Who's More Expensive?

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Q: I collect furniture from the 1940's and 50's. I do a pretty fair amount of buying at collectibles shows and from stores that specialize in this time period. I've held off on the art so far, but many of the dealers have paintings and sculptures that also date from the period. What sort of questions do I need to ask before buying this art? What's the difference between what they have and what galleries have? Who's more expensive?

A: Learning about art is similar to learning about furniture. With furniture, you begin by finding out who made it and how old it is. With art, you find out who the artists are and when the art dates from. The next level of questioning parallels learning the histories of furniture designers and manufacturers. You want to know when and where the artists lived, worked, exhibited, how significant they were, what they accomplished, and how much their art currently sells for. In other words, how good is it and do the artists have collectible track records?

Regarding where to shop for art, keep in mind that furniture dealers tend to know more about furniture than they do about art. If you're a serious Herman Miller collector, for example, you want to buy from a furniture dealer who specializes in that company rather than from an art dealer who may get a piece or two of Herman Miller furniture from time to time. Likewise, experienced art collectors patronize art galleries rather than furniture dealers.

Since you're getting serious about art and you don't know that much about it, you should probably begin by shopping at art galleries that specialize in art from your favorite time periods. Be prepared to pay more, though, because they tend to deal in higher quality art and artists than what you see for sale at furniture dealers. The plus side is that art dealers are better informed, have better selections, more accurate pricing, and better overall perspectives on the fine art marketplace.

If, on the other hand, you're more interested in the look and are not all that concerned about how famous the artists are, buying at shows and shops as opposed to galleries is fine. You can still find reasonably good quality works of art at moderate prices. The artists may not be that well known, but shops still consider their accomplishments and sell pieces that illustrate the dominant themes and subject matters of the time period. This is not to say that you can't find occasional pieces of top quality art at collectibles shops and shows, but it's not likely and you really have to know what you're doing in order to make great buys. Buy art supplies, buy arts, buy clip art, buy fine art, buy modern art, buy original art, buy student art, canvas art for sale, clip art for sale, comic art for sale, contemporary art for sale, fine art for sale, fine art sale, fine art sales, folk art for sale, framed art for sale, framed art sale, garage sale clip art, graffiti art for sale, how to buy art, how to master the art of selling, how to sell art

How Dealers Price Art on The Internet

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It happens at art galleries, antique shops, shows, collectives, flea markets, estate sales, and in private transactions. It happens with price guides, auction records, appraisals, expert advice, casual chit-chat, and hearsay. And now it's happing with the internet. People who own art that they're interested in selling are now using the internet to figure out how much it's worth and how much they sell it for. They know that the more information they have access to, the more accurately they can set their prices. But first, a little history.....

Way way back in the old days (like the 1960's) sellers figured out asking prices mainly by going from gallery to gallery, antique to antique, expert to expert, dealer to dealer, and auction to auction. Because of the limited access to printed information, those who lived and worked in the world's major art centers or who travelled the most and knew the most people were the most qualified to accurately price art.

Then came price guides and auction records. Locating price information became easier (for those who knew these references existed and who could afford them), but at the same time, pricing art for sale became more of an abstract process. Since using books of art prices was nothing like speaking to living breathing knowledgeable human beings and getting price information firsthand, sellers tended to take the highest prices they could find and tack them onto their art. That's the down side to price reference research. The upside is that while people can pass on wrong art price information and/or innacurately interpret that information, art price guides and auction records deal only in facts and are almost always accurate. The overall effect, then, was far to the up side in that more people than ever before could now price their art more accurately.

Now we have the internet. The advent of online pricing has distanced the process even further from the realities of the marketplace. In many cases, people researching values have no idea who posts what price information, what those posters' qualifications are, how those prices are arrived at, or under what circumstances the art is for sale or has sold. Computer searches make price misreads increasingly likely because they're arrived at without the aid of traditional research techniques. At least with price guides and auction records, you can read about the authors and understand why they're qualified to publish the price information that they have. In many cases, internet information is so difficult to qualify and the sources so untraceable and vague that the chances for innacurate pricing are greater than ever.

The upshot of all this is that if you think you've priced your art right from online data searches, you can still be wrong. This may sound like double-talk, but here's an example. Suppose you live in rural Kentucky, sell antiques out of a booth in a small collective, and are trying to price an etching by a regional Texas artist. You locate the website of a Dallas gallery, find similar etchings priced and for sale, and put a comparable but slightly lower price on yours. To assume that the gallery's prices are good anywhere and at any time can be a big mistake.

For all you know, this gallery may exclusively handle the artist's estate, be attempting to create a market for the work by asking record high selling prices, and have a $40,000 a month overhead in the best gallery district in town. The owner may be one of the most important experts and respected dealers of Texas art and artists in the country and have access to all the wealthiest collectors. Outside of that gallery, the etchings may be worth nowehere near that much.

These days, I can be visiting a shop at a cross-roads in the middle of nowhere and find prices equivalent to what one might expect from a gallery on 57thStreet in New York City or on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. This happens because a top retail price gets posted on the internet, someone copies it without understanding it, someone else copies the copy, and so on until equally ridiculous prices can be found all over the country.

Finding an art price on a computer screen does not begin to equate with in-depth market research. You also need to understand why and under what conditions it is what it is. Hopefully the next stage in the internet art pricing evolution will be the proliferation of more sophisticated and competent research techniques and a deeper understanding of pricing guidelines. Remember this-- on your way to finding out "how much" don't forget to also find out "why," "where," and "under what circumstances."

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Fine Art Auction - Northern American Style

Writer John Rushkin once said, "Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together." There are few things more breathtaking than a well-composed painting - one where all the right colors, brush strokes and open space just dazzle the eyes and capture the imagination. A fine art auction is a great way to buy and sell fine art.

Despite the credit crisis, most purchasers who attend a fine art auction, aren't affected by the middle class squeeze or imploding housing market, as 6,000 to 7,000 eager bidders appeared at many of the fine art auctions this year. British abstractionist John Cecil Stephenson and American graffiti artist Shepard Fairey are expected to sell very well at prices from 7,500 British pounds to 150,000 pounds.

A recent Christie's art auction in New York City reeled in close to $395 million in net gains, despite having not sold a few of the reserves. Big sellers included Matisse's "L'Odalisque, harmonie bleu" (1937) which went for a record $33.6 million dollars, following a bidding war. Also, Pablo Picasso's "Femme accroupie au costume turc (Jacqueline)," painted in 1955, sold for $30.8 million dollars and his "Homme a la pipe" reached $16.8 million.

"The enduring importance of works of art as a stable and consistent store of cultural and economic values was demonstrated in tonight's dazzling sale," said Marc Porter, the head of Christie's America. Hence proving that to buy original art, as an investment, is alive and well.

Similarly, the Canadian art auction set for November 23, 2007 is expected to draw a large crowd and record breaking sales. There were encouraging signs at Heffel's fine art auction last May: a Lawren Harris painting ("Pine Tree and Red House") sold for $2.85 million, an Emily Carr fetched for $1 million, and the total sales reached $22.8 Million, which nearly doubled the previous Canadian record!

At the next auction, Heffel will be selling 19 other works by Lawren Harris and 8 rare pieces done in 1912 by Emily Carr, in addition to seven Tom Thomsons, three E.J. Hugheses, five Maurice Cullens, four Jean-Paul Riopelles, seven Frederick Varleys and eight A.J. Cassons.

