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Getting the hang of it
ASK THE

artsperts www.harmonmeek.com

by Kristine Meek and Juliana Meek 599 NINTH STREET NORTH SUITE 309 | NAPLES, FL 34102 | 239.261.2637

Dear Artsperts,

I enjoyed your video on Harmon-Meek Gallery Instagram of
Juliana showing her hanging supplies in her purse. What is your
advice for hanging paintings?
Sincerely,
Hanging On
The type of nails and
picture hangers we
Dear Hanging On, find work best.

We are glad you enjoyed the video. Juliana recorded it after what you normally see, but the weight is distributed across more nails.
installing a work by Hunt Slonem at a client’s home. When she The long, thick nails tend to dig into the drywall over time. It is better
stepped into the home, the client asked if she needed a hammer and to use picture hangers with a varying number of nails based on weight
she replied nope, it’s in of the painting (heaviest paintings get the hangers with three nails,
her purse! All the tools lightest just one nail). We order the nails and hangers in bulk, but you
you need to hang a work can find similar hangers at your local hardware store.
of art could fit in a purse. Once you have selected the spot for your painting, you will want to
No need for extra gizmos. center it in the location. There is no hard rule on height though. It is
It can be a simple, and not based on the comfort level to your eye. Be sure to sit in nearby seats to
something to stress about test how it looks from different angles while your spouse holds up the
with a few insider tips work in its approximate placement. We tend to hang lower in dining
from an art dealer… and living rooms since you will be viewing the work seated and higher
Framers tend to use in hallways and foyers since you will be standing viewing the work.
D-Ring hooks with one When you are ready to measure, use a tape measure to find the
on each side of the work. exact center point and mark with a pencil. Since we recommend using
We suggest requesting two nail hangers, measure 2-8 inches on either side of your center
your framer use a wire mark for a total of 4 -16 between picture hangers (closer together for
instead. This will save you small works, further apart for larger).
time in measuring since If you need an exact height, for example above a credenza, there is
D-Ring hooks require a trick: hold the wire taut using your index fingers 4-16 inches apart
exact measurements for so that your fingers are mimicking each nail hanger. Ask your spouse
the picture hangers to line to measure from the taut wire to the bottom of the painting. Then
up evenly with each hook. find where you want the bottom of the painting to be in conjunction
With a wire, there is more to the credenza, for example 6 inches above the credenza. Add the
forgiveness in the process. measurement from the back of the painting to the 6 inches and that is
Always use two picture the height where the bottom of the nail hangers should be placed.
hangers, not just one, even Of course, the easiest way to hang a painting is to purchase a work
on a small or light-weight from Harmon-Meek Gallery and we will install the work free of
painting. The painting will charge for you locally or within a couple hours of the Naples area.
Juliana demonstrates how to get a shift too easily with just
measurement off the back of the painting to
where the wire will hang from the picture one hanger. We use nails Sincerely,
hangers once installed on the wall. Only and hangers that are made The Artsperts
necessary when you need to place the in Germany. They are
painting at an exact height. smaller, thinner nails than
Works by Richard Segalman.
22 Life in Naples | April 2022