I knew I stayed up late for some reason tonight (apart from processing a few photos which I’m still not happy with … !!!) ... my “Chris…
I knew I stayed up late for some reason tonight (apart from processing a few photos which I’m still not happy with … !!!) ... my Christmas is coming No 2 has been FEATURED!!! Happy dance time!!!
!http://images-0.redbubble.net/img/art/framecolor:mocha/framestyle:box20/mattecolor:off%20white/product:framed-print/size:small/view:prev…
A second one of my images has been featured! This time one of my digitally altered Christmas images: “Lighted Christmas Tree (3)”. Again,...
A second one of my images has been featured! This time one of my digitally altered Christmas images: “Lighted Christmas Tree (3)”. Again, this is a great site! A place to grow artistically and gain a bit recognition for one’s efforts. Thanks to the Alternative Christmas Images group for featuring my image! Steve
If you have your own art collection or are about to begin one, there are some simple and effective steps to consider: 1. DE-CLUTTER YO…
If you have your own art collection or are about to begin one, there are some simple and effective steps to consider: 1. DE-CLUTTER YOUR HOME Before you begin you need to start with a ‘blank canvas’; I’m sure if you had booked an art consultant or interior designer to make their recommendations you’d tidy up, so make this your starting point. It is also a fundamental feng shui principle of de-cluttering your environment will de-clutter your mind. If you don’t have the time or the job is too big call in an expert. 2. THINK LIKE A GUEST Now walk through your home imagining you’re a visitor or guest so you can understand the logistics of entering your home for the first time and what impression or atmosphere you wish to create. Important areas from a guest’s point of view are: the entrance (this is their first impression) the path from the entrance to the main living/entertaining area and an outdoor area if you have one. Look for what you think they would notice: as you enter your home, is it obvious where the kitchen/living areas are from the entrance; are private rooms or areas such as bedrooms ‘on show’ as guests walk through the house to the living area. Can any outdoor areas be seen from the main living area? 3. DETERMINE ZONES This time, when you walk through your home again, think from your own perspective and classify it the following zones; entrance (front garden, path, front door, entry) traffic zones (hallways, gardens) formal entertaining (dining room) informal entertaining (family room, games room) function-specific zones (home theatre, kitchen) private zones (bathroom, toilet, bedrooms) business zone (home office, studio). This will assist you to think about where to place art plus what purpose or mood you wish to create in each zone. 4. MAP WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE ARTWORK Use the following chart to assist you to plan where you would like to place artwork (a blank chart is provided at the end of this report): ZONE-—-ROOM-—-—-—ATMOSPHERE-—-—---NO. OF ARTWORK Entrance-—Front garden-—-—Welcoming-—-—-—-—1 Outdoor / Entrance--Frontdoor/entrance-Welcoming-—-—-—-—-1 Entrance wall / Traffic-—-Hallway-—-—-—-Calm/ Inviting-—-—-—-3 Hallway wall / Business--Home Office-—-—-Professional/Creative-—-Various / Private-—-2 Bedrooms-—-—-Personal/ Young/ Calming-2 / Function-—specific Kitchen-—--Homely-—-—-—-—-None / Informal-—entertaining Living/Dining-—-Relaxed-—-—-5 / Private-—-Toilet/Bathroom-—-Personal-—-—-—---None 5. DO SOME RESEARCH Through your own research you will feel more confidence to make an informed decision when you discuss your needs or view art with an art consultant, interior designer, gallery manager or artist. Plus as you regularly go back to research you will gain an increased knowledge about art and therefore a deeper understanding which will only enhance your appreciation of your collection. To begin: ‘Google it’ search online about art buying advice and tips Browse online art galleries Look for articles in your local newspaper about local artists, exhibitions and galleries Visit local Art Galleries Talk to local gallery managers and artists as you meet them 6. LIST YOUR PREFERENCES (STYLE, SIZE, MEDIUM) Return to your planning chart again after your research to put in your preferences of style, size and medium. Style refers to if the artwork is classified within a broad category such as Abstract, Traditional (landscape) or (figures), Surrealism, Pop Art, Impressionism, Digital Art, Still Life, Realism and many more. Size mainly described as dimensions in centimetres. Also be aware if the dimensions include framing or not. For an average home artwork around 60×80 cm would be considered a medium size and 80×130 considered a large size. Obviously this is completely subjective and the best thing to do is get the measuring tape out. Medium is what the artist used to create the artwork. For example, oil means oil paint, acrylic means acrylic paint, watercolours, ink, pencil, charcoal and many more. Mixed Media is simply when an artist mixes mediums together. For example, some artists bind Acrylic paint and a texture medium (sand) together. 