myfireflydesigns.com

There are many who look at the highly creative world of modern art with confusion and maybe a little bit of distain.  Because so much modern art is nonrepresentational, it isn’t easy to understand what the artist is trying to say.  But even if there are figures and images in the artwork, so often it resembles a dream where relationships and juxtapositions of images can be confusing and hard to interpret.

The artists who work in modern art sometimes make that interpretation just as difficult by adding illogical names to the art work or even no names at all.  Who hasn’t looked at a Jackson Pollack piece that is simply titled the date the artist finished the work and thought, “Well, that doesn’t help understand it at all.”

The key to modern art however, is to let go of the need for representational images.  The artist is communicating through a completely different approach to the act of creating art.  Modern art is almost entirely intuitive.  While we view representational art both with our minds and our souls, the modern artwork is best viewed almost entirely though that side of your personality that is spiritual, emotional, intuitive and with the artistic instincts of the soul.

This means that you approach viewing a piece of modern art differently than you would a representational piece.  Here is a method for absorbing and appreciating what the artist is trying to say to you.

· Suspend your judgment of the piece until the entire viewing is over.  Don’t “try to figure it out”.  Simply allow the piece to speak to you intuitively as it comes off of the canvas or pedestal.

· Start out standing far enough back from the piece that you can see the entire image in one view.  Some modern art pieces are exceptionally large so you may have to stand quite far away to be able to see the entire work without turning your head.  Again, don’t think about what it means.  Simply allow the piece to exist in front of you.  Allow your eyes to rove over the piece, traveling side routes and then returning to the total view.

· Slowly walk toward the piece.  If there are others there, wait until they are not nearby to distract your view.  As you move in, try not to move your head a great deal.  The effect will be you will be drawn into the artwork.

· Slowly get close to the artwork, even within a few inches.  As with all art, never touch the artwork.  But you can get close enough to see the intricacies of the paint or other materials used in the art work.  Study these and see if you can detect the movement of the artist.

· Turn one direction and walk looking sideways at the artwork.  You may have to look up and down to gather as much about every aspect of the work as you can.  If you need to, crouch to see the lower parts of the work.  If it is a sculpture, walk around the piece, observing every detail of its construction.

· Take all the time you need for this detailed observation of the art work.  Be patient.

· Turn and walk back to your original spot without looking at the artwork.  Wait looking away until when you turn, you will have a clear, unobstructed view of the artwork.

· Turn and view the entire piece again in its entirety. 

By giving the art work a patient inspection such as this, you will slowly develop an intuitive interpretation of what is being communicated by the artist. You may have to come back many times and each time the work may speak differently to you.  But let it get inside you and change you because that is the deeper value of truly great modern art.

So you are an art collector at the moment, with several pieces of art in your collection, and have noticed just how profitable the world of art can be for individuals looking to get into it in terms of business rather than as a hobby. It may seem like a romantic notion to have your own art gallery and be able to influence the world of art in a small way, but that is often not the reality. You not only have to have a measure of artistic talent, as such, but you have to have a great deal of business sense. However, there are several tips that can help you on your way if that is really what you want to do.

1. Never open your own art gallery if it is only for the money - If you are in the gallery business for the money then look elsewhere because most galleries only make enough to cover the bills for the first few years. Until your business is established, you have next to no chance of making enough money to call your business a success. You should open the gallery because you love art and not to make a profit. If you do make a profit then that is a bonus.
2. If you have no knowledge of art collecting then do your homework beforehand - If you know nothing about art collecting then running an art gallery is not for you, but if you are determined then you need to learn all of the ins and outs of art collecting before you can own a gallery. This will take you at least six months if not longer so be prepared to be in it for the long haul.
3. Tap into your passion for art - A passion for art is a must and is necessary if you really want to attract both artists and sponsors alike. It is also necessary when trying to advertise any events that you have in your calendar. Beware of letting your love of art get in the way of your business head.
4. Know exactly what it is that you plan to do - You should have an aim, a goal, before setting up any business. If you want to own an art gallery then you should have a target for sales and a target for your involvement in the community too.
5. Find out where the best location would be before renting premises - Of course, if you are planning to set up business in a village with 250 working class inhabitants then it is to be expected that business will not be booming. However, if you have a good location in the centre of a town with little competition and middle class demographics then you will do far better. Check out rents and your audience before you actually put a deposit down on your potential gallery.
6. Have a business background - You must have business skills in order to make your art gallery work. Without business acumen, the likelihood is that you will be one of the businesses that do not see two years, and there are way too many of those around at the moment!
7. Brush up on your people skills - You need people skills to be able to attract artists, sponsors and press attention and should be able to make all of those feel comfortable in your gallery. Attracting customers is also a big part of any business so make sure that you are well prepared!

