The Basics of Buying Art

Do you have a room in your home that lacks character? One that needs color, warmth or just doesn’t feel cohesive? Wall art is a necessary accessory and a great way to tie a room’s purpose, color and style together.

Once you have determined function and color for a room, you can begin to choose your artwork. Kids’ rooms need bright, colorful, fun prints. Soothing pastels work well for your quiet retreat. And tranquil land or seascapes are ideal for your office. In some instances, however, it is the artwork that serves as the inspiration for the room’s décor. Painting walls in neutral colors and keeping window treatments simple are two ways of making your artwork stand out.

Many Different Choices

Wall art can be purchased in many forms. Becoming familiar with some basic terminology can empower you and make the hunt for just the right piece an enjoyable process.

– Original Art – a one of a kind work by the artist in its original medium (oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, etc.).

– Giclee or Iris – a reproduction technique in which the original image is generated from a digital file and printed using ink, acrylic or oil paints. Giclee printing offers one of the highest degrees of accuracy and richness of color available.

– Lithograph – a printing technique in which prints are pulled on a special press from a flat stone or metal surface that has been chemically sensiti- zed so that ink sticks only to the design areas and is repelled by the non- image areas.

Serigraph – a printing method in which a squeegee is used to force ink directly onto a piece of paper or canvas through a stencil creating an image on a screen of silk or other fine fabric with an impermeable sub- stance. Serigraphy differs from other printing in that its color areas are paint films rather than printing ink stains.

Acid-Free Paper or Canvas – paper or canvas treated to neutralize its natural acidity in order to protect fine art or photographs from discoloration and deterioration.

Canvas Transfer – art reproduction on canvas that is created by a process such as serigraphy or giclee printing. Some processes can even recreate the texture, brush strokes and aged appearance of the original work.

Limited Edition – a set of identical prints numbered in succession and signed by the artist. The total number of prints is limited by the artist who supervises the printing. Any additional prints are destroyed.

Open Edition – a series of prints in an edition that has an unlimited number of copies.

Original Print – a one of a kind print in which the artist personally coneived the image, created the master plates and executed the entire printing process.

Artist’s Proof – a print that is intended for the artist’s personal use. Common practice is to reserve 10% of an edition as artist’s proofs, altough this number could be higher. Artist’s proofs can be distinguished by the abbreviation AP or the French E.A., usually on the lower left of the work.

Reflection of Taste and Mood

Your choice of artwork reflects your personal taste and can establish or change the mood of a room. It can pull a room together and can be used to create a style uniquely your own.

Abstract – a 20th century style of painting in which nonrepresentational lines, colors and shapes replace literal depiction of objects, landscapes and figures. Subjects are often stylized, blurred, repeated or reduced to basic forms so that they become unrecognizable. This form of art is often used to express intangible subjects such as thoughts, emotions and time.

Expressionism – an early 20th century art movement in which natural forms and colors are distorted or exaggerated to express the artist’s emo- tional connection to the subject.

Impressionism – a late 19th century French movement in which the artist’s vision was intensely centered on light and the ways it transforms the visible world. It is characterized by short brush strokes of bright colors meant to recreate impression of light on the subject. The term was first used in 1874 by a journalist ridiculing a landscape by Monet called “Impression – Sunrise”.

Realism – a style of painting depicting subject matter as it actually appears, without distortion or stylization.

Surrealism – developed in Europe in the 1920’s, this style is character- ized by using the subconscious as a source of creativity. These works often depict unexpected or irrational objects in a dreamlike scenario.

Pop Art – a style of art inspired by commercial art and items of mass culture such as comic strips, popular foods and brand name packaging. Pop art was first developed in New York City in the 1950’s.

Great Ideas for Meaningful Things to Frame

. Scrapbook pages Holiday Ornaments (homemade

by kids or passed down from your grandmother) . Postcards from memor- able vacations . Special awards (certificates, honor

society, Girl Scout badges, diplomas) . Wedding or anniver- sary memorabilia (invita- . A hobby collection (dolls, tea sets, tion, dried flower, dinner baseball cards, sea shells) menu, napkin)

. Heirloom jewelry . Sports jerseys

Published by alleyart

Alley Fine Art / Framing represents over thirty local artists, showcasing the diverse works of the area's most creative individuals. Our mission is to help new and established art buyers understand and benefit from the collecting experience, to provide unparal- led service and provide artwork at significant savings. Our custom framing design center offers an extensive selection of moulding and mat samples to choose from and the expertise to create the perfect framing solution for your artwork. Whether you are a homeowner, an interior designer or a corporate client, we work hard to make the experience of art buying and custom framing informative, enjoyable and satisfying. You can learn more by going to www.alleyfineartandframing.com