With a paint by number kit anyone can create a masterpiece -and millions of Americans did, back in the 50s and 60s! Perhaps you were one of them?
Craft Master was the first paint by number kit that hit the market in 1951, invented by Palmer Paint Company's Dan Robbins; other manufacturers followed. Take note of the little lighthouse image in the ad above...
... it's a fabulous painting which I was able to locate in the Paint by Number Museum. The fact that there is a museum shows that these paintings done by hobbyists are not only still around, but the good ones have become collectibles.
The great news, prices for vintage paint by number art works remain quite low and you can find them on Ebay under Vintage Paint by Numer.
To read up on the History of Paint by Number you can go to the Smithsonian which held an exhibition in 2002 on the phenomenon.
I found this collection of vintage paint by number pieces on Mint. This family owns over 600 of them!
Inspired to start your own vintage paint by number art collection? Go search Vintage Paint by Number on Ebay. Or try it out yourself and find a Paint by Number Kit! Today's kits come with Acrylic paints, but a few makers still offer oil pigments and canvas, just like in the olden days.
Also, you might want to check out this article: Collecting Paint By Number Art.
And New York City based artist Trey Speegle uses vintage paint by number pieces as source material for his work.
16 comments:
Paint by number... a blast from the past. I always opted for sea scenes & horses.
I did so many of these when I was growing up! makes me think I should do one now! Why not, after all??
I remember when I was a child, my dad had surgery and had to be home for several weeks. He and my mother did tons of paint by number paintings...clowns if I remember correctly. I've never done one, but this makes me think it would be fun!
How interesting! Saw quite a few examples of these at the flea market last week...
Caron
I recall doing these. I seem to remember mine was on velvet or something. Lots of folks have taken to collecting them now. Six hundred is a lot!
Brenda
Too funny, I just included those in a blog post I did about this year's Coastal Living Idea House. The designer included several of these paint-by-number pictures in one of the bathrooms. They actually looked pretty cool!
Check it out:
http://roombyroombyroom.blogspot.com/2010/08/coastal-cottage-getaway.html#comments
Erin
FUN!
Hi Maya. Love your blog. I just saw the comment you left on Remodelaholic about my vintage map cabinet makeover with the compass knobs. I would LOVE it if you wanted to post about it on your awesome blog. I'd be totally thrilled.
Kristine
xxx
I love the pic of the stairs with all the paintings.
I love paint my numbers!! I have completed one and on to another! O.k. it has taken me about three years to finish them but they are so relaxing to do. I usually do them while on vacation, sitting in the sun and looking out into the water! Very nice!! :) I love the lighthouse painting!!
I remember my dad doing a few of these, and he was quite an artist anyway, so I'm not sure why he did them. I don't know what ever happened to them though.
I wish we still had them :-)
Blessings,
Marcia
Thank you for this- I do believe I will be starting a collection!
My favorite to do was the watercolor and ink pen!
Who ever thought these would be collectible back when we did them!! But I have to admit they are pretty cool, especially the coastal scenes! Plus they bring back good memories. ~Lili
I always got some for Christmas. It was always something to do with boats and the sea. I also got a free standing set to paint then you stained them of a 2 sea captains, 2 pirates. Funny to know they are collectibles I still have my set, they are probably 40 yrs old.
I have an antique paint kit for painting China/porcelain.
I realize this isn't the 'perfect forum' for asking about it........but.
Does anyone know how to search out who knows about these paint box kit??
jdisablackcat@aol.com
Post a Comment