There is so much more to opening a gallery than meets the eye. You have all of the mundane tasks like hanging promotional materials, publicizing events, making sure that artists want to trust you to sell their work, courting the press and any number of other tasks that get tiresome and boring after the first few weeks. If you are prepared to do that and dedicate yourself to the pursuit of the fine arts for the rest of your life then it may be for you. You must certainly be prepared to work hard. Just make sure that you are getting into art gallery owning for the right reasons instead of the romantic image that you have in your head.

Education seems to be everything in the First World today, and with good reason because it makes us all knowledgeable and better equipped to face the world of work. However, in certain industries, an education is essential to ensuring that the knowledgebase that an individual has is sufficient for him or her to do a job to the best of his or her ability. This may not be the case in some instances, but if you intend to work in a museum or in the fine art world in general then it is necessary to get a proper grounding in the arts. That is where a Master of Fine Arts degree comes in.

There are schools all over the world that offers a Master of Fine Arts degree, or an MFA. It generally tends to be a graduate degree and marks the final qualification needed in order to get a job as a head curator or similar in the arts industry. It encompasses all of the major art areas such as visual arts, performing arts and literary arts, but you can choose to specialize in one area. You generally receive a foundation of knowledge about each during the course of the degree to ensure that you equipped to handle whatever it is that comes your way though.

If you are looking to consider a MFA then you should be prepared to remain at university for a further two or three years, depending on the discipline that you specialize in. Bear in mind that you will have already had to complete a bachelor’s degree to qualify for admission to the course. As it is an element of further education then you will have to have studied at college level before applying. That is not to say though that the bachelor degree that you have has to be in the arts. Of course, it usually helps your application if it is, but it does not have to be because you can apply for it regardless of what you previously studied. However, a degree in another area of academia usually requires you to attend an interview in which you will have to prove that you are knowledgeable about the arts.

Any individual with an interest in arts that wants to continue his or her education should consider a MFA purely and simply because there is no limit to what you can do within its confines. At the end of the two or three years of study, you will be required to make a presentation or do a performance, but the subject of that is completely up to you. It may be in the visual arts or theatre, or it may be in terms of a short film or work of literature. All of those are common fields in which students specialize.

You could then choose to continue in education to do a DFA (Doctorate in Fine Arts or a PhD in any related area, but then again, the MFA often gets candidates into teaching roles without further need for educational courses. It is possible that you move on to a museum or other similar post, but whatever direction you wish to take your career in within any of the disciplines of the arts, the MFA will infinitely help you to get where you want to go.

Art and art appreciation is usually categorized as entertainment primarily because it is something we do with our free time.  Unless you are an artist, gallery owner, agent or dealer, art is probably not your profession so you participate in your enjoyment of fine art when you can away from work. 

But there is something unique about fine art that is different from other forms of entertainment.  More so than bowling or playing cards or even camping or skiing, great art can make changes to us at a fundamental level and make us more mature and reflective people.

Art appreciation is an acquired taste.  To be able to enjoy fine art, one must go through a period of acclimation and growth as a person.  To someone who does not know how to enjoy fine are, the sight of an art lover standing for an hour in front of a great painting, unmoving seems virtually absurd.  They cannot understand that even though the art lover is still and the art work is not moving, there is a hurricane of emotion, passion and communication between the art lover, the art work and the artist all taking place that cannot be seen with the eyes.

