They Would Be So Proud.....
Black velvet paintings are indisputably the epitome of kitsch. A realistic painting of Jesus and Elvis on black velvet? What more could a person ask for! Let's go back to the '70s and explore the world of painting on velvet.
A Necessarily Brief History of Velvet Painting
A brief history of black velvet paintings is presented by Pamela Liflander in Black Velvet Artist, a booklet published by Running Press, Philadelphia, 2003, and included in an identically-titled art kit. She notes that "The birthplace of black velvet paintings can be traced to ancient Kashmir, which is considered to be the fabric's original homeland. These paintings were religious in nature, portraying the iconic artwork of the Caucasus region by Russian Orthodox priests." She further wrote that Marco Polo and others introduced the West to this art form, and that some of these early works still hang in the Vatican. Liflander also details the life of Edgar Leeteg (1904-1953), "the father of American black velvet kitsch," whose "raucous and bawdy" life was previously captured by James Michener in Rascals in Paradise (1957).Velvet paintings were widely sold in the 1970s, and usually have kitschy themes. Often depicted, are images of Elvis, Jesus, celebrities, presidents, cute children or animals, cowboys, native Americans, or nude women.
In the 1970s, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico was the capitol of velvet painting. Doyle Harden created a velvet painting factory where where paintings were mass produced by hand.
Let Me Feel the Black Velvet
- The Velveteria Museum
- Museum of black velvet paintings--don't miss this one! (Also see the video above). Almost worth a trip to Portland...
- The Velvet Store
- The Velvet Store has a variety of Elvis paintings, and offers custom work.
- The Bathtub: It Really Ties the Room Together
- Blog post about velvet paintings
- Limited-Edition Black Velvet Paintings from Tijuana, Mexico, Indignico Inc.
- Black Velvet Paintings of Republicans, American Tabloid Heroes and Tijuana Black Velvet Standards. All Limited-Issue velvet paintings guaranteed hand-painted by professional Mexican velvet Elvis artists in Tijuana, Mexico.
- Juanita's Velvets
- Where you can find the black velvet painting of your dreams!
- Black Velvet Art for the Sexy Home
- Ah, black velvet art. I remember when I saw my first velvet painting in real life at my dusty local Goodwill about fifteen years ago. I was enchanted. The room seemed to grow dim. A disco ball came from out of nowhere ........
- Leeteg of Tahiti: Paintings from the Villa Velour
- A lush tropical setting, exotic models, and legendary drinking bouts serve as the backdrop to the "larger than life" story of artist Edgar Leeteg. Often referred to as the "American Gaugin" for his idyllic rendering of the Tahitian people in the '30s, '40s, and '50s, Leeteg is best known for his discovery and mastery of the age old technique of painting on velvet. Long lost in the shadows of art history, the paintings of Edgar Leeteg are now recognized as the archetype for modern velvet paintings - one of the more popular and enduring art mediums in the world.
See for yourself.......
- Black Velvet Yoda Paintings
- Even Yoda....
- Dogs Playing Poker
- Don't miss this old favorite
- BOB RINI'S ARTWORK: Gods Playing Poker
- A takeoff on the classic Dogs Playing Poker
- Dareland: Belated Christmas Gift from Hell
- of Lynndie England???
- Buddha Painting
- Darn, this one's sold!
- Tijuana Black Velvet Painting of Stephen Hawking
- This can be yours......
The Velveteria Museum in Portland, Oregon
Maybe your old paintings were sent to the Velveteria??
Black Velvet Paintings....are there actually books on this?
Yes....there are. .What a relief!
Black Velvet Masterpieces: Highlights from the Collection of the Velveteria Museum
Amazon Price: $18.21 (as of 12/23/2009) 
Black Velvet: The Art We Love to Hate
Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009)
Black Velvet Artist (Mega Mini Kits)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009)
Missing Your Paintings? Find Replacements on eBay!
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How to Paint on Black Velvet
Here's your big chance to make a masterpiece!
- How to Paint a Velvet Elvis
- Step by step instructions on how to paint Elvis on velvet.
Velvet Paint by Number Kits
Remember these??
- Velvet Paint by Number Kits
- THEY'RE NOT REMBRANDTS, BUT THEY ARE COLLECTIBLE
From puppies in landscapes to Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper," vintage Paint by Number kits, as well as finished paintings, are fast becoming popular. - Charles Phoenix: » Paint By Numbers, Somewhere, USA, 1955
- Charles Phoenix scours the countryside, pouring over garage sale boxes and vintage shops finding unique slides that capture American life in the 1950's and 60s.
- Paint by Numbers
- Every man a Rembrandt....
- Vintage Paint-by-Number Paintings
- Vintage Paint-by-Number Paintings Make a Comeback
- The "Art" of Paint By Number Paintings - Retro Thing
- The independent guide to vintage gadgets and retro technology.
- Black Velvet Artist (Mega Mini Kits) by Pamela Liflander
- Mini kitsch alert! Dip into the pleasingly retro art of painting on velvet with this cool little kit. Contains a 32-page book of instruction and inspiration, 3 pieces of velvet paper pre-pressed with images of a gaudy matador, a sad harlequin, and a sunset beach scene, plus paints.
Save a Fortune! Paint Your Own Masterpiece.
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Final Thoughts...
A picture is worth.........
Share Your Black Velvet Experiences
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- HighShaman HighShaman Sep 12, 2009 @ 12:28 am
- I used to sell these and did very well. However; my wholesaler closed down and I can't find one again . IF anyone knows of a WHOLESALER of the Black Velvet Paintings , and they have a GOOD Selection ... Please let me know at revrndale@bellsouth.net ; I will GREATLY appreciate it !! Thank You !!
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- Renagade Renagade Aug 8, 2008 @ 6:08 pm
- Cool lens!! Rated faved and rolled it to my lens World's Longest Yard Sale
by denalibeads
I am a big collector of vintage items: specifically home decor, jewelry, and sewing items. One of my favorite past times is searching through thrift s...
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