Buying Contemporary Art for Your Home
Buying Contemporary Art for Your Home
For many homeowners their ultimate dream is to buy contemporary art to hang on the walls of their beloved home. Buying contemporary art can enhance your home as well as add a feeling of accomplishment and culture. However, for many of people the concept of buying art can be a little intimidating.
Buying contemporary art doesn’t need to be a daunting experience. It should be a fun and exciting experience, where you have the opportunity to view and purchase a wide range of work by both well-established and new emerging artists. What a lot of people find intimidating about buying art is the concept of what is ‘good’ art and what is ‘bad’ are. No one wants to be accused of investing in worthless art.
The important thing to remember when you’re looking at buying contemporary art is that you’re buying the piece for yourself and your home. We generally buy art that we see as an extension or representation of ourselves, our ideals and what’s important in our lives. When buying contemporary art you should always choose art that makes you feel good and will enhance or add to the atmosphere of your home.
The best way you can ensure you’ll buy contemporary art for your home that is both complementary of your home and enduring in value is to first spend some time looking at different artists and their work. Select a few pieces that you really like and see if you can identify some commonalities in the pieces. It may be something obvious like the use of colors, scenes or textures. You may notice that you are drawn to a particular medium of art, like acrylic paintings or glass art.
By looking at a range of art you will start to develop your ‘eye’ for art and your particular tastes and interests. However, like fashion, your tastes in buying contemporary art may change in another one or two months. So when you’re looking to make a larger art investment ensure that the piece you choose is well suited to your core taste and is not extremely over-the-top or dramatically different to your usual art preference – you may later come to regret the purchase.
You don’t necessarily need to buy from a well-established artist. You also don’t need to be any kind of ‘talent scout’ looking for the next big thing when looking to buy from new and emerging artists. The reason many people buy from emerging artists is the opportunity to own a quality piece of art to hang in their home at a fraction of the cost of established artist counterparts. If you’re purely looking to decorate your home with original art, it is well worth your time doing some research on the Internet and attending local art fairs.
If you’re looking to buy contemporary art as an investment, you will find it helpful to visit art galleries and enlist the help of a professional art adviser. Art advisers …
Where to Find Ideas for Abstract Paintings
Where to Find Ideas for Abstract Paintings
Ideas for abstract paintings are as numerous as clouds in a winter sky, skittering across the landscape of our mind’s eye. In fact, they may even get away if you do not write them down! So far, there is no immediate way of painting what our mind holds directly onto the canvas, so we must use the middle man of the artist’s skills. The artist may even be ourselves, but whoever winds up doing the final version of someone’s artistic vision, that person will have had a grounding education in abstract painting. Form and color, texture and execution, the painting that is abstract may speak more easily to the viewer than a representational painting, because these elements touch our emotions more directly than with the intervening persona of the mind, which must interpret each figure in a representational piece in a time-consuming way. An abstract painting goes right for the inner core of the viewer.
Do you have a favorite color? Then the general wisdom is to discard that favorite in lieu of another color. You may use your absolute favorite in small doses on the painting or as a trim color in the room in which your painting resides, because to overwhelm your scheme for your painting with your favorite color runs the very real risk of making you bored with that color, and you don’t want that. By keeping it to a minimum, you preserve the favorite as sort of a surprise treat, which is an old trick used by experienced interior decorators. Rest assured, you will have the expert advice of an artist and will not make any wrong steps in choosing the form of your color scheme. Ideas for abstract paintings will spring forth from both of you, creating a synergy that is most productive.
The search for shapes to use in an abstract painting can be as simple as searching the internet for a set of photos of the natural world. Rather than identifying what the object is, look for shapes that speak to you as you simplify the elements in the photograph, alternate colors or focus on a small part of the image. It’s easier to begin with something ‘real’ as the basis for an abstract painting than it is to start from scratch. Consider the spiral of a seashell and work from there, perhaps thinking of it as a tiny maze, a way into the very core of the shell. Who knows what we’ll find there?