Artists share some characteristics with poets, playwrights and even evangelists because they often are burning with a message to pass along to mankind.  And because art is their language and way of talking to us, that artist pours his soul into an artwork to reach you and I when we come upon that artwork and “unlock” the meaning and hear the message the artist has to say.

In that way, great art can communicate philosophical, ethical, moral, political, poetic or religious ideas just as loudly as any speaker presenting a convincing diatribe from a pulpit.  The language of the artist is the image and the stirring emotions those images provoke.  But those images can change how we view the world and how we understand the deeper idea that the artist wanted us to ponder with him or her in ways that could never be communicated any other way.

Artists call upon us to look deep within ourselves and reflect on our place in the universe and within the scope of human history.  These are “deep thoughts” that we would not ordinarily ponder left to our own.  So the artist is doing us a great service by facilitating deeper reflection.  That deeper reflection makes us wiser people, more mature and intelligent people and people of heart and soul more so than if the artist never spoke to us.

The reflection that time spent with great art births in us can cause changes at a very deep place in our personalities.  It is not uncommon for a dad to come away from time with a great artwork with a resolve to be a better father and to take time to savor the moments he has with his children.  A minister may come to a moment of quiet in his soul looking at a fine art work and walk away with a deeper appreciation for his place in the lives of his congregation and a stronger conviction to do all he can to minister to the needy in the community.

Even the politician or businessman will be challenged by great art to stop and think about not just what we do but why we do it.  Fine art shines a light in our souls and shows us things about ourselves that no human counselor could ever reveal.  And if we grow into better people, people of heart and an empathy for others around us and people who spend time in time and reflection about the big affairs or our lives, then the time we spend with fine art allowing it to change us will have been time well spent indeed.

Some have said that there is a real art to art collecting.  That may be a matter of opinion but there is no question that to become truly great art collector requires some skill, education and background.  That is not to say any educated person with a love of good art cannot buy fine art and enjoy it at home.  But if your aspiration is to get better and better at the fascinating hobby and avocation of art collecting, there are things you can do to make yourself more capable and skilled at buying and collecting truly fine art. And if your lady likes art, this is how to win her back ;).  So to be of assistance in your calling to be a great collector of fine art, we offer these five solid tips that will almost certainly improve your skills in art collection.

1. Exposure, Exposure, Exposure. 

The image of the art collector as the consummate authority on art is a Hollywood invention.  But there is no question that the more you are in the presence of great art, the better equipped you are to know what to collect.  So become a regular at art museums and galleries in your area.  If you are fortunate enough to be able to travel, find your way to some of the great art museums of the world and spend many hours in those museums studying the great masters.  The time you invest will give you a discerning eye when it comes to art you may eventually begin to collect.

2. Knowledge is Power. 

The wonderful thing about great art is that anyone can enjoy it.  But if you are going to invest in art or collect it for both its monetary and esthetic value, the more you know, the.  So in addition to tours that are given at local museums, subscribe to art magazines and web sites where people who know a great deal about art discuss the fine points of art theory and what to look for when seeking to collect fine art.  Many times lectures on an artist or genre of art are given around the arrival of a big exhibition or as part of ongoing studies at area collages.  Get on the mailing lists for those institutions so you can be front row center when knowledge about the art you want to collect is being offered.

3. Network. 

There is an entire art community that will be glad to welcome you and where you will find mentors in the nuances of art collecting.  Circulate in galleries and amongst art lovers such as yourself and discuss what you like and what is great about certain art pieces.  These discussions will deepen your understanding of fine art and your ability to discern what pieces should be objects of your collection.

4. Love the Art you Collect. 

There are those who collect art as a business and show little regard for the esthetic value of the pieces they purchase.  While the investment side of art collection has some value, never purchase art that you don’t personally enjoy.  Invest in art that you would like nothing more than to gaze at in your home for hours in your home.  If you love the art you collect, your passion will be both a lucrative avocation and a real joy in your life as well.

5. Have Fun. 

This last tip may be the most important of them all.  Make sure that you are enjoying your passion for art collecting.  Let your sense of joy, fun and whimsy guide where you look for art and what art you focus on for your collection.  That innate instinct can be a reliable guide that will assure that your love of art collecting will continue to be one of the real values in your life.

