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

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

Fine Art

Fine art is undoubtedly a genre and an accepted specialized area in the arts today and has been for some time. There are museums all over the world filled to the rafters with fine art, and expensive fine art at that!

But what exactly is fine art. There is an accepted definition but very few of us know it because we are so concerned with discussing fine art and enjoying it that we often forget what it is, or even worse that we forget to find out what it is in the first place.

This is extremely lax of us because we can all appreciate fine art for what it is when we fully understand the concept!
Fine art, contrary to popular belief, is not solely the paintings and sculptures that are found within the confines of a number of museums worldwide.

It does in fact encompass a few disciplines of the visual arts, but that number is indeed limited. Those disciplines are dance, theatre, architecture, printmaking and then of course the obvious sculpture and painting. The one thing that all of the above have in common is that they are traditional and arguably founding members of the arts.

In fact, various schools of thought place them in the realm of classic or academic art, thus implying that there is a very real tradition still in place that excludes more modern forms of art.
Some critics and art snobs often refer to fine art as art with a capital A.

This is an older generation way of looking at individual pieces of art and dramatically alters the perception of the forms of art listed above because there is often debate as to whether certain items of artwork are indeed fine art. Some of the more modern pieces are distasteful to members of the art aristocracy and yet could feasibly be considered as fine art because they are painted or sculpted.

The debate rages on about a number of mediums as a result of this perspective, including the debate about graffiti. Technically it is painting but has traditionally been associated with vandalism, and so people in the art world still turn their noses up at the idea that graffiti could be considered art.

In fine art, the fine is not supposed to denote the quality of the work per se, but the purity of the discipline in question, and this can be interpreted in any given number of ways. As mentioned above, graffiti is technically not pure, and that argument is often used to argue against it is terms of fine art. It is often used to argue against elements of the textile industry being considered as fine art too. However, that being said, there are elements in which some of the other mediums that have been traditionally excluded are now included.


Fine art is often viewed as an elitist term that is somewhat outdated in the modern world whereas others argue that it is a means to help us appreciate the classics even more. Traditional dance and traditional art serves as a reminder to us all of where modern traditions come from and in that way the concept of fine art is very real.

Now we all know the definition of the term, though, we can appreciate that fine art even more and enjoy what it is that we look at every time we pass through the door of a museum!

Until next time...

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

Painting "Shadow Walk" http://budurl.com/RandyPattonArt

Fine Art and the Harlem Renaissance

Fine art collecting is a major industry as well as a hobby today, purely and simply because of the sheer amount of money that is poured into the arts as a result of it. New talented artists develop as a result of the hunger for good art today, and that can only be a good thing because those individuals are carrying on the work of the past artists that they aspire to be like.

In no race is that more evident than in the African Americans. Past artists did their best to establish a cultural identity away from that imposed on them by whites in the latter part of the 19th Century and earlier part of the 20th Century, and young artists are now establishing their own identity. It is fair to say though, that the Harlem Renaissance established an African American identity that other artists could follow.

The era of the Harlem Renaissance, 1920-40, is one of the most renowned in black art history, and effectively defined as a political, social and cultural beginning in art for individuals that may not have had their voices heard otherwise. As a result, terms such as identity, heritage and cultural consciousness are frequently mentioned, especially concerning cultural, racial and gender boundaries at this time.

However, each commentator seems to have a unique perception of these boundaries - where they were, what they meant and the impact they had on black society during this era. This mirrors the attitudes of the artists of the 1920-40 period. The era produced diverse African American work because of their unique perceptions on how best to represent and advance the race - whether it was looking for cultural roots in Africa, portraying modern city life or exemplifying certain members of the race.

No one view of the world was the same, even if there were certain common themes to be found between artists.

Artists like Archibald Motley Jnr, Lois Mailou Jones and Doris Ulmann all played a part in ensuring that the African American voice was heard in this period and then continued afterwards to establish the boundaries that they had already set. The art that was produced in this period can certainly be considered as fine art and is now displayed in some of the most visited museums in the world.

They arguably began the tradition of African American fine art that continues today and effectively broke into a previously white dominated cultural industry back in their day, although some artists did not get the recognition that they deserved then.

Ullman and other individuals like James Van Der Zee are not artists in the traditional sense of the world but still challenged boundaries like Motley and Mailou Jones. They were photographers and thus it can be argued that their work is not exactly fine art, but within modern boundaries the majority of individuals associated with the arts would accept their work as fine art now.

