Art investment

Mathematically Inspired: M.C. Escher

2011-06-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

Maurits Cornelis Escher icknamed "Mauk",[2] was born in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, in a house that forms part of the Princessehof Ceramics Museum today. He was the youngest son of civil engineer George Arnold Escher and his second wife, Sara Gleichman. In 1903, the family moved to Arnhem where he attended primary school and secondary school until 1918.

During his lifetime, Escher created 448 lithographs, woodcuts and wood engravings and over 2000 drawings and sketches. His work portrays mathematical relationships among shapes, figures and space and many of his drawings are composed around interlocking figures (tessellations) and impossible objects. Escher used vivid contrasts of black and white to enhance different dimensions and integrated into his works were mirror images of cones, spheres, cubes, rings and spirals.

By the 1950s Escher had become highly popular and gave lectures around the world. He received the Order of Oranje Nassau in 1955. In 1958 he was featured in Time magazine and had his first important exhibition in Washington. Escher’s work continued to be popular and he traveled several times to North America for lectures and to see his son George who was living in Canada. In 1970 he moved to Rosa-Spier house in Laren, Netherlands, a retirement home for artists, where he died on March 27, 1972.

Picture Still life with mirror (Stilleven met spiegel) was sold at Christie's - €16,730:

Gustave Courbet - The Origin of the World

2011-06-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

This picture will be our next "acquisition".

L'Origine du monde, 1866, Oil on canvas, H. 46; W. 55 cm:

Our choice - Tahitian Women

2011-06-09T15:22:00.000-07:00

So we have decided to add to our virtual Art portfolio P.Gauguin's picture "Tahitian Women". 1891, Oil on canvas, H. 69; W. 91.5 cm

Post-Impressionism: Paul Gauguin

2011-06-07T15:40:00.000-07:00

Paul Gauguin was Born on June 7, 1848 in Paris, France. He have became friends with Camille Pissarro and met other artists including Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh.

From 1891-93, Gauguin lived in Tahiti where he spent considerable time working on his sculpture and woodcuts. In 1893, he returned to France where he prepared for his exhibition at Galerie Durand-Ruel in Paris which was not considered to be a success.
Gauguin returned to Tahiti in 1895 : “it was a period of intense creativity, during which he painted and sculpted a great deal and seemed to go further in his metaphysical questioning, obsessed by the thought of death”. However, in April 1897, he learned of the death of his daughter Aline, to whom he was deeply attached. “Gauguin tried unsuccessfully to kill himself by taking arsenic. Physically and morally shaken, he took an office job in Papeete, which allowed him to earn a living for a while. He seemed to become detached from his own work. When Maurice Denis wrote to him asking if he would participate in an exhibition of the Nabis in Paris, he replied in June 1899 ‘I no longer paint except on Sundays and holidays’.”

So we are thinking of what to include in our collection... Can you advise?

Cubism.Georges Braque

2011-05-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

Georges Braque (1882-1963)is a great French painter, collagist, draughtsman, printmaker and sculptor. I like it.

Romanesque paintings with a meticulous and precise stylization

2011-04-23T15:58:00.000-07:00

Yep, he's name is Joan Miró Ferra, surrealist from Spain.

Kazimir Malevich

2010-12-18T18:02:00.000-08:00

Kazimir Malevich was born near Kiev in the Kiev Governorate of the Russian Empire. His parents, Seweryn and Ludwika Malewicz, were ethnic Poles,[1] and he was baptised in the Roman Catholic Church. His father was the manager of a sugar factory. Kazimir was the first of fourteen children, although only nine of the children survived into adulthood. His family moved often and he spent most childhood in the villages of Ukraine amidst sugar-beet plantations, far from centers of culture. Until age 12 he knew nothing of professional artists, though art had surrounded him in childhood. He delighted in peasant embroidery, and in decorated walls and stoves. He himself was able to paint in the peasant style. He studied drawing in Kiev from 1895 to 1896.

From 1896 to 1904 Kazimir Malevich lived in Kursk. In 1904, after the death of his father, he moved to Moscow. He studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture from 1904 to 1910 and in the studio of Fedor Rerberg in Moscow (1904–1910). In 1911 he participated in the second exhibition of the group Soyuz Molodyozhi (Union of Youth) in St. Petersburg, together with Vladimir Tatlin and, in 1912, the group held its third exhibition, which included works by Aleksandra Ekster, Tatlin and others. In the same year he participated in an exhibition by the collective Donkey's Tail in Moscow. By that time his works were influenced by Natalia Goncharova and Mikhail Larionov, Russian avant-garde painters who were particularly interested in Russian folk art called lubok. In March 1913 a major exhibition of Aristarkh Lentulov's paintings opened in Moscow. The effect of this exhibition was comparable with that of Paul Cézanne in Paris in 1907, as all the main Russian avant-garde artists of the time (including Malevich) immediately absorbed the cubist principles and began using them in their works. Already in the same year the Cubo-Futurist opera Victory Over the Sun with Malevich's stage-set became a great success. In 1914 Malevich exhibited his works in the Salon des Independants in Paris together with Alexander Archipenko, Sonia Delaunay, Aleksandra Ekster and Vadim Meller, among others.

Suprematist Composition: White on White, 1918, The Museum of Modern Art

In 1915, Malevich laid down the foundations of Suprematism. He published his manifesto From Cubism to Suprematism. In 1915–1916 he worked with other Suprematist artists in a peasant/artisan co-operative in Skoptsi and Verbovka village. In 1916–1917 he participated in exhibitions of the Jack of Diamonds group in Moscow together with Nathan Altman, David Burliuk and A. Ekster, among others. Famous examples of his Suprematist works include Black Square (1915)[2] and White on White (1918).

