By Shirley R. Kleppe, Outrageous Red
ARE YOU AN ART COLLECTOR?
Chances are you are an art collector! Maybe you bought or were given an original art piece from a local art fair or from an art group show. And maybe, you have purchased one or more pieces of art from a single artist. Sure, there are many reasons why you bought your art!
You love my art and want to buy it!
If you have been to my website, www.outrageousred.com, and want to meet me. Simply go to this link and contact me.
If you have an idea for art that you are looking for, please contact me. I still do custom commission pieces for home or office. For further information, please contact: info@outrageousred.com
I will be more than happy to discuss my art with you.
I have a wonderful selection of Giclee prints for sale. All my prints come with the same guarantee.
Here’s an example of my Certificate of Authenticity that comes with every Giclee print I produce:
Certificate of Authenticity for “Pots and Jars”
This certifies that the 5” by 7” print, “Pots and Jars,” is an authentic, open edition, Giclee Print made from the original watercolor painting produced by Cloudwatchers and signed by the original artist, Shirley R. Klein Kleppe.
This Giclee was made by Cloudwatchers of Phoenix Arizona, using the finest materials available to ensure lasting fidelity for your art investment. Cloudwatchers’ printmaking method uses brilliantly color, stable, UV-resistant inks, and archival, high quality, Arches watercolor paper, and coatings. This Giclee was carefully mastered from the original using the finest equipment and methods available in a collaborative effort between the artist and Cloudwatchers. The master, production techniques, proof, and this print were approved by the artist with her signature affixed to signify approval of this Giclee. This image on the master constituted a high resolution, high fidelity color digital scan of the first image produced on a different medium, namely a watercolor created in 1983 as an original work of art. Each Giclee Print is guaranteed to perfectly match the original art as possible.
Disclaimers and comments: The sole copyright of the original image is retained by the artist. Shirley R. Klein Kleppe retains the exclusive rights to produce other limited editions of this image or a portion of this image in a different medium and size. The artist specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, that this is will be the only open edition size of this image. This image or a portion of the image may have been now or in the future licensed to be on other products.
Any unauthorized reproduction is in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. All information and statements contained herein are true and correct. E-mail: info@outrageousred.com
You saw and liked it immediately! You had to have it!
Yes, this happens! You might be anywhere, and you see the painting of your dreams. You fall in love at first sight, because you have been looking for it forever! Wow, you are fortunate you know so much about yourself! Hopefully, your new find is in your price range. If the art is in a gallery and you need help to purchase it, ask about payment options. If the art is sold by the artist and the price is too high for you, ask if the artist might consider a lower price. This happens often, so just ask. If this fails, ask if they have payment options. If all fails, ask about prints. If you are in the final purchase position, make sure that the art is what you want.
You met and liked the artist.
Meeting the artist of ‘your painting’ always helps you make a better decision on buying their artwork. I very rarely have had a conversation with a potential buyer who did not want to meet me and talk about the art piece. I am always open and warmly informative about my art. That is the way it is supposed to go. If the artist is absent and has a sitter, come back when the artist is actually there. If you talk to the artist and connect, that is always the best. Knowing the artist and understanding the painting’s story in her/his own words are most valuable. Ask to take photos and a movie of the artist with your phone for reference. If the artist will not talk to you, and you still want the painting, try telling them you like the painting and want to know more. This usually opens the conversation so you can negotiate. If that fails, move on.
Check out the artist’s work before getting too involved.
Once you start liking an artist’s work, do some checking on them. Try Google first. If they any history, it will show up on Google. See if they have a website. Check their credentials and see if they can it back up. Not every artist takes the care to document their work, art organizations, or awards. On my website, I have all my art organization memberships, art awards and recognition, professional experience, plus so much more. Do research on your art collection and the artists. The more awards and juried shows the artist has, the better they are. They have proven themselves against other professional artists. Check to see if they have Signature Memberships in national art organizations. If they have several signature memberships, the better artist they are. Please understand, that an artist being consistently competitive over the years and currently involved took much work to achieve. That is what is important to look for when you buy art.
The colors and design were what you were looking for.
It is a very good idea to know what you want before going art hunting. You need to focus on the particular wall or area the art will hang on. How big do you need the painting to be? Make sure it is already the right size. Does the painting need special lighting? Are the colors and subject matter right for that wall area? Does the painting fit in with the rest of the house or office? If you have a laid back lifestyle with muted colors and soft music, you will most likely want softer colors with simple subject matter. For a more energetic life, bolder colors and subjects will be more to your liking.
The subject matter connected with you. You liked the story.
