What is Decorative Painting? It is art on functional pieces that enhances our living space. It's an art form that has its roots in the beginning of time: since prehistoric days we humans have been decorating our homes with paint. Many of our colonial ancestors found that wallpaper and carpets were too expensive to import from England. So they painted their furniture, painted murals on their walls and created floorcloths to make their homes more attractive and liveable. Styles may have changed over the years but many traditional techniques remain largely the same having been passed from artist to artist. At The Apple Tree we are proud to be part of this tradition of one artist teaching another.

What's the difference between decorative art and fine art? Generally speaking fine art is on a canvas, in a frame and hanging on a wall. Decorative art is on functional pieces. The skills, techniques and artistic principles are the same. Critics maintain that decorative painters are not truly artists because we work from someone else's designs. We may work from designs created by other artists but look around any classroom. You will see that each student brings her/his own artistic style and interpretation to the design being painted. Past generations had an apprentice system in which to perfect their art. Today we have studios like The Apple Tree.

We carry a full line of painting supplies including paints, brushes, mediums, books, pattern packets and many unique painting surfaces in floorcloth canvas, tin and wood.

When visiting the Washington, DC area please come visit us!