Teaching Children to Love Fine Art

"I don’t want to go to the museum! It’s Boring!"
That complaint your children might express at the idea of learning more about fine art could cut you to the quick if you want nothing more than to see your children come to love fine art as much as you do.

It’s a natural instinct we have as parents to want our children to appreciate the finer things in life.
But how do we go about instilling a love of fine art in our kids in such a way that they rush to the car with zeal and enthusiasm at the prospect of going to the museum and enjoying some great art?

Well obviously, we want to avoid making it a chore or something they "have to do" just to get mom and dad off their backs. Yes, it’s ok if they spend time with great art because its part of what you do as a family. But if it becomes the center of a big fight and struggle, that will not instill the love of art that you know and you want them to know.

The first place children will begin to understand the love of great art will be when they see it in you. Even though children, and especially teenagers don’t seem to be learning from their parents, they are learning from watching everything you do and listening to the things you speak passionately about and value in your own life.


If enjoyment of fine art is a value to you, let the children see that passion in you. Don’t keep from dinner table conversation or from your adult interactions your emotions and reflections of the great things about spending time with great art. If it is expressed sincerely and comes from your heart, your children will "hear" that and it will become a value to them.


To youth, the greatest value of all is, "is it fun?" Well, fun is just youthful way of describing something they love to do, that the time doing it passes quickly and they cannot get enough of that event. So you can capture that feeling of fun by making their excursions into the art world fun and exciting. Children love to have fun with their parents.

So when its time to go to the museum or galleries, put yourself in your most fun loving mood. Make every aspect of the trip lighthearted and full of adventure. You can make a game of the trip by creating games with small prizes for the children to play as they go through the galleries and admire the artworks.

Surround your time on "art safari" with the kids with family events that everyone enjoys. When we were children, my mom and dad always started a trip to the art gallery by going to the park near the gallery for a picnic and some time of play.

Then we made the excursion into the galleries a family affair so the children could observe from their mom and dad how to look at great art and see the feelings those art works caused in their parents. Then afterward, it was time for ice cream and discussions about what they had seen and observed.

Special art events have a special excitement that kids just love to be a part of. When the King Tut exhibit came through America, the excitement in each city along the route was phenomenal.

So when you find out about special events, make sure your kids are aware of it and the unique chance to explore some part of the art world that may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. The school may be building that excitement too so you can use the momentum happening at school to make that trip into the world of fine art especially exciting.

Until next time...

Cynthia Goranson
www.GetPaidToDrawToday.com

Painting "Gator Days" http://www.budurl.com/RandyPattonArt

Art That is Controversial

There are some fine artworks that can be described in no other terms then that they are “difficult”.


They may deal with harsh themes of fear, pain, loneliness or themes of violence such as war or suicide. When we encounter these kinds of art works in shows or galleries, it is our natural instinct to avert our eyes or just avoid that part of the show because we know it will upset us.

But we need to know how to look at difficult fine art as much as we can look at art that pleases us. The artistic soul does not confine itself to just themes of happiness and peace. There is something about the artistic temperament that can produce some of the most beautiful art works from the torture in the soul over personal tragedy or social wrongs.

Never has this been more evident than the explosion of art that came out of the great wars of the last century. It seems that after each great conflict, artists came forward with stirring and moving art works that reflect the horror in the human heart and soul that is a result of these terrible events in human history.

So this is one good reason to patronize and appreciate what the artist is trying to say to us. By expressing those strong emotions in the form of art, the artist is performing an act of emotional purging personally. But because the place of artist in society is sometimes to bring healing, that catharsis of the soul the artist goes through can perform a similar catharsis for you and I when we are strong enough to expose ourselves to that art work.

It is also important to remember that the artist is not necessarily trying to upset you and not to allow others to interpret the artist for you. Not long ago the photographic artist Robert Mapplethorp created a huge controversy with a show that included some very graphic sexual images.

Along with those images were some lovely photographs of flowers, fruit and children. But because the artist has offended the sensibilities of some, many interpreted his other art works, particularly those of the children as obscene.

Look at each artwork in its own context. It is possible that Mapplethorp was just making a commentary on the beauty and innocence of young children. But because the children were nude and because Mapplethorp was gay and had produced other very provocative sexually charged pieces, the viewers projected perverted sexuality onto those pictures of children.

