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Buying Art
As I mentioned on the home page, all of
the artwork shown here is my original work, some of which is
also available in limited edition prints and notecards. If you
are already an experienced art collector, you no doubt have at
least some understanding of art mediums. Not to worry, you don’t
need a doctorate in art to appreciate a painting or print. The
single most important aspect of purchasing artwork is...do you
like the image? Does it speak to you on some level of emotion?
Does it spark your imagination, or remind you of a pleasant memory
or experience? If it brings you joy or soothes your psyche, that’s
all the reason you need to decide to purchase art. As an artist,
I find some images to be so compelling that I keep them where
I can see them often. Some of my own pieces are so dear to me
that I can’t bear to part with them for several years after
they’re completed. I love looking at other artists’
works also, appreciating subtle differences of technique or unique
approaches to a subject. That is the power of art! Don’t
be intimidated by it. Fine art is a lot like fine wine... it’s
not just for the elite connoisseur. Everyone can enjoy it.
Art Mediums
For a very basic explanation of art mediums,
just think of “paint” as a combination of pigment (color)
and a binder. Watercolors use a water soluble gum binder, oil
usually uses linseed oil to “bind” the pigment, and
acrylics utilize a water soluble acrylic base that hardens when
dry. Paint may also contain fillers, glycerine, beeswax, etc.
Gouache is simply opaque watercolor. Oil paint is the classic
medium used in most of the “famous” paintings we’re
all familiar with. Acrylics have become popular by artists nowadays
because they dry quickly, unlike most oils, and don’t require
solvents for thinning or cleanup. Watercolor possesses it’s
own charm of brightness, spontaneity, and delicacy. I like to
use all of the mediums because they each handle differently and
one may feel more suitable for the mood or subject I am portraying.
Most of my original paintings are
done on stretched canvas. It is a popular substrate for it’s
textured surface and reliable permanence. Some of the watercolor
pieces are done on acid free illustration board (which I refer
to as rag board for its cotton content). I have done a few paintings
on Claybord, which is a kaolin clay coated hardboard made by
Ampersand that is also 100% archival. For some paintings, I used
hardboard (a product made by permanently binding wood fibers
under extreme heat and pressure) prepared with layers of gesso.
It provides a hard, smooth, uniform surface that is very dimensionally
stable.
Prints
Please refer to the page called “Prints
& Notecards” for detailed information about the materials
used in my limited edition prints.
Care of Artwork
All of the original artwork offered here
is professionally framed. I have chosen quality wood frames that
complement the paintings. They also have linen liners for added
depth and interest. Watercolor paintings must be protected by
glass, and are framed accordingly. All of my watercolor originals
are double or triple matted with archival museum quality matboard.
When storing or hanging art, it should always be kept out of
direct sunlight. UV light will damage the painting or print,
bleaching the image. You should also keep humidity levels in
the moderate range—way too much or way too little can both
cause problems. Also, extremely low temperatures can crack acrylic
paintings (winter shipping should be done with care, and don’t
store your original art in an unheated cabin in the mountains!).
It is a good idea to keep the dust from building up on the artwork.
Prints should be professionally framed to protect them, if you
want them to last. Use archival mats with glass, and hang them
as you would an original painting (out of direct sun and in a
humidity controlled environment). If you purchase a print and
do not frame it right away, store it flat in the protective wrapping
I send it in. With a little care, your limited edition prints
can last many decades, and the original paintings can be cherished
for many generations.
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