This statement more often is the case for buying a particular piece of art. If you have stopped to look at the art for more than one minute, ask the artist about the story behind the work. Artists generally do not want to step in too soon, so ask first. There has to be a story there if the art caught your eye. Artists love to talk about their work, so be prepared to guide the conversation! Ask questions: why did they paint the piece?; where is the setting?; what was the artist feeling while painting the art?; why and how did they paint it? You can think of more questions too. Get the conversation going!
You want new art for your home or office.
This can be a good or stressful undertaking depending on the area you are decorating. Finding art for the home is probably easier and less restrictive. Define all your areas in terms of usage. In the home decide where you need art: living room, bedroom, family room, etc. Each room should have art that is reflecting the area. Living rooms can be more formal with landscapes or still-life’s. Bedrooms will be more restful with soft subjects and colors. Family rooms are more colorful and lively. I even have paintings in bathrooms, hallways, laundry rooms, and even in the garage! Let your imagination be your guide!
How will you take care of your artwork?
Check out this site for more information:
On the surface, that thought never came up when you purchased your artwork. If you buy from a reputable art gallery, it should be archival framed. What does that mean?
Archival means preservation of the art. Simply, art produced on paper is matted and backed with acid-free paper and board. This preserves the art integrity without the damage-causing acid found in regular paper. Additionally, the art should have sun blocking protective glass to prevent any color loss due to sun bleaching. If you are not sure about all of this, take your art, unframed or framed to a regular framing company for evaluation.
You want to sponsor an art purchase for an art organzation.
Successful art organizations have an entire group of patrons who support their exhibitions. It is great for the art and artists, and is also tax deductable for a donation. Some art groups are 501C art groups, which are non-profit organizations for patron tax deductions. All art organizations need patrons to support their shows and community. The better the group, the better the art that is represented for greater attendance. Big prize money attracks the best artists at any moment for the best shows in the world.
You bought the art as an investment and were Scammed!
This senario is fueled by someone who is not working in your best interest. It can be ANYONE! They can come in different clothes, colors, and locations. They will tell or threaten you with anything to get your cash. If you have the money and want to invest in art, go to legitimate artists, art galleries, or auction houses. Check them out thoroughly to determine their value. For big spenders go the Christie’s Auctions. You will always get a better dealing directly with the artist.
Beware of the internet scammers. Just know they are all liars and will tell you things that will scare you to death. They will convince you to give them your money and they will never care. They might look like a real company on the internet, like Apple. They are very good at what they do, and convince you that they some bogus people have put a virus on your computer that supplies money to black market child porn by using your computer IP address as a mask. They will lock up your computer and come after you to shut down your life. Do not answer, click on a link, or call anyone. They can get your phone number. Just hit DELETE and mark as it as spam. Do not even do it to see what it is. They want your money, ALL OF IT! If you are having computer problems, call a professional.
You bought or received art as a gift.
Gosh, that would be great to receive a painting as a gift. If you get a piece of art as a gift, please keep it! If you buy art and give if away, God help you! Just don’t spend too much on it. Less expensive art or art prints are ideal in gift giving.
People who have no art in their home would really appreciate art, no matter the size. I know people who frame magazine pages for their walls! Somehow, we have a inner need to want and own art in our environment, no matter where it came from. The art form is part of our personal selves of existence. We live through art. Buy Art, Live Art!
You thought you had found a lost masterpiece.
This is a two-part story. Story One is about a painter who found some art work hidden a house that was being restored. Story Two is about a painting found in a home where a couple had passed away. No one recognized it and it was stored away.
BOTH STORIES ARE TRUE!
Story One
The painter is a young man who had an older man who was his employer. They were renovating an old home the man owned in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The painter was removing the old sheet rock to be replaced, when he found five pieces of framed artwork buried between the walls. He told his boss what he had found and asked if he could keep the artwork. Boss did not care about the work and let him have the art. Not knowing if the art had any value, while the painter was in my home he asked me about the value of the art pieces. I told him to take photos of each work with his phone and send them to me. I need to see the front and back of each artwork, plus close-ups. I was able to identify most of the work as old offset prints in bad condition. Interestingly, they were all cheaply framed with and without glass. After analysis, I determined that they were all worthless. Why these pieces were saved inside the walls for years had no answers. I told him to do whatever he wanted with them. I killed his dreams of money and glory!
Story Two
After 31 Years, Stolen ‘Woman-Ochre’ Returns
The treasured painting, part of a series by celebrated abstract expressionist Willem de Kooning, is back home at the UA Museum of Art — and this is the story of how it happened.
Emily Litvack
UA Research, Discovery and Innovation
Yes both stories tell about lost artwork. Story One ended sadly, and Story Two had a joyous completion. Don’t tear down your walls for missing art, just check out your closet!