The lesson to us is that we cannot let other circumstances to influence how we react to art. Each artwork stands on its own. We, as educated consumers, must judge each work in its own setting to see what the artist may have been saying with that particular work.

There may be astounding beauty even in scenes of tremendous suffering and human tragedy. So when you look at a difficult piece, in addition to letting the theme and the pathos of the piece talk to you, be sure you judge the artwork artistically as well.

Study the colors, the relationship of the objects to each other, the use of realism, surrealism and abstract art concepts to add depth to what you are looking at. Always let the artwork be an artwork. Then you will enjoy multiple meanings and layers of cognizance to what the artist has presented.

Until next time...

Cynthia Goranson
http://www.getpaidtodrawtoday.com/

Painting "Northern Conflict" http://budurl.com/RandyPattonArt

Thinking of Starting Your Own Art Gallery?

So you are an art collector at the moment, with several pieces of art in your collection, and have noticed just how profitable the world of art can be for individuals looking to get into it in terms of business rather than as a hobby.


It may seem like a romantic notion to have your own art gallery and be able to influence the world of art in a small way, but that is often not the reality.


Starting any business of your own is extremely difficult, but starting an art gallery can be one of the most difficult of business tasks. You not only have to have a measure of artistic talent, as such, but you have to have a great deal of business sense.


However, there are several tips that can help you on your way if that is really what you want to do.

1. Never open your own art gallery if it is only for the money - If you are in the gallery business for the money then look elsewhere because most galleries only make enough to cover the bills for the first few years. Until your business is established, you have next to no chance of making enough money to call your business a success.


You should open the gallery because you love art and not to make a profit. If you do make a profit then that is a bonus.


2. If you have no knowledge of art collecting then do your homework beforehand - If you know nothing about art collecting then running an art gallery is not for you, but if you are determined then you need to learn all of the ins and outs of art collecting before you can own a gallery. This will take you at least six months if not longer so be prepared to be in it for the long haul.


3. Tap into your passion for art - A passion for art is a must and is necessary if you really want to attract both artists and sponsors alike. It is also necessary when trying to advertise any events that you have in your calendar. Beware of letting your love of art get in the way of your business head.


4. Know exactly what it is that you plan to do - You should have an aim, a goal, before setting up any business. If you want to own an art gallery then you should have a target for sales and a target for your involvement in the community too.


5. Find out where the best location would be before renting premises - Of course, if you are planning to set up business in a village with 250 working class inhabitants then it is to be expected that business will not be booming.


However, if you have a good location in the centre of a town with little competition and middle class demographics then you will do far better. Check out rents and your audience before you actually put a deposit down on your potential gallery.


6. Have a business background - You must have business skills in order to make your art gallery work. Without business acumen, the likelihood is that you will be one of the businesses that do not see two years, and there are way too many of those around at the moment!


7. Brush up on your people skills - You need people skills to be able to attract artists, sponsors and press attention and should be able to make all of those feel comfortable in your gallery. Attracting customers is also a big part of any business so make sure that you are well prepared!

There is so much more to opening a gallery than meets the eye. You have all of the mundane tasks like hanging promotional materials, publicizing events, making sure that artists want to trust you to sell their work, courting the press and any number of other tasks that get tiresome and boring after the first few weeks.


If you are prepared to do that and dedicate yourself to the pursuit of the fine arts for the rest of your life then it may be for you. You must certainly be prepared to work hard. Just make sure that you are getting into art gallery owning for the right reasons instead of the romantic image that you have in your head.


Until next time...



Cynthia Goranson
http://www.getpaidtodrawtoday.com/

P.S. Consider opening an online gallery to get started. To see an example visit http://budurl.com/RandyPattonArt

Really Great Art Can Change You

Art and art appreciation is usually categorized as entertainment primarily because it is something we do with our free time. Unless you are an artist, gallery owner, agent or dealer, art is probably not your profession so you participate in your enjoyment of fine art when you can away from work.


But there is something unique about fine art that is different from other forms of entertainment. More so than bowling or playing cards or even camping or skiing, great art can make changes to us at a fundamental level and make us more mature and reflective people.



Art appreciation is an acquired taste. To be able to enjoy fine art, one must go through a period of acclimation and growth as a person.