In 1918, Malevich decorated a play, Mystery Bouffe, by Vladimir Mayakovskiy produced by Vsevolod Meyerhold.

He was also interested in aerial photography and aviation, which led him to abstractions inspired by or derived from aerial landscapes. As Professor Julia Bekman Chadaga (now of Macalaster College [1]) has written: “In his later writings, Malevich defined the 'additional element' as the quality of any new visual environment bringing about a change in perception .... In a series of diagrams illustrating the ‘environments' that influence various painterly styles, the Suprematist is associated with a series of aerial views rendering the familiar landscape into an abstraction..." (excerpted from Ms. Bekman Chadaga's paper delivered at Columbia University's 2000 symposium, "Art, Technology, and Modernity in Russia and Eastern Europe").

Photograph of Malevich

After the October Revolution, Malevich became a member of the Collegium on the Arts of Narkompros, the commission for the protection of monuments and the museums commission (all from 1918–1919). He taught at the Vitebsk Practical Art School in the USSR (now part of Belarus) (1919–1922), the Leningrad Academy of Arts (1922–1927), the Kiev State Art Institute (1927–1929), and the House of the Arts in Leningrad (1930). He wrote the book The World as Non-Objectivity (Munich 1926; English trans. 1959) which outlines his Suprematist theories.

In 1927, he traveled to Warsaw and then to Berlin and Munich for a retrospective which finally brought him international recognition. He arranged to leave most of the paintings behind when he returned to the Soviet Union. Malevich's assumption that a shifting in the attitudes of the Soviet authorities towards the modernist art movement would take place after the death of Lenin and Trotsky's fall from power, were proven correct in a couple of years, when the Stalinist regime turned against formes of abstractism, considering them a type of "bourgeois" art, that could not express social realities. As a consequence, many of his works were confiscated and he was banned from creating and exhibiting similar art.

Critics derided Malevich for reaching art by negating everything good and pure: love of life and love of nature. The Westernizer artist and art historian Alexandre Benois was one such critic. Malevich responded that art can advance and develop for art's sake alone, regardless of its pleasure: art does not need us, and it never did.

Malevich's work only recently reappeared in art exhibitions in Russia after a long absence. Since then art followers have labored to reintroduce the artist to Russian lovers of painting. A book of his theoretical works with an anthology of reminiscences and writings has been published.

Malevich died of cancer in Leningrad on May 15, 1935. On his deathbed he was exhibited with the black square above him. His ashes were sent to Nemchinovka, and buried in a field near his dacha. A white cube decorated with a black square was placed on his tomb. The city of Leningrad bestowed a pension on Malevich's mother and daughter. "No phenomenon is mortal," Malevich wrote in an unpublished manuscript, "and this means not only the body but the idea as well, a symbol that one is eternally reincarnated in another form which actually exists in the conscious and unconscious person."

http://en.wikipedia.org/

Contemporary Art Day Auction 10 Nov 2010

2010-10-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

The November 10th Day Auction of Contemporary Art features an impressive and exciting offering of Post-War and Contemporary paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs. The Morning session is punctuated by magnificent examples of Abstract Expressionism, a wonderful selection of West Coast paintings and an amazing medley of Pop art.

The Afternoon session assimilates extraordinary examples from contemporary artists in an array of mediums. Cutting-edge paintings and sculptures by prominent international young artists are accompanied by remarkable examples from today's leading Contemporary photographers and internationally headlining artists such as Richard Prince, Christopher Wool and Damien Hirst.

We look forward to welcoming you into our galleries and in our salesrooms this spring sale season.

DATE & TIME
Session 1: Wed, 10 Nov 10, 10:00 AM, Lots 101 - 276
Session 2: Wed, 10 Nov 10, 2:00 PM, Lots 301 - 473

LOCATION
New York

Samuel Michlap Paintings | Best Bookmarks

2010-10-26T16:15:00.000-07:00

Samuel Michlap Paintings | Best Bookmarks

Sotheby's to auction Warhol's Coca-Cola in November

2010-09-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

Andy Warhol's Large Coca-Cola will be auctioned in New York on November 9 for the first time in decades.

An icon of Pop Art, Large Coca-Cola is the last of four paintings of individual Coca-Cola bottles executed by Andy Warhol in 1961 and 1962.

According to Sotheby's, the painting "was acquired by the noted collectors Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Hirsh," and included in Pop Art USA exhibition at the Oakland Art Museum in September 1963. It was then sold at auction in 1983.

The current estimate for the painting is about $25 million.

Van Gogh in Auvers

2010-09-28T01:47:00.000-07:00

By Wouter Van Der Veen and Peter Knapp - Excerpt

How to understand the investment potential of an artists work

2010-09-23T15:32:00.000-07:00

By: Sian Whitehall

An artist's background is important and definitely impacts on the value of their artworks. Most of us understand that an artwork by an established or accomplished artist is worth more than that of an lesser known artist. An investment quality contemporary artwork is usually made by an artist who has specific art education, who has successfully exhibited his or her works and has some gallery placements. Like all material investments, artworks represent both intrinsic value and expected return. For art collectors and investors, knowledge of the artist's educational background and exhibition history gives clues about the success and future success of an artist. To be a successful art investor doesn't require an extensive knowledge or a great eye for art but it will help you to understand in your choices if you are aware of some indicators of an advantageous investment artist.

