What do you have on your walls at home?

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D

DA

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Oct 18, 2005
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104
Loc
Maryland
I've been framing out of home and for a number of galleries for the past six years. And I consider myself to be a person with a great deal of appreciation for art. But I've never really bought art for myself.

I remember a thread some time back where a great deal of grumblers expressed their displeasure with how many artist and art publishers handle the matter of limited edition prints. And I've often heard people say to buy what you like without regard for appreciation of monetary value. There are also those who feel it is foolish to purchase art as an investment.

Now, call me a fool if you'd like (I'd appreciate it if you don't), but I'd like to purchase art for my home that I both like and can expect to appreciate in value. I've just begun browsing the web to find well established artists with art I like and trying to get a better understanding of art collecting. So far I've found some Don Stivers, Thomas Kinkade and Bill Mack pieces I'd like to purchase.

I was just wondering what some of you think about art collecting and what you have on your walls at home.


Don
 
I have a couple of Thomas McKnight LEs that I purchased in the late 1980s. I don't know whether McKnight is still fashionable, but I liked them then and I still like them. Since opening my frame shop, I've noticed that the frames desperately need to be replaced.

Then I have a large black&white photograph by Barbara Van Cleve, who does some wonderful photography work on western themes -- cowboys and cowgirls, landscapes, etc.

I have a nice pastel landscape by an artist who works in the Santa Fe area...but her name eludes me at this time.

The rest are an assortment of old prints and such that found their way into my possession over the years.

As for future acquisitions, I'm kind of liking some of the work by Fabian Perez right now.
 
Unless you plan on reselling the art I would not buy the art as an investment.

Coming from a multi-generational family of artists most of my art that's hanging is post impressionistic oils by relatives and family friends, family photos, Conte portraits of relatives, a large watercolor of my children, a Wille Bauer lake scape and a landscape, some E.H. Pohl's and mirrors.

I have a collection of LE prints by Emile Weddige, Irving Amen, Hubberlinck's, and a number of prints by local artists from the 20's through the present.

I also have a Guy MacCoy oil and serigraph. He is the one accredited with elevating the silkscreen process from advertising art to a fine art medium.

I've never bought any art personally with the intent of reselling it. If I liked something I bought it, traded for it or inherited it.

I commissioned a mural artist, David Blower, to paint an 8' X 32' mural called "Art Through the Ages" which is a conglomeration of art from cave art through modern art portraying segments of masterpiece art works in a chronological interloping collage. It was painted with one shot enamel and hung on the outside of my art material store for ten years. I brought him back from New York when I moved and had him repaint the entire mural since it had suffered some fading. It was painted on panels and is now in storage.
 
The artwork I enjoy falls into one of two categories. Either it has personal significance, or it appeals for some particular whimsical reason. In the second category, I dislike prints and am unlikely to buy anything other than an original.

If I contemplated investing in artwork for long term appreciation, which is highly unlikely, the better investments might well be unlike my personal taste.

There is some good advice on investing in art at this site, which lists 9 basic rules.
 
Hey dave - I'd love to see a phot of the mural.... I paint murals and always love looking at others..
 
I may have a photo of it in my old Mac ...I'll post if I can find it.
 
Being that my grandfather was a very prolific artist, I have quite a bit of his work on my walls. In addition to that, I have some Maxfield Parrish prints, memorabilia from my Rocky Horror Show days and, thanks to the influence of The Lovely Blanche, lots of family pictures. Oddly enough, there is one room where art does not dare to intrude...the bedroom. 'Twas not ever thus, but when my better half moved in, the art in the bedroom (the afformentioned memorabilia) moved out.
 
Seth ...I love your grandfather's work. Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the link.

I've always had a deep appreciation for post impressionists.
 
I hate asking stupid questions, so I'll just present this as if I'm just supposing something.

I suppose that once a limited edition print is sold out there is no longer a wholesale price. The price becomes a matter of demand and perceived value.

But I don't suppose it would be stupid to ask this, does anyone know of a site to find good prices on sold out limited edition prints.


