Amy Evans Painting Adventures

Affordable Art?

What is affordable art? Is it a giclee, poster, or is it original art? How do you determine "affordable"? Is is still a luxury item?

A lot of galleries, art fairs, hotel "estate" sales use this term. Why? Is it because we have the perception that all art is expensive and they are attempting to change that thinking?

I believe that all original art can be  "affordable". There are many different price ranges and there is beautiful work in all of them. You can find wonderful work in online galleries as well as from artist websites and auction sites in all price ranges. The trick is deciding what to choose and whom to buy from.

If "affordable" is the teaser, carefully check out the gallery, etc. Unfortuately there are some galleries as well as some "artists" in art fairs that are purchasing forged copies of artist's work that are created in China and selling them as giclees, etc., for low prices. Check out the gallery as well as the artist. A red flag should go up if the painting is selling for a lot less than the artist's usual prices.Some artists do print giclees to be able to have work at a price that more people can afford. Some artists, such as myself, sometimes put paintings in auctions. In my case,  these are older pieces or studies that have never sold in a gallery setting. Some are paintings that I create especially for the auction market. Mine are always unframed. In all cases,  do some homework.

A reputable gallery often has a payment plan available. It never hurts to ask.

"Aspen Dance", 18x24", oil, Amy Evans, Ago Gallery, Ouray, CO.

Above all, buy art that speaks to your soul from someone you have researched. Taking time to do that research can raise the odds that you are really purchasing  art that is "affordable".

Ah Ha Moment

Have you every had one of those ah ha moments? All of a sudden things become so clear and you see something in a new light...something comes together...finally. This week has been a week of reflection. In my last blog I mentioned that I would not make any resolutions this year. I have been thinking about what is most important to me and creating a mission statement for 2012. I also thought of a word that would do the same thing.

I am finding that spending some quiet time doing this has been good for me and I hope that it will be reflected in my art this year. This time for thinking has helped me make some decisions about the direction of my work.

I have decided to participate in fewer plein air events. I have enjoyed doing them, but nowadays there is a plein air event almost every week in the "season". Many benefit the sponsoring group more than the artist. I will be participating in ones that are beneficial to everyone.

I am being more careful about galleries. I have been burned by a couple of them, who don't pay the artist for the sale that before they pay their bills, a bad business practice that is happening more frequently in order for some galleries to remain open.

I will be returning to the easel with new ideas I can't wait to try! This will be an exciting time.