In term of education, mastering art technical skills and knowledge is currently a desirable educational stepping stone for successful artists. Many aspiring artists acquire an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) degree. In earning an advanced degree, students make artwork under the tutelage of working artists who teach both skills and ideas.

Formal education in art exposes aspiring artists to peer criticisms and guidance, helps them build connections and relationships that assist them to have their work exhibited as well as having other advantages both for the practical act of making art and in having the skills and forming the relationships to promote that art.

Artists build their careers over time. For any artist to become successful it is necessary to promote their artwork and this is generally done through exhibits. An artist who may be a worthy investment has a mixture of solo or two artist exhibitions roughly every two years in notable galleries.

Most favourable artists will also have their art hung in museum exhibitions. A placement of an artwork with a museum is considered a significant achievement. In most cases, particularly with emerging artists - if their education and exhibition history indications are favourable and the artwork is aesthetically pleasing to you, then it is a good investment.

Depending on what stage of their career an artist is currently. It may also be informative to look at the auction results of their artworks to see if the value of their artwork is steadily increasing. As a tangible investment, artworks represent both intrinsic value and expected return.

As a final rule remember to buy only what you love as every art investment is always going to be partly ornamental and partly investment.

Please accept my invitation to visit http://www.smartartinvestments.com.au to view some fine Australian investment art and learn more about the art of investment.

About the Author

Sian Whitehall is the co creator of Smart Art Investments. A

unique website developed for people who are new at looking at

art, are interested in Australian art, who are currently or at

some time in their lives want to be investors or collectors of

art and for people who want to buy art.

(ArticlesBase SC #147)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - How to understand the investment potential of an artists work

Buying Art For Fun And Profit

2010-09-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

By: Larry Christopher

If you appreciate art, investing in it can be a fun and profitable way to learn more about the subject and make some money as well. This is the kind of field where you really have to enjoy it to be any good at it. This is true of most things, but you can, for example, make money at trading items like pork bellies in the futures market without knowing or caring about the product at all. In the long run, you are always better off doing business in areas that interest you, but with art it's especially crucial. When you browse auction listings online, go to a live auction, or perhaps rummage through someone's basement during a house sale, you simpy must have the "art bug" to maintain interest and gain any expertise.

There are, of course, many categories to choose from in art. There are many periods, locations, styles and media and you may have a very specific area of focus or take a more general approach. It is usually good to specialize at least to some degree or you will be overwhelmed by the myriad of objects to choose from. Personally, I have a liking for antique paintings, which is itself a very wide field. Antique can mean just about anything that is 19th Century or earlier (though some might include early 20th Century, depending on your definition of "antique"). There are also American, European, Asian and artists from every other corner of the world.

First of all, you may be wondering if art is a good investment. This is practically as impossible to answer as asking whether real estate or the stock market are good investments. In all these cases, the answer depends entirely on what, exactly, you are investing in. It also, alas, depends on market factors that cannot be predicted. With art, as with other investments, there are safer and more speculative choices. If you buy a well listed artist (one of your first investments, if you are at all serious, should be a reference book of artists and paintings, or perhaps an online subscription to a service with these listings), the value of your painting (I'm assuming you are buying paintings for the purpose of this article, but the same would be true of prints or sculptures) is almost certainly going to only rise, or, at worst, remain stable. With lesser known, or unknown artists you are always taking a bit of a risk. That's why one of the first rules of buying art is that, even if you are looking at it as an investment, only buy something you will enjoy owning, in case you end up in possession of it for a very long time!

There is another kind of risk involved when buying art. That is authenticity. There is, unfortunately, a great deal of ambiguity in the art world. There is also, even more sadly, a fair amount of outright fraud. As with autographs, not all signed paintings were actually signed by the artist whose name appears on them. There are many skilled forgers out there. There are also techniques to make works of art appear much older than they really are. Aside from outright fraud, there is also a vast gray area when it comes to selling art, especially at auctions, whether online or live. Many works, for example, are described "in the style of," "attributed to" or "...school." Sometimes these words have little or no meaning and are merely a silver-tongued auctioneer's way to make an unimportant work of art sound exciting. If you are spending small to modest sums of money -say anything from under $100 to a couple of thousand dollars on works of art, you have to face the fact that the rule is pretty much caveat emptor (let the buyer beware). If you are dealing with high-end auction houses, this kind of maneuver is less common, but by no means unknown. At least in these cases, you are more likely to be able to trace the provenance of the art. You will also have to spend more money, of course.

My own experience in the art world, I must confess, is at the lower end. I enjoy searching for unexpected treasures at yard sales, country auctions (though even these are now often attended by slick dealers) and second-hand stores. Naturally, if you are paying very little for your "investment." caution becomes less of an issue. The odds of finding anything worthwhile, especially today, when everyone is looking for a treasure to sell on Ebay, are rather depressing. Still, if you looking for good art investments, the rule is to keep your eyes open at all times.

Online auctions can be a fun and convenient way to shop for art. The dangers here are probably no more extreme than anywhere else, though you might think otherwise. People worry about the honesty of online dealers, fake bids (e.g. bids made by the seller using alternate IDs or by friends to jack up the price), but the same thing happens at live auctions. The rule is, be careful if you are spending any significant (to you) amount of money. This means, but is certainly not limited to, checking out the seller's feedback rating. Read any negative comments. Also, be sure to read the item's description very carefully. Some sellers are very skilled at misleading potential buyers without telling any outright lies. For example, some dealers sell antique *style* paintings in period frames (or period style frames). They may describe the painting, for example, as an English fox hunt scene, or a portrait of an 18th Century lady or gentleman. This does not mean that the painting itself comes from these periods. It could have been painted last month! Be sure to check the guarantee or refund policy of sellers. I've observed that most sellers who use the kind of tactics I've just described are also very explicit about offering no guarantees or refunds. Incidentally, most live auctions have similar stipulations if you read the find print when you buy something. Once again, caveat emptor!