Fine art is undoubtedly a genre and an accepted specialized area in the arts today and has been for some time. There are museums all over the world filled to the rafters with fine art, and expensive fine art at that! But what exactly is fine art. There is an accepted definition but very few of us know it because we are so concerned with discussing fine art and enjoying it that we often forget what it is, or even worse that we forget to find out what it is in the first place. This is extremely lax of us because we can all appreciate fine art for what it is when we fully understand the concept!

Fine art, contrary to popular belief, is not solely the paintings and sculptures that are found within the confines of a number of museums worldwide. It does in fact encompass a few disciplines of the visual arts, but that number is indeed limited. Those disciplines are dance, theatre, architecture, printmaking and then of course the obvious sculpture and painting. The one thing that all of the above have in common is that they are traditional and arguably founding members of the arts. In fact, various schools of thought place them in the realm of classic or academic art, thus implying that there is a very real tradition still in place that excludes more modern forms of art.

Some critics and art snobs often refer to fine art as art with a capital A. This is an older generation way of looking at individual pieces of art and dramatically alters the perception of the forms of art listed above because there is often debate as to whether certain items of artwork are indeed fine art. Some of the more modern pieces are distasteful to members of the art aristocracy and yet could feasibly be considered as fine art because they are painted or sculpted. The debate rages on about a number of mediums as a result of this perspective, including the debate about graffiti. Technically it is painting but has traditionally been associated with vandalism, and so people in the art world still turn their noses up at the idea that graffiti could be considered art.

In fine art, the fine is not supposed to denote the quality of the work per se, but the purity of the discipline in question, and this can be interpreted in any given number of ways. As mentioned above, graffiti is technically not pure, and that argument is often used to argue against it is terms of fine art. It is often used to argue against elements of the textile industry being considered as fine art too. However, that being said, there are elements in which some of the other mediums that have been traditionally excluded are now included.

Fine art is often viewed as an elitist term that is somewhat outdated in the modern world whereas others argue that it is a means to help us appreciate the classics even more. Traditional dance and traditional art serves as a reminder to us all of where modern traditions come from and in that way the concept of fine art is very real. Now we all know the definition of the term, though, we can appreciate that fine art even more and enjoy what it is that we look at every time we pass through the door of a museum!

The information resources available to every single person in society are now far more comprehensive than they have ever been before, thus facilitating the whole host of opportunities and advantages that are available out there for this generation to capitalize on. The standard of education is also higher than it ever was before and that can only be a good thing. In terms of fine art, there are a number of resources that any individual can turn to as and when the need takes them. There are publications and other sources of information that can offer advice about collecting, tips and hints, and give you plenty of material to research anything that you would like to know. This can especially be useful if you are looking to invest in a piece of art but do not know where to look!

There are several sources that can provide this information on fine art and collecting, all of them equally as useful with their advantages and disadvantages. Different mediums suit different people though, so it is up to you which one of the following you choose to consult when you are in need of advice!

Books - Any good library will have several books on fine art and fine art collecting that you can tap into as and when necessary. Books can easily be considered as one of the best resources available because none of the other mediums are anywhere near as comprehensive as books can be when educating people about the fines arts. There are books out there on every single genre under the sun as well as the nature of art collecting, and so any piece of information that you need can be found somewhere in amongst the various pages! This may be a big help if you are thinking about investing in painting, for example, that you doubt the authenticity of. If the library does not have what you are looking for then the massive bookstores online and offline probably can. There is a massive range of books available and if you cannot find the one you want anywhere else then you can always find it online - guaranteed! 

Magazines - Magazines differ from books only in the fact that they have interviews with artists, are not as large in terms of the scope of each individual issue, and are regularly available via good newsagents and subscriptions alike. However, art magazines are essential in keeping you up to date with all of the latest news in the art world and information about fairs and lectures that you may be interested in.

Internet - The Internet has a whole host of information available to dealers and collectors alike. There are literally masses out there, but you do have to be careful with the reliability of some of the information because it is not always 100% accurate. The specialist and official art websites are excellent resources though and can reveal lots of lovely information that you would never have known otherwise. All you have to do is use a search engine to find those sites and then bookmark them so that you can easily get back to them any time you like.

