This week has been a record week at Linda Fisler Fine Art! We broke two former records and it doesn't even include the numbers for Friday and Saturday yet! We've had over 276 hits to the website starting on Sunday through Thursday and we are still counting!! When "Escape" was launched we had a record 233 visits to the website. Previously our record day was 54 hits. On Thursday alone, we had a record 80 visits to the site!! Thanks to everyone who stops by www.lindafisler.com!!!
We continue to work on the commerical. Yesterday we polished up the script and we'll be shooting it in the coming days. It should hit the airwaves in September, so keep your eyes open!! We'll also be posting it out at Youtube and also at the website. It will be showing outside the Cincinnati area in a few months as we check the marketing plan and results in our test area.
No place is safe!! ;-)
There are a number of things going on--some in the early stages and not quite ready to discuss yet. The mind is always thinking and it seems, based on the record week and painting inquiries/sales, something must be working right!! Check back here from time to time to see what I'll be up too in the coming months.
Also, don't forget that I'll be at the Essex Studios showing on the First Friday and Saturday in October, November and December. We are also having a show on Sept 14th in downtown Middletown. The calendar page will be updated shortly to show this.
Thanks to everyone for their continued support. Looking forward to seeing you at the shows this fall!
Peace,
Linda
Friday, August 24, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
How to Buy Art like a Master
Hello everyone!
Just returned from a trip to North Carolina. While there, the Raleigh News and Observer printed an article called "How to Buy Art like a Master." I am "re-printing" the story here because it is probably the best source I have seen for the everyday person who enjoys art, but can't afford the "names" of the art world--or said a different way--the high prices of artists in galleries or the 5 or more digit artwork of nationally and internationally known artists. I hope you find this article helpful.
Selling my artwork through my website has allowed me to keep my prices down and you'll hear more about that in the coming months with the commerical that we are making and the marketing plan we are developing. Stay tuned!!
Here's the article:
"How to Buy Art Like A Master"
by Ellen Sung of the Raleigh News and Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)
You may not have SAS chief Jim Goodnight's millions -- or the connections that helped him buy a Monet for his sitting room. But to decorate your home, there's no need to settle for posters from Target. The Triangle has more than 1,000 practicing artists, from big names to hobbyists who sell work at craft fairs.
"A lot of people become collectors in a very modest way," said Gordon Jameson, artist liaison for the Orange County Artists Guild. "They may buy one print and one day wind up wanting more, if they had a good experience."
Here's our guide to building a collection of original art for your home, without having to take out a second mortgage.
Shopping: Choose your artists
ONLY BUY WHAT YOU LOVE. This is the cardinal rule, because you'll see the art every day. If you find yourself thinking about a piece of art after you've left the gallery, or even days later, it's a good candidate. Decide for yourself how much you care whether it matches your furniture, but you'll probably keep the art a lot longer than you'll keep the sofa.
"I think people should decorate around the art they buy, as opposed to trying to find a piece of art that's going to match," said Michael Lowder, executive director of Artsplosure.
DON'T BUY FOR INVESTMENT... You're probably not buying investment-level art unless you have five figures to spend on a single work. You probably won't resell a $100 painting at the original price, but you should focus on its value to you over the years.
"If you're buying for investment, it's a totally different set of questions," said Sarah Powers, the executive director of the Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh.
... UNLESS IT'S INVESTMENT IN LOCAL ARTS. Many artists are just trying to make enough money to continue making art. The price covers not just materials, but also hours of labor, previous unsuccessful attempts, shipping and marketing material. You aren't buying a commodity but supporting a career.
SHOP GROUP EXHIBITS OF EMERGING ARTISTS. Local guilds, such as Visual Art Exchange or the Fine Arts League of Cary, usually sponsor big group shows at least once a year. They include artists with a range of experience -- and prices from $50 to more than $3,000.
MEET THE ARTISTS. You can see a wide range of work, and usually talk to the artists, at First Friday art walks, university student shows, artist studio tours and higher-end juried art fairs such as Artsplosure. You can ask all your questions about how things were made, and often the artwork is even more meaningful to you after you get it home.
TRUST YOUR GUT. Don't have an art degree? Don't worry.