I am certainly not trying to frighten potential investors in the art market, only point out some common tricks of the trade. If you are new to the field, start off small. Find an area that intrigues you and make small purchases. Do research in your specialty, or general area of interest. Read books and magazines that pertain to it. After making these relatively small purchases, see how quickly you can turn them over and if you make a profit. No matter how experienced you are, you will find that sometimes you will make mistakes and lose money. Other times you will break even or merely make or lose a few dollars. But you will also have those very rewarding windfalls that make it all worthwhile. It's best not to approach the art market expecting to make a killing, especially on any given purchase. That's how people end up overpaying and overbidding. Use your rational mind and intuition equally. Hopefully, over time, you will have acquired a skill and a bit of an education into the fascinating world of art!

About the Author

Larry Christopher is a writer and researcher on many topics, including the arts, cultural issues, metaphysics and alternative health. For more information on online art auctions, go to: http://www.onlineartauction.info

(ArticlesBase SC #278085)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Buying Art For Fun And Profit

Three Common Myths About Investing In Fine Art

2010-09-21T15:30:00.000-07:00

By: Christine OKelly

Collecting fine art is quickly becoming a more common method of investing and saving money. Putting your money into artwork can result in more of a return than a regular savings account, which is contrary to what most people believe. Many people don't think of fine art collecting when it comes to managing their money -- but nothing could be further from the truth. Here are some common myths about fine art investments and financing.

Some of the biggest myths concerning fine art collecting and finances are that it doesn't appreciate quickly enough to be a good investment. Also, a widely-held assumption and falsity is that art doesn't do well in a down-turning economy and that prints aren't valuable. This article dispels each of those myths and proves that art can be a suitable way to improve your investment portfolio.

MYTH: Art Doesn't Appreciate As Fast As Traditional Investments

TRUTH: This couldn't be further from the truth. A piece by Andy Warhol worth $1,000 in 2005 is worth about $3,250 today. Simply put, the art market is consistently showing impressive returns, often beating out traditional investments. Two business professors from New York University agree. Michael Moses and Jiangping Mei have complied and tracked the performance of fine art. The Mei Moses Index covers Impressionist, Modern, American (before 1950), and Old Master artists. "From last year, through the end of 2007, all our index was up 20% while the S&P total return was up 5%," says Michael Moses (co-founder, Beautiful Asset Advisors).

MYTH: Art Investments Don't Do Well In A Down-Turning Economy

TRUTH: Fine art collecting is known to be a recession-proof method of investing. Because art values aren't dependant on any country's stock market or currency, they can continue to appreciate over time, regardless of the current state of the economy. For example, foreclosures have crippled the real estate market, but fine art investments continue to do well. Well-known artists like Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol are some of the many whose works continue to appreciate in value. The reason for this is simple: these artists are no longer living, limiting the number of original pieces available for sale.

MYTH: Prints Aren't Valuable

TRUTH: An original, authentic, limited fine art print created during the artist's lifetime carries with it the value of being printed by the artist's hand. That is impossible to reproduce, and that is why it will always be valuable. When most people think of prints, they think of mass-produced posters that can be found anywhere. In the art world, a print has a completely different definition. An art print is usually produced in limited editions that are often hand-signed by the artist. Usually you can find a number such as 15/150 which means that your copy was the 15th numbered out of a total edition of 150 (frequently there are also a few artist proofs). Collectible works were printed under the artist's direction and with the artist's approval. The plates used to make the prints were almost always destroyed shortly after the printing run. This means they are in limited supply and it impossible to recreate an original.

When it comes to fine art collecting, there are many myths regarding art and investing. Art has proven to be a unique investment opportunity that is sure to appreciate while you enjoy its beauty every day.
About the Author
Christine O'Kelly is an author for Masterworks Fine Art, Inc., an online art gallery featuring works from artists like Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Andy Warhol and many others. Masterworks caters to both art enthusiasts and those looking to use art as an investment.

(ArticlesBase SC #588920)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Three Common Myths About Investing In Fine Art

Leonardo Da Vinci's Big Picture

2010-09-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

Leonardo Da Vinci's Big Picture: "Leonardo da Vinci excelled in all corners: painting, sculpting, architecture, engineering. He drew the first known plans for aircraft, including a helicopter. He created the first designs for machine guns, tanks and submarines. He drew the first accurate representations of the human anatomy. He painted 'The Last Supper' and 'Mona Lisa.' His output was due as much to the way he thought as to his talent, says Michael Gelb, author of 'How to Think

Herakut: Hope’s Reply

2010-09-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

Herakut: Hope’s Reply: "

German collective Herakut have a new show on now at LeBasse Projects in Los Angeles, California. “The exhibition features 10 new canvas mixed media paintings showcasing Herakut’s unique style and aesthetics. Through the strength of their work, coupled with the demand for their unique style, Herakut are now regarded as some of the most exciting contemporary artists working today. Their ability to work seamlessly both on the street and in a gallery setting has only added to their collector base.”

Based in Munich and Frankfurt, Herakut have exhibited internationally throughout Europe and the US including London, Paris, Madrid, Germany, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

“Hope’s Reply” runs through October 30, 2010. To see more of Herakut, visit Herakut.de or check out hundreds of images from fans on Flickr.