It’s done, you have the idea. Now how to implement it? Do you commission a painting from a reputable artist or take on the delightful task of recreating your vision yourself? After making the decision and gathering your strength to firm your resolve, start out boldly. Do you see it as a large piece, a small piece or a framed or un-framed piece? If you take on this aspect a little bit at a time, it will not overwhelm you …
Zen Art – Come Be Enlightened
Zen Art – Come Be Enlightened
Zen art emphasizes the essence of the subject, in that a statue of a sculpted marble ball may be the earth, a marble, a beach ball, or a falling tear. Once the artist decides that the subject is a tear, he may act in a flurry of motion, dizzying in its intensity as he hacks and hews at the marble, grinding it to a smooth polish as he journeys on his way to completion. To the Zen artist, deciding on a subject is well over half the battle of finishing a piece of art. This may well be the part of the process that takes up the most time. In fact, the subject may be reached upon deep meditation, as the artist probes his mind and soul for a subject that speaks of his inmost thoughts and intentions.
For the Zen artist, writing or calligraphy is not merely to convey words, but is an act of beautification in itself. Think of these marks upon a paper or your computer monitor: they convey an article about Zen art, do they not? But aren’t they also made up of circles and curves, angles and lines, something of a work of art? Even the font chosen for this article makes a statement; for example, these words are not printed in hard-to-read Old English Gothic or swirling Pristina script. No, they are in the font that is pleasing to the Western eye, the most legible for the purpose. In this way, you have skimmed the purpose of Zen art, to arrange things in a beautiful and meaningful way, perhaps unusual to you. Sometimes it is called ‘thinking outside the box.’
To say that Zen art is simple is a conundrum, for the media itself may be as elemental as a simple stroke of a calligraphy stylus in black ink that encompasses the meaning of ‘mountain slope.’ Art that grows from this simple stroke may be as profound as a depiction of a guru atop the solitude of his mountain peak, communing with his soul and Nature, or as simplistic as a mountain stream running downhill in a drawing devoid of any human subject. The title of the piece cannot be overemphasized, because the artist’s intention may be gleaned from a one-word name such as ‘Empathy.’ How to depict such a noun that is loaded with meaning is the work of the Zen artist as he links his own understanding of the term to his art. ‘Empathy’ may be one person holding another as he weeps, it may be a doll into whose deaf ears a child pours all her ambitions and tender words of love, and it may be as commonplace as a person viewing a tragedy on a newscast and reaching out with her feelings to hope for aid for the afflicted people. So many complex emotions may be conveyed by one simple word in Zen art.
The distillation of a subject into Zen art is not …
Guide to Buying Art Online
Guide to Buying Art Online
‘t the Internet wonderful? With a click of a mouse it can bring the whole world into your living room, it facilitates shopping, communications, research and interaction with people from around the world.
Buying art online has become very popular in the last 10 years. Buying contemporary art straight from the artist’s website means you no longer have to pay ridiculous prices for a piece of art, due to the elimination of the middle-man, in this case, the art gallery.
Whilst in most cases this is a enjoyable experience and investing in art has been proven to usually generate a profit – there are also pitfalls that you need to be aware I will list some of them:A�
1. Always buy from a seller which accepts returns and is based in the same country you are! In some cases when you receive the artwork purchased, it will look different in reality than it looked on the screen. You may be disappointed, so you should always have the option to return it. But what good is this option to you if you are in UK and you need to post the artwork back Thailand? The postage for an artwork can be very expensive and most sellers will not cover this cost for you. This is also true for any item you buy online, so if the option of returning the item is not viable then don’t buy.