To someone who does not know how to enjoy fine are, the sight of an art lover standing for an hour in front of a great painting, unmoving seems virtually absurd. They cannot understand that even though the art lover is still and the art work is not moving, there is a hurricane of emotion, passion and communication between the art lover, the art work and the artist all taking place that cannot be seen with the eyes.


Artists share some characteristics with poets, playwrights and even evangelists because they often are burning with a message to pass along to mankind. And because art is their language and way of talking to us, that artist pours his soul into an artwork to reach you and I when we come upon that artwork and “unlock” the meaning and hear the message the artist has to say.

In that way, great art can communicate philosophical, ethical, moral, political, poetic or religious ideas just as loudly as any speaker presenting a convincing diatribe from a pulpit. The language of the artist is the image and the stirring emotions those images provoke. But those images can change how we view the world and how we understand the deeper idea that the artist wanted us to ponder with him or her in ways that could never be communicated any other way.


Artists call upon us to look deep within ourselves and reflect on our place in the universe and within the scope of human history. These are “deep thoughts” that we would not ordinarily ponder left to our own. So the artist is doing us a great service by facilitating deeper reflection. That deeper reflection makes us wiser people, more mature and intelligent people and people of heart and soul more so than if the artist never spoke to us.


The reflection that time spent with great art births in us can cause changes at a very deep place in our personalities. It is not uncommon for a dad to come away from time with a great artwork with a resolve to be a better father and to take time to savor the moments he has with his children. A minister may come to a moment of quiet in his soul looking at a fine art work and walk away with a deeper appreciation for his place in the lives of his congregation and a stronger conviction to do all he can to minister to the needy in the community.


Even the politician or businessman will be challenged by great art to stop and think about not just what we do but why we do it. Fine art shines a light in our souls and shows us things about ourselves that no human counselor could ever reveal.


And if we grow into better people, people of heart and an empathy for others around us and people who spend time in time and reflection about the big affairs or our lives, then the time we spend with fine art allowing it to change us will have been time well spent indeed.


Until next time..


Cynthia Goranson
http://www.getpaidtodrawtoday.com/



Painting "Santa Fe Santuary" http://budurl.com/RandyPattonArt

Essential Tips on Becoming a Great Art Collector

Some have said that there is a real art to art collecting. That may be a matter of opinion but there is no question that to become truly great art collector requires some skill, education and background.


That is not to say any educated person with a love of good art cannot buy fine art and enjoy it at home.

But if your aspiration is to get better and better at the fascinating hobby and avocation of art collecting, there are things you can do to make yourself more capable and skilled at buying and collecting truly fine art.

So to be of assistance in your calling to be a great collector of fine art, we offer these five solid tips that will almost certainly improve your skills in art collection.

1. Exposure, Exposure, Exposure.
The image of the art collector as the consummate authority on art is a Hollywood invention. But there is no question that the more you are in the presence of great art, the better equipped you are to know what to collect.

So become a regular at art museums and galleries in your area. If you are fortunate enough to be able to travel, find your way to some of the great art museums of the world and spend many hours in those museums studying the great masters. The time you invest will give you a discerning eye when it comes to art you may eventually begin to collect.

2. Knowledge is Power.
The wonderful thing about great art is that anyone can enjoy it. But if you are going to invest in art or collect it for both its monetary and esthetic value, the more you know, the. So in addition to tours that are given at local museums, subscribe to art magazines and web sites where people who know a great deal about art discuss the fine points of art theory and what to look for when seeking to collect fine art.

Many times lectures on an artist or genre of art are given around the arrival of a big exhibition or as part of ongoing studies at area collages. Get on the mailing lists for those institutions so you can be front row center when knowledge about the art you want to collect is being offered.

3. Network.
There is an entire art community that will be glad to welcome you and where you will find mentors in the nuances of art collecting. Circulate in galleries and amongst art lovers such as yourself and discuss what you like and what is great about certain art pieces. These discussions will deepen your understanding of fine art and your ability to discern what pieces should be objects of your collection. If you would like to network with the artist featured on this page go to http://www.animekatachi.blogspot.com/ or randypattonart@gmail.com

4. Love the Art you Collect.
There are those who collect art as a business and show little regard for the esthetic value of the pieces they purchase. While the investment side of art collection has some value, never purchase art that you don’t personally enjoy. Invest in art that you would like nothing more than to gaze at in your home for hours in your home. If you love the art you collect, your passion will be both a lucrative avocation and a real joy in your life as well.

