Top 10 “things” you will need to start and art collection

by james | Aug 1, 2009 | aoj blog

I recently was reading an article about art collectors and art collections and was thinking that this is a great time to start your art collection … with the economy taking  a downturn,  art prices have reacted the same way making it much easier start an art collection.  One thing is for sure, although art sales have slowed, it still remains one of the best ways to invest your money in this unpredictable market.  Over the years I have noticed several principles that seem to hold through:

1. You will need to look though your eyes.. You will need to train your eyes….. basically you will need to figure out what you like or don’t like.  This happens over time with most art,  as is seems to change the more you look at it…and the more you look at it, the more you like it.  As as example, how many times have you purchased a picture, poster or piece of art and then that after you get it home and have it for about a month or two you find you don’t like it….. This is your eyes are becoming educated…Your seeing it through your eyes.   With  quality art, the experience is reversed. You will find yourself loving it more as time passes. You will see new things every time you look at it.

2.  Having a collection of original art is an essential addition to any home interior.  Original art can add a certain aesthetic beauty to any room. It can balance your space or it can start a lengthy conversation. Whatever the reason, you should start thinking about developing or enhancing your own collection.

3.   Although it sounds basic, all the art in your collection needs to be original.  Original art refers to art that is created by the artist’s hand and is not reproduced mechanically. Art today consists of a variety of mediums and civewr

4.  Collecting art should be a personally satisfying journey.

5.   The best place to start is where you’re at. In other words, consider your budget and go from there. Obviously, we would all love to have a Pollack or a DaVinci or a Picasso or Donohue  (lol..).  But we need to start small and work our way up.  There are many opportunities to be found locally for starting a collection. Think of “first fridays”, second Thursdays”  shows that most art communities have.

6. There is usually a gallery or two in most communities .  Many folks scoff at the idea of finding quality work in these venues but they’ve probably never taken a careful look at what’s offered.

7.  Ebay is a virtual, worldwide gallery.  With some time investment and common sense assessment of the artists there, it can be a legitimate resource for starting one’s collection.

8.  You must decide what to purchase.  This always seems to be the most difficult part.  I always tell new collectors to follow your heart.   Don’t choose artwork based on what you think is trendy or will impress someone else.  Choose something that is an expression of your unique tastes. Begin by buying what you are comfortable with. Buy what pleases your eye and spirit.

9.  Faculty shows at your nearest university or junior college have work for sale that is of high, professional quality by established artists, some of which are “up and comers” on the big-time gallery scene. The type of work that you may only find in galleries in major cities is available in these shows.

10.  Well I left this last but its the most important.  You just need to get out and do it!  Committing to start an art collection is the hardest thing to do,  however it is the most rewarding  and also I would add— addicting. so make the committment to get started today.. the time is right.!..

…..and as always if you need help.. I know a great contemporary abstract painter in Las Vegas,  Nevada who’s a really, really good buy….LOL!

peace

……james

this is my latest work drying the Studio….it is 0il, aluminum panel, mixed media 36 x 60,  it is titled “abstract #61” ..hope you all enjoy… talk to you soon

peace…

…………………….james

Art is still a good buy

by james | Jul 11, 2009 | aoj blog

I was doing some research the other day about art and its relationship to the  economy.. It was interesting to me that of all things,  original art usually maintains it values….. Christies reported ending up 2008 with 5.1 Billion in sales…yes..5.1 billion.. London beat out New York as the top selling location in the world… Thanks primarily to contemporary artist Damien Hirst. … So what does this all mean?..When in doubt about investing….invest in original art.. you can’t go wrong!… I know of such an artist with resonable prices if your interested….LOL!… talk to you all soon

……peace

james

1. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer by Gustav Klimt ($135,000,000)

This record breaking sale was enabled by a court order by the Austrian government to return the painting to the Artist’s rightful heir. The entire dispute lasted over a year and was necessary to return the painting that was looted by the Nazis during World War II.

Skillfully painted in 1907 by the art nouveau master Gustav Klimt, the painting was purchased by Ronald S. Lauder, the cosmetics heir, in 2006.

