Vintage Paint By Number Trend

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For the past six months or so I have noticed a pattern in my antique mall.

Vintage paint by number canvases, like these sailboat ones, show up one day are gone the next.

They are hot sellers right now!  And personally, I can see why.  I really like them–their bright colors and kitschy style.  I have always had a thing for vintage amateur art, and I think this genre is especially fun.

Here’s Blue Boy.  Unfortunately I couldn’t find Pinkie, his little female friend.

Paint By Numbers came about in the 1950’s and were all the rage during that decade. The kits promised that anyone could learn to paint like a pro, and ranged in subject matter from florals

to animals.

All of the paint by number canvases I just showed you were found in a quick stroll around my antique mall. But if you saw any that you liked, you better come quick to get them!

A few months ago I happened upon a vintage paint by number canvas of The Last Supper at my favorite flea market. I just couldn’t get excited though about the $35 price tag and the dealer’s unwillingness to bargain. . . but man, I have kicked myself so many times over not just paying his price and taking it home with me.

I sort of have a thing for Last Supper pictures . . . already with two hanging in my kitchen. Adding a paint by number Last Supper canvas to the mix would have made my collection display incredible.

For your browsing pleasure, I have made a collection on Ebay of vintage paint by number canvases that I thought were extra special or a great deal.  And yes, there is one Last Supper canvas included on there.  I guess I could just order one off Ebay, but that doesn’t feel like as much of a victory as stumbling upon it in a field at a market does.

I am sure there is a more professional way to import my Ebay collection into this post, but I am tired this morning and wasn’t able to figure it out quickly.  So, if you click on the image above, it will take you to the collection. Thank you for tolerating my lack of professionalism on this one 🙂

I would love to know your thoughts on vintage paint by number art.

Are you a lover or a hater?

If you are a dealer, do you see it selling well?

I’m back off to the flea market this weekend, and I will be keeping my eyes peeled for more of those dusty, old canvases so I can rescue from the field.

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