5. Have Fun.
This last tip may be the most important of them all. Make sure that you are enjoying your passion for art collecting. Let your sense of joy, fun and whimsy guide where you look for art and what art you focus on for your collection.

That innate instinct can be a reliable guide that will assure that your love of art collecting will continue to be one of the real values in your life.

Until next time...

Cynthia Goranson
http://www.getpaidtodrawtoday.com/

Painting "The Sentinnel" http://budurl.com/RandyPattonArt

Information at your Fingertips When Collecting Fine Art

The information resources available to every single person in society are now far more comprehensive than they have ever been before, thus facilitating the whole host of opportunities and advantages that are available out there for this generation to capitalize on.


The standard of education is also higher than it ever was before and that can only be a good thing. In terms of fine art, there are a number of resources that any individual can turn to as and when the need takes them.


There are publications and other sources of information that can offer advice about collecting, tips and hints, and give you plenty of material to research anything that you would like to know. This can especially be useful if you are looking to invest in a piece of art but do not know where to look!

There are several sources that can provide this information on fine art and collecting, all of them equally as useful with their advantages and disadvantages. Different mediums suit different people though, so it is up to you which one of the following you choose to consult when you are in need of advice!

Books - Any good library will have several books on fine art and fine art collecting that you can tap into as and when necessary. Books can easily be considered as one of the best resources available because none of the other mediums are anywhere near as comprehensive as books can be when educating people about the fines arts.


There are books out there on every single genre under the sun as well as the nature of art collecting, and so any piece of information that you need can be found somewhere in amongst the various pages! This may be a big help if you are thinking about investing in painting, for example, that you doubt the authenticity of. If the library does not have what you are looking for then the massive bookstores online and offline probably can. There is a massive range of books available and if you cannot find the one you want anywhere else then you can always find it online - guaranteed!

Magazines - Magazines differ from books only in the fact that they have interviews with artists, are not as large in terms of the scope of each individual issue, and are regularly available via good newsagents and subscriptions alike. However, art magazines are essential in keeping you up to date with all of the latest news in the art world and information about fairs and lectures that you may be interested in.

Internet - The Internet has a whole host of information available to dealers and collectors alike. There are literally masses out there, but you do have to be careful with the reliability of some of the information because it is not always 100% accurate. The specialist and official art websites are excellent resources though and can reveal lots of lovely information that you would never have known otherwise. All you have to do is use a search engine to find those sites and then bookmark them so that you can easily get back to them any time you like.

Gallery/Museum - The people working at galleries and museums are usually especially knowledgeable about art and can refer you on to someone who will know the answer to the question you ask if they do not know themselves.

They will usually be only to happy to help you so it is certainly worth stopping to have a quick conversation with them if you need to know something and prefer to talk to a person than read or spend time searching on the Internet.

As you can see, there is a wealth of information out there and the can certainly help you to find out what you need to know. These sources can also help to build up your knowledge of collecting art, thus turning your hobby into a passion!


Until next time...


Cynthia Goranson
http://www.getpaidtodrawtoday.com/


Painting "The Rendezvous" http://budurl.com/RandyPattonArt

What You Need to Know About Galleries

If you are a fan of fine art and have a few pieces in your collection then you are probably very familiar with the world of art galleries, but if you have only just expressed an interest in art then the likelihood is that you are only just beginning to learn about them and may or may not have set foot inside one yet.


The gallery is indeed a fascinating place within the art world and if you ever pass one then it will be well worth a look. However, before going into one, you should take a little time to find out a bit more.

An art gallery is generally a space that displays art to the public in the hope of selling pieces to the individuals that walk through the door. They are set up to try and make a profit and should not be confused with non-profit organizations and museums. Every individual gallery will feel familiar because the salespeople that work within them do want to entice individuals into the warm and cosy confines of the gallery and then provide them an environment that encourages inspiration and thus sales!

There can be any number of items on sale in a gallery, depending on the size of the gallery and the stock that it holds at any given time. It may be that one gallery only holds work by one or two artists at a time and has them there for a couple of months. It may be another gallery as many pieces and rotates their stock in line with what they think will sell or an exhibit or promotion that they have on shortly or have had on recently. Although the rooms of a museum are also generally known as galleries, this is the major aspect outside of the financial ream in which they differ.

