hey, how much do you want for this?

by | Apr 12, 2014 | aoj blog

Hey everyone;

Hope your week went well….When I first started out on this journey I was always timid about discussing the price of a particular creation with the buyer .   Not sure why,  but  but the quicker you get comfortable with this aspect the more success you should have… I have seen all types of pricing schemes , from no price listed, to the craziest of crazy inflated prices,  to one that was based on a base price,  plus a percentage of certain economic indicators…  As my career has progressed  and I became an established artist I started pricing my  art creations to allow for the consistency and growth that collectors  really appreciate and look for.  I recently sold a painting that I applied the square inch technique to.  Each painting is charged at 1$ per sq/in.  Painting was 50 x 30…got the total of those…… 1500.  Using this methodology the price set at $1500.00.  (*the 1$ was based on historical sales data- sometimes I might go down for a larger piece or go up if the piece is framed)  so as you can see its really easy to get a price worked up and takes the hassle out of this aspect…… but when the price is set,  and the collector really, really, really  wants the piece…..there are always the negotiations…lol…congratulations  to my new collectors… hope you enjoy your new piece!!….

Heave a great week everyone…

……peace

………………..james

“Celebration of the Buffalo”   50 x 30 collage….. SOLD

celebration of the buffalo

 

I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours……

by | Apr 5, 2014 | aoj blog

Hey everyone;

Ever since the first recorded history of artists creating art,  there has been the artist studio… clearly defined as an artist workshop or work space.   Its always a been the “place” we go to do our thing…..The word studio is derived from the Italian: studio, from Latin studium,  from sudere, meaning to study or zeal.

No matter how you you try to define it the studio of today takes on many different looks… from the traditional one that many think of to carts on wheels, redesigned backpacks,  retro fitted trunks and truck beds, to huge industrial spaces.  From minimalistic to the most abstract array of “stuff”… the studio is where  all the knowledge, experience,  emotions, and life lessons, come together to create the verses we will write .

Mine is a pretty simple set up and functional for my needs…… More traditional,  the studio is a 10 x 10 room, with a walk out to a small outdoor workspace.    My studio definitely reflects my many different processes and materials used when creating my art….you can tell it is an  active studio with all the paint splatters on the walls and the canvas floor I paint on…… I also like to use  my studio as a my private retreat.. for reading or meditation from time to time…..Its filled with a lot of books and magazines, and parts and pieces of all kinds of materials; paints, solvents, coatings,  wire, glass, paper, canvas, and of course,  my music system…

I have included a couple picks of what my studio looked like a day ago… guess I should have  cleaned a little…

Have a great week everyone

peace…..

………………..james

 

In the studio

 

have you started making your millions yet?

by | Mar 29, 2014 | aoj blog

Hey everyone;

I think most,  if you asked,  would aspire to having an art collection if they could… trouble is where do you start?.. how much should you invest?… and what is really worth collecting? I recently saw a documentary titled “Herb and Dorothy”.  He was a postal worker and she was a librarian.  Despite their modest income, the two began acquiring work that was undiscovered or unappreciated in the early 1960s, primarily Minimalist and Conceptual art by such visionaries as Robert and Sylvia Mangold, Donald Judd, Richard Tuttle, Sol LeWitt, Christo, Lynda Benglis and many other artists who are featured in the film.  During their 45 years they were able to amass over 4000 works of art… the value of their highly sought after collection is well in excess of several million dollars.  Not bad for a couple of government workers…..getting further into their story it was very interesting to me that they never accepted “blind” works of art.  They only purchased from artists that they had personally met along the journey….. all the pieces had to fit within their budget, so finding the best value from the correct artist was paramount to the collection.  Because of this,  they had a great connection to the art and were able to really talk about the artist and his/her work as well as personal tidbits that seemed to enhance the artwork.

What an awesome journey!… and the craziest thing is that its really easy for all of you to put into place in your current lives today..  You already know this artist personally if your getting this blog….lol…. all you need to do today is start your collection by purchasing some art..  Don’t devalue something just because it is priced at less than what you think ‘good’ art should be priced at…. I always tell people that if you really like it, buy it, whether it is $50 or $500.

….. at the end of the day a good collection represents who you are. So keep it you….edit what doesn’t’ fit….. build on what does, and most importantly  keep records! Where you purchased your pieces, from whom, and what you paid.   All this is important information that will add provenance to your pieces.

have a great week everyone!…and happy collecting..

……peace

………….james

ps… the below piece would be a great start or even an addition to your current collection…..  it is 36 x 36 oil, titled abstract floral: study of red and blue… if your serious about your collection or getting started,  I’ll offer this at 50% off of its current list price of $600.00

 

study of red and blue