Thanks,
Don
 
I've always been one to advocate buying art that you love as opposed to art that may have some value.

Awhile back, I modeled for an established artist, Nall, who in return gave me a couple of small prints and an original signed and numbered etching. He's gotten a LOT more famous now. Check him out at www.nall.org

I'm also a big collector of black and white photos. Robert Mapplethorpe, Francesca Woodman, and Diane Arbus are among some of my favorite photographers. And even though I have no originals or even signed pieces, I avidly collect posters, magazines, and reading materials on those esteemed artists.

Cheers.
 
PaulSF said:
As for future acquisitions, I'm kind of liking some of the work by Fabian Perez right now.
Click to expand...

His stuff sells well here - published by DeMontfort Fine Art

I've met him at a trade show too - the photo in that link was taken a while back!
 
DA said:
does anyone know of a site to find good prices on sold out limited edition prints.

Thanks,
Don
Click to expand...

E-bay. It's taken over the market place.

What art I "own" and what is hanging on the walls of our home are two different things. My most valuable art is hanging in two other homes where they fit the decor. But still get to see them and enjoy them. And I know that they are enjoyed every day.

My Miro oil sketch taught my best friends son his colors. The Picasso sketch taught him to say "Bird", the Chagal he learned the words "lovers, man, woman, cathedral, donkey, fly, blue"..... the Rodan meso he didn't see untill he was 12, but by then it was all "old news." :help: ;)
 
I have a full color 5x7 portrait of a very famous artist displayed on my end table. It is a cherished birthday gift from a close friend.

I think it was framed upside down on purpose.



TK1.jpg
 
DA said:
I hate asking stupid questions, so I'll just present this as if I'm just supposing something.

I suppose that once a limited edition print is sold out there is no longer a wholesale price. The price becomes a matter of demand and perceived value.

But I don't suppose it would be stupid to ask this, does anyone know of a site to find good prices on sold out limited edition prints.


Thanks,
Don
Click to expand...


http://www.informartmag.com/

It's subscription based.
 
jframe said:
Her photography is excellent. I would have a hard time choosing.

http://www.barbaravancleve.com
Click to expand...

Jo, I have this one, entitled A Good Day Under the Crazies

http://www.barbaravancleve.com/detailCtl.cfm?ThumbType=category&InventoryID=106

This one, Ghost Horses, is another really powerful image that I wouldn't mind possessing!

And Noon Break is the one I wanted the most, but it was way out of my price range!

http://www.fotoinventory.com/asmith...&cartpos=2&GalleryListID=&view=1&fromgallery=
 
Framerguy said:
I have a full color 5x7 portrait of a very famous artist displayed on my end table. It is a cherished birthday gift from a close friend.

I think it was framed upside down on purpose.



TK1.jpg
Click to expand...

Um, I, um think that was supposed to be displayed backwards too.
 
Lets see...
Photo I took of the Grand Canyon
original water color late 1800s or early 1900s
Alt-wien (Old Vienna) print on silk 1950s?
A couple framed pencil sketches I did in the 1990s
A couple prints from artist Hunt-Wulkowicz
repro from one of Monet's “Water Lilies” series
A few wildlife art type prints (Coheleach and such)

I have several pictures in storage that I rotate with stuff on the walls. Good way to keep things fresh, but I won't bore you with the details.
 
Tom, that isn't T.K., is it?

I can't get my neck cranked around that far, made me dizzy trying, so tell....whoozit??
 
jframe said:
Um, I, um think that was supposed to be displayed backwards too.
Click to expand...

Jo, I wondered about that! But I figured that, if you turned it around, the cardboard backing would be pointing the wrong direction and that wouldn't look right, would it??:shrug:

Val said:
Tom, that isn't T.K., is it?

I can't get my neck cranked around that far, made me dizzy trying, so tell....whoozit??
Click to expand...

TK??? Hey you may have something there!!