"Consistently, people will say they don't know what they like and then have strong opinions about what they like," Powers said.
Thomas Hoving, former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, wrote: "Many times, I have taken a dozen folks into one of the galleries ... and asked them to give me -- in five minutes -- which single painting they think is the superior one. Invariably, eight or nine out of 10 people pick the same piece -- which happens to be the one I, too, think is the best.
"Laymen, even if not steeped in art history, really can spot artistic excellence."
Buying: Get a price you can live with.
PAINTINGS CAN BE PRICEY. Large paintings tend to command the highest prices. If you love an oil painting but can't afford it, ask whether the artist has sketches or studies that were used to prepare that piece. The artist may also have work on paper like a print or a giclee.
DROP THE FRAME. Some galleries will sell work unframed, which can knock a few hundred dollars off the cost. You frame it yourself at home, or even hang the work without a frame.
GET CRAFTY. Fine craft can a great bargain. Pottery and glass can be just as beautiful, intricate and intriguing as painting or photography - and you can take home small pottery by a museum level artist for as little as $20.
NEVER HURTS TO ASK. "People go int a Gap and say 'Can you get this shirt in a medium and purple?' " Powers said. "We're in retail too. We want to help them get what they want." If you can't affor the painting, see if they artist has or is willing to create a similar smaller piece.
BUT DON'T HAGGLE. This is generally considered rude. Some galleries give 10 percent off and they're more likely to do that if you buy several pieces. Hobbyists may give you a discount too, but professional artists are very unlikely to do so. They often have strict agreements with galleries not to sell work below the price listed in the gallery.
TRY IT OUT. Many artists and galleries will let you take home a work or art "on approval" for a day or two, just to see how you like it.
CREATE BREATHING ROOM. "One of the big mistakes is people think they have to hang something in that space above the TV," Powers said. "Don't waste your art by hanging it by other busy things."
Likewise, if you have loud colorful furniture, don't make it compete with loud, colorful art. Maybe that's the spot for crisp clean black and white photography. And if a piece of art is very subtle, make sure the funiture doesn't block people from being able to look closely at it.
PLAY WITH THE LAYOUT. Everyone has one big wall to fill--and the obvious way is with one big painting. But it is often to buy three or four small pieces or similiar size, (Linda's note--go with the odd number--it's more pleasing to the eye.) then arrange them in a grid or row.
USE THE 5-FOOT RULE. Galleries often hang art so it's center is 60 inches from the floor. Similiarly, a square grouping of paintings will have its center 60 inches high. The goal is for the work to be at eye level but adjust for your ceilings and preference.
Just returned from a trip to North Carolina. While there, the Raleigh News and Observer printed an article called "How to Buy Art like a Master." I am "re-printing" the story here because it is probably the best source I have seen for the everyday person who enjoys art, but can't afford the "names" of the art world--or said a different way--the high prices of artists in galleries or the 5 or more digit artwork of nationally and internationally known artists. I hope you find this article helpful.
Selling my artwork through my website has allowed me to keep my prices down and you'll hear more about that in the coming months with the commerical that we are making and the marketing plan we are developing. Stay tuned!!
Here's the article:
"How to Buy Art Like A Master"
by Ellen Sung of the Raleigh News and Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)
You may not have SAS chief Jim Goodnight's millions -- or the connections that helped him buy a Monet for his sitting room. But to decorate your home, there's no need to settle for posters from Target. The Triangle has more than 1,000 practicing artists, from big names to hobbyists who sell work at craft fairs.
"A lot of people become collectors in a very modest way," said Gordon Jameson, artist liaison for the Orange County Artists Guild. "They may buy one print and one day wind up wanting more, if they had a good experience."
Here's our guide to building a collection of original art for your home, without having to take out a second mortgage.
Shopping: Choose your artists
ONLY BUY WHAT YOU LOVE. This is the cardinal rule, because you'll see the art every day. If you find yourself thinking about a piece of art after you've left the gallery, or even days later, it's a good candidate. Decide for yourself how much you care whether it matches your furniture, but you'll probably keep the art a lot longer than you'll keep the sofa.