Just this November, a woman discovered that a painting she had salvaged from her grandmother's estate sale decades earlier, was actually a rare Tom Thomson estimated at $250,000 to $350,000! This artwork will also be featured at the auction. The Heffel auction hopes to fetch $13 million to $18 million for its 236 lots.

Although 2007 hasn't been a particularly wonderful year for real estate or the economy, many lovers still find ways of financing their art collecting hobby. This is great news for auction houses and artists alike! That perfect piece may be waiting at a fine art auction, whether it be a portrait of Native Americans by Emily Carr or a Matisse abstract.

Author Resource:-> Enrich your knowledge further about fine art auction from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback at our fine art auctions blog where a free gift awaits you.

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What Is Contemporary Art Auction?

By: MIKE SELVON
The world of modern art is changing. Just visit a contemporary art auction for a clue. Unknown artists find the value of their works quadrupling within years. Chinese and Indian artists are finding greater audiences, and wealthy patrons of the arts aren't just paying thousands - they're paying millions.

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Traditionally, an artist's older works garnered higher bids and more frenzied requests. However, painters like Brice Marden are changing the status quo with a whole collection of recent, sought-after work.

The top 10 contemporary artists, whose works sold for over $5 million at auction, are as follows: Lucian Freud, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Brice Marden, Bruce Nauman, Robert Rauschenberg, Gerhard Richter, Richard Serra, Frank Stella, and Cy Twombly. Other artists (in the $1 - $4 million range) to look out for include: Chuck Close, David Hockney, Ellsworth Kelly, Anselm Kiefer, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Ryman, and Wayne Thiebaud.

Jasper Johns, one of the highest paid modern artists, can't seem to keep up with the demand. He paints two projects each month (which will sell for no less than $1 million), but the waiting list is still long. Entertainment giant David Geffen paid $40 million for "Gray Numbers" a few years back and New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art allegedly paid over $20 million for "White Flag."

John's colorful paintings touch upon Americana themes -- with lots of flags, maps and targets - with subtle messages that affect every onlooker differently. If a collector is fortunate enough to find a Jasper Johns in an art auction house, then there's no telling how much it'll sell for.

One can't help but wonder about what accounts for the noticeable trend towards modern art? Most of the buyers (42%) at the Sotheby's contemporary art auction continue to be Europeans, with the US trailing at 19%, and Asia / Middle Eastern sales at 12%.

It seems that the high price of the pound is hurting many Americans more than the credit crunch, but London's weekend auctions saw many advances from interested Indian and Chinese buyers looking for a piece of cultural heritage. For instance, two bidders fought over Yue Minjun's "Execution" for six minutes, which finally sold for a record breaking $2.93 million. Likewise, one of Putu Sutawijaya's paintings ("Silent Road") sold for $350,000 (11 times its estimated price) at the Borobudur Auction!

The art world is changing from the traditional swanky event, complete with fine wine, cheese and fashionable attire - to one of sitting behind the computer screen, credit card in hand. While it may seem impersonal to some, it's advantageous to others, who have the ability to hop between sites, checking the fair prices for the particular work they've got their eye on. After browsing online catalogues, art lovers can get a good idea of what's available in the up-to-date marketplace, and then make the best purchase later at a contemporary art auction.

Author Resource:-> Enrich your knowledge further about contemporary art auction from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback at our fine art auctions blog where a free gift awaits you.

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All of The Data Gathered Within DaVinci

a la mode, inc., one of the real estate industry's largest and most mission-critical technology companies, announced today that its DaVinci product is the first real estate appraisal program in the US to receive the Certified for Windows Vista logo, ushering in next-generation reliability to the real estate appraisal process. DaVinci also runs on Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

DaVinci allows appraisers to easily create floor plan sketches, either at the office using a desktop computer, or in the field using a Tablet PC or UMPC and a digital pen. When used on site at a field inspection, DaVinci allows appraisers to also gather required information, take freeform notes, and manage photos, in addition to sketching the floorplan.

a la mode's companion desktop formfilling software, WinTOTAL, is overwhelmingly the most popular appraisal program on the market, with more than half of all real estate appraisers nationwide utilizing it. All of the data gathered within DaVinci, including the sketch, stays organized in a single file that is saved in a native WinTOTAL format, which makes it seamless and simple to transfer to the final appraisal report.

Until now, appraisers typically used pencil, paper, and a traditional clipboard to sketch the property and gather data, but that process can easily introduce errors. It's possible using manual methods to overlook measurements, be unaware that a measurement is incorrect, or even fail to note important features of the property being appraised. DaVinci guides the appraiser through a completely customizable onsite inspection, and provides an interactive checklist of critical data which needs to be gathered before leaving the site. An appraiser in the field can also drive by comparable properties and complete the appropriate sections of the report directly within DaVinci, ensuring the best comparables are used and that the comparable data is as accurate as possible. Data is saved in the appraiser's Digital Workfile, storing a full audit trail of the work done and ensuring compliance with government regulations and professional standards.

In addition to improving the reliability of the information gathered, DaVinci enables the appraiser to go directly from the field inspection to the final report without retyping data or sorting through the subject and comparable photos, saving the appraiser substantial amounts of time and effort.

"The real estate industry is undergoing massive technological transformation, and appraisers are at the leading edge of it," said David Biggers, Chairman and founder of a la mode. "Microsoft's rigorous standards and independent laboratory testing allow companies such as ours to provide the innovative tools appraisers now require, while simultaneously assuring them that they'll have a positive experience with reliable software."

"Microsoft is pleased that a la mode has earned the Certified for Windows Vista software logo for its DaVinci application," said Jeff Price, Senior Director of Windows Client Product Management at Microsoft Corp. "This highlights a la mode's commitment to providing its customers with higher quality applications that deliver a more secure, reliable and compatible experience with Windows Vista."

Thousands of real estate professionals have downloaded and evaluated DaVinci prior to its release from the a la mode Labs website, providing valuable input and feedback as part of the development process. DaVinci is available for download at alamode.

About a la mode
Founded in 1985, a la mode develops desktop, mobile, and Web tools for the real estate and mortgage industries. a la mode's mission-critical products are used by hundreds of thousands of appraisers, agents, inspectors, and lending professionals to complete the nation's real estate transactions. a la mode's state-of-the-art offices are located in Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, and Washington, DC. For more information, visit alamode.

Like Stylish Canaries In a Coal Mine

Featured article from Google alert about arts. Sunday Real Estate Round-Up, 4/6/08
Luxist - Santa Monica,CA,USA
There is no record of a mortgage so she may have paid cash. --Art collector Adam Lindemann and his wife, Amalia Dayan have bought a slim townhouse at 64 ...

Like stylish canaries in a coal mine, Miami's art advisors are increasingly being looked to for early warnings of the art market's collapse. Indeed, even among those previously most bullish about contemporary art's investment potential, the question is no longer if a replay of the 1990 crash will unfold, but more often when it will arrive.

''I see the black clouds over every auction,'' says art advisor Lisa Austin, ruefully describing the flurry of anxious conversations preceding the recent art sales by Christie's, Phillips de Pury & Co. and Sotheby's auction houses in New York and London. ``Common sense says there's going to be a shake-out -- there's a similarity to the run-up of the art market of the late '80s. Everybody said that incredible pace couldn't be sustained.''

