1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to the making of decorative art works. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved method for creating and exhibiting a painted design.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The method of creating works of art by applying one or more layers of decorative materials on a substrate, such as canvas, paper, wood or the like is well known. A painting is generally defined by layers and mixtures of different colored paints which collectively serve to present a desired design. Such known designs are essentially two-dimensional or flat in appearance and do not suggest a depth of field or three-dimensional configuration, regardless of the direction of viewing or source of illumination. Moreover, paintings made on traditional substrates, such as canvas or paper, generally experience physical deterioration upon aging due primarily to excessive drying of the paints and thermal differential stresses which cause cracking and crazing of the painted design.
It has been proposed to create painted designs on rigid light transparent substrates through physical alteration of such substrates in order to suggest a sense of depth for such designs. Similarly, art works have been created by overlying several layers of rigid colored material on transparent bases to produce design configurations suggesting three-dimensional shapes. However, such prior art efforts have not been altogether successful in both creating a durable painted work of art having a decided three-dimensional depth of field and providing a system of illumination for optimally exhibiting this highly desirable visual effect.