2. Don’t buy un-stretched canvases posted to you in a roll. They may appear to be cheaper initially but by the time you manage to find a stretching service and have paid for it you will realize that it cost you almost the same as a painting sold on a stretched canvas. Also, a painted canvas loses its elasticity, so it can’t be stretched properly on a wooden frame. Too often I have heard unhappy buyers complaining: ‘I have a pile of rolled canvases at home I don’t know what to do with?…’
3. Buying paintings from a websites that offers you clear pictures of the artwork and also detailed photos (close-ups) will ensure that you buy the actual painting and not just an ‘image’. Some websites will sell an image and the artist will only paint the painting after it was purchased.
4. I also don’t recommend buying an artwork as a present for someone else, unless you know for sure that the person likes it, or it is considered to be a good investment. Art is highly subjective, and just like in a restaurant, you wouldn’t order food for someone else, if you want them to enjoy their meal, you can’t decide for them what to hang on the wall in their home.
So baring in mind these few tips, purchasing a quality artwork is probably one of the most solid and enjoyable investments you will make, one that will bring joy to you and your family, perhaps for generations.…
Should You Paint or Varnish Your Boat, and Why?
Should You Paint or Varnish Your Boat, and Why?
Yay!!! You’ve now completed construction of your boat! Good job on sticking to it! Now you’re wondering whether you should paint your boat, varnish it or maybe a combination of the two.
Paint seems to be a much more durable substance than varnish is. Varnish does do a good job at masking any rough surfaces, but paint is more likely to protect the epoxy and wood the best, which ultimately should be your aim.
If you find yourself torn between the two, then it could be a good idea to varnish the interior of the boat and paint the exterior.
If you plan on storing your boat in a place that is protected from the elements, then varnishing your boat is still a viable option. If, however your boat will be outside and unprotected from Mother Nature I would stick with paint again because of its durability.
It is quite clear, that I am a proponent of using paint over varnish. If you’re still unsure, find and talk to other boat builders and owners and find out what they are doing; as a means to achieve peace of mind.
Regardless of which way you go, always follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly to get the best results.
The key to building a sturdy building is to have a sturdy foundation. The same can be said here. The key to having a great looking boat is very much dependent on your prep work. Your planking surface must be as smooth as possible, so sand like you’ve never sanded before! It’s best if you use a very fine steel wool to do so.
Because you will be sanding quite a bit, make sure you use a high quality primer that will be able to withstand all the sanding. If you won’t be spray painting your boat, then your best alternative is to use rollers. Stay away from using a brush on the larger surfaces, and perhaps keep then for smaller touch up or detailing jobs.
Why? The reason being that each coat of paint should be very smooth and thin. Using a paint brush defeats the purpose since paint brushes tend to hold too much paint and you will have thicker and less smooth coats, which again is not what you want.…
African Art – An Essential Way to Decorate Your House
African Art – An Essential Way to Decorate Your House
From the past decade, it has been observed that most of the people around the world are interested to decorate their home with at least one piece of African contemporary art. Most of them believe that these African arts will bring a color and style to their home. These African arts are varied and range from some real photographs. In earlier days, most of the people around the world are not having much knowledge about this contemporary art. However, the technology has made the world as a global village. So everybody would like to know the importance of art.
With the help of technology, so many African contemporary artists are well noted around the world. And some of the painters are created detailed portraits as well as abstracts, which are rare combined capability. Most of the African painters are using the acrylic oils and water colors to create some contemporary arts. In those arts, the oil painted art has preferred by the so many people as it is last much longer. There are so many web sites offering the sale of African arts through the online. It is the better idea to purchase these paints through online. There are so many verities and wide selections and quick price comparison available in online. You need to consider so many things before purchasing these contemporary arts through online.
If you are thinking about the investment in the arts, then you need to consider the signatures and dates of the collectors because you will get an increase value for antique for pieces. Some of greatest African artist are selling their arts through online. Most of the artists are not mentioning the date in arts; the buyers prefer to get the latest prices. They are thinking that painting with a date must risk the perceptions that artist failed to sell the item for many years.