And they were right. When the art market bubble popped in 1990 amid a national recession, the realignment was vicious. Art stars of the 1980s such as Eric Fischl and Julian Schnabel suddenly found their work selling for a tenth of their earlier seven-figure price tags -- if it sold at all. As belt-tightening collectors abandoned the field, scores of galleries closed, forcing waves of previously successful artists to set down their paint brushes in search of day jobs.

This time out, with Miami's post-Art Basel gallery expansion handily dwarfing the '80s boom, the correction could be even more painful. ''Look at the way Art Basel has been marketed,'' says art advisor Heather Urban. ``I hear so many people talking as much about the parties, and who they're being seen with, as about the art.''

Once the cash -- and its attendant glitz -- drains away, many expect these fickle crowds to also vanish.

IN THE WORKS
To hear art advisor Dora Valdés-Fauli tell it, the weeding-out process has already begun. ''The art market is not immune to the same factors that have touched the housing market,'' Valdés-Fauli says. Many of the local banks she's helped assemble collections, such as Banco Santander International, have ceased new acquisitions. ''Look at Bear Stearns,'' she says, referring to the meltdown of the once seemingly-impregnable brokerage firm. ``Try to convince a bank board they should be purchasing art now.''

''Now is the time to cash out,'' says Lang Baumgarten, a longtime client of Lisa Austin's dating back to her stint as art director for Southeast Bank (whose own impressive collection was scattered to the winds following the bank's 1991 insolvency). As a commercial mortgage broker, Baumgarten has a quick metric for judging the market's peak: ''At the height of the real estate business, every hooker-model-actress in town reinvented themselves as a real-estate broker. Now those same people are calling themselves art consultants.'' Pointing to Eliot Spitzer's notorious overnight hotel guest, he scoffs, ``I'm sure Ashley Dupré is going to be an art advisor by next year.''

Read the complete article by Brett Sokol

Artspan Is Home to 2000 Artist

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Artspan is home to 2000 artist, artisan & art photographer member art sites. Visitors can use our search functions or directories to view thumbnail images, and click on the images to access the individual artist websites.

Artspan is a resource for anyone interested in contemporary art: painting, sculpture, photography, and much more. You can search for non-Artspan art sites or participate in the Forum or browse Articles.

Artspan is introducing a series of Portals to serve as gateways to genres, media and regions. See the categories below for portals featuring articles, reviews, events, extensive resource lists and links to individual websites. For more portals, go to the Portals Menu.

Since its beginnings in late 1999, the mission of Artspan has been to serve the visual arts community: both contemporary artists looking to create and consumers looking to purchase original contemporary art, contemporary art prints, art photography and more.

Artspan provides its fine artist members with easy-to-update low-cost elegant artist website templates. These fully customizable websited enable members to put their art online in minutes. These full member sites, along with the associate member sites, benefit from the top search engine rankings and resulting high volume of traffic artspan.com receives every day. This means more people will view your art - everyday.

Visitors use Artspan's fine art search functions or artist directories to find art of interest to them. Whether they are looking for abstract paintings, landscape paintings or still life art, art photography, sculpture, ceramics or other works of fine art, it will be found at artspan.com.

Search for artwork by genre, medium, style, region or keyword with our advanced search functions. Or browse our many distinct directories - regional (state or country), category (and subcategory), or alphabetical. Explore the extraordinary variety of contemporary art found on our network of thousands of artist websites. We invite you also to participate in the art Forum and to take a look at the Articles section as well as the Calendar.

The year 2007 saw a further evolution of Artspan as we began to introduce multiple portals to serve as gateways to contemporary painting, art photography, sculpture, mixed media, fine art prints, ceramics, art jewelry, fiber arts and many more. These portals serve to introduce the different categories of artistic expression, giving each a distinct portal. They feature news and exhibits and also incorporate alphabetical directories of the members whose work corresponds to that particular portal. We invite all who are interested in contemporary art to visit us frequently, to follow our continuing evolution.

Knowing enough about Artspan, artist, art, arts, painting, sculpture, photography, contemporary art, modern art, artist websites, portal, featuring articles, reviews, events, extensive resource lists and links to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about Artspan, artist, art, arts, painting, sculpture, photography, contemporary art, modern art, artist websites, portal, featuring articles, reviews, events, extensive resource lists and links, you should have nothing to worry about.

Art is a True Storyteller

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I trust that what you've read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

There are many reasons to buy art. You may want to decorate your home, buy a special present for someone who loves art, or you might be an independent collector and just wish to invest in art. Some people buy art because they think owning it will improve their social standing. Some people buy art because it reflects their values or philosophies of life. Regardless of your reasons for buying art, the reason you buy certain art will be no doubt be personal.

When you buy art, you will likely buy based on intuition. Certain pieces will evoke a feeling or a mood almost immediately upon viewing them. That feeling will either be good or bad. Studies indicate that art makes people feel a certain way and anyone who creates, views or collects art knows that is true.

An artist experiences their work differently than a collector; who experiences it differently than a gallery viewer. That is one of the reasons art is so interesting. Art can preserve memories and create dreams. A painting truly is worth 1,000 words. Buying art that makes you feel good feeds your spirit and makes you healthy. Art can reduce stress by adding to the beauty and tranquility of your environment and by projecting certain and appropriate moods.

Art is often important to individuals because it compliments existing surroundings or memorializes someone or something dear. Art can be healing, motivational, endearing or upsetting. It can move people to tears, to laughter or to rage. It is an outlet of expression void of words but deep in meaning and symbolism.

For some, art personifies strength and honor. Animals are a popular subject and certain animal artwork gives status to the owner, much like owning a fancy car would. Art as a means of pleasing the senses has undoubtedly been stimulating imagination and creativity for centuries. Meanings are often buried within symbols, colors and textures.

Civilizations, cultures and individuals use art as the depository of their history. Art makes people proud to live, work, and play where they do. They point to their museums, public monuments, and cultural institutions with pride, as they should. Art is a true storyteller of life through the ages.

No matter why you are buying art, feeling and intuition will play a major role in your decision to buy any particular piece. So now you know a little bit about arts, buy art, story teller, personal side, artwork, fine art, authentic originals. Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've expanded your knowledge.

Art Insurance Preview

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"The Scream" and "Madonna," two major paintings by famous Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, were recently stolen from the Munch Museum in Norway by armed robbers in broad daylight. The significance of the art theft is notable, but what's really shocking is that the art was not insured against theft (although it was insured for fire and water damage, for restoration costs that would be incurred to repair the paintings if they were damaged). According to a BBC news story, John Oyaas, managing director of the museum's insurers, said of the paintings, "They are not replaceable so you can't buy "The Scream" on the street and put a copy up there. The focus is on other issues than insuring them. To a certain extent this is common practice because these items aren't replaceable."

Now let's take a close look at that statement. Oyass appears to be saying that the paintings are so valuable that they're not worth insuring, or put another way, since the paintings are not replaceable, insuring them is a waste of money. This thinking makes absolutely no sense. The museum should have had theft insurance (assuming that's permissible in Norway); all museums should have theft insurance, as should all art galleries and private collections. Whether or not a work of art is "replaceable" is not the issue. The issue is getting compensated if the art is stolen. What's better a stolen painting and a $5 million insurance settlement or a stolen painting and a $0 insurance settlement?

"But theft insurance is way too expensive."