"I think people should decorate around the art they buy, as opposed to trying to find a piece of art that's going to match," said Michael Lowder, executive director of Artsplosure.
DON'T BUY FOR INVESTMENT... You're probably not buying investment-level art unless you have five figures to spend on a single work. You probably won't resell a $100 painting at the original price, but you should focus on its value to you over the years.
"If you're buying for investment, it's a totally different set of questions," said Sarah Powers, the executive director of the Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh.
... UNLESS IT'S INVESTMENT IN LOCAL ARTS. Many artists are just trying to make enough money to continue making art. The price covers not just materials, but also hours of labor, previous unsuccessful attempts, shipping and marketing material. You aren't buying a commodity but supporting a career.
SHOP GROUP EXHIBITS OF EMERGING ARTISTS. Local guilds, such as Visual Art Exchange or the Fine Arts League of Cary, usually sponsor big group shows at least once a year. They include artists with a range of experience -- and prices from $50 to more than $3,000.
MEET THE ARTISTS. You can see a wide range of work, and usually talk to the artists, at First Friday art walks, university student shows, artist studio tours and higher-end juried art fairs such as Artsplosure. You can ask all your questions about how things were made, and often the artwork is even more meaningful to you after you get it home.
TRUST YOUR GUT. Don't have an art degree? Don't worry.
"Consistently, people will say they don't know what they like and then have strong opinions about what they like," Powers said.
Thomas Hoving, former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, wrote: "Many times, I have taken a dozen folks into one of the galleries ... and asked them to give me -- in five minutes -- which single painting they think is the superior one. Invariably, eight or nine out of 10 people pick the same piece -- which happens to be the one I, too, think is the best.
"Laymen, even if not steeped in art history, really can spot artistic excellence."
Buying: Get a price you can live with.
PAINTINGS CAN BE PRICEY. Large paintings tend to command the highest prices. If you love an oil painting but can't afford it, ask whether the artist has sketches or studies that were used to prepare that piece. The artist may also have work on paper like a print or a giclee.
DROP THE FRAME. Some galleries will sell work unframed, which can knock a few hundred dollars off the cost. You frame it yourself at home, or even hang the work without a frame.
GET CRAFTY. Fine craft can a great bargain. Pottery and glass can be just as beautiful, intricate and intriguing as painting or photography - and you can take home small pottery by a museum level artist for as little as $20.
NEVER HURTS TO ASK. "People go int a Gap and say 'Can you get this shirt in a medium and purple?' " Powers said. "We're in retail too. We want to help them get what they want." If you can't affor the painting, see if they artist has or is willing to create a similar smaller piece.
BUT DON'T HAGGLE. This is generally considered rude. Some galleries give 10 percent off and they're more likely to do that if you buy several pieces. Hobbyists may give you a discount too, but professional artists are very unlikely to do so. They often have strict agreements with galleries not to sell work below the price listed in the gallery.
TRY IT OUT. Many artists and galleries will let you take home a work or art "on approval" for a day or two, just to see how you like it.
CREATE BREATHING ROOM. "One of the big mistakes is people think they have to hang something in that space above the TV," Powers said. "Don't waste your art by hanging it by other busy things."
Likewise, if you have loud colorful furniture, don't make it compete with loud, colorful art. Maybe that's the spot for crisp clean black and white photography. And if a piece of art is very subtle, make sure the funiture doesn't block people from being able to look closely at it.
PLAY WITH THE LAYOUT. Everyone has one big wall to fill--and the obvious way is with one big painting. But it is often to buy three or four small pieces or similiar size, (Linda's note--go with the odd number--it's more pleasing to the eye.) then arrange them in a grid or row.
USE THE 5-FOOT RULE. Galleries often hang art so it's center is 60 inches from the floor. Similiarly, a square grouping of paintings will have its center 60 inches high. The goal is for the work to be at eye level but adjust for your ceilings and preference.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Work, work, work!
Another day, another.....penny ;-) (as we use to say)
It's been a very busy time and continues to be that way. I'm happy about that naturally. It means business is good!