And also you need to check the credibility of the web site. And also it is an important to check the quality of the web site. A web site must be having a low number of ads. If there are so many ads in that site, it seems to be a painful to use. And that web sites must have a secured online transaction and also it must saves our credit card information and personal details as secured one. So people are using this pay pal system for secured online transactions. If you have any query, do not hesitate to ask the web master. If they are not answered your query, there are so many web sites are offering these African arts for sale.…
Gregory Garrett Introduction to Art and His Love for Modern Art
Gregory Garrett Introduction to Art and His Love for Modern Art
Gregory Garrett is an artist not by chance but choice. During his very early years he began to feel fascinated by light and darkness. As a child he always found himself sitting is all alone and watch the sunlight flow all the way through the blinds as dust element where noticeable through the eyes hop and jazz in the rays of light entering inside his parent’s living room.
“I lost and found myself as I watched the light stream into my parents’ living room. Somehow, I knew what I was experiencing was truth.”- Gregory Garrett
This solitary age was vital in his progress as a very good artist in the years to follow. During his early career as an artist Garrett spent most of his time studying and admiring the famous art works of painters such as Picasso, Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Van Gough. He understood very early that art is an important aspect of life form as a human and that the times gone by of art are essential for the development of art in future.
“Art is not created in a vacuum. It must have history to live. Art should be a reflection of the artist’s past, present and future.”- Gregory Garrett
Some of his famous art works are Transition in Red, Theatre View, Swirl Patters and Carnival. All these are abstract art and feature in the most famous museums in around the world. Garrett’s art has also been able to connect with modern day home decor enthusiast as they feel his art brings in the kind of rich aura and depth to their walls. In the recent times Gregory Garrett’s works have also been available as Fine Art Prints, Posters and Framed Art which make them very affordable while maintaining its true quality and looks. Many of those who like his works also buy canvas prints of his famous art which render a rich texture to the entire setting at their home.
Gregory Garrett’s various abstract art works infer the humankind in the course of playful figure, sturdy geometric forms and colours that whirl on the canvas prints like meringue. In fine art prints Float I he tries to depict all this using a very gentle manner. This art prints in India is available on posters online shop.
“Art should be a reflection of the artist’s past, present and future.”- Gregory Garrett
For art, personality puts on an act in Gregory Garrett’s abstract “Theatre View.” In shade of blazing yellowish-brown light, absinthe, sepia and, the earth, grass, plant life and skies are all radically signified in his Fine Art Prints.…
Praying For a Solution to Your Hemorrhoids?
Praying For a Solution to Your Hemorrhoids?
If you have suffered the pain of hemorrhoids you wouldn’t even want to wish it on to your worst of enemies. The pain can certainly be horrifying and can leave you standing for a long while. Any amount of sitting or lying down only aggravates that pain. Hemorrhoids go on to be the worst affliction to have ever hit mankind. People try all kinds of over the counter drugs as well as prescribed medicines to get rid of hemorrhoids. Little do they realize that what they buy is not a long term cure? It is a cure that will be a short term fix only until the next attack of hemorrhoids.
The way hemorrhoids happen is the occurrence of swollen veins and blood vessels in the most delicate part of one’s body, the rectum and the anus. These swollen veins can sometimes pop out and bleed and that is why these hemorrhoids are so painful. The protruding hemorrhoids need to be pushed back in and this can be a greatly painful chore. After this you will be left yelping in pain for sure. The tubes of ointment and creams that one gets are just temporary hemorrhoids pain relief and that is all they are. They are not the kind of drugs that will help you get rid of hemorrhoids for a lifetime. Thereafter, if you were to calculate the number of dollars and time and effort that you end up spending on hemorrhoids without any particular impact or objective met at the end of it, it is certainly a great waste of time.