Yes, the cost of insuring a museum's entire collection is prohibitive, but thieves don't normally steal the entire collection. They only steal part of it, and usually a pretty small part. So insure only a part of it. Theft insurance covers "incidents," not specific works of art, unless the insured specifies individual coverage for specific works of art in the policy. In other words, if you purchase theft insurance, you're insured for the coverage amount no matter what gets stolen. You may not recoup the entire amount of the loss, but at least you'll have something.

"But insuring even our few most valuable paintings is still too expensive."

So that's a rationale for not insuring anything? How about this idea pay for as much insurance as you can afford, maybe $1,000,000, maybe $10,000,000? That way, if art gets stolen, at least you have enough money to hire top quality private investigators to try and recover it, get publicity for the theft, or perhaps even pay a ransom. Or use the money to buy a state-of-the-art security system for your museum (or gallery or private collection) so that theft doesn't happen again. Forget about whether or not art is replaceable or unique or iconic; receiving compensation for a theft is what counts, and using that compensation to either recover the art, offset the loss in revenues that may result from the art being stolen, or make life more difficult for people who steal art, so difficult, hopefully, that many will stop stealing it.

Insurance tips for anyone, public or private, who owns expensive art:

* Photograph and document your collection, or at least the most valuable works in your collection. Include current appraisals, original sales receipts, and any additional paperwork that speaks directly to the value of your art.

* Buy as much insurance as you can comfortably afford, whether or not that amount covers the entire value of your art. Most loss, damage, or theft affects only a portion of a collection, not the entire collection. To repeat-- receiving some compensation is better than receiving no compensation at all.

* Make sure you understand your insurance policy. This means reading the fine print, and asking every question about every conceivable loss or damage situation that you can think of. You don't want to find out after a loss that you were not covered for that specific type of loss.

* Theft/damage insurance for art, added onto your home insurance, generally costs $1-$2 annually per $1000 of coverage (less if you have a good security system in place). Several insurance companies specialize in covering art and antiques exclusively. Coverage details can be discussed and/or negotiated with your insurance company.

There's no excuse for not insuring an art collection. If you can afford the art, you can afford the insurance. And remember you don't have to insure for every last penny of value in your collection. Loss or damage rarely affects an entire collection, and you'll find that in the large majority of cases, even partial coverage will reimburse you for a substantial percentage of the dollar amount involved in most occurrences.

I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing the more you understand about any subject, the more you will be able to share with others.

About Art And Money

When most people think of art, art and money, artist, collectors, what comes to mind is usually basic information that's not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there's a lot more to art, art and money, artist, collectors than just the basics.

You can see that there's practical value in learning more about art, art and money, artist, collectors. Can you think of ways to apply what's been covered so far?

What is it about art and money anyway? Artists agonize about how to accurately price their work. Collectors anguish over whether the art they buy is worth what they pay for it. Even dealers perplex about which side of the fine line their price strategies come down on reasonable or preposterous. In fact, we all have moments when we wonder whether art is worth anything at all.

The relationship between art and money can indeed be confusing, especially if you're not familiar with the business side of things, but if you look carefully at how the pros assess and evaluate art and its markets, you sooner or later realize that methodology almost always triumphs over conjecture. In fact, the art market is overwhelmingly orderly no matter which side of the creative equation you're on-- producer or consumer. Sure the routine goes a little haywire every now and again, but it returns to vibrant health each and every time. And yes, pesky itinerant opportunists are always on the lookout for neophytes to flimflam, but not even the most virulent among them can survive that transcendent one-two punch-- connoisseurial concurrence and the passage of time.

The art and money affiliation starts out innocently enough, pure and virginal; the easiest art markets to decipher being those of artists at the outsets of their careers. At these early stages, values are based primarily on physical considerations like studio rents, costs of equipment and materials, how long art takes to make, what size it is, and the like. Geography also factors into the equation somewhat as cost of living varies by region. Simply put, if your cost of living is low, all else being equal, you can afford to charge less for your art. Additionally, certain insular regional scenes may layer on entry-level surcharges, for example, in locations with uncharacteristically high percentages of galleries like Carmel, Scottsdale, Laguna Beach, or Santa Fe.

Beyond the beginning, however, the artscape complicates fast about as fast as dealers, curators, collectors, prognosticators, and critics insert themselves into the paradigm. Suddenly in addition to concrete facts about the art, you have third party concerns to contend with including opinions, politics, connections, influence, who owes who, who has access how many dollars, and fuzz like that. So begins a wondrous period of market mayhem mild style that interval which starts when an artist first "gets noticed," continues as the artist determinedly endures year after year of making and showing art, and hopefully concludes with that artist proving his or her mettle to the extent that cognoscenti who count declare them "here to stay." In the meantime, clarity of perspective remains elusive, and about all anyone can do is speculate on what might one day be, based on what's happened so far.

In a sense, all art is priced speculatively. Since art has no tangible value, significance can only be ascribed, never quantified. But there are degrees of speculation ranging from realistic and fact-based to incomprehensibly incongruous. For example, under normal circumstances, price levels for artists at various stages in their careers increase orderly and incrementally according to convention, i.e. according to how prices for artists who preceded these artists increased orderly and incrementally, according to advances in their careers, and so on and so forth it's kind of like tradition. Of course any artist can change direction or even stop making art at any time, career moves like that constituting the wild side of the speculation game, but generally, the chances of unanticipated occurrences decrease the longer an artist is around. And generally, prices rise predictably according to each successive success an artist racks up including notable one-person shows, museum exposures, published monographs on their work, and so on the amount of any given price increase proportionate to the significance of the respective accomplishment. You follow me? Good. The boring part of the article is now officially over. Time to get twisty with a little comparative art market analysis from a speculative perspective.

Take Banksy and Shepard Fairey, two undeniably influential urban talents, both with careers firmly rooted in outdoor art, both active for about the same periods of time, yet the makeup of the current markets for their respective work could not be more different. Now I don't claim to be an authority on the evolutionary intricacies of either artist's career, but maybe that's a good thing, kind of an unaffected outsider-looking-in kinda thing. Because when I look at these two, I see the entire speculative continuum of art and money in microcosm with one artist securely ensconced at each end of that continuum.

On the Shepard Fairey end you have a market that proceeds about as orderly as any artist's market can, progressing gradually, show after show after show, with no abrupt price fluctuations, no radical shifts in philosophy or in the art that's presented always on point, on message, on topic, on target, and most importantly, on audience. Yes, prices have increased over the years, but predictably so, and special added bonus pretty much anybody who collected Fairey in the late 1990's can still collect him today. In other words, by playing to everyone who shows any level of interest in his work, from fresh converts to steadfast devotees, he retains, solidifies, and grows his collector base. Reasons for the controlled rational nature of the Fairey phenomenon likely revolve around the artist and his core beliefs about art, but could also include guidance from dealers, collectors, his fan base in general, and related qualified "advisors."

This isn't so much about Shepard Fairey, by the way, as it is a classic example of art market stability. Fairey's produced (and continues to produce) an abundance of art, made thousands of sales at a variety of price points, has a proven track record, and certainly appears committed to the lifestyle for the long haul. His sales history and career progress are easy to document, the market for his art is a picture of health, and his creative legacy is practically a foregone conclusion. In other words, speculating on the subsequent course of Shepard Fairey's career is about as close as you can come to not speculating at all.