The artwork page has been updated with two new photos of paintings. The first is a painting of the Golden Gate bridge. This is done in a yellow/purple compliment color scheme. The mood is set with the skies and warmth is felt throughout the painting especially in the beach area of the painting. The Golden Gate stands guardian of Baker Beach as well as the mountains in the distance. Very peaceful and warm painting! The second painting is sold already and is a vibrant red sky which leads to a tall, cool mountain and foreground. The blue colors give the coldness tp the mountain that is then touched by the warm reds and yellows of the sun setting behind a mountain ridge. Very vibrant with the contrast of the warm sky and cold earth.
Make a quick escape and take a look at these !! It's a treat you deserve.
I've just about finished a painting of Johnny B and the Gravedigger's performing at the Affair on the Square and Farmer's Market. It will be off to the professional photographer to get a good picture of it for the site. Turned out very nice with a coral/yellow/orange flavor of color that was painted on a very hot day. This is very much an impressionist painting....hope everyone will like it.
I'm getting ready right now as I write this to head down to the studio to paint another Affair on the Square painting--of the Farmer's Market this time. Depending on where my muse takes me, I'm going to try a few new things with this painting.
Work continues with the Middletown Art Center with weekly meetings of the Marketing and Development committee.
Today, I'll be stopping by my good friends production studio (Rumford Productions) to listen to music for the commerical. The script has been finalized and now to get the images and music nailed down so the true work can begin--you know the video shoot and the editing! I am so grateful to Deb and Don, for their guidance and support through this process. They are great at making you focus on your objectives and know the business to help you narrow down what you are trying to accomplish. A lot of research was done before the script was finalized--took a lot of soul searching. The proof is in the pudding as they say and hopefully what we want to happen from the commerical will actually happen!! If it does, it will be because of all the hard work that went into creating this.
Later this evening I'll be teaching art lessons, so a very busy day. Time is slipping by me, so I shall log off and head to the studio. If you are interested in lessons or any of the paintings, please feel free to contact me at lfisler@lindafisler.com.
Don't forget that there are shows schedule for the fall, including the Essex Studios in Cincinnati.
Peace,
Linda
It's been a very busy time and continues to be that way. I'm happy about that naturally. It means business is good!
The artwork page has been updated with two new photos of paintings. The first is a painting of the Golden Gate bridge. This is done in a yellow/purple compliment color scheme. The mood is set with the skies and warmth is felt throughout the painting especially in the beach area of the painting. The Golden Gate stands guardian of Baker Beach as well as the mountains in the distance. Very peaceful and warm painting! The second painting is sold already and is a vibrant red sky which leads to a tall, cool mountain and foreground. The blue colors give the coldness tp the mountain that is then touched by the warm reds and yellows of the sun setting behind a mountain ridge. Very vibrant with the contrast of the warm sky and cold earth.
Make a quick escape and take a look at these !! It's a treat you deserve.
I've just about finished a painting of Johnny B and the Gravedigger's performing at the Affair on the Square and Farmer's Market. It will be off to the professional photographer to get a good picture of it for the site. Turned out very nice with a coral/yellow/orange flavor of color that was painted on a very hot day. This is very much an impressionist painting....hope everyone will like it.
I'm getting ready right now as I write this to head down to the studio to paint another Affair on the Square painting--of the Farmer's Market this time. Depending on where my muse takes me, I'm going to try a few new things with this painting.
Work continues with the Middletown Art Center with weekly meetings of the Marketing and Development committee.
Today, I'll be stopping by my good friends production studio (Rumford Productions) to listen to music for the commerical. The script has been finalized and now to get the images and music nailed down so the true work can begin--you know the video shoot and the editing! I am so grateful to Deb and Don, for their guidance and support through this process. They are great at making you focus on your objectives and know the business to help you narrow down what you are trying to accomplish. A lot of research was done before the script was finalized--took a lot of soul searching. The proof is in the pudding as they say and hopefully what we want to happen from the commerical will actually happen!! If it does, it will be because of all the hard work that went into creating this.
Later this evening I'll be teaching art lessons, so a very busy day. Time is slipping by me, so I shall log off and head to the studio. If you are interested in lessons or any of the paintings, please feel free to contact me at lfisler@lindafisler.com.
Don't forget that there are shows schedule for the fall, including the Essex Studios in Cincinnati.
Peace,
Linda
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