Sources: Going LA, Arrested Motion

Herakut: Street/Urban Art

Know Hope: Street Art

Alex Gross: Painting

In pictures: Liverpool Biennial 2010

2010-09-21T05:42:00.000-07:00

In pictures: Liverpool Biennial 2010: "

Take a look at some of the best images from the sixth Liverpool festival of contemporary art

RETIRE RICH BY INVESTING IN FINE ART

2010-09-20T15:29:00.000-07:00

By: William (Bill) Powell

With so many Americans maxed out on credit, and a record number of bankruptcies, how can anyone expect to reach retirement safely in the greatest country in the world?

Today's global economy is more credit driven to the point that the result has been disastrous for the Middle Class.

Americans owe more money than ever before with household debt growing to over 90% of annual disposable income.

Consumer delinquency rates and foreclosures have reached epic proportions. Many households do not have any sort of retirement assets or emergency funds to weather the Financial Storm we now find ourselves in.

How did we ever get into this mess in the first place, and what exactly can the average family do to regain control of their financial life in the midst of all this turmoil?

The easy answer would be to go to cash! However, then what?

There is a solution to this problem, however first we need to understand how credit has been used and abused.

For as long as we can remember, investing in real estate was considered to be a good use of credit. Why? With as little as 3% down on the purchase price on your home, you were able to leverage your investment 30:1. The interest you paid on your mortgage was tax deductible as the value of your house continued to grow. As long as the market kept rising, your equity accumulated tax free with Uncle Sam becoming your partner and subsidizing your investment.

That model, known as the American Dream worked for 68% of the population. It was also very good for the country, as home ownership became one of the main engines that drove the US economy.

The Wall Street Cowboys and their self-serving friends in Washington kept encouraging us to "Trade Up." Risk is a four letter word, but not with these guys. As home values continued to climb, it seemed like the party would never end. Furthermore, we were told to load up on stocks, bonds and mutual funds in our 401 K's and IRA's which along with our real estate investment would fund our retirement. The conventional thinking then was, once the kids left home, we would retire in dignity somewhere warm, and enjoy our golden years. "Freedom 55"

However, that's not what happened! Instead, the American Dream has turned into a nightmare except in this case, we are not dreaming! In fact, we are actually drowning in debt!

If we look back over the last 20 years, US homeowners have enjoyed the benefits of easy credit. However it did not take long before use turned to abuse. As house values kept increasing, Americans were able to use their homes like an ATM machine. They simply would go down to their local bank and take out a home equity loan.

At the same time, the financial markets were on fire with technology stocks leading the way. That is, until several Internet companies with zero earnings trading in the stratosphere began to implode.

Once the Dot Com Bubble burst, and the Nasdaq lost half of its value, the Wall Street Cowboys, with the blessing of the SEC and Congress, turned their attention to the real estate market. Their insatiable greed drove them to develop new products known as sup-prime mortgages.

Their thinking was that if 68% of the population could own a home, why couldn't anyone else as long as they had a job? It didn't matter what their credit score was or whether they could afford the down payment. The banks or mortgage companies would make sure these first time buyers would get to own a home. As a result, these unsuspecting first time home buyers had no way of knowing that the trap had been set for them with adjustable rate mortgages (ARM'S).

This story is still unfolding with approximately 3 million foreclosures and 4.7 million jobs lost on Main Street.

Sadly retirement accounts will be among the greatest casualties in the wake of this financial meltdown. Since the summer of 2007, retirement funds have lost approximately $2 trillion in value. Individually the average retirement account has lost tens of thousands of dollars.

Retirement and Estate planning models will need to be re-engineered to protect individuals against erosive forces of taxes, inflation and volatile markets.

The good news is there is a way out of this mess.

The path to financial and personal freedom can be a rocky one at best. Building wealth is huge responsibility, if done right, it is a tremendous achievement. However, you can't get there without a plan.

In order to create wealth so you can enjoy your retirement, it is necessary to get your taxes down to the legal limit.

However, to do that, you need a sound strategy. And what strategy is that you ask? Have you been following what has been going on in the Fine Art Market lately?

Did you know Fine art is one of the safest investments in history in addition to being one of the best tax advantaged vehicles there is. Is it any wonder that the Rich and Famous have been leveraging the Art Market for generations?

Why Fine Art?

Investment experts have long recommended portfolio diversification, and that 15-20% of these investments be devoted to tangible assets such as Fine Art.

In today's political and economic environment, here are just four reasons why you portfolio should include this asset class:

Fine Art offers outstanding price appreciation and profit potential.
Fine Art has been a safe haven in times of war, political strife and uncertainty.
Fine Art has been a solid hedge against a declining US dollar.
Fine Art is an excellent vehicle to reduce your taxes.

You now have a plan to get to a safe harbor and protect your retirement nest egg using the same tax laws as the Rich and Famous. The only question on your mind should be "How do I get started in the Fine Art Market?"

That is a great question. My suggestion is to do your due diligence and seek all the information that is available on this subject.

Good luck in taking control of your retirement nest egg.

Carpe diem,

William Powell

Founder and Managing Director

PIA - Partners in Art

PS. The content of this article was inspired by a special report you can have for free. Take the first step to designing the life you want to live and get your free copy now at: www.helpwithmytaxes.net

About the Author

William "Bill" Powell, Founder and Managing Partner of PIA, has produced the breakthrough special report entitled "Survive and Prosper from the Financial Storm: Tax Strategies that the Rich Know, and Others Don't"

This timely and provocative report is available for Free if you act now

In it, you will learn the principles of leverage used in the Fine Art Market. This information will open your eyes to a whole new world of tax reduction and wealth creation strategies that the wealthy have been enjoying for generations.

