the most famous golf course artists are Linda Hartough and Marci Rule, whose golf course art hangs in internationally known museums and collections held by such august organizations as the Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament.
If you’re a fan of humor, there are a few artists who have specialized in golf cartoons that highlight the frustrations and funny moments that any golfer will recognize. Artist Ben Lightfoot is among the best known of these artists, and his Canyon series of golf cartoons are an ideal accent for your golf room or for a sports-themed bar.
Knowing a little bit about golf art and the artists who create it is one of the best ways to ensure that you find the best golf pictures to decorate your home and office. The more you know, the easier it is to find authentic golf course art and golf pics to accent your bar, man room or office.