Selecting Art...Hints for How to Choose

Buy what you like . . . what you really, really like! And you’ll enjoy your selections more with each passing year. Color selection is easy if you relax and listen to the palette “in your head.” It’s the same palette that was at work when you selected your room decor. If you are on a budget, it is better to buy one sizeable quality item than to purchase a bunch of smaller and cheaper ones.

First, select art for the areas that are the most noticeably bare. Remember that art work is portable. Unlike paneling and wallpaper, you can take it with you when you move. And speaking of art being portable, rarely should art be hung with anything other than standard picture hooks. And rarely is it necessary to nail into a stud. With standard picture hooks hung into drywall, for example, art work can be easily moved and old nail holes patched in a jiffy. Make certain that you use two picture hanging hooks for each item. This stabilizes your art and keeps the item level.

Framing should be chosen to match and enhance the individual work of art. Then if you move or redecorate, your art will continue to work well for you — even if in a different room.

Hang your artwork low over furniture items. Work out groupings on your floor before transferring arrangements to the wall. Opt for a graceful, warm and harmonious look. (Hanging at “eye level” is a rule for museums - not homes.) Click here for tips on hanging artwork in groupings.

Fairport Harbor Lighthouse on the Auction Block Again

There's a story on The News-Herald widget about our local lighthouse auction currently in progress. This historic Lighthouse and Marine Museum was originally built in 1825 from a Jonathan Goldsmith design. It is one of Ohio's favorite landmarks, having served as a beacon for early northern Ohio settlers. It is even credited with lighting the way for Joseph Smith, who established the Mormon Church in Kirtland.

Gallery One's connection is in the Greg Olsen original. This beautiful 16 x 20 original oil on canvas is hand signed and framed by the artist. It is available as an original or as a giclee on canvas.

An Overview...Originals and Limited Editions

Art collectors have long had the choice of purchasing art on paper or art on canvas. The paper art included original works such as watercolors, pastels, pencil or ink drawings, lithos, serigraphs and etchings....and limited editions reproduced photomechanically from originals.

Canvases were usually original (and costly) works of art. But now, the growing popularity and availability of limited editions on canvas give collectors “the original look” at affordable prices.

So what are limited edition canvases and how are they produced?

There are several ways of producing canvas limited editions such as the once popular “canvas transfers,” made by fusing the top layer of a paper print onto a prepared canvas surface. The result was an image that appeared as you might expect it to — like a paper print fused to a piece of canvas. Often, to make the print look “original,” the artist (or a technician) added textured varnish or paint to the print surface.

Today's state of the art reproductive technique is the giclée (jhee-clay) method in which high-tech printing equipment sprays millions of digitally-matched ink droplets per second onto a surface. Canvas, paper and archival board are the most common giclée surfaces.

Developed some ten years ago, the giclée has now become the “gold standard” — an important and permanent part of the limited edition world.

This spectacular blend of technology and fine art looks so much like the original work of art that even astute collectors do “double-takes.” Therefore, buyers should be aware that not all “original appearing” works of art are original.

The giclée (unless printed on paper) is meant to be enjoyed without glass, so nothing comes between you and your art.

From our Art FAQ page.

Next week - Selecting Art...Hints for How to Choose

Welcome News Herald Community Readers

Gallery One welcomes our neighbors from our local newspaper's blog! I've been reading through some of the stories in the widget and one in particular caught my eye. . .the story about the effect of recent storms on homes and marinas in and around Mentor.

It brought to mind an event that occurred here at Gallery One. We had just sent a package to a client in Oklahoma who had purchased something at our May 20 auction. FedEx was unable to deliver to the address because a tornado had completely destroyed their home. We were unable to reach the client by phone so we sent an email but have not yet heard from them. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by severe weather locally and nationally. This situation certainly brought the tragedy home to us. I hope the craziness subsides soon and June will bring sunnier skies!

But, back to the News Herald Community, I encourage you to comment on our blogs, ask questions about art and framing and generally interact to make this the kind of place where you can come to find answers. We can offer advice on the best ways to frame your keepsakes, arranging pictures around thermostats and fireplaces, creating groupings or the difference between a giclee and a paper print. Please feel free to click the comment link or email me directly at art@galleryone.com I look forward to our dialogs.

BTW, This is an excellent time to become a reader of AskGalleryOne. We are in the midst of a Groupon special as outlined in our previous blog! That's all for now!

Gallery One is a Featured Deal at Groupon!

Well, April was a very busy month! The live auction we had was our first in three years and required weeks of preparation in the gallery and on the web. But if you missed it. . .

