Whether you've just returned from a trip to Africa, or you simply like to explore the forested areas around your home, pictures of animals in their natural habitats can be calming and peaceful, inspiring, and heartwarming.

Why not offer all those wonderful feelings to a friend or family member, too? A gallery wrapped canvas print of a wild creature is a great birthday, anniversary, or housewarming gift, or even a good wedding present for a couple who loves to explore rural areas.

PICKING THE PERFECT GIFT

There are plenty of ways you can figure out the best art-related gift to give. If you know you want to present them with a wildlife artwork, you've already dealt with one of the tricky choices, but you still need to pick the best display option:

• Snoop around their house. Not into drawers and closets, but try to get a feel for the lucky person's decorating scheme. If they like delicately wallpapers and pastels, consider choosing an image with pale colors. Bold walls? Maybe an intense black and white shot to be sure you don't clash with the existing colors.

• Pay attention as you're being given the tour (or if you're there all the time, ask for another one!). Do they mention an area they wish was better decorated, or tell you about a color scheme they're planning? If they are regretful of a certain blank wall, try to sneak a measurement so you can order an artwork of the perfect size.

• If you're unable to browse their home, chat with people who know them well. Have they mentioned a style they have in mind for the living room (above the couch perhaps?), or a certain animal or wildlife-filled location they'd love to have immortalized on their wall?

• Consider what you know about the person when choosing the best photo. If they grew up on a farm, a bucolic image or horses or cattle grazing could make a lovely hallway or family room decoration. Or, if they prefer to troll the mountains in search of stunning vistas, a mountain lion or goat perched on a rock crop could result in a beautiful image for the living room.

• Don't forget to think about the presentation. Do they already have a number of unframed canvases hanging in the home? If so, you might choose to stick with that style, or choose one of our beautiful canvas floater frames to accompany the print.

• If you don't have access to the perfect image, or for any other reason you're unable to select a canvas print or frame, why not let them pick their own, on you! We offer Gift Certificates in custom denominations. We can send the recipient the code via email, or print a physical certificate and mail it straight to them!

ORDERING

Your canvas art will be printed using high quality, archival inks and Epson ink jet printers. Once it is coated with a protective UV- and scratch-resistant semi-matte spray, it will be stretched and affixed around a custom-made pine wood frame. Hanging hardware is attached, and your order is securely packaged and shipped to you.

Our general production turnaround chart is shown below, as well as our extended production times for the winter holiday season.

HISTORY OF THE SAFARI

Today, safaris are popular with tourists, and are much less intensive than those original forays. Often, jeeps are available to take the guests through lands known to be inhabited by native species. Often these lands are purposely populated with the animals.

Authentic walking safaris do still exist, along with elephant ride safaris, horseback safaris, and many more.

A division of USAOnCanvas.com Sanfrancisco Laser Engraving & Cutting Services