Now hold on to your hats 'cuz here we go. On the opposite end of the continuum is Banksy, the art world's speculative acme-du-jour. As little as three years ago his art was selling for pocket change and today the ante is well into the tens of thousands of dollars just to play a hand. But what's the game?

Banksy backers point to Angelina Jolie's recent patronage to the tune of some hundreds of thousands of dollars. But does this mean anything? Does it lend credence and durability to the market for Banksy art? Not really. It's little more than Hollywood headline news. Jolie is not known for her art collection, and her acquisitions certainly don't impact the mindsets of art world stalwarts. Maybe if the buyer were Steve Martin, a world-class collector, things would be different.

Oh wait... you don't know what art world stalwarts are? They're loyalists of the highest order, people who would rather buy art than EAT, who devote their lives to collecting art and supporting artists, who understand what they collect as well as anybody out there, who continually contemplate and reflect on day to day developments with artists in particular and with the art world in general, and who are in the thick of the hunt until the ends of their days. And do you know how many people that represents? Not many. The truth is that only a small percentage of people who buy art do so in large enough ways to influence the course of collecting (and perhaps even of art history) as well they should. We like that level of experience, commitment, and dedication at the helm. The flip side, however, is that this small percentage can only support (and subsequently deify in perpetuity) a small number of artists. Furthermore, the deification process is slow and methodical, no matter who the artist, requiring decade after decade of accomplishment after accomplishment and success after success each and every instance subject to acute unforgiving scrutiny. Nothing ever happens fast at least nothing enduring.

Which brings us back to Banksy. Over the past several years, his art has escalated in value faster than pretty much any substance known to man. A price structure that topped in the low $1000's as recently as 2004 now exceeds $100,000 at the high end, with barely a rope footbridge to connect the two sides of the cash chasm a circumstance that's not particularly healthy for either the art market in general or for Banksy in particular. It's not the folks who buy Banksy at the bottom of the chain letter that anybody should be concerned about they've got far more money than they do ways to spend it. It's Banksy his meteoric rise to mythic status and price structure to go with it uncompromisingly intensify the pressure to perform to sustain the frenzy. Gobs of $$$ are riding on him too, many of which are fickle and prepared to go south at the slightest hitch. So here we stand, arms folded, toes tapping, waiting for his next big coup.

And let's say that next coup's a jewel and the next and the next. Where do prices go? $1 million Banksy's in another couple of years? To complicate matters, if he decides to take any kind of hiatus, there's not a lot in the way of history or stability to fall back on, to hold in the heat, to preserve the status quo. And one more irksome detail step outside the vortex for a moment, look around, and you quickly realize you can buy exceptionally serious established eternally enshrined blue chip art for $100,000, not to mention a million $$. Seems like tunnel vision's temporarily trumped reality.

This isn't so much about Banksy, by the way, as it is a classic example of a market that's spiraled perilously out of control. Banksy's a major player in terms of advancing the envelope of what art is, especially on a popular level, but his market stability and continuity from longevity standpoints are tenuous to say the least. Everybody's all caught up in the hubbub of the moment, while whoever's in charge of the big picture appears to be taking a long lunch. Will Banksy weather the storm to triumph and prosper? Will big money buyers continue to feed the machine? Stay tuned.

So there you have it. The best way to learn about art prices is to critically honestly earnestly dissect and evaluate artist markets, one by one, until you begin to get a feel for the territory. Not only is there a realistic dollar value for everything, but there's also a perfectly logical fact-based explanation to go with it. It's that simple and no more complicated. And I wish both Banksy and Shepard Fairey long and continued success with their art.

I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing the more you understand about any subject, the more you will be able to share with others.

See The African Art Galleries

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of arts, African arts, art galleries, business, business place, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of arts, African arts, art galleries, business, business place.

If you don't have accurate details regarding arts, African arts, art galleries, business, business place, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don't let that happen: keep reading.

African art culture consists of different art forms created by various tribes. This African tribal art is regarded as one of the finest creations in the world of art. Africans use art for cross-cultural dialogues, personal therapies and in order to communicate with gods and ancestors. Hence, art is an integral part of the daily African life. The main material used for most African art forms was wood, which was decorated with clay, shells, beads, ivory, metal and feathers. Masks and figures have also been the most important types of art forms that were used in religious ceremonies. The tremendous collection of all these African art forms and their replicas can be found in different African art galleries all over the world.

These art galleries display the most sought after and authentic art pieces of the African art culture, which is difficult to find anywhere else.

There are a number of African art galleries in different cities that promote their local as well as international African artists. Some of these art galleries attempt to participate in at least 10 big expositions every year and there have been many shows of these galleries in the U.S. too. African art has been known for its culture and tradition. Most of the African art forms depict the understanding of aesthetic principles and latest developments, religious and ceremonial values and other moral ideas. Hence, the work of many African artists help to have a detailed understanding about the African people, their culture and their wildlife through various oil paintings and other art forms. The Hamill Gallery of African Art and the Mark Art Gallery are amongst the many African art galleries located in different parts of the world.

African art galleries showcase the unique collection of African art that includes Tribal Masks, Statues, Figurines, Paintings, Ostrich Egg shell decoupage, ethnic clothing, Djembes (type of drums), textiles, jewelry and other artifacts. Though a proper knowledge of the African history is necessary in order to understand African art, the work displayed by various African art galleries gives an idea about the visual impact and spiritual power of the tribal art.

African Art provides detailed information on African Art, African Tribal Art, African Wildlife Art, African American Art and more. African Art is affiliated with Abstract Art Paintings.

That's how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.

Art Prints as a Business

The only way to keep up with the latest about arts, business, guide to business, make money, buy art, sell art, and financials is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about arts, business, guide to business, make money, buy art, sell art, and financials, it won't take long for you to become an influential authority.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there's more to arts, business, guide to business, make money, buy art, sell art, and financials than you may have first thought.

Art prints are reproductions of an original work of art like paintings made by a photomechanical process. Art prints capture the rich and vibrant colors of original artwork. Unlike posters, art prints are made using special heavier print stock that is mainly intended for prints.

Compared to posters, art prints are highly durable. A high-quality art print can last for several years. Even though they are longer lasting than posters, they should be treated with special care to prevent fading and discoloration. Certain art prints can be washed with glass cleaner.

Most people think of art prints when they have to decorate a room or a new space. Art prints play a vital role in decorating your rooms. Selecting art prints is very important as they can change the look and feel of a room. Using a carefully selected art print, one can achieve the illusion of lengthening, broadening or heightening the room.

A well-chosen art print reflects the taste and style of the family that occupies the house. Art prints made in different art styles such as Asian, American masters, art deco, expressionism, folk art, gothic art, modern renaissance art, and vintage are perfect to complement one’s room decor. In addition to decorating rooms, art prints are a good gifting option. For instance, bird art prints are ideal gifts for nature lovers.

In the early days before the internet became a marketplace, art prints were available only through galleries or museum shops. Today, art prints can be shopped online at a reasonable price. Art prints available online are categorized by artists, subject, colors, and art styles. Gift certificates for art prints are also available.

Most of the websites offer a wide range of online catalog of art prints of famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Paul Cezanne, Leroy Neiman, Rene Magritte, and Jack Vettriano. Art prints based on different subjects like American life, animals, architecture, fantasy, humor, landscape, spirituality and religion, music, and world culture are available as well.