Today is the first of our five day feature at Groupon.com! We are excited to offer these great deals on art and framing to make your home or office a more beautiful and comfortable place to spend your time. Becoming a feature gives us wider exposure and allows us to reach new clients in our area. Take advantage of this 50% offer while you still can. . .we don't know when it will happen again!

You may choose one of the following options.

For $25, you get $50 worth of art, framing services, and décor.
For $50, you get $100 worth of art, framing services, and décor.

Nothing is excluded! In fact, we have a selection of specials so that you'll have savings on top of savings! Check out: Alan Brown's framed minis usually $195...now just $100 or Figurines by Jim Daly and Will Bullas or work with our award-winning framing department to frame your art or memorabilia!

And remember, we want to be your favorite place to shop for art . . . forever!

Remembering Leo Stans

We sadly report the recent passing of one of our favorite Masterworks artists, Leo William Stans.

Leo Stans was born in 1953 in Minnesota, where as a youth, he and his friends spent long hours fishing, hunting and building tree houses. He assisted his parents with their paint and wallpaper business in Excelsior and helped build the beautiful Dahlgreen Golf Course, which his relatives constructed on his grandfather's farm land. An avid outdoorsman, he pursued a degree in forestry at the University of Minnesota, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. After college he held various jobs, including selling insurance. As he had always had a talent for art, he was drawn to painting wildlife and landscapes, and in 1980, he decided to become a professional artist.

He met and married a beautiful young woman named Janet Morgan. In 1991, Leo was commissioned to paint The National Park Series which was sold as framed prints. These prints were wildly successful and 100,000s were sold throughout the U.S. and Canada. With two young children, Leo and Janet moved their family to a newly-built house in the countryside of Belle Plaine. Together, they enjoyed road trips to Arizona, Las Vegas and Disney World. In 2002, seeking fresh artistic direction, he began to paint historical street scenes situated in Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as landscapes of the magnificent Southwest that he loved so well. In 2009, he was named official artist of the Minnesota State Fair.

Leo was a man of great talent, integrity and charisma, and had the rare gift of making friends wherever he went. He was sentimental and introspective, had a keen sense of humor and his kids loved to make him laugh. He was a passionate and skilled hunter and fisherman, and had a deep appreciation for wildlife and natural areas. His great love of beauty was expressed through his many paintings, which were and will continue to be recognized for their rich colors and attention to fine detail. He had great faith in his own talents, and a drive to share those talents for the benefit of others. His family is comforted by the fact that his legacy will continue on through his artwork.

Masterworks in Miniature opens March 11

Gallery One’s famed Masterworks in Miniature opens Friday, March 11, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a wine and cheese celebration and the exhibition of 150 small and truly outstanding works of art — created by today’s most collected painters.

Now in its 20th year, Masterworks features original paintings by Robert Bateman, Edna Hibel, Carl Brenders, Terry Isaac, Dean Morrissey, Bonnie Marris, June Carey, Robert Laessig, James Christensen and more than 100 other top artists. Works are framed and are priced from $300.

While some Masterworks will fit in the palm of one's hand, others are as large as 9" x 12." A rare few may be a bit larger. Regardless of size, all are exquisitely detailed and represent the high quality expected of the individual artists. Genres include wildlife, portraits, still life, landscape, abstract, western and fantasy.

The artists are from all over the world. Some are miniaturists, specifically known for small originals. Many like Bateman and Christensen have carved out enviable reputations for full-sized originals — at prices that do not fit the average wallet.

“When such top artists are ‘forced’ to work small, their prices become really affordable,” said Alan Brown, gallery president. “Collectors of limited editions often find that they can collect such miniatures for less than prints by the very same artists.”

The demand for the miniatures is so intense that, for most of the entries, prospective buyers must submit “intent-to-purchase” forms from which lucky purchasers are drawn at the close of the event. A portion of the exhibit is available for purchase on a first come, first served basis.

All works will be on exhibit until Saturday, March 26 when the event closes. In addition, the entire exhibit can be viewed at www.galleryone.com beginning on March 11 along with detailed information regarding each work and artist. Information about purchasing will be on the web, as well.

And how do collectors display the miniatures? Many find their way into wall groupings while others rest comfortably on small easels, bathed in lamplight. Some hang alone, featured above an interesting furniture item. Regardless of how they are used, they are perfect jewels.

For additional information, call 800.621.1141 or 440.255.1200 or visit www.galleryone.com.

That's all for now!
Norah Lynne and Alan