Private galleries and public galleries rarely have a permanent collection because of the nature of the business. Every piece displayed in a gallery is for sale and actively promoted as a result. There may only be one individual working in a gallery, in which case he or she is responsible for everything.


The marketing, planning, administration and finance roles are all down to this one individual, but if there is more than one person working there then they will split the duties. There is no curator as such and there would be no volunteers because every individual working there is paid to sell. When you do set foot inside one then you will realise this fact purely and simply because they will be on you to find out what you may like as soon as you walk through the door!

It is usually free to get into a gallery because you may well be a paying customer, and the very fact that you chose to go through the door proves that you are a potential paying customer. The profits instead come from the sales because they gallery can expect to receive a commission of at lease 25%, although in some cases it is as much as 50%. I


In truth, the larger the gallery, the more likely the people working there are to have sales targets. You may well find yourself in the middle as a result! Although everyone working in a gallery should be knowledgeable, some of them are not. However, anyone with a passing knowledge of art should immediately be able to distinguish between the two.


Although the latter may be better in terms of knocking a price down, the former is perhaps better because you can ask any questions that you may have and expect to receive an honest answer!

If you are looking to expand your art collection then art galleries in your local area may be the first step you tae towards building a collection. Always go into art galleries to see what is on offer, but beware of what you buy on impulse. Stuck to the ones that you love instead!

Until next time...
Cynthia Goranson
www.GetPaidToDrawToday.com

Painting "Tranquil Echo" http://www.animekatachi.com/

The Art Lover and the Art Collector

Are you an art collector or an art lover? You might say, well, what’s the difference? We can probably say with some certainty that most art collectors are art lovers. But we can also say that not all art lovers are art collectors.


Would the difference be that art lovers may enjoy seeing great art and taking trips to museums as a priority part of their private lives but they don’t buy art? But surprisingly, whether or not one buys art or not is not the distinction.

Many art lovers buy certain pieces of art but would not really be considered a collector just as someone may have a few interesting stamps around but that doesn’t make him or her a serious stamp collector.

So it might pay off if we differentiate between what makes an art collector different from an art lover. This is not to say that one is superior to the other. Anyone who takes pleasure in the joy that great art conveys knows that we are all together in our admiration of this part of culture. But if you have avocations of becoming an art collector because you want to "take it to the next level", the natural first step is to know what makes one art lover a fan of art and another a true collector.

· A collector specializes on the focus of his or her collection and knows the body of work that is available. Whereas an art lover typically loves many genres and artists, a collector tends to specialize and educate himself or herself in that catalog because it is pertinent to the activity of collecting.

· A collector’s love of art is expressed in investing in art pieces that give him or her great joy as a way of preserving that magic for the future on a personal level. There is that moment of sublime joy that any art lover has when he or she spends time with great art. A collector takes that to the next level by wanting to possess that piece and others by that artist or in that genre to personalize that experience and preserve it so that joy can be repeated in the home for many years to come.

· A collector is aware of the documentation of an artwork. When you are looking at a piece of original artwork, a collector must know for certain that it is original. The documentation of a piece of fine art works like a "pedigree" of a show dog. It is part of the authentication of the artwork which gives it the right to bring the kind of prices only originals can command.

· A collector becomes immersed in the biography of the artist. Art collecting is a passion as well as a hobby and an avocation. By collecting you get to know the artwork, the artist and what his or her background. By learning about the artist’s biography, you pick up on meanings in the work that others might not see.

· A collector has an investment in the "provenance" of an artwork. That means where this piece of art has been. As a collector, you need to know who has owned this artwork it’s price history. As the new owner of this fine art work you must know where it has been before you owned it.
What stands out is that you don’t have to have a degree in art history or appreciation to be a collector.

You don’t have to be a member of the superrich or even mix with those who have snooty art tastes. If you have a deep love of fine art and your passion for this part of your life takes you to the next level that we have discussed here today, you qualify as an art collector.

Until next time...