Art Prints provides detailed information on Art Prints, Fine Art Prints, Framed Art Prints, Original Fine Art Prints and more. Art Prints is affiliated with Fine Art Galleries.

This article's coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.

About Fine Art Galleries

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of arts, art galleries, business, business place, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of arts, art galleries, business, business place.

So far, we've uncovered some interesting facts about arts, art galleries, business, business place. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

Art in its creative form is a stress buster, and visiting a fine art gallery is similar to exposing the mind to interesting and colorful ideas. When we talk of fine art, translated from French term “beaux arts” in 1767, we refer to an elitist art form, concerned with subtlety and traditions.

Fine art includes in its repertoire a gamut of visual art forms that include painting, sculpture, craftwork, applied arts in all its avatars, theater, photography, opera, poetry recitations, or etchings and drawings. The fine art galleries, continuing with the tradition of their brand name, are not mere rooms or galleries that house paintings but are metamorphosing into places of recreation where visitors stroll in, admire or dissect art, enjoy wine, or meet with fellow artists and critics.

Compared with online art galleries, the fine art galleries have to rely on customer loyalty for continuance. Newer clientele is always in short supply, and galleries are looking at unique ways to add to their cultural quotient along with economic benefits. Most fine art galleries are supported by high-profile professionals or business people who, in turn, support charities. By participating in or partnering with charities, the art galleries gain the customer loyalty of existing and new patrons. Another advantage for both the charity organizer and gallery owner is new mailing lists and footfalls, even if paintings and works of art do not fetch the anticipated amounts.

Another novel method of getting in discerning crowds is arranging art walks, tours, an open studio, meet-the-artist programs, or gallery events, or to tie up with neighboring or sister galleries to familiarize visitors with fine or elitist art forms as well as popularize the gallery. Sometimes, to focus attention on an ongoing exhibition theme, artists themselves organize live music shows, theater or dance shows, art auctions or appearances by signing their artwork. These activities have helped fine art galleries to broaden their customer bases and still maintain exclusivity.

Art Galleries provides detailed information on Art Galleries, Art Gallery Dealers, Fine Art Galleries, Online Art Galleries and more. Art Galleries is affiliated with Framed Art Prints.

It never hurts to be well-informed with the latest on arts, art galleries, business, business place. Compare what you've learned here to future articles so that you can stay alert to changes in the area of arts, art galleries, business, business place.

Buy & Sell Artwork Like Never Before

Do you ever feel like you know just enough about arts, art galleries, business, business place to be dangerous? Let's see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from arts, art galleries, business, business place experts.

The more authentic information about arts, art galleries, business, business place you know, the more likely people are to consider you a arts, art galleries, business, business place expert. Read on for even more arts, art galleries, business, business place facts that you can share.

Art communities are one of the latest and greatest ways many people are finding original art for sale without having to deal with the hoopla typically associated with buying art. Rather than having to go to a gallery, talk to the gallery staff, and navigate all of the unspoken hoops of the art world, online art communities are becoming more and more popular destinations for those who want to look through original fine art and decide what they like on their own terms. Art communities allow you to search and admire in your own time and your own living room while also providing a direct link to the artist.

Art communities as a whole are adding an entirely new dimension to the art world by allowing new art buyers to get experience in the field as well as helping amateur artists and hobbyists find forums for their work besides starving artist sales, craft shows, and flea markets. Among the best of the art communities available to the new art buyers and sellers is The Vision Grove, where original fine art is in abundance, buyers can read introductions from artists in their own words, and artists themselves have a built-in support system when posting original art for sale. Unlike other art communities, The Vision Grove doesn’t stop at original fine art – they also offer clothing, pottery, and other artisan-crafted materials.

While art communities specializing in connecting buyers and sellers are fairly new on the internet, they’re quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for those interested in original art for sale. The reasoning behind using art communities is fairly obvious: absolutely no pressure, gorgeous original art for sale, and instant connections with top-quality buyers and sellers. And, of course, for the top quality in art communities, The Vision Grove is a must-see stop! thevisiongrove

Knowing enough about arts, art galleries, business, business place to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about arts, art galleries, business, business place, you should have nothing to worry about.

Art Galleries as The Art Business Place

This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding arts, art galleries, business, business place. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about arts, art galleries, business, business place.

Now that we've covered those aspects of arts, art galleries, business, business place, let's turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

Art galleries are the perfect settings for exhibiting art, generally visual art such as paintings, sculptures, and photography. Basically, art galleries feature a variety of art styles including contemporary and traditional fine art, glass art, art prints, and animation art. Art galleries are dedicated to the promotion of emerging artists. These galleries provide a platform for them to display their works along with the works of nationally and internationally renowned artists.

The U.S. has a wealth of famous art galleries. Many small towns in the U.S. boast of an art gallery. The High Museum of Art, Alleged Gallery, Henry Art Gallery, National Gallery of Art, Washington Gallery of Modern Art, Agora Gallery, Rosalux Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, The Alaska House Gallery, and Anchorage Museum of History and Art are some of the famous art galleries in the United States. Today, there are online art galleries exhibiting original artwork.

Many famous art galleries display regional pieces of art such as African art, American art, Indian art, and European art, along with folk art, modern and contemporary art, and photography. These galleries collect, exhibit, and preserve the works of art for the coming generations. Many famous art galleries strive to entertain and educate their regional, national, and international audiences. Some famous art galleries specialize in particular areas such as portraits. A good number of famous art galleries are owned and operated by government.

Most famous art galleries provide an opportunity for visitors to purchase outstanding artwork. Also, they organize several art-related activities such as music concerts and poetry readings for children and adults. Art galleries organize seminars and workshops conducted by renowned artists. Committed to excellence in both art and service, most famous art galleries offer you a rich, unforgettable experience.

You can't predict when knowing something extra about arts, art galleries, business, business place will come in handy. If you learned anything new about &keyword% in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again.

Find Work for a Graphic Artist Part 2

When you're learning about something new, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.

Most of this information comes straight from the art, arts, artists, find work, graphic artists, self employee pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you'll know what they know.

LOCAL AND REGIONAL ART GALLERIES
Visit art galleries near your home. Talk with the staff, and see if you're comfortable with them. Let them know that you're an artist, and that you're looking for representation. They may ask you to return with your portfolio or sample work.

Before committing to any gallery, learn more about their reputation. Most galleries are wonderful to work with, but a few aren't. Be especially cautious before signing an exclusive contract. It's fair to work with just one gallery in a particular area, but you should be free to work with distant galleries as well.

Galleries can provide regular income, but most artists don't earn a living from gallery sales alone. Nevertheless, gallery representation is a good addition to your resume.

With these long-term seeds planted, it's time to find some immediate income as a graphic artist.

While you're waiting for--or working on--bigger opportunities, you'll need income to pay your bills. If you market yourself aggressively, you can have a paycheck in less than a week.

PRINT SHOPS
The first place to visit is your local print shop. If there are several in your area, start with the more upscale printers, especially "mom and pop" print shops. Often, their customers bring sketches or poor quality originals for printing. The print shops hire artists to create--or at least clean up--the originals. If you can complete the necessary work overnight or faster, you may find steady work this way.

Many small print shops aren't current with technology. If you're comfortable with computer graphics, there may be steady income in this area.