2. Garçon à la Pipe by Pablo Picasso ($104,100,000)

Created during the Rose Period, Garcon a la Pipe showcases Picasso’s exceptional use of cheerful orange and pink palatte.
The oil on canvas painting, measuring 100 × 81.3 cm (slightly over 39 × 32 inches), displays a Parisian boy holding a pipe in his left hand.

The record price auction at the time on May 4, 2004 in Sotheby’s was a bit of a surprise to the core art buyers, because it was painted in the style not usually associated with the pioneering Cubist artist.

3. Dora Maar with Cat by Pablo Picasso ($95,200,000)

Another enormous surprise followed in 2006, when this painting near doubled its inaccurate presale estimate and brought in new record $95,200,000 at auction at Sotheby’s on May 3, 2006.

Painted in 1941, Picasso’s controversial portrait (one of his last) is sometimes described as an unflattering depiction of his mistress, Dora Maar, who was an artist/photographer and mistress of Picasso whose relationship lasted ten years during the 1930s and 40s.

4. Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent van Gogh ($82,500,000)

This painting by the Dutch Impressionist master Vincent van Gogh suddenly became world-famous when Japanese businessman Ryoei Saito paid $82.5 million for it at auction in Christie’s, New York. Saito was so attached to the painting that he wanted it to be cremated with him when he died. Saito died in 1996 … but the painting was saved.

Vincent van Gogh actually painted two versions of Dr Gachet’s portrait. You can view the other version, with a slightly different color scheme, at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.

5. Bal Au Moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir ($78,000,000)

Bal au moulin de la Galette, Montmartre was painted by French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir in 1876. On May 17, 1990, it was sold for $ 78,000,000 at Sotheby’s in New York City to Ryoei Saito, who bought it together with the Portrait of Dr Gachet (see above).

6. Massacre of the Innocents by Peter Paul Rubens ($76,700,000)

This painting by Peter Paul Rubens, painted in 1611, is the only painting in this list which was not painted in the 19th or 20th century. It was sold to Kenneth Thomson, 2nd Baron Thomson of Fleet for $ 76,700,000 at a 2002 Sotheby’s auction.

7. Portrait de l’Artiste sans Barbe by Vincent van Gogh ($71,500,000)

Portrait de l’artiste sans barbe (“Self-portrait without beard”) is one of many self-portraits by Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. He painted this one in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France in September 1889. The painting is a oil painting on canvas and is 40 cm x 31 cm (16″ x 13″).

This is an uncommon painting since his other self-portraits show him with a beard. The self-portrait became one of the most expensive paintings of all time when it was sold for $71.5 million in 1998 in New York.

8. Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier by Paul Cézanne ($60,500,000)

This painting by Paul Cézanne, painted in ca. 1893-1894, sold for $60,500,000 at Sotheby’s New York on May 10, 1999 to “The Whitneys”. Whitney, born into one of America’s wealthiest families, was a venture capitalist, publisher, Broadway show and Hollywood film producer, and philanthropist.

9. Femme aux Bras Croisés by Pablo Picasso ($55,000,000)

This work, painted in 1901, was a part of Picasso’s famous Blue Period, a dark, sad time in the artist’s life. The beautiful & various tones of blue are typical. The painting depicts a woman with her arms crossed staring at the endless nothing.

Femme aux Bras Croisés was sold for $55,000,000 November 8, 2000, at Christie’s Rockefeller in New York City.

10. Irises by Vincent Van Gogh ($53,900,000)

Vincent van Gogh painted this at Saint Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France in 1889, only one year before his death. In 1987, it became the most expensive painting to date. It was sold for $ 54,000,000 to Alan Bond and later resold to the Getty Museum.

NOTEWORTHY

No. 5, 1948 by Jackson Pollock ($140,000,000?)

Unconfirmed rumors buzzing in the art world now place this painting at the top of the list, at least temporarily. If true, the $140 million price tag would be the highest ever for a painting, besting the $135 million paid for the Gustav Klimt painting Portrait of Adele Block Bauer in June 2006.