Their photographs are truly astonishing and most definitely works of art.
The era of the Harlem Renaissance was anything but a failure, as some critics have tended to brand it in the past. It built a stable foundation for future African American artists to build upon, and these four artists contributed to that foundation in numerous ways, and they certainly pushed back gender and racial boundaries thus paving the way for a change in attitudes concerning black artists and society in general.

In terms of the modern day, their fine art is highly collectable because of this and that fact alone, without any of the political and cultural connotations associated with it, made sure that the fine art of the Harlem Renaissance can be truly appreciated as great.

It now occupies its rightful place on the walls of museums all over the world, soon to be joined no doubt by some of the modern artists that have the same dreams of success that those artists did back then!

Until Next time...

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

http://budurl.com/RandyPattonArt

3 Tips For Protecting Your Artwork

Any lover and collector of art will do his or her utmost to protect the art collection taking pride of place in the home.

Not only is artwork a major investment these days, it is also an essential part of the fabric of any home. It is very rare that you find a home with no prints, sketches or paintings on the wall, not to mention sculptures and models adorning mantelpieces and sideboards.

For these reasons, it is vital that collectors take proper care of their artwork and endeavour to make sure that no piece is degraded in any way, shape or form.

There are a number of ways that you can keep your artwork in perfect condition, but careful planning is required from the outset. It is important to put a strategy in place to protect your artwork before you even bring it home from the gallery or fair.

There are certain measures that you need to put in place, such as placing strategies to avoid any hazards that may turn into situations that leave the art damaged. For example, if a glass screen does not protect the shelf on which a model is to be placed, it may be wise to purchase a case in which to put it before it is actually placed upon the shelf.

The majority of measures that you should take concerning the placing of your artwork are common sense really. For example, you should not place any art in the kitchen or above a fireplace because the heat, steam and fumes can cause untold damage.

You should also avoid smoking in the vicinity of your artwork because this is liable to cause irreversible staining. Similarly, placing art in direct sunlight can cause it to fade, and this would instantly be noticeable to the untrained eye as well as other collectors. If you have pets or young children then artwork should always be kept out of their reach so that no accidental damage occurs.

The placement of artwork, as you can see above, can be extremely hazardous so it does require serious thought. It may be necessary to try a piece out in a few places during the first day that you own it so you can make an on the spot assessment of where its permanent home should be.
When you do buy the art in question then you should always ask the attendant that oversees your transaction whether or not any special measures need to be taken in order to preserve its condition.

Some galleries actually hand out care leaflets when a sale goes through, whilst others may have extremely knowledgeable staff that can give you hints and tips that they have picked up over the years. There are also various publications that you can purchase to give you a good grounding in the care of artwork. You should read at least one of these if you are an art collection beginner.

The final thing that is essential in the preservation of you artwork is actually the cleaning regime that you have. It goes without saying that you should avoid using furniture polish and other similar oily substances in the vicinity of your artwork because that can cause irreparable harm.

However, it is essential that a certain level of care be administered to regularly maintain it. For example, all sketches, paintings and prints should be framed wherever possible, and all sculptures and models should be encased in a protective cover.

Although advice is usually specific to the nature of the piece and the materials present in its composition, it is fairly safe to pass a dry and clean cloth over all artwork from time to time to remove any dust build-ups. Dust can be just as harmful to art as any chemical, so it is essential that it is removed.

The golden rule of caring for your artwork is to always ask for help whenever you are unsure. Always think carefully about what you are doing and do not take the art for granted. One moment of foolishness can work out to be extremely expensive!

Until next time..

Cynthia Goranson

www.GetPaidToDrawToday.com

Painting "Shadow Warrior" http://www.animekatachi.com/

Art Auctions Can Enhance Your Collection

Art collectors all over the world absolutely love the major auction houses because they are the places to go if you want to get your hands on the pieces that can prove to be the staples of your collection.

It is rare that they auction forgeries, having a major series of checks in place to prevent this, and thus you can be safe in the knowledge that you are buying the genuine article. You can also get your hands on pieces that may otherwise be unavailable in your lifetime.

Some of the auction houses out there are world renowned and known by the majority of art collectors and non-collectors alike, but there are one or two gems that tend to swoop under the radar of the general public. However, below is a list of some of the most prominent for you to consult with and look into in order to enhance your collection.

Christie's - Christie's is one of the most famous art auction houses in the world and has been established since 1766, thus giving it that air of tradition that other, more modern houses would kill for. The auctions take place all over the world, with venues such as Amsterdam, New York¸ London and Paris

Sotheby's - Sotheby's is the other prestigious art auction house in the world, and is even perhaps better known than Christie's. Amsterdam, New York, Gleneagles in Scotland, Melbourne and Singapore are all sites for the various auctions that occur all year round. It offers a complete art collectors service and that now includes online bidding.