For example, scanning a sketch and increasing its contrast can produce a print-ready graphic. If the shop is accustomed to redrawing the illustration from scratch, you'll save them time, money, and headaches if you offer them this digital alternative.

Some print shops have a bulletin board where local businesses can post their business cards. Make sure that your card stands out, and that it's clearly the card of a good artist. Leave a stack of your business cards with the shop, if they're willing to hand them out when a customer needs a special graphic or illustration.

INTERIOR DECORATORS AND DESIGNERS
After visiting every local print shop, it's time to explore alternatives. If you can make fine art (drawings, paintings, mixed media pieces) to order, print some full-color pages showing small samples of your work. Take them--and your business cards--to every interior decorator in your area.

Often, designers need a picture that features specific colors and perhaps a certain theme, in a precise size. If you develop a reputation for creating quality art quickly, this can be another steady source of income.

FREELANCING IN THE MEDIA
If you aren't already overwhelmed with work, your next stop is the local newspaper. Many newspapers have their own photographers and advertising artists, but some use freelancers instead. And, even if they have a competent graphics staff, they may need special work now and then.

For example, your black-and-white digital collages might be perfect as cover illustrations for newspaper supplements, especially at holidays such as the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, and Christmas. Or, you could create line drawings from vintage photos for a regular column about local history.

Regional cable TV shows and local news shows often need graphics to represent specific subjects and themes. When they don't have a news photo to use as an illustration, they'll often rely on a generic graphic. Watch these local shows and see which of them could use better art. If you show up for an interview with readymade art in hand, you may make a sale on the spot.

ALTERNATIVE MARKETS
Look for unusual ways to sell your art. The local mattress shop may sell more beds if art on the walls creates a home-like ambience.

City buildings and public spaces need art. You might be surprised at the existing programs that encourage federal, state, and city offices to purchase and display art. In some cases, your town hall may not know about these programs. More often, these offices haven't purchased art because they didn't know how to find a good local artist.

Professional offices may be unhappy with the inexpensive prints they're displaying. Seeking better art is often a low priority for doctors, dentists, and lawyers. Whether you can create a large, clever cartoon to brighten a waiting room, or a full-sized mural for a hallway, there may be opportunities just a few feet from your front door.

ONE SALE LEADS TO THE NEXT
When you sell art that will be seen by the public, it's a good idea to write a press release about this. Your public library has books about writing press releases. Be sure to include a photo of yourself with the art, as well as easy ways for potential clients to contact you.

When the press release appears as an article in the newspaper, be sure that a copy of this is in your portfolio. Also, send copies to local art agents and interior decorators, to remind them that you're available for freelance work.

Looking for work as a graphic artist can seem overwhelming at first. Take it one step at a time. By planting seeds for long-term income and filling in with immediate, local work, you'll soon have a very successful career creating art that you love.

If you've picked some pointers about art, arts, artists, find work, graphic artists, self employee that you can put into action, then by all means, do so. You won't really be able to gain any benefits from your new knowledge if you don't use it.

Find Work for a Graphic Artist Part 1

The following article presents the very latest information on art, arts, artists, find work, graphic artists, self employee. If you have a particular interest in art, arts, artists, find work, graphic artists, self employee, then this informative article is required reading.

Think about what you've read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about art, arts, artists, find work, graphic artists, self employee? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?

If you're a graphic artist, the sky's the limit when you're planning your career. Income opportunities are everywhere when you know how and where to look.

Make these important preparations before looking for work: Be sure that your portfolio is current and represents your best work. Update your CV or resume. Print business cards, and copy slides of your art. If you have a website for your art, make sure that it's fresh, that your images load quickly and completely, and that all of your links work.

With those basics in place, it's time to look for work.

A JOB OR SELF-EMPLOYMENT?
First, decide is whether to work for a company or be self-employed. That will depend more upon your best work environment rather than opportunities. Some people remain most creative when they don't have to worry about a weekly paycheck, and are required to keep a regular work routine. Others flourish when the boss is the client, or even an agent, rather than a constant supervisor who may not understand how artists work.

In general, you'll earn far more money if you freelance in art. But, you may need to develop good work habits and self-discipline.

If you're going to look for a fulltime job, or two or three part-time jobs in art, start with the newspaper. Help wanted ads are usually the best resource. You may also discover jobs if you network with other local artists; they'll let you know if someone has given notice and a job is about to open up.

But, in the long run, it's better to freelance. Most artists find that they are more productive when they can work on their own schedules rather than someone else's.

There are two sources of income that you'll focus on when you start: Immediately identify sources of significant future income. These are big projects that you may work on just two or three times a year, with good pay and great visibility. Then, start finding easy short-term work to keep the bills paid.

BEGIN AT THE LIBRARY
The first thing to do when you're "planting seeds" for a long-term harvest as an artist, is to go to the public library.

Your first stop will be the reference desk, where you'll ask for a book called "Artist's Markets." (Sometimes the title changes slightly. And, when the art market is booming, the publisher may issue a separate "Illustrator's Markets.") This is an annual publication that lists every major publisher, agent, and other resource for selling your art. The book tells you who is buying, what they're looking for, how to approach them, and how much--and how soon--they'll pay you.

The focus of this book is often illustration. However, illustration isn't just line drawings and clever cartoons. If you're a fine artist, many publishers are looking for impressive work to feature on book and magazine covers.

Read through "Artist's Markets" and select five or ten companies to contact. Note everything that they say in their listing. When art is rejected, it's rarely because the work wasn't good enough; usually the artist didn't follow directions. Perhaps he sent slides when the company wanted prints, or missed the deadline altogether.

While you're at the library, look through their collection of art-related magazines. Many magazines for artists list upcoming shows, competitions, grants, and other opportunities to show and sell your art. These will not only make your resume look better, but also provide income.

Also, ask your library about shows that they host. Many public libraries feature the work of

local artists. They may have an annual show in a meeting room, or a steady, rotating exhibit of local art. A helpful librarian may also tell you about other businesses that have similar displays.

HIRE AN AGENT
You can double your efforts if you find an agent to represent you. Your agent's job is to find steady work for you, and to act as a buffer between you and the client so that everyone is happy with the completed project, as well as your paycheck.

But, it may take awhile to find the right agent. First of all, you'll want an agent who is fun to work with. But, it's even more important to have an agent who can find steady assignments for you. Start looking for an agent early, but expect that it may take awhile. And, most agents want to see an impressive portfolio of work that's already sold.

Using "Artist's Markets" and your local phone book, make a list of art agents in your area. Many agents specialize in local artists, and this is a good place to start.

If an agent is looking for new artists, call for an appointment immediately. As you get ready for your interview, dress like a professional and make certain that your portfolio represents the kind of art that this agent is looking for. Be a little early for your appointment; many artists are notorious for being chronically late. Go out of your way to smile and be friendly. The "dark, brooding artist" is another stereotype to break quickly for a good impression.

But, remember that you're interviewing the agent while the agent is interviewing you. Never sign with an agent if the chemistry isn't right, or if something doesn't feel right to you. And, the agent earns his or her money as a percentage of what you're paid; there should be no up-front fees.

There's no doubt that the topic of art, arts, artists, find work, graphic artists, self employee can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about art, arts, artists, find work, graphic artists, self employee, you may find what you're looking for in the next article.

The Art of Negotiation

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of arts, business, guide to business, make money, buy art, sell art, and financials, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of arts, business, guide to business, make money, buy art, sell art, and financials.

