And anyone who thought black velvet paintings went out with GMC Gremlins and pet rocks has not heard of the Velveteria, a museum of black velvet paintings in Portland, Oregon. Open just two months, the site has been overwhelmed by an adoring public.
“It just blows the mind,” says Caren Anderson, proprietress and undisputed queen of velvet. “This is a huge cultural phenomenon. Yes, we have…
“We have people outside snickering,” Anderson says, sitting among images of forlorn clowns and entertainment icons. “Most people, let’s face it, they make fun of it. If they’d come in here they’d realize there’s…
Velvet paintings sold cheap from vans at roadside stands across the country are now achieving loftier status. There’s a new coffee-table book and a museum — the Velveteria — in Portland, Oregon, featuring the fuzzy velvet art.
Caren Anderson and Carl Baldwin serve as curators for the 300 velvet museum pieces, which include paintings of Rambo, Bruce Lee and the rock band KISS as well as luminescent unicorns and fluorescent matadors. Baldwin says contrary to what people might think, in the world of velvet, Elvis is not…
Velveteria took over Powell’s Books for the month of May 2008. A visual treat sure to please your campy, polyester-wearing soul.
Offered a wondrous eyeful of…
Velvet fabric is often seen as a sign of luxury. As a canvas for art, however, velvet is considered by many to illustrate poor taste. Velvet art is considered “kitsch”, a gaudy, cheap style of art rarely displayed in art galleries or museums. But this hallmark of…