Please visit our website http://www.pia-partnersinart.com

(ArticlesBase SC #826827)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - RETIRE RICH BY INVESTING IN FINE ART

Aboriginal Art - Investment Information

2010-09-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

By: Michiel Van Kets

Australian Aboriginal art has experienced an exceptional increase in popularity over recent years and it’s not just limited to within the home-country. Internationally the art form is recognized as very unique form of art, it is admired overseas and respected by art critics worldwide. Of late, it has also sprung to the attention of not only art investors but also to the wider audience, as wise buyers realize its high potential in the marketplace. As international attention increases and art critics express their respect for Aboriginal works, all kinds of collectors and potential buyers are becoming aware of the solidness of this investment. This art form is described by renowned art critic Robert Hughes as “the world’s last great art movement.”Whilst steeped in what was originally viewed as ethnographic historics, the works produced are very often amazingly modern in design and colour and therefore aesthetically pleasing.

Aboriginal Art is currently seen as the trendiest art scene in Australia, by fat outselling any other type of non-indigenous art and accounting for around 60 percent display rate in renowned Australian Art Galleries. As sales via the major Auction Houses in Australian capital cities will confirm, Aboriginal art is a best seller. As the world is awakening to the unique beauty of Aboriginal Art, prices augment radically. Now it would be a very good time to invest, as prices are considerably rising, and wise investment will definitely guarantee excellent returns.

It is wise to always cautiously investigate before investing in any product and art is no different. Search in reference books, the internet, magazines, Australian public galleries and catalogues from companies like Christie's and Sotheby's that arrange auctions of Australian Aboriginal Art. It’s of importance to get acquainted with the artist’s reputation, his community, his productivity and the quality of his work.

Aboriginal art can be a wise investment for the future but one must choose wisely. Works formed by well-known and respected artists has considerably grown in market value considerably over the past few years and can achieve a substantial return if prudently selected. $1,073.600 for Emily Kame Kngwarrey’s “Earth’s Creation” in May 2007 was a couple of months later followed up by a impressive $2.4 million for Clifford Possum Tjapaljarri’s masterpiece “Warlugulong”, auctioned by Sotheby’s to the National Gallery of Australia.

Traditional Aboriginal Art varies widely across Australia making it easy for art investors to assemble a diverse collection. Although the expression of identity and dreams are universal themes within Australian Indigenous Art, designs, materials, prints, and colours wildly differ according to the community an artist belongs to. The desert artists in the main use acrylic medium, in a myriad of colours and techniques. In other areas such as the Kimberley in Western Australia and Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, natural ochre pigment is used. In this regard, investors should be familiar with the communities and regions where the artists reside, and therefore the style of artwork produced. These are unique and individual artworks created by members of the oldest indigenous culture in the world. As an investor in or a collector of Australian Art, you are assisting in the building of Australian culture and you participate in the world’s oldest continuous cultural tradition.

An investor should thoroughly research the provenance of a work of art. Written documented provenance is paramount. This is normally via a Certificate of Authenticity provided by the seller, guaranteeing that the work is by the stated artist. Further details such as information on the story of the painting, a biography of the artist including their Collections and Exhibitions, the title of the painting, and other achievements normally come with a purchase from a trustworthy seller. Just providing images of the artist executing the artwork and holding the completed work will not prove authenticity, however they are of immense interest and again, the best suppliers of artworks will provide these photographs where it is possible. Reputable sellers will provide a Certificate of Authenticity which is of key importance, sellers often work closely together with the Aboriginal communities and the participating galleries and they should have no problem providing this.

Although the age of the artist is generally of no importance to the value of an artwork, investors have to understand the importance of social hierarchy within the structure of Aboriginal communities. Every member of an Aboriginal society is viewed and respected in regard to his age, status, achievements and who his tribal elders were. All of these aspects, including an artist’s track record and popularity should be taken into account by any investor who obtains to achieve an extensive and diverse portfolio of Australian Aboriginal artworks.

There are various possibilities in order to purchase. It’s of crucial importance that you trust the seller of the artwork in regard to the painting’s provenance before the purchase can proceed. A Seller will most likely be a gallery or an individual art dealer, in either case it is important to meet these people in person and check their references, selling approach and credentials. When purchasing on line, ensure there is a non-conditional money back guarantee if the artwork is not suitable for your needs or does not meet your expectations.

Purchasing directly from the Aboriginal communities might seem to be a good option but does not necessarily guarantee the artwork’s authenticity. Keep in mind, the Aboriginal artworks that have achieved highest prices through major auctions have not been obtained at art centres and provenance from a reputable dealer or gallery is also highly regarded. Here we have possibly the most important consideration of authenticity – the known association of the original purchaser of the artwork with the artist. Be aware of this scenario when assessing the value of works by well-known artists such as Emily Kngwarreye, Rover Thomas, Minnie Pwerle, Clifford Possum Tjapaltjari and Jack Britten.

One of the first considerations you need to do when choosing a painting is that you actually like the painting – you are going to have it on your wall – it should give pleasure to you. It is very fulfilling to invest in a work of art that you genuinely appreciate, especially after all the time and effort spent to learn about the roots and career of a certain Aboriginal artist. Rule of thumb is not to purchase your art quickly – enjoy the research and the knowledge of the artist you have gleaned from your trusted suppliers. In this way, collecting is not merely an investment – it is also a very personal and exhilarating and rewarding experience. Also research the careers of the European Masters - compare them with the Aboriginal artists. See which period of the artist’s career has produced the best and most sought after works. For instance, if one takes a look at an artist such as Van Gogh, ‘The Starry Night’ or ’Sunflowers’ raises far higher prices than many of his other paintings.

