Why Do People Buy Art?

Non-art lovers often ask why art is so expensive. Even art aficionados may wonder, and it is certainly a reasonable question, why is art so valued in our society? Art has always been a valuable and treasured commodity, in every society through out time.

Art gains value through its quality, its scarcity, and, like other commodities, through its perceived value. But why do people buy art? After all, we don't actually "need" art. Or do we?

People buy art for many reasons.

• As an investment. At the blue chip level, this is a relative no-brainer. Anything less than a Picasso or other famous dead artist, it becomes a lot more of a gamble. The more you know, the more you research, the better your chances of success. And yet people still recommend simply collecting what you are drawn to and not because of a piece's potential for appreciation. An art collection can add value to your business and your overall personal wealth.
• Because it expresses something you could not express yourself. Like Bob Dylan singing about a woman, sometimes a particular artist is just able to communicate an emotion so perfectly we could not have said it as well ourselves, and we have to have it. This is also true for political works of art. A work of art sometimes says something so profound and perfectly that you must have it.
• Home decorating. It is common and perfectly alright to purchase artwork that goes with the couch. Many sophisticated art patrons buy works because of color, scale and design, and because it matches or enhances home decor. Art is beauty and improves our lives and our living environments. Some people buy art, both businesses and home owners, to fill blank walls or even hide things like fuse boxes on walls. We are ok with this!
• Status. Keeping up with the Joneses is another reason people buy art, even though this may be on a more subconscious level, it definitely exists. Go to a Sotheby's auction and watch the competitive bidding between upscale rivals. Or go to the homes of two competitive execs from the same company; they might be collecting the same artist. I've seen parents and children even compete to own works of a certain artist, if only in a fun-spirited competition.
• The final reason people buy art is because they are attracted to its beauty or meaning. People are transported to another world when looking at a piece of art; and a piece of art that you love will change and grow on you over time. Like a Beatle's album, it gets better every time you play it. You may look at it every day and still gain new insights into its meaning.

The take home message is to make work that comes from the heart; and purchase art that speaks to your heart. The biggest compliment you can pay to an artist is to buy a piece of their work.

Call for Entry - Artists Emerge

7th Annual Artists Emerge Competition
Artists Emerge
PO Box 120208
San Diego, CA 92112

Painting, Photography, Drawing, Mixed Media, and Digital Art. Artists are welcome to participate internationally. Entries are to be submitted in JPEG format.
Theme: Color Temperature
Jurors: Kim Abraham
Entry Deadline:
April 15, 2009

Click here to read more information and obtain an entry form.

Picture Hanging Guidelines

I came across an article from Christine Craig's Blog regarding the process of hanging art. While we deal with this subject a lot at Artwork Network, I thought it might be helpful to pass along this info to people who are not hanging art on a daily basis! Some of her guidelines are a few stylistic choices, so I'm curious to see if our readers have anything to add or comment on!

(Photo: Pieces by Hugh Daly, currently hanging at Dixons Downtown Grill)

10 PICTURE HANGING GUIDELINES:

1. Artwork should not be wider than the piece of furniture below it and if narrower then is should be at least half the length.
2. If narrower, then it should be accompanied by smaller pieces of art work or other pieces (irons, plants) hung so it is centered according to the larger piece.
3. Artwork should be spaced no further than 8" apart and no closer than 3".
4. The bottom of the artwork should never be so far away from the furniture item below it that it no longer can relate. Hang it generally no more than 6"-10" away.
5. If you are hanging a picture above a table that will have items on it such as picture frame or vase make sure that the picture will not be blocked completely by these items, a little bit is okay but you don't want to over crowd the area.
6. When hanging multiple pictures make sure the frames either coordinate or complement each other. A simple black frame will look silly next to a chunky ornate gold frame.
7. Hang artwork of similar styles & coloring together.
8. Smaller pictures looks best when hung in a group, either all lined up or mixed around and hung with other artwork of different sizes
9. Heavier pieces of artwork should be hung below lighter pieces, whether it's heavy in size, weight or color.
10. When it doubt cut paper to the sizes of your artwork and tape it to the wall to see what it would look like BEFORE you put holes in your wall.

Create Denver Expo

Call for Entry - Daily Painters of America

Daily Painters of America
Daily Painters of New Mexico, LLC
7 Avenida Vista Grande #254
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508

First Annual "Small Art" Competition and Exhibition
June 12 - July 14, 2009
Jurors: Michael Kessler and Others
Entry Deadline:
April 3, 2009

Pieces should be a maximum of 12" x 12".
Click here to read more information and obtain an entry form.

Creative Process: Changing Perspective

One technique used to gain a better perspective for viewing a painting is to step back from the work. Artists tend to do this frequently during the creation of work, enabling us to visualize the piece within a greater context. Often, this technique uncovers clues that actually serve to direct the creative process.

As I paint, for example, I am only working at an arm's length away from the canvas. If it is a larger piece, more than say 12" in any direction, because of my close proximity to the surface, my attention is focused only on the passage I am working on. Yet, there is still a larger area of the canvas I am consequently ignoring from this intimate view. In order to find harmony within the painting, I therefore take a few steps back to verify the passage I am working on is meshing within the larger areas of the composition. Additionally, stepping back enables me to see more clearly how the painting as a whole fits together. If changes are needed, they tend to become more obvious when looking at the work in this manner. A good painting will should look good up close as well as from a distance. Ultimately, this frame of reference fosters a vantage point to unify a work, thereby making it stronger.

I believe this perspective is also essential to the experience of an art enthusiast. By stepping back, we open the door to see things from a broader point of view. So the next time you're looking at paintings, I would encourage you to take a few steps back and experience the difference. You just might see something you hadn't noticed before.

By Jared Steinberg
An Artwork Network Member Artist

Call for Entry - Main Street Gallery

The Main Street Gallery
105 Main Street
Groton, New York 13073

Light Fantastic Exhibition
June 11 - July 19, 2009
Jurors: Adrienne Bea Smith and Roger Smith, Co-Directors of The Main Street Gallery
Entry Deadline:
MAY 9, 2009

The theme of the artwork must be based on the subject of light, in either a physical, emotional, conceptual, cultural or spiritual way.

Click here for more information on how to obtain an entry form.