7. SET YOUR BUDGET A fundamentally important step, however also be sure you’re expectations are realistic, your earlier research should assist you in this area. This is important because if you ‘blow your budget’ then you are not going to view the artwork with a positive frame of mind but rather a resentful one. Also, ask if flexible payment options are available. Most galleries and art consultants offer payment plans over a 3 to 6 month period or an art rental service so you can ‘try before you buy’. 8. RAISE YOUR OWN AWARENESS OF INVESTMENT POTENTIAL OF ART AND ARTISTS When beginning a home art collection it is good to remember you need to live with the artwork therefore it needs to be appealing to you. However you can also begin to consider the future investment potential of the artwork you’re purchasing. At the most fundamental level, check the artist is active i.e. is regularly producing new work for exhibitions and awards, have won any awards, received any reviews of note or are apart of art investors collections. This is important if your art collection is later to be considered as part of your investment portfolio and if you decide to on sell any of your collection in the future. 9. LESS IS MORE Often when you’re in the middle of this process and you’ve found a style or artist you simply love you can become quite excited and simply want more, more, more. While this is great, you also want don’t want to ‘overdo’ it. Simplicity in most things is always a good rule including art. Therefore if you are deciding on three pieces for the one room and you simply can’t decide on the final third piece. Then, purchase the two you’re sure about and either hire the third or just take some time to think. 10. PURCHASE YOUR ARTWORK Now you have completed your planning and research which has built up your confidence to go purchase the art that is right for you and your home. Remember you don’t have to do it all at once. It can be a gradual process of building up your art collection – a journey you can enjoy. Or if you don’t have the time, simply rent a collection and purchase the ones you love and continue to rent until you have all the pieces you want. You will know when it is right because as you ‘live’ with a piece of artwork you become familiar with it and will also learn when is the best time of day to view it and the mood you feel when you view it. If you feel the atmosphere you intended to create has been achieved and your collection is a conversation point with your visitors and guests then you know it is right for you and your home. Please note, all of us react very differently to artwork often because of the emotion we are already carrying around in our heads, therefore a reason why art is such a great conversation starter. ZONE-—-ROOM-—-ATMOSPHERE-NO. OF ARTWORK-STYLE—-SIZE MEDIUM Entrance-—-Front garden-Welcoming-—1-—-—-—-—- Sculpture——50×100 Metal © 2009 Interactive Arts WANT TO USE THIS REPORT IN YOUR E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? Yes you can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Online entrepreneur Fleur Allen publishes the popular quarterly e-newsletter Art Notes. If you’re ready to find out more about art and collecting art for your home or office then join the Interactive Arts Creative Community with like-minded people growing their art collections. / Interactive Arts offers articles, special reports, tips, exclusive art exhibition invitations, flexible art payment plans including our popular Art Rental Service. Sign up at www.InteractiveArts.com.au ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Fleur Allen is committed to introducing Art to every home and office. Art is a life-long passion and Fleur educates and advises private and business clients of how to begin their art collection to transform their homes and offices and therefore transform their lives. As an Art Manager, Art Curator, wife, mother and the owner of a successful home-based business, Fleur is uniquely positioned to help others.
My image “Chandelier (From Beneath w/ Zoom Effect)” was just chosen to be featured in the group LIGHT UP MY LIFE (ALL ABOUT LAMPS)!...
My image “Chandelier (From Beneath w/ Zoom Effect)” was just chosen to be featured in the group LIGHT UP MY LIFE (ALL ABOUT LAMPS)! Thanks to this great group for the recognition and feature! Steve
It’s been five days since I started to get ill. My husband swears that I have the swine flu. As we live in a university community where i…
It’s been five days since I started to get ill. My husband swears that I have the swine flu. As we live in a university community where it’s prevalent, he could be correct. The up side of this misery is that I’m feeling well enough to get caught up on some computer work that I’ve been putting off. Here is the link to our house in Santa Fe. It’s on the market as of last week. We hate to sell, but it’s too much to take care of long distance. It’s also too expensive to maintain from 1500 miles away. It has a photography studio with a working darkroom. It was an addition to the original studio and was planned by a professional photographer. The original studio had a sound studio and a room that was used as a home wood shop. We’ll miss it, but my husband loves his work in North Carolina. http://www.santafeproperties.com/vp/ListingServlet?SITE=SANTAFE&ScreenID=LISTING_DETAIL_P&EXCEEDLIMIT=null&totalFound=0&cd_MLS=57846#
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