Once you are happy that you have found suppliers in whom you have faith, your personal favourite artists, their potential or past achievements such as works hanging in eminent and distinguished art galleries, museums or art collections, then you can be sure you have done your absolute best and you are ready to embark on a successful and rewarding project. Unique, resourceful, intense, and colourful Australian Aboriginal Art can be a magnificent investment that allows you to share and experience the stories and the worldview and of the Australian Indigenous communities. Check online today for a specialist gallery with Aboriginal paintings, artwork and artefacts on display. You will find an absolute mountain of information, and an incredibly comprehensive inventory of art from which to choose.

About the Author

Michiel van Kets provides article services for Scott Linklater, one of four family members who make up the team from Artlandish Aboriginal Art gallery in Kununurra Western Australia. For information on Australian Aboriginal art and paintings visit the website.

(ArticlesBase SC #741393)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Aboriginal Art - Investment Information

Art Investment- Good or Bad!

2010-09-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

By: Jeff A Hardy

You are an admirer of fine arts. Do you collect handicraft, paintings or sculptures or any other artworks just to get an undefined satisfaction or as an investment too? Well, art as an investment has become popular in the recent past. However, there are supporters as well as opponents of the trend who give arguments for and against investing in art.

What's good in Art Investment

Uncertain stock market returns, interest rates at their lowest in decades, and shaky property market has lead people to find alternative investment options- investing in art is one of them. The rise in demand and consequently in prices, is definitely a good news for people who collect art.
Although there's no certainty that prices will continue to rise, at least art will give pleasure and an emotional dividend by giving the chance to call oneself a collector.
From 1875 to 2000, art has outplayed fixed income, but has been defeated by equities. However, in the past 2 years or so, in the wake of stock market losses, art has surpassed equities.
Reports say that global art market avoids crash, even in times of economic downturn.

Why Art Investment is Bad

Art market is illiquid. Buying and selling art works is not so easy as the trade shares.
Art market is also non-transparent and unregulated. The history of ownership and condition of a piece has to be checked before investing money.
Art goes in and out of fashion and the prices may move up and down very quickly.
If selling art, one has to pay many taxes.
Critics argue that art can't be considered as financial asset as it disregards traditional benchmarks of financial analysis. Price determination is at the mercy of erratic public taste that follows no financial logic.
Works of art don't generate any income though they lead to storage and associated costs.
In short-term, market volatility is relatively high when compared with other classes of asset.

How to do Wise Art Investment

Art investment is risky only if the investment period is too short. Long-term investment, say for 10 years and more, gives good annual average returns. The only prerequisite is to invest in high quality art.
It's better to deal with reputable galleries or dealers and invest in something you like & won't mind keeping it for a few years, rather than something you don't like but just want as an investment.
If you are a novice collector, gather knowledge and train your eyes by visiting art fairs, galleries and preferably, student shows. Get lots of information from Internet.
If that doesn't suffice, hire independent art advisers for selecting and managing a collection. Some of them work at private banks. Galleries too offer advisory service as a sideline to their main business.
If you sell some art works, consult tax advisors about how to save on it. If a couple buys the work, its good to invest in the name of the person in the lower tax bracket.
Generate income from artworks by lending them to galleries.
UK-based Fine Art Management Services launched Fine Art Fund, a private equity-backed venture aimed at pension funds and university endowments. It hopes to raise $350 inn, locked in for 10 years, to invest in a portfolio of top-quality art. The fund managers are banking on those investors who have seen some of their biggest holdings go down as the value of a quality arts will never go down to zero. Fine Art Fund also plans to solve the problem of lack of dividend income in this type of investment by renting out its art. This can be taken advantage of by wealthy private investors.

About the Author

Find more art and craft accessories like sculptures, paintings and handicraft etc.

(ArticlesBase SC #831791)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Art Investment- Good or Bad!

Watercolors Paintings and Drawings by Michal Orlowski

2010-09-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

Watercolors Paintings and Drawings by Michal Orlowski: "

The use of watercolors is in fact multifarious. There are plain-air watercolor paintings and those produced in studio.

Watercolors Paintings and Drawings by Michal Orlowski

"

Art Investment Guide

2010-09-16T15:25:00.001-07:00

By: The Art Ministry

Art Investment Guide

Second only in size to the US market, The UK art and antiques market is worth well over £4 billion a year, and holds a global share of some 26% of the world’s total art sales. In terms of volume, the UK is the largest marketplace for art on the planet.(1). In 2005, the index covering sales of old masters showed growth of 18.8%, while the similar index covering post-war and contemporary art rose 8.3%. Over the past five years, the average annual returns were 3.1% and 17.7% respectively.(2). That’s a better return than investing in stocks and shares.

Buying art can represent a fantastic long-term investment opportunity. In order to help you make an informed decision on the art you buy through The Art Ministry website, we have put together some key considerations to bear in mind when selecting work from our galleries. With over 25 years’ experience in the art market, our team have followed the same steps to ensure all work available in our Online Store is fairly valued.

1. Buy what you like

It’s important to trust your own taste when buying art. Our aim in providing this collection is to offer artwork for every budget that adds interest to your home or office, a talking point that enriches your environment and lifestyle. Great art needn’t be expensive, and buying artwork should primarily be an expression of your own personality. Like stocks and shares, the value of artwork can go up or down, so it’s crucial you buy what you like and can afford. Ultimately the true value of art is in the pleasure or feelings it evokes. The more people that find it appealing the more demand increases, which inevitably increases the value.