Because of the way they framed it, I could never tell for sure just exactly who it was. :help:

I do think that the frame is an Italian water gilded original made for that particular sitting.:popc:
 
Framerguy said:
Jo, I wondered about that! But I figured that, if you turned it around, the cardboard backing would be pointing the wrong direction and that wouldn't look right, would it??:shrug:
Click to expand...

But it might look just as good.;) Just think, poor Robbie has to look at it everytime he wakes up during the day.:D
 
Isn't it funny, I try not to own anything that I couldn't bear to loose, including art on wall. Some nice things, some silly things things, nothing of particular value but I like them all, and they mostly fit in their assigned places.

I feel fortunate that the collecting bug passed me over : )

Rebecca
 
I never could figure out why folks would actually need to buy art just to decorate a room. I have some of my daughter's paintings, a couple of my friends' paintings, needlework done by me and some by my mother, family photos and stuff that means a lot to me. I did actually pay cash for two pieces in my house. There is a local artist whose work I am nutz about. One of 4 white-faced Herefords is above my desk, where I see it every morning and it delights me. In fact there isn't a piece of furniture, glassware or framed art that doesn't mean a bunch to me. Probably why I fear fire so much... (I even have fire-proof safes for the albums of family photos!)
 
I have a rather nice "collection" of serigraphy from the mid 80's...mostly in purple, mauve, and grey...any takers?:party:
When fashion comes full circle, I hope this period gets skipped over.
 
have originals in our home.. one Arozi ..a south pacific island waterscape, two Aletha Butler..local Florida wildlife/landscape artist, two Robert Butler, famous Florida "Highwayman artist (including an original we commissioned and we sell LE in our gallery, but I'm keeping the original. One James Coleman, and of course two murals that I did..one on my workshop doors of our lake scene with native birds and one on the den wall with lake scene /gators and birds. All are for enjoyment and not investment. We love local native wildlife and landscapes that fit into our lakehouse envirnment.
 
Since I am retired from the U.S. Coast Guard, the majority of what I collect is about the sea. I started collecting in the early 80's when the cutter I was on went to Haiti. Every place we went I would buy a local piece of original art. All had to be small to fit in my locker on the ship. When I retired I finally bought a home, all the small paintings are now collaged on my great room wall. I have larger more recent pieces scattered around the house.
 
Our art on our walls are actually stuff that customers didnt want anymore.
Like there was one lady that brought in something that was in a frame and when we took it all apart there was an AWSOME antique-y paint by number behind it.
She hated it and told us to toss it. We kept it. (I told my dad what we found and he said paint by numbers are a hot item in the antique world)

another picture is a pencil sketch (of a barn and field) that a lady didnt want because it was done by an ex-boyfriend and it was a part of her life she didnt want to remember.
HA!

we have all kinds of things like that.
OHHHH! Another piece is one that we found in my grandpa's attic.
it's a declaration of independance, that's printed on skin.
It's got an embossed "facsimile" imprint on the bottom right of it, so we dont think it's one of those million dollar ones.
It looks almost exactly like this one.
except it says "Philadelphia printed by John Dunlap" at the very bottom
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/dunlap.htm

it always makes me wonder though...
 
i mostly have family photos, my art, a great-uncles art, my kids art, and my friends art hanging on the walls. I do have one of those repoduction antique ad posters in my kitchen. It was a leftover from a customer too.
 
Framerguy said:
I have a full color 5x7 portrait of a very famous artist displayed on my end table. It is a cherished birthday gift from a close friend.

I think it was framed upside down on purpose.



TK1.jpg
Click to expand...


Oh look!! It's Satan!
 
In my public areas I have 18th and 19th century French and Italian coperplate engravings. In my bedrooms I have more personal items like mementos of my wedding and a few small run Ltd. edition prints by completely unknown artists(cuz i liked em). In my office I have Fillmore posters from shows I have gone to only. In theory my rock concert posters will gain some value, though most are of lesser known bands. My engravings on the other hand should continue to gain in value over time, especialy my prized Piranesi engraving.
 