Gallery/Museum - The people working at galleries and museums are usually especially knowledgeable about art and can refer you on to someone who will know the answer to the question you ask if they do not know themselves. They will usually be only to happy to help you so it is certainly worth stopping to have a quick conversation with them if you need to know something and prefer to talk to a person than read or spend time searching on the Internet.

As you can see, there is a wealth of information out there and the can certainly help you to find out what you need to know. These sources can also help to build up your knowledge of collecting art, thus turning your hobby into a passion!

The difference between someone who collects art with the discriminating eye of an art lover and an art buyer is profound.  It might be compared to the difference between someone who buys and sells cars for a living and a collector of vintage and fine automobiles.  The word “buyer” is pivotal and making that distinction.  It is true that you as an art collector do from time to time buy art.  And it is true that you can purchase a fine piece of art and after some period of time, you may find yourself selling it for a significant profit.

So the investment side of art collection is real and cannot be denied.  But the first major difference between a buyer and collector is the investment value of a piece of art you wish to add to your collation is not the primary motivation you may have for making that purchase decision.  But there are other significant modes of behavior a true collector will exhibit that set him or her apart from a person who buys art simply for monetary purposes.

* A collector specializes in certain genres of art, art movements, geographical areas and artists whereas a buyer will buy and sell whatever “book value” tells him is a good purchase.  As your knowledge of the art world deepens, it is natural to become a collector because you have reached a point that collecting those great pieces of art in your chosen genre are part of your love of that art.  A collector will demonstrate a ravenous appetite for knowledge about the genre and artists of his or her specific interest eventually gathering an encyclopedic knowledge of the art that they seek to collect.

* A collector knows galleries.  An art gallery is a very different place from a museum or even an art show.  An art gallery is essentially a place of business.  But there are modes of behavior and systems in place for communicating details about each artwork that is important to a collector considering a purchase.  For example, most galleries use a system of colored dots that are put on artwork on display which are significant to the sale status of that piece.  As you invest more and more time into your love of art collecting, you will also become well known at galleries who frequently display and merchandize the type of art you collect.  As a result, the gallery owners will know who you are and you will be regularly notified if a piece in your genre is on display and available for purchase.

* A collector knows how much they can do within their financial boundaries and invest in their passion for art collecting.  You already know who the great masters are in the genre that you focus on for your collection.  But there is a huge price difference between buying an original of a great master versus a quality print of that same piece.  Within your genre, there are also fine artists from the same time in art history that the genre was at its pinnacle but who were lesser known and as such, their works are less expensive.  By knowing your niche, you can continue your love of art collecting without the frustration of attempting to collect in a range outside your abilities.

Never let your existing body of knowledge about art collection keep you from always learning more about this fascinating avocation.  Galleries commonly conduct seminars and discussion groups about the basics and the nuances of art collection.  By keeping yourself informed of the language and the lay of the land of art collecting, you will avoid pitfalls many fall into and your enjoyment of art collecting will be rich and full.

If you are a fan of fine art and have a few pieces in your collection then you are probably very familiar with the world of art galleries, but if you have only just expressed an interest in art then the likelihood is that you are only just beginning to learn about them and may or may not have set foot inside one yet. The gallery is indeed a fascinating place within the art world and if you ever pass one then it will be well worth a look. However, before going into one, you should take a little time to find out a bit more.

An art gallery is generally a space that displays art to the public in the hope of selling pieces to the individuals that walk through the door. They are set up to try and make a profit and should not be confused with non-profit organizations and museums. Every individual gallery will feel familiar because the salespeople that work within them do want to entice individuals into the warm and cosy confines of the gallery and then provide them an environment that encourages inspiration and thus sales!

There can be any number of items on sale in a gallery, depending on the size of the gallery and the stock that it holds at any given time. It may be that one gallery only holds work by one or two artists at a time and has them there for a couple of months. It may be another gallery as many pieces and rotates their stock in line with what they think will sell or an exhibit or promotion that they have on shortly or have had on recently. Although the rooms of a museum are also generally known as galleries, this is the major aspect outside of the financial ream in which they differ.