2. Do your homework and understand the value of the work

When you view a piece of artwork to buy, pay attention to detail. If you look into the way it has been physically created, how much time it took and the journey the artist went through in producing the piece, you will come to appreciate the skill of the artist and the effort involved in making the work. When it comes to value, don’t be taken in by the medium either. For example, oil paintings are in general more expensive than watercolours, but the latter can require more skill to achieve the desired impression.

The more artwork you look at and the more background information you obtain on various artists and how they work, the more you will learn what you like and why. Comparing the merits of a work with other artist's work will help you determine the inherent value in any given piece and assist your buying decision. If you want to know what similar work has sold for, use a source like The Art Sales Index, which has catalogued art prices since the 1950’s, or the Mei/Moses Fine Art Index, which tracks various auction price indexes and compares them to the stock exchange to gauge relative performance.

The comparative merits include:

The artist’s exhibition history
The nationality of the artist
What country the artist works in
The medium the artist uses
The size and dimensions of the piece
The price their work has sold for in the past

3. Buy from a reputable dealer

Only buy artwork from a reputable dealer. The best ones will provide extensive background information on the artists in their portfolio, giving details on how they work and what inspires them. Knowing the artist's passion might also help you find a work that is right for you. Click here to read ‘About the Artists’ at The Art Ministry.

Reputable dealers will also provide a ‘Certificate of Authenticity’ with all original and limited edition artwork sold. This will be signed by the artist and proves the work is 100% genuine and has been accurately valued. These also include the following information:

The title and visual description of the artwork
Edition numbers and collection details
Materials and techniques used
Size and dimensions of the work
The copyright holder
Distributor details
Release date of the artwork
Printer’s details if relevant
Comments from the artist
Notes on caring for the artwork

Sources:

1. The House of Commons Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport (Sixth Report)

2. ‘Is it just art, or is it investment?’ by Joe Bolger, Times Online 17th April 2006, quoting figures from the Mei/Moses Fine? Art Index

If you require more assistance with buying art from our website, please to contact us, alternatively, feel free to browse our to view the work of all our artists.

Looking for tips and advice on art and design, visit our blog.
About the Author
Based in London, England The Art Ministry sources and commissions original works of art and collections to meet specific customer tastes and market trends and to supply the growing demand for life defining and inspiring products.

In addition to creating a viable and supportive environment in which artistic talent can flourish and reward committed artists with tangible success, both creatively and financially.

(ArticlesBase SC #122736)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Art Investment Guide

Hirst heist

2010-09-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

Damien Hirst's art has performed poorly since a big sale in 2008

Hirst heist: "

IN 2008 just over $270m-worth of art by Damien Hirst was sold at auction, a world record for a living artist. By 2009 Mr Hirst’s annual auction sales had shrunk by 93%—to $19m—and the 2010 total is likely to be even lower. The collapse in the Hirst market can partly be ascribed to the recession. But more important are the lingering effects of a two-day auction of new work by Mr Hirst that Sotheby’s launched in London on September 15th 2008, the first session of which took place the very evening that Lehman Brothers went bankrupt. The average auction price for a Hirst work in 2008 was $831,000. So far in 2010 it is down to $136,000.

More Daily charts ...

Wonderful World by Leonid Afremov

2010-09-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

Afremov.com is the official virtual art gallery on the web for Leonid Afremov. The art gallery offers original oil paintings and giclees of animals, cityscapes, dance, ballet, flowers, landscapes, music, people, and seascapes at affordable prices, acrylic watercolor art paintings.

The Below Artworks are some samples of Leonid Afremov which i liked a lot, but the artworks that really catches my eye is the girl playing the…I believe its a cello and another one is couple standing in a balcony. The way the artist uses his palette knife to make wide strokes is beautiful. I also like the way in which the artist utilizes so many beautiful and vibrant colors. When he says each of his paintings brings a different “emotion” I can really understand what he means. For more artworks just check out Afremov.com...Read More

We have decided to add to our virtual Art Portfolio a few Leonid Afremov's works.

Jerry Hall to Auction a Pregnant Nude Portrait and Other Art at Sotheby's

2010-09-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

There is a nice lot at Sotheby's: Lucian Freud's "Eight Months Gone," 1997.

Abcnews.go.com:

Sotheby's says the Lucian Freud portrait called "Eight Months Gone" is the centerpiece of the auction and is expected to fetch more than 300,000 pounds ($460,000).

The collection also includes two other works by Freud, often acclaimed as one of the world's greatest living painters...

Artinfo.com writes:

As if the action-packed fall art season wasn't sexy enough already, Jerry Hall — world-famous supermodel, actress, and the alleged subject matter of Mick Jagger’s hit love song, “Miss You”— will be selling her collection of contemporary art at Sotheby’s next month. The 14 artworks, which attest to Hall’s glamorous life amidst the avant-garde 1970s and 80s in New York, will be auctioned to coincide with London’s Frieze Art Fair.

As a supermodel, Hall has graced the cover of every magazine from “Cosmopolitan” to Andy Warhol’s “Interview,” and it's no surprise that three of the collection’s most prominent works are indeed depictions of the six-foot-tall and strikingly blond collector herself. The sale's star lot is Lucien Freud’s “Eight Months Gone,” a painting depicting Hall nude and pregnant with her fourth child that is expected to gain well over 300,000 pounds ($462,264), making it the highest-estimated artwork in the collection.According to the Associated Press, the artwork was conceived (yes, that is intended) when Hall and Freud were seated next to each other at a dinner party. Freud asked her to begin posing the next day.

We consider to track this lot and add to our virtual portfolio.