Artwork &Print

Giclee and limited Editions

Some publishers use high-quality printers, ink, and paper to produce high-quality Giclee prints.

 Many of them are  open edition, but they are the caliber of many limited edition works.

 Unlike open edition prints, limited editions have the potential to increase in value.

When the artist signs and numbers prints, they automatically tend to start at a higher price.

 To ensure that both the current and potential future value is protected, we suggest conservation framing.

Limited editions are treated more like original art and generally framed neutrally and classically frame

Poster

Posters are often looked down on as being somewhat inferior to other types of prints.

 Some are printed on flimsy paper, using cheap ink, but many open edition posters are equal in

 caliber to fine art prints. Rather than framing the poster in an inexpensive “poster” frame,

 try mats or stacked moldings like you would use for other types of art.

Suddenly the ordinary open-edition print looks more like a work of art.

Tip: Posters, like other art, should not come in direct contact  with the glass.

 Since open-edition posters, many are often framed without mats, be sure to

ask for spacers to keep the glass from touching the front of your poster. 

As stated above–”not all posters are created equal” —

A few years ago, we had a customer bring in a poster he had purchased in

New Orleans at the “Mardi Gras.” The vendor was selling posters of the floats;

it was their first year; this float had been in the parade. Cutting to the chase–

He came home a put tacks in it to display–Two years later, he was back in the

“French Quarters” looking in an art gallery and saw his $20.00 poster was

now selling for $250.00. Thinking he had a real gem with his purchase,

he wanted to frame it for sale.

 He came into our gallery to get it framed and sold by us on consignment.

I had to explain that his poster was not in “mint” condition because

of the method he used to display it on his wall.

We told him how the resale value of a poster (limited edition) increases in value.

Start with 1000 display posters that are for sale and then determine how most of them are framed.

Take the first 500 will be used as display items and not have a frame.

The next 400 will have a simple poster frame with the glass on top of the poster, no matting.

That leaves you with about 100 that could receive custom framing.

Of that 100, maybe 50 receive a conservation custom frame.

This 50 will increase in value and be valued at the cost of 1000 or

more because they are now truly “limited.” 

What has limited value today might have great value in the future—

“Conservation doesn’t cost money; it can save you money.”



Selecting Artwork

Let's Go Shopping

"Artwork brings drama and color to any home"

These tips and terms will help you find pieces you’ll love for a lifetime.

When it comes to selecting artwork for your home, one design danger is selecting a piece that’s cliches. Don’t worry about matching the sofa and avoid sales by mass marketers ,because these “paintings” may be actually assembly-line knockoffs of quality pictures or pictures that look like original painting that are nothing more than paper prints transferred to canvas with “look-a-like” brush strokes or computer copies printed on a ink jet printer.




 To find worthy pieces, we suggests visiting local show by artists, art walks , art festivals and art association galleries . It’s terrific because you can usually meet the artists and find out more details about their work. You can wander through and see what you fall in love with and how it will work in your home.

The important thing to remember is that you are buying the art and it might not be presented correctly for your home. The Artist or Gallery where you found the artwork doesn't know your house and may not have framed it correctly to fit into your home. That should not change your mind about the artwork, because we can make what changes that are needed. 

  Smart Buyers Guide



Basic Rules

 

 Pay attention to how you feel when you look at a painting. “I think the most important thing is to find a subject matter that has meaning to you,” Robin advises.

Don’t purchase a piece of artwork because it matches or because someone says it’s an “important” piece of art. Instead, buy a great piece that you love and build the room around it. If you listen to your own internal and external reactions, you’ll know when you find the right piece.

 ASK QUESTIONS

 

 As you visit various venues, talk to the gallery owners — most are happy to offer advice and information to help you become more informed. Chat with the artists at special gallery showings and at art festivals. Ask questions about the artist’s chosen subject, inspiration, and technique. If you buy the piece, you’ll appreciate it even more.

WAIT

 

 .One note about prices: This isn’t a flea market — you’re paying for an artist’s expertise and labor. Don’t try to bargain with a gallery owner or an artist or you risk insulting them. An artist may eventually discount older works to make room for new ones, but it’s best to wait for the artist or owner to present this offer.

STUDY

 

 .

 Read books on art and join art clubs in mediums that interest you — whether it is sculpture, textiles, paintings, or prints. You’ll soon discover what you are most drawn to in paintings, for example. Is it landscapes? Still life? People? Do you love realism, surrealism, or abstract art? Over time, you’ll recognize your favorites.

 SPEAK



 Know common terms used in the art world to help you in your treasure hunts. The medium, for example, is the material the artist uses to produce the work, such as clay, fabric, or oil, watercolor, or acrylic paints. Paintings may be done on canvas, wood, or paper in a single type of paint or a combination.

Design your selection

"It all starts with the artwork"

Do you want JUMP IN NOW?

Quick start.

A trip to designing your own framing by picking everything.

Upload your image, pick colors, frames and almost everything. See how it looks by entering your wall color.



When you look at your artwork what do you feel?

This is where the design process starts.

The first step is look at the “artist pallet” and see what he used. If its a photograph you must put yourself in the location of the photogapher. Object framing requires you to see what will bring the object to life and show its best parts.

In other words you must first understand what makes you want to frame or display it.

Color or texture

What color or texture do you see? You must first understand the dominate color is not always the best color to use. The best color is the one what make the picture (object) come to life. 

The one mistake many people make is picking colors based on their room. The location is important, but it should not be your first concern — an old saying goes something like this–“If the artwork doesn’t feel at home in the room–than maybe it does belong.” Remember the first step–“let the artwork talk.”

Lets start now.

After you have found the colors (you can use more than one color) , you should start looking at what will best showoff your artwork.

A painting or print may need something surrounding it–matting on a print or liner on a painting or even a inter-frame is a good starting point

his surrounding material may be plain or have a pattern or design that enhances the work-of-art. We will cover creating matting in another section.