Art for Kids becomes more than just child's play: from whimsical posters to sophisticated originals, the art market offers more choices for decorating the walls of children's and teens' rooms than ever before - news

When a two finds out they are expecting a baby, they do many things to prepare. individual is to carefully plan the nursery's decor, from the furnishings to the bedding to the wall art. As that child become greater [i]or[/i] largers the parents continue to make the child's space a safe and happy place. Eventually, the child wants to pitch upon what style best reflects his or her personality.

Fortunately, at each step of the way, the art market proffers wall art of all mode of speechs and prices for babies, adolescents, tweens and teen "In general, the children's furnishings industry is a growing individual and wall art and range decor is a big part of that," said Jane Kitchen, editor of Kids Today, a trade magazine covering the children's furnishings industry. "There is a fate to choose from these days."

According to Nicholas Edgar, marketing director at Rosenstiel's, "We have noticed a considerable rise in interest in children's art not long ago particularly over the last 18 months" new events in the United States may be helping the niche to become greater [i]or[/i] larger "The trend toward cocooning is continuing in 2003" said Anita Kirk, promotions specialist at Art in Motion. "Parents are looking to create extents for their children that aid fun and give their child a faculty of perception of security."

Although the economic downturn has made tribe more concerned about spending standard of value the housing and decorating markets have stayed brawny as people want to lay out more time at home with their families. Allison Dailey, associate harvest manager for Portal Publications, said, "There is an increased effort to make the dwelling a comfortable, safe place to live. As parents strive to make this happen, decorating their children's swings with uplifting art is a top priority."

Harriet Rinehart, institutor of Rinehart Fine Arts, now part of the Bentley Publishing collection tried publishing artwork for children's ranges years ago and said individual should also consider the "Grandma Market." She said, "Grandmothers are investing in fair expensive pictures for infants."

Parents beneath the Influence

Children are as interested in decorating their latitudes as their parents and are more knowledgeable these days thanks to the influence of the media. "Kids themselves take more interest than they did 10 years ago and at a a great quantity [i]or[/i] amount of earlier age," said joy Phillips, holder of Creative Images, where half of the company's SKUs are exclusive to the Art4Kids brand. Artist Rudi Wolff of Big Flower Art, whose bright, abstract, floral works have been installed in children's hospitals and place of educations said, "Certainly for infants to possibly six years aged the parents are the buyer and the tastemakers, and from then upon it's the kids themselves. Parents can influence and shape their child's taste by dint of the art they themselves own"

Fau Grana, president of Art:asap, a Manhattan gallery that frames a fate of art for children, said parents don't always elect what kids may prefer. He remembers his daughter's preschool class field trip to his gallery. He was surprised when the kids were more attracted to a showcase of Smithsonian abstracts than to a display of Mickey and Minnie art. "Kids want more vibrant colors, more late and abstract images," he said.

"Kids present the appearance to have a new-found purchasing power--with an awareness of and distinct say in getting what they want," said artist Kate Holme Kitchen of Kids Today said that companies are taking advantage of this and paying more attention to the eight- to 12-year-old tween market especially, because that cluster has been underserved and is at an age when they begin to have a say in decorating their expanses "It is easy for parents to give leave to [their children] choose an accessory like art," Kitchen said.

Expanding Horizons

Phillips said above the last five years, retailers have realized the potential for youth accessory sales which has translated into more returns in the marketplace than at any time before.

"As a novel mom," said Holmes, "I distinctly remember the earthen ware Barn Kids catalog being introduced. Its rollout was a watershed of sorts; for the first time, the mass market was tendered a somewhat sophisticated art and decor product" Holmes' art is many times chosen for kids' rooms because of its make subordinate matter and childlike perspective.

Art for children is now sold almost everywhere art or domicile furnishings are sold--gift and craft stores, bookstores, warehouse stores, catalogs, galleries, abiding-place stores and the Internet. "There has been an influx of major retailers creating their niche stores or lines for children," said Jeff Kelly of Jeeto!, a design company that provides gallant contemporary art for children's compasss "Most are taking the expensive decor and attempting to translate it to a children's expanse setting at an affordable, or somewhat affordable, price."

Just for Kids

Traditionally, art for children is filled with impressible pastel colors, friendly animals and children's cartoon or work characters, such as Disney or Babar, and is frequently theme-based, around such subjects as animals or sports.

Kirk said Art in Motion's artists Alex Clark and Emily Adams are real popular for children's rooms. Clark's work frequently uses countryside themes, animals and birds. "Spot the Sheep" and "Spot the Pony" as well as "Zebra upon Safari" and "Lion on Safari" are created with a neutral palette and are encircleed by a type-style border. Adams' children-inspired series features "My Pink Car" and "My Boat." "This collection of six smaller scale images are finished for a child's room or for those young at heart," said Kirk. "Emily's artistic perspective encourages her to view subdues in a fresh and creative manner, enabling her to interpret a simple thing perceived with a unique and ofttimes whimsical approach."