posted on May 25, 2001 05:53:55 PM new
I found these over at the good will. Everyone passed them up I thought they were and are outstanding works but don't know much about art. They are just so real and yet they have a dream like quality. I don't even know what I should ask, what I should say or where I should put them any suggestions. I was thinking black America cultures area. I was also thinking folk art but from what I see there they don't look like folk art to me are they? Are they fine art? Where would you put them? And what would you start them at? The area a stretched canvas over a frame and signed. P schwartz '89. Thanks ahead of time for your help.
The first two are 24 inches wide 30 tall the last one is about 20 by 21. Hope I linked them correctly so you can see the pics.
posted on May 26, 2001 10:42:09 AM new
I don't know but I wanted to mention that I too really like the paintings. (FWIW -art major, pre-computer painter) There was a thread a couple days ago about paintings but the feel was "don't bother on ebay". It seems to me the black culture cat might be good but, also, I was wondering about the home decorating cat. Now, as an artist I should be shot for suggesting that but I'm an ebayer, too and I say, "market those babies". I watch HGTV and the home design shows and it seems to me they would be very desirable. (Those that do cruise the fine art arn't going to be drawn to an unknown)A lot of people are too intimidated to buy art and would never go to the painting/fine art catagories but finding something cool for their homes is different -especially with the "assurance" you're giving by having it in a decor home catagory.
I'm not crazy about the "folk art" or "fine art" term. A painting's a painting. If you want a term though use "Folk art" - it sells.
Did I help? I'm procrastinating some housework here! I did enjoy seeing the artwork. Maybe I should get my paints and brushes out again...I'd have to get all this ebay stuff out of my studio though! Have a good holiday - mrs. mikeboy
posted on May 26, 2001 10:57:17 AM new
They look to be student work to me, Someone who has had some training or is learning. The poses look too formal for folk art, or self taught, or "Outsider Art". They look like figure and perspective studies.
Set them up on a wall or a distance away and note where your eye is drawn.. Do you see the overall image or is your eye drawn to one area of the work? Note the detail and symmetry of the faces and the hands, (and in particular the fingers). Do the figures look proportional for the pose and perspective? Do the figures look "flat" or does your eye see more than one dimension or depth. Are the colors balanced and complimentary?, etc....
How was the canvas prepared? Are they oils or acrylics? Is there any bleed on the back of the canvas? If there is this is poor materials handling and a sign of student or amateur work. Is the medium applied evenly or is it caked or globed in areas? Is there any sign of cracking of the medium as if it is becoming loose from the canvas?, etc...
PS: (Not looking for answers..........these are some of the the questions I would ask myself if I were looking at this work).
posted on May 26, 2001 10:58:43 AM new
I was wondering about the home decorating cat. >>
You know I never thought of that. It is a good idea.
So yes that did help. I paint myself but I know nothing about art. I took few painting and drawing classes in college got A's but didn't learn or change a thing. So I am kind of lost with these. I love them though.
I thought about keeping them they just don't fit in with the rest of the place and I have so much already on my wall as I collect old religious paintings but only what I like because as for the form of art. I no nada, nothing zilc.
The decorating department is a good idea. THANKS I might do that along with the black culture cat
Maybe I should get my paints and brushes out again...I'd have to get all this ebay stuff out of my studio though! >>
Good luck with that. It seems everytime I even make a break in my stuff something else fills it.
posted on May 26, 2001 05:32:21 PM new
All good questions. Folk art didn't ring with me either.
They are done with archival canvas and nicely brought around the boards. Even painting. There is not bleeding. As you note the hands and feet are in perspective with the size of the face. So maybe there is some formal trainging.
I would also guess it is a student that hasn't been imprisoned by formal teaching yet of the up nose art people. What amazes me the most is the life that is part of these pictures as if you could or they could reach out and touch you as part of daily life. You can't see that in the digital picture.
As I said I don't know that much about art. Whoever did these has some real talent. I will use some of the question you asked to point out the finer points of the paintings.
My main question now after looking at them for a while is what to start them at? Since this is not my main selling field. I don't want to start them to low or to high.
posted on June 6, 2001 04:31:07 AM new
For the ones who helped me out I justed wanted to say I did okay on these. I only did 20.00 on the boy about 10.00 on the older lady but the girl(the one I like the most) went for about 130.00 dollars. Not a bad turn over for a dollar investment.
[ edited by traceyg on May 25, 2001 05:55 PM ]