Even before you have finished the tube, you will notice that the hemorrhoids are back and this time round with a vengeance. Not only will you end up wasting a whole lot of money on this kind of hemorrhoids treatment but will also be left with a huge amount of chemicals in your body. This in turn will lead to further nasty after effects. Now, you will not only have the pain of hemorrhoids to deal with but the nausea and headaches that are left behind from the chemicals that you have unnecessarily exposed yourself to. How you wish that there were some natural remedy to hemorrhoids. Or permanent remedies that will forever take the pain of hemorrhoids off your backside. Long term hemorrhoids treatment certainly sounds like an extremely farfetched thing at his point in time.…
Are Contemporary Art Investments Worth It?
Are Contemporary Art Investments Worth It?
Contemporary art is, with very few exceptions, much cheaper than the work of past masters. This is true of generally all works of art, and especially of paintings and sculptures. Hence art investments are considered by some lucrative, since you don’t need that much money to start them. Yet as it often happens with investments, things are not as simple of that – there are some points to consider before you decide to invest in contemporary art.
Investing In Contemporary Art Is Not Necessarily Cheap
Good art, the one that has the potential to significantly increase in value in time, is never cheap. Contemporary art is no exception. Truth be told, only a limited number of current works of art are expected to become highly valuable in the decades to come. These are the best to invest in, yet of course they are for the most part already highly valuable, not to mention close to impossible to acquire, having already privileged possessors. The remaining art pieces, the affordable ones, don’t have a place in art history guaranteed, and investing in them will always be a bit of a gamble. Hence safe art investments are not at all cheap.
Invest In Contemporary Art If You’re Uncertain About the Economy
It’s generally agreed that investments in art are good for keeping your money safe during periods when there are great fluctuations in the economy. Good art is timeless, and its value almost never depreciates suddenly. Good art is no exception, yet note that safe investments are only those made in enduring pieces that are sure to be talked about in a few decades. Knowing how to spot these rare pieces is an art in itself.
Investing In Contemporary Art Will Not Make You Rich Overnight
It takes an art savvy with a lot of money to spend and extremely favorable market conditions to make a lot of money from an art investment. Most investments bring moderate gains, and this over a number of years. So, if you want to invest in contemporary art you don’t only need a nice budget, but also a lot of patience. If you’re not sure to possess the latter, then art investments may not be for you.
In conclusion, contemporary art investment are worth it, especially if they are used as a means to safe guard already acquired wealth, rather than for making a lot of money quickly.…
Miro Paintings – Joan Miro’s Famous Abstract Paintings & Biography
Miro Paintings – Joan Miro’s Famous Abstract Paintings & Biography
Joan Miro was a Spanish painter and sculptor, born in Barcelona. His art movements included Surrealism, Dada, Personal and Experimental. Miro had an illustrious art career, with many famous paintings that could be included here. However, in order to keep the article concise, it is abbreviated to just Miro’s best oil paintings. and art prints
The Tilled Field, was Miro’s first Surrealist masterpiece and used a series of objects in a busy, complex layout similar in some senses to some works by Wassily Kandinsky. Miro represented Spain in The Homage to Surrealism exhibition alongside Salvador Dali, Enrique Tabara and Eugenio Granell. Miro also created a sculpture set with accompanying ceramics for the garden of the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.
Miro’s tapestry for the World Trade Center in New York City was one of the most expensive items lost during the terrorist destruction 30 years later. It had been on display in this iconic building for many years and represented Miro’s best work in the field of crafts. Despite this, Miro’s art remains in prominent places all around the world, including US and Spain, with some Miro-inspired architecture on show in Barcelona, his hometown.
Joan Miro’s art is known to have influenced many abstract and surrealist artists including American Arshile Gorky. The quality and success of Joan Miro’s painting is shown in the fact that he remains popular even today, particularly throughout Spain and the rest of western Europe. Alongside Miro’s traditional paintings, he wrote several successful books and also gained success with large murals and glass sculptures. Feel free to use the resources below to discover even more about this famous Spanish abstract artist.…