Art quotes

"For the last 20 year period I've been working with ideas conceived as a child." -Red Grooms

Monday, November 19, 2012

Giving Original Art


Gift giving season is fast approaching. I was watching customers recently in the fine art of shopping. My observations, though not scientific, sure were fun to see how the shopper goes about the process of picking out their prizes. Most people picked up and felt for quality and held it up to the light to get a better look-see. In art shows the potential buyer walks around and among the art, hands behind their back like a Norman Rockwell painting trying not to touch the art work. Wouldn't it be fun to have an art show that encouraged the handling and hefting of the art pieces? 
We all have the experience of giving what we hope, is a thoughtful gift, followed by a gnawing feeling that the gift was, well in the dark recesses of the recipients abode, i.e. closet. Take heart. Just tell yourself it was given in the spirit of whatever makes you feel better and good luck next time.
Speaking of the spirit of giving, we went to the dedication and opening of the new Broad Art Museum on the Michigan State University campus. The dignitaries were replete, the atmosphere was charged with excitement as we all waited to get our first look inside this very unusual building which in itself is a grand piece of art. This is quite a gift to give, all forty million dollars’ worth of hope and encouragement for the arts into the future for generations to come.
Here’s hoping Eli and Edyth Broad Art Museum will continue to shine and stand out as a beacon for the arts for many years.
            Though many of us don’t have the big bucks to give like some fortunate folks, don’t lose your artistic eye, and keep shopping for that special gift. As we shop this season we hope you will stay positive and give original art a chance to make someone happy.

Happy holiday, 
Joel  www.joelellisart.com   
On Hold  16x20  oil on canvas. Boats caught in ice, Lake Michigan
Snowy Ridge  18x24  acrylic on canvas

Sunday, November 4, 2012

What is The Value of Art?

Winter Trail 9x12 oil

Oak leaves have tumbled off their high summer perch and are swirling on the deck as the first early “chance of snow” forecasts get us thinking here comes winter. Oh well, more time to get to our business of putting holiday art shows up and planning for the looming New Year.  We have a one person show at Shiawassee Art Council in February and an art demonstration at Jackson Civic Art Association in March. We should have an interesting beginning of the New Year.
Have you ever wondered what the inside scoop is all about when it comes to dealing with the big time art auction houses or your local art dealer? The book, The Value of Art by Michael Findlay (Prestel Publishing, 2012) can open up some doors to more awareness of the art business. Where we fit, if we do fit, in this art business puts you on the world stage with all the art patrons over the last century.
Findlay, who was with the noted art auction house, Christie's from 1984 to 2000, takes a close look at art as an investment. In the book Findlay purports to buy what speaks to you, a piece of art that you can look at for hours without tiring.  As for art investments, as in the stock market, buy low sell high. He points out that economic cycles are also reflected in the business of art.
“There are so many ways in which a work of art can act on our sensibilities from the primly intellectual to the wildly emotional. We can be transported to the lowest depths of sorrow or taken to a high spiritual plane. We  can be delighted, we can be baffled, we can be appalled, we can be refreshed, we can be moved to tears or spend the rest of the day smiling,” Michael Findlay on how art affects the individual.
It is fun to look over the shoulder of some of the largest art deals that have taken place  internationally and you don’t have to spend a dime thanks to this fun read.
Gulls in Flight 9x12 oil 
Back in the studio I look around at a lot of stuff that someday, hopefully, will inspire a painting or two. Today inspiration came from a tourist gift shop purchase on the great lakes coast, a little pair of seagulls bouncing on springy wires. I hope you can smell the fresh lake air and hear the call of the gulls.
Joel
www.joelellisart.com

p.s. Grateful to have received First Place at the 41st Art Exhibition of Okemos Library annual fundraiser, Okemos Michigan.
Sand Waves 13x23 oil on board, First Place November 3 2012 Okemos  Show