I have a signed Toshi Yoshida Japanese woodblock print, two small canvas giclee Kincades of lighthouses that my mother gave us, needleworks of mine and my mom's and grandmothers' and great aunt's, original oils by family members, photos and art of my own, a few leftovers from the frame shop that never got picked up, an entire closet full of stuff that I've collected over the years , waiting to be framed (in my next life, maybe?), odds and ends that I've purchased or were given to me, mostly originals, that just "spoke" to me, by unknown artists, and several generations of family photos. I also collect colored glass fishing floats and Toby jugs and hurricane lamps. Oh yeah....and flamingos mostly in my art studio room.

Like Ellen mentioned, each piece has it's own story and touches my heart in some way.
 
It's nice to hear about the varied taste of you grumblers who have responded here. And the links that were provided are most appreciated.

I've decided to start my collection with three Don Stivers Limited Edition prints. Each is a sold out print. I chose them not only because I love how they look, but also because of the historical significance of each.

I'll frame each with a gold frame to match the soldiers chevrons, a blue raw silk mat to match the uniforms and a fillet that complements the frame. The glass will be museum glass of course.

I think I'll also get plaques made for each to describe the history behind each print.

I haven't added up what it will cost me to frame each, but the prints will run me about $1,000. That covers all three. I'll be picking them up from a gallery about twenty miles from where I'm working. I'll do it on Monday, my day off.

My wife isn't really fond of art at all. So I'll get to cover all the walls in the house with what I want. I'm hoping that most of what I collect will be passed from one generation to the next. Hopefully, my son will like these three Don Stivers pieces. Since he's only three he won't have any input this time.

My daughter is seven so I'll let her help me choose the next three with the notion that one day she will inherit those. I think she would like the Kinkades. Even if they won't be worth much, as someone suggested.

When I was working for a FastFrame last year a woman came in to frame a beautiful picture with a bunch of fairy creatures in a forest. I wish I could remember the name of the piece. My daughter would love that. Anybody have an idea?


Thanks,
Don
 
TessaE said:
is it this one?
Click to expand...

Thanks, but nope.

As I recall it was about 36" x 24". And there were no large figures in the piece. I know the artist was a male. And I'm tempted to say that he was European.

I think I'll just google 'fairy forest print' and see what comes up.


Thanks again,
Don
 
Found it!

The name of the piece is 'Royal Processional' by James Christensen. It's a lot more expensive than I expected. But I think my daughter will love it.
 
RoboFramer said:
His stuff sells well here - published by DeMontfort Fine Art

I've met him at a trade show too - the photo in that link was taken a while back!
Click to expand...

PaulSF said:
Please please please tell me he's now fat, balding, and grey!!!
Click to expand...


Well, he's definitely a salad dodger - quite short but still has long (lank) dark hair - looks like an ageing porn star.

Still love his work though.

He was dishing out boxed silk roses in front of a flamenco dancer - brought one back for Karen, our manageress - never had the heart to tell her.
 
My walls are bare!!!! Well just about bare. I have a collection of local artists and international ones that are still in the drawers because I dont have time to frame them for myself.
 
A rather eclectic mix including 6 Wysocki LE cat prints (don't ask, they're Liz's) in the family room, upstairs hall and bedroom, a Maynard Reese trout identification poster, 6-7 family photos, a classic Wysocki chicken poster in the kitchen, etc. The pool room has several LE golf prints by my friend Jim Fitzpatrick, a 5-opening LE set of the original USA basketball "dream team" by Daniel Smith, a B/W giclee of Roger Clemens by Brett Tomko, an old silkscreen called "Bar Hounds" by Constance Depler, and a couple of other dog/sports related posters (dogs playing poker and shooting pool). The dining room has 2 nice A/P river delta lithos by my late friend Marty Stanley. I own a total of one original piece - an oil by our friend Ingrid Rice purchased at her first gallery showing. It is actually the first piece she ever sold and, as such, represents something special both to her and us, too.
 
I have mostly original art from my sisters and one oversize wc that I did myself. I, too come from an artistic family so of course I would only hang family originals. Being Navajo, I also collect art from other Native American artists.
 
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