Monday, July 27, 2009

The Art of Collecting Fine Art in a Recessed Economy - Wise Investment or Foolish Mistake?

Small part of article. from the great site www.emptyeasel.com
Colleene Skinner is an appraiser for PBS’s popular TV program, The Antiques Roadshow. She looks at more than 10,000 paintings a year, and provides tips for those who are thinking about investing in art during this recession:
1. Educate yourself Discover not only what you like but also art as a whole. Take a course in art history—get to know the famous painters and the various art styles. The more knowledge you have, the better your decisions will be regarding what is popular and what will hold its resale value.
2. Watch for local talent Many skillful artists are studying with fine teachers and producing good work but have not yet made a name for themselves. Regional markets are doing well with paintings.
3. Buy the best you can afford Look for the highest quality and stay away from art work that looks worn and tired. No matter how good the deal is on a piece, pass it up if its in bad condition. Like all other investments, when you buy a work of art, time is a critical factor. You must keep it for a certain amount of time in order for its market value to grow.
to read more please go to
also from EmptyEasel.com
The Art of Collecting Fine Art by Ken Joslin
Collecting fine art isn’t all that hard. For example, you don’t have to be an art history expert or art critic to become an art collector. Anyone can collect art. And yes, buying art for fun can occasionally be much more costly than other hobbies—but then again, it doesn’t always have to be. Here are just a few suggestions for new art collectors. 1. Love the art you collect The first, and most important step to becoming a collector, is to love what you collect. Make sure that the work of art touches you. If you see a painting and your heart begins to race, or you get chills up and down your spine, don’t panic. It just means that this may be the piece for you. 2. Buy art for the long term Take into consideration that the art you buy will most likely hang in your home for a long time. Find pieces that you will never tire of. . . choose works of art that will bring a smile to your face on the gloomiest of Mondays.
for tips 3-7 please go to
All paintings by Michael Orwick
learn more about them at www.michaelorwick.com
or please contact
DragonFire Studio and Gallery
123 S. Hemlock StreetEcola Square
PO BOX 1010Cannon Beach, OR 97110Phone: 503-436-1533
All the Best,
Michael Orwick
Orwick Arts LLC
Be sure to leave a comment and let me know you stopped in “Love of beauty is Taste. The creation of beauty is Art.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Crazy and Great?!

Hello friends.
Things have been crazy in the studio, but great.


Awakening, Fish Hawk Lake Oregon
36x48" oils on canvas
sold at the Lake Oswego Art Festival


I had the honor of having 6 paintings selected by the beautiful new Allison Hotel in Mcminville Oregon (wine country) and I sold a great big painting at the Lake Oswego Art Festival.

Jonsrud View Point, Sandy, Oregon
30x40 oils on canvas
Sold to the Allison Hotel


Beaverton, Oregon, Wetlands
Demo done at Dragon Fire Gallery
for sale at DragonFire
17x21 oils on panel

Recently I spent 4 days at the ever wonderful town of Cannon Beach painting in Plein Air, during which time I also worked on a 36x48" painting of the area (which is at Dragonfire Gallery).

Beautiful Consensus, 36x48" oils on canvas
Ecola Park, Cannon Beach, Oregon







Ecola Head, Cannon Beach, Oregon
16x20 oils on canvas



I have been selected as one of two finalists for the large scale art work for the new Lebanon Oregon Library (wish me luck) so I have been getting my final proposal all set and working on a painting that better represents what I would do for them. The paintings I would do are up to four 48x72" landscape images from the Willamette valley area. I grew up in Lebanon, so it has been a great chance to reflect on my child hood and what hold dear from my years there.



As yet this painting has no title.
Morning Light (working title)
24x30 oils on canvas
For Lebanon Proposal

tree paintings