Private galleries and public galleries rarely have a permanent collection because of the nature of the business. Every piece displayed in a gallery is for sale and actively promoted as a result. There may only be one individual working in a gallery, in which case he or she is responsible for everything. The marketing, planning, administration and finance roles are all down to this one individual, but if there is more than one person working there then they will split the duties. There is no curator as such and there would be no volunteers because every individual working there is paid to sell. When you do set foot inside one then you will realise this fact purely and simply because they will be on you to find out what you may like as soon as you walk through the door!

It is usually free to get into a gallery because you may well be a paying customer, and the very fact that you chose to go through the door proves that you are a potential paying customer. The profits instead come from the sales because they gallery can expect to receive a commission of at lease 25%, although in some cases it is as much as 50%. In truth, the larger the gallery, the more likely the people working there are to have sales targets. You may well find yourself in the middle as a result! Although everyone working in a gallery should be knowledgeable, some of them are not. However, anyone with a passing knowledge of art should immediately be able to distinguish between the two. Although the latter may be better in terms of knocking a price down, the former is perhaps better because you can ask any questions that you may have and expect to receive an honest answer!

If you are looking to expand your art collection then art galleries in your local area may be the first step you tae towards building a collection. Always go into art galleries to see what is on offer, but beware of what you buy on impulse. Stuck to the ones that you love instead!

Any lover and collector of art will do his or her utmost to protect the art collection taking pride of place in the home. Not only is artwork a major investment these days, it is also an essential part of the fabric of any home. It is very rare that you find a home with no prints, sketches or paintings on the wall, not to mention sculptures and models adorning mantelpieces and sideboards. For these reasons, it is vital that collectors take proper care of their artwork and endeavour to make sure that no piece is degraded in any way, shape or form.

There are a number of ways that you can keep your artwork in perfect condition, but careful planning is required from the outset. It is important to put a strategy in place to protect your artwork before you even bring it home from the gallery or fair. There are certain measures that you need to put in place, such as placing strategies to avoid any hazards that may turn into situations that leave the art damaged. For example, if a glass screen does not protect the shelf on which a model is to be placed, it may be wise to purchase a case in which to put it before it is actually placed upon the shelf.

The majority of measures that you should take concerning the placing of your artwork are common sense really. For example, you should not place any art in the kitchen or above a fireplace because the heat, steam and fumes can cause untold damage. You should also avoid smoking in the vicinity of your artwork because this is liable to cause irreversible staining. Similarly, placing art in direct sunlight can cause it to fade, and this would instantly be noticeable to the untrained eye as well as other collectors. If you have pets or young children then artwork should always be kept out of their reach so that no accidental damage occurs.

The placement of artwork, as you can see above, can be extremely hazardous so it does require serious thought. It may be necessary to try a piece out in a few places during the first day that you own it so you can make an on the spot assessment of where its permanent home should be.

When you do buy the art in question then you should always ask the attendant that oversees your transaction whether or not any special measures need to be taken in order to preserve its condition. Some galleries actually hand out care leaflets when a sale goes through, whilst others may have extremely knowledgeable staff that can give you hints and tips that they have picked up over the years. There are also various publications that you can purchase to give you a good grounding in the care of artwork. You should read at least one of these if you are an art collection beginner.

The final thing that is essential in the preservation of you artwork is actually the cleaning regime that you have. It goes without saying that you should avoid using furniture polish and other similar oily substances in the vicinity of your artwork because that can cause irreparable harm. However, it is essential that a certain level of care be administered to regularly maintain it. For example, all sketches, paintings and prints should be framed wherever possible, and all sculptures and models should be encased in a protective cover. Although advice is usually specific to the nature of the piece and the materials present in its composition, it is fairly safe to pass a dry and clean cloth over all artwork from time to time to remove any dust build-ups. Dust can be just as harmful to art as any chemical, so it is essential that it is removed.

The golden rule of caring for your artwork is to always ask for help whenever you are unsure. Always think carefully about what you are doing and do not take the art for granted. One moment of foolishness can work out to be extremely expensive!