Hopefully the information presented so far has been applicable. You might also want to consider the following:

This is important even for our arts business. In the art of negotiation, whether it is business or personal requires planning and execution. Unlike toddlers, who negotiate by crying and rolling around on the floor, adults need to employ a different skill set to get their point across. The following are some tips for successful negotiation.

Before the meeting be well rested and well fed- also visit the restroom before “entering the arena” as you don’t want a nature call to have you leave the room or adjourn the meeting early.

Wear comfortable, yet appropriate clothing- the commercial expression “don’t let them see you sweat” is never more applicable. A tight collar and or tie or a skirt that is being hitched or hiked that will cause you to fidget will detract from your image.

Focus on issues, not personalities- if you have to deal with persons you don’t like (or those you do like) it is tempting to let your thoughts about that person influence your behavior. Focusing on your goal and treating everyone as an equal will help matters become resolved in your favor. By treating all fairly you will avoid simmering about grudges or worrying about feelings, which can be an obstacle in your success.

Speak in supportive statements- Attach credibility to your statements by speaking in facts not feelings. Avoid sentences beginning with “I think” “I feel” or “In my opinion”. When stating facts, be prepared to quote your sources and elaborate or deflect questions meant to deflate your position. Being armed with facts stands up better than trying to justify feelings.

Listen (with more than your ears)- Listen for audible content but also watch the body language. Are your opponents sitting with an “open” body posture or are their arms tightly folded across their chest? Are they scratching their nose often in disbelief? Are they looking down or are they engaging you with their eyes in a game of “blink” to establish who is boss?

Find points of agreement to build on- pick up points that you agree upon and incorporate them into your presentation. An example would be “I agree with you on the importance of XYZ, and this is how the implementation of PDQ can benefit XYZ".

Choose your battles wisely and place some “decoy” items on the table- a trick popular with attorneys is to ask for much more than you want so that you can “sacrifice” superfluous or unreasonable items to gain ground for the important issues. Compromise with care on items important to you. Weigh carefully whether holding out will be in your best interest. Sometimes a speedy resolution isn’t the best.

Take minutes- Have someone tape or take minutes so that all that has been said is recorded. Reiterate that your responsibility will be and that you will execute your part right away. If in a business meeting you can end by saying “I will have this in a memo to distribute this afternoon” or “I will make the necessary phone calls to get this rolling right away”. If contracts are involved, have them ready on the spot or as soon as possible to get a signature to what has been agreed. Although most contracts have a “cooling off” period of three days or so, getting a written commitment to your settlement brings you that much closer to your goal.

End on a positive note - Shake hands and smile. A smile shows friendliness and confidence and that you are a great person to do business with, even if everyone in the room wasn’t altogether pleased with the outcome. Conversely, if you did not get all you wanted, don’t appear a bad sport. Focus on your “wins” and play down the losses. Take honest notes to yourself on your tactics and see how you can improve for next time.

Now that wasn't hard at all, was it? And you've earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert's word on arts, business, guide to business, make money, buy art, sell art, and financials.

Guide to Business for Artist

The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.

If your artist, business, guide to business, make money, buy art, sell art, and financials facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important artist, business, guide to business, make money, buy art, sell art, and financials information slip by you.

If you are considering a business to make money from your art or you are already making money but are considering expanding your current business, analyzing financials for your planned business will help you make sound business decisions. The information here can be used to put together your own financials or can help you provide your accountant with the information needed to put together a useful financial statement. As a minimum, a certified public accountant (CPA) should review your financials – preferably find a CPA that specializes in small businesses or better yet, operates a small business themselves.

Forecasting Sales: The first step in developing a useful financial statement is projecting your sales. This is market research rather than number crunching. The question you are trying to answer is

How much art can I reasonably be expected to sell in a month?
If your art has seasonal appeal, you may want to consider a timeframe longer than one month. A quarter is another commonly used financial-related timeframe. A timeframe any longer than six months is not really useful since many business expenses are on a monthly or quarterly basis.

How you record sales. It’s helpful to think of sales in two parts. The first part is how many of each item you expect to sell (such as 6 inch vase, original oil painting, giclee print, and the second part is what is the price of each item? Your sales can be recorded in a spreadsheet on your computer or simply as a table on paper. Set up your spreadsheet or table with the art items you sell as rows down the left-hand side and the timeframe you are using as columns across the top.

Fill in the table with the dollar values of your forecasted sales for each item during each time period. Be sure to also record the price you used for each item (the top or bottom of the table is an appropriate place for this.) Total the sales for each time period in the final row.

Expense Budget: Use the same timeframe as you did for sales. Expenses include supplies, advertising, and operating expenses such as rent, utilities, and phone. Don’t include payroll at this point. It will be addressed later. Be sure you have included enough supplies to create all the art you have listed in the sales table. Record your expenses when you will actually be paying for them. Don’t record the expense of supplies for the same timeframe as the sale occurs if you only buy supplies twice a year or your art has a long lead time between when you start a piece and when it can be sold (examples, drying time for oil paintings or the time needed to fire and glaze pottery.) Also, include sales tax appropriate for your location. Total the expenses for each timeframe in the final row.

Analysis: Create a third table with initial profits (remember you haven’t looked at payroll yet) by subtracting expenses from sales using the totals for each time period. For those time periods where expenses are greater than sales your initial profits will be a negative number. Be sure to note the negative initial profits on the table. As an artist, it may be useful to graph some of your financial information. A bar chart with one color for expenses and a different color for sales will show you when you have more expenses than sales. Some spreadsheet programs will create bar graphs for you.

When are sales bigger than expenses? When are expenses bigger than sales? Does it vary a lot? Add all the numbers up on the third table – if the total initial profits number is positive, you will be able to cover expenses over time. But if the bar chart shows months where expenses exceed sales (expense bar bigger than sales bar), you will need to have cash reserves to be sure the next month’s bills can be paid.

If the sum of the initial profits numbers is negative, you may want to re-think your business. You will need to increase sales. For sales to go up, either the price of the items sold or the number of items sold must increase. Be careful, if you make changes to sell more items, there will be increased expenses for supplies, sales taxes, and maybe advertising. Another option to increase sales is to include other items in sales such as teaching classes or speaking at functions for a fee. These are two sales items that may not result in a corresponding increase in your expenses.

Payroll: Once your initial profits are positive, you need to determine if the remainder is enough to pay you, any employees you have AND the federal and state government. Determining the funds needed for payroll can be complicated. It’s good to consult an accountant when looking at payroll. Using the same timeframes as your other tables, create a table showing payroll costs. Be sure to include those additional payroll-related costs such as unemployment tax. A bar graph that will be useful is one with payroll costs in one color and the initial profits in another color.

These financials should not be used for any tax reporting purposes. Always consult with a CPA or qualified tax professional on matters related to legal reporting requirements. This method for financial analysis of your business will give you a sound basis for making decisions. Can you quit your day job? Do you need a loan to expand your business? Can you afford to hire an employee? Should you look for opportunities to teach classes? You will increase the likelihood of success of your art business by using detailed accurate financial information, such as described here, as part of your decision-making process.

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of artist, business, guide to business, make money, buy art, sell art, and financials. Share your new understanding about artist, business, guide to business, make money, buy art, sell art, and financials with others. They'll thank you for it.