Returning artwork

[GladOP]

Has anyone done this?

Spent a fortune on a large canvas which whilst technically fits is too big for the space and I think too bright.

I want to return it and swap it for something else.

Or should I just suck it up and make the best of it?
I feel so awful as we spent so much money on it.

Did you buy it from the artist? Presumably you didn't commission it.

I bought it from a local gallery in town where DH and I just bought a holiday home.

Absolutely talk to them then. They should want you to love it.

Thank you, I’m worried they won’t be willing to exchange it and it would make things awkward if I want to go back for more art, or if I see them around town. The artist has already put up a notice on their instagram celebrating the sale.

Do you like any of the artist's other pieces? Because that's going to be the easiest way. Seeing if a straight exchange is possible.

There's always the option of leaving it in place for a while to see if it settles in. 'Big and bright' can become smaller and duller with time and familiarity.

Maybe. Thank you for responding. :)

If it’s a canvas can it be resized?

I don't think you should try to return it. You are well-off enough to buy a second home, which will be a net negative for the local area/economy. The gallery owner and artist need to make a living, don't put them in a difficult spot by trying to undo the deal now.

If you can't live with the painting after a while, sell it on.

Our local gallery will let you try pieces in the space you’ve picked. If it doesn’t work there you can take it back and exchange.

I’m sure the gallery you got it from will be reasonable and want you to be thrilled with the piece you hang. Explain to them and ask to change it.

You are an adult. You are entitled to change your mind.
But if your main concern is how such an adult action will make others percieve you, you have a problem. You can't live your life wondering if every breath you take, word you utter, or facial expression may upset someone, or create awkwardness

"If it’s a canvas can it be resized?"🤣

"I made a mistake with my measurements and this picture doesn't fit-could I possibly exchange it for that one" is fine.

"I made a mistake with my measurements- please could you cut your picture down to fit." Not fine.

All will depend on the gallery's policy.

I didn’t mean ask the gallery to resize it.

but if it’s fundamentally right just an inch or so too wide then it can easily be resized. It’s not the bloody Mona Lisa. People effectively alter art all the time due to using frames and mounts that change how much of the art can actually be seen.

using frames and mounts that change how much of the art can actually be seen. This would be different as it doesn't damage the work. But also people don't usually do this either, as far as I'm aware.

It’s okay, I won’t return it. I would potentially upset too many people including my DH who thinks we made a good choice and is unaware of how i’m feeling.

Did the same thing with the dining table I just purchased today. It’s the wrong tone wood for the room.

just an absolute schemozzle.

They do very frequently. If you take a piece of artwork to be framed with a professional, the framer will spend time with the customer looking at different sized mounts and different back positioning of the artwork to get an image which is the most visually pleasing for the customer.

Anyway, OP has now decided to live with it.

Gosh, your posts are worrying. Please don't try and live your whole life trying to please others. You are opening yourself to use and abuse.
How willnyou ever make ant decisions about your children's future, the colour of your litchen walls, or pretty much living?

Usually I’m okay with making choices and I enjoy decorating. It’s different when it’s family money, and I’m trying to decorate a space that my DH will also love and it’s going to be used as an airbnb.
Everyone’s feelings and what people think need to factor into all the decisions. I don’t like letting people down.
So by not exchanging the artwork I feel I’m letting down future guests because it won’t be the calm tranquil environment that I’m trying to create. It just kinda feels like a lose lose situation.

YABU to buy a holiday home, no doubt in an area where people that have grown up there can no longer afford to buy, due to people like you buying 'holiday homes' there.

You don’t use airbnbs? Hotels aren’t always appropriate for families to stay in….

Hard agree. Airbnbs wreck communities, drive up rent, price people out of their homes. But as long as you have the right size painting eh...

I’m genuinely interested in why you think they wreck communities?

I would think holiday makers are more likely to eat out at local restaurants, shop in the local gift shops and even spend more at the small local supermarket rather than travel to a larger Tesco. People visiting these communities are going to be exposed to local artisans that they otherwise wouldn’t.
Communities have unique flora and fauna that everyone should be able to enjoy rather than just locals (like whale watching). Day trips are often not possible if you don’t live nearby to begin with.

Oh I just reread your message.
The area is a new development sort of. Lots of rentals available.

I saw this recently: In Ramsgate there are 866 homes available on Airbnb - compared to 21 flats available on Rightmove with the option of long-term lets.

Ramsgate (like all of Thanet) was always considered a cheap place to rent in the SE. Flats there are now selling for half a million and popping up on Air BnB...

That's just one example. I get the tourism is good for the economy angle but it's getting ridiculous now. The council should step in and put a cap on the number of holiday lets/holiday homes in a similar way to how they enforce affordable housing on new housing developments.

@GladOP "even spend more at the small local supermarket rather than travel to a larger Tesco."

Holidaymakers get deliveries.