Cynthia Goranson

P.S. The art above is called "Jupiter Rising" by Randy Patton http://www.animekatachi.com/

The Real Fun of Art Collecting

The popular image of an art collector of a high powered financial mover and shaker using the art world as just one of many venues through which a fortune can be amassed. But the majority of art collectors are passionate about the avocation because of other reasons besides the financial side of their "investment" in fine art.

The truth is the art market is extremely volatile and hard to navigate if your only reason for buying great art is to turn it around for a great profit. So if you are changing from an art lover to becoming a true collector, there are many good reasons to dive head first into the world of art collecting that are above and beyond the simple financial transitions that happen in the life of a collector.

A little known fact is that the life of an art collector is full of adventure and, for lack of a better word, fun that makes the hobby or pastime art collecting fascinating, challenging and enjoyable. Some of the reasons art collection is such an exciting venture include…

* Art itself is exciting. Great art can sweep you away

into the world of the artist’s imagination and touch

you in ways no other form of communication can.

You can have an entire adventure standing quietly

before a stationary canvas as your soul takes off with

the message the artist sends to you through his artwork

as you can see with Raven's Bloodline by Randy Patton.

http://www.animekatachi.com/

* The art world is exotic and full of eccentric individuals. Because the art world is full of creative people, you will socialize with colorful and exotic personalities. You’re friends may be great artists, dealers and others who make the art world tick.

* Meeting artists of works you admire is the ultimate "fan" experience. You will have to learn to "be cool" as great artists and other art world personalities become part of your normal social circle. Your experience will be more than just getting an autograph as you socialize as an equal with the most creative elements of society.

* Art is a mirror of society. Artists confront the great issues of our time in their work. The conversations in late night café’s and bars with artists struggling with great social and philosophical issues will be tremendously stimulating.

* The culture of the art world is full of scandal and intrigue. The gossip of who is seeing who and how the loves and loyalties of artists, dealers and big collectors affect big art events will be fascinating to observe close up and even become a part of over time.

When you make that transition from observer and "fan" of great art, to art collecting, your status changes from audience to citizen of this big, artistic community that is so full of life, fun and activity. You will become caught up in the whirlwind world of exhibits, shows, gallery events, private viewings and out of the way social gatherings where the real thought that makes the art world alive and constantly changing takes place.

You actually become part of contemporary art history as a collector because it is you that artists seek to impress and who they look to for guidance and new ideas. By "rubbing elbows" with artists, dealers and the many other "denizens" of this exciting world, you become a first person witness to the actual creation of new art, art which you can then go on to collect.

These opportunities are unique to art collecting and will provide you with fun and excitement that will more than overshadow any financial investment issues that are part of your art collecting experience. You will never look back when you step over that threshold and become an art collector – for the fun of it.

Until next time...Cynthia Goranson

Achieve the Art Collection of your Dreams Using the Internet

The Internet has largely been a positive
and wonderful thing since it became a
worldwide force at the beginning of the 1990s.

It has opened up a whole new world
of opportunity for everyone to tap into. Art
has never been easier and more accessible to
individuals from every country in the world,
and neither has the pursuit of anything that you want!

You can buy almost anything on the Internet and that includes fine art and antiques. It's wholly possible to build an entire collection of art via shopping on the Internet and have them shipped straight to your front door.

There are various ways to go about this but it is worth the effort.If you decide that you want something specific the first thing to do is perform a keyword search then you will be directed to any number of gallery websites. Just a quick browse through them can narrow a search down and then the final decision should rest on a number of things.


Firstly, when you locate the piece that you think you want to buy you should look at the reputation of the gallery itself. Via a quick search on the Internet, you should be able to locate the gallery in any clubs or associations that they have a membership in. You should also be able to find local listings to make sure that it is legitimate. Most art galleries should also be registered as a company so you could also check that out, as well as any reviews or mentions that it has in the press.

Many artists are offering their work in a Giclee or fine art reproduction to make the pieces more
affordable to the art buyer. This is an excellent way to get your collection started. Buying an original when you are starting out can be cost prohibatitive. Another way to get started is with posters of the artists work. I much prefer the giclees because the are of much higher quality.

There are some potential pitfalls when buying art on the Internet and we will be discussing more about this in future posts. In the meantime you can see the art work of one of my favorite online artists Randy Patton at http://www.animekatachi.com/ The painting above is one of his and is called "Hello Gorgeous!"

Until Next Time...



Cynthia Goranson