Bonhams and Butterfields - This is the third largest art auction house in the world today and prides itself on being one of the most modern. It is based in the USA and is known for its appraisal service as well as the fine art that passes through its auction rooms. There is also a range of antiques one offer at any given time, which attracts collectors from all over the country and its fair share of foreign clients!

Dorotheum - Although this is considered to be one of the smaller art auction houses in the world, it still hosts over six hundred auctions every year and holds a massive variety of pieces. Based in Europe, Dorotheum boasts a payroll of over seventy art experts so you can be assured that everything auctioned is genuine and of a high quality. You can find the auction houses in Austria and the Czech Republic.

Phillips de Pury & Luxembourg - With auctions in Geneva, Zurich and New York, the de Pury galleries are beginning to make a major impression on the art world. With specialisms in American and contemporary art, there is a wide variety of pieces to choose from. However, de Pury also offers the option of private sales of Impressionist and modern pieces. If your collection is based around such genres and styles then this is the place to go.

Of course, the art auction houses listed above tend to be the more expensive because they are the most prominent and more prestigious, but you are assured of purchasing quality if you do add to your collection through them.

They all have comprehensive websites that can be consulted if you do want a better idea of what the individual houses can do for you, and there are also other options. A simple Internet search with the keyword "art auction house" will yield hundreds of results. It is then up to you to choose the best one for you!

If you like the painting above called "ESP"you can see it at www.AnimeKatachi.com

Until next time...

Cynthia Goranson

Top 10 Tips that Every Art Collector Should Know!

Art collecting is an extremely popular hobby today because more and more people are beginning to appreciate the finer things in life, as well as the talents that others want to share with the world! Art collecting is also perceived as an investment because the instability of economies around the world makes investing in various markets extremely risky. There are literally millions of dollars in the art industry as a result.

There are millions of art collectors around the world today, but there are ten top tips that each and every one of them should adhere to, regardless of experience. Beginners and experts alike should pay attention to these tips because they can help an individual infinitely enhance their collection, as well as ensuring that they have fantastic artwork lining their walls in the years to come!

1. Do not buy art if you do not like it! The whole point of art is that it enhances your life in some way. You should be proud to display it on the walls of your home or office, and not so ashamed that you have to hide it away. Buying art purely and simply because it is an investment in denying another individual with different tastes the opportunity to own a piece of artwork that he or she loves, so ensure that you only own art that you actually feel something for!

2. Before investing in any piece, whether it is another to add to your collection or your first piece of artwork, make sure that you do your research. Take a look around the local art galleries and visit as many as you possibly can before settling on one piece. The staff at most galleries will be happy to talk about art in general or individual pieces with you, and every single person that you talk to will teach you something new!

3. When visiting the galleries, be sure to ask whether they have a mailing list. Many of them will have either an email list or a snail mail list, or both, because they actively court business. Adding your name to those lists will ensure that you get to hear about special events that they have as well as openings, which again will help to enhance your art education.

4. Join some of the museums in your local area. Although museums do not offer art for sale, they often release magazine publications at least four times a year. The magazines will give you hints and tips on valuing your art as well as promoting local galleries and publishing interesting articles about collecting art.

5. Search the stands of your local newsagents or art magazines and subscribe. Again, they will publish articles on collecting art and also advertise lectures around the country that may be of interest to the art collector.

6. Do not forget to visit any non-profit art centres that happen to be in your town or city, as well as any art fairs that come within driving distance. There will often be art offered for sale as well as artists and experts that you can talk to that will happily help guide you through art collecting. This will give you access to information that is not available anywhere else!

7. Look up fellow art collectors. They may have joined local galleries and museums or attend the same lectures. Exchanging ideas and information can be a satisfying experience and help you to enhance your own collection.

8. Go to your local library and check out several books on art collecting. Any books on the subject will give you valuable information, hints and tips that can ensure that your collection will be infinitely better than if you went into collecting blind with little knowledge about art.

9. Find out when art critics publish columns in local and national newspapers and make sure that you read them. Although the critics' columns only reflect their personal opinions, you will soon find a critic that you tend to agree with and can actually use his or her research to find new resources, exhibitions and galleries to tap into.

10. Use the Internet. There is a wealth of information out there just waiting to be accessed, and that information can really help you to build your knowledge base and collection. The Internet will also give you access to the galleries outside of your local area so you have a better market to browse!

Until next time...

Cynthia Goranson

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/