Finding Art Exhibitions

London is home to many exciting and interesting art exhibitions www.artcalendr.com this spring. The range of art on show is so diverse there’s something to satisfy everyone’s tastes.

If you’re looking to explore the artistic offerings of the capital city, the following exhibitions are currently running:

Former Turner prize-winner Chris Ofili is exhibiting at the Tate Britain until mid-May. His artwork is coloured with rich layering and shows an inventive used of mixed media, including glitter, resin, map pins and elephant dung. His work is noted for its references to his Nigerian heritage. Ofili won the Turner Prize in 1998 and was selected in 2003 to represent Britain at the Venice Biennale, where his work for the British Pavilion was done in collaboration with the architect David Adjaye.

‘Victoria & Albert: Art & Love in London’ is the first exhibition to focus on Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s love of art. The exhibition spans the length of their marriage and includes over 400 items from the Royal Collection, most of which were exchanged between the pair as tokens to mark special occasions. The exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery runs until October.

The National Portrait Gallery is exhibiting over 60 portraits as part of their ‘Indian Portrait’ exhibition. It includes portraits of Mughal emperors, courtiers, holy men and some depictions of Europeans by Indian artists. This is complemented by an exhibition of work, and a trail, by the Singh Twins. The two London-born twin sisters are acclaimed British artists, and the exhibition will provide a contemporary response to the portrait exhibition. It runs until June.

Art fans looking for something a little more quirky will enjoy ‘the Music of the Fans’ exhibition at the Fan Museum. It draws together a selection of intricately designed fans featuring musical instruments and musical themes. The museum, heralded as one of London’s hidden gems, is home to over 3,500 antique and contemporary fans dating from the 11th century on wards. The exhibition runs until July.

History buffs will be drawn to the Ministry of Food exhibition at the Imperial War Museum. It explores the rationing of food which was introduced by wartime government 70 years ago. It shows how people adapted to the 14 year ration by growing their own food, trying different recipes and eating communally. It includes a wartime greenhouse, a grocer’s shop, cookery demonstrations and family events and will run until 2011.

Famous Artist Quotes

Artists say the funniest things.Well, not necessarily, but some artists do give interesting, insightful or otherwise entertaining quotes. We have gathered some of the more interesting quotes we have found and would like to share them with you. So sit back and enjoy the artists quotes below.
“Art is literacy of the heart” ~ Elliot Eisner “Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us.” ~ Roy Adzak “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.” ~ Maya Angelou “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” ~ Aristotle “The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.” ~ Francis Bacon “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher “What is real is not the external form, but the essence of things . . . it is impossible for anyone to express anything essentially real by imitating its exterior surface.” ~ Brancusi “The function of Art is to disturb. Science reassures.” ~ George Braque “In whatever one does there must be a relationship between the eye and the heart.” ~ Henri Cartier-Besson “What a society deems important is enshrined in its art” ~ Harry (?) Broudy “A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.” ~ Paul Cézanne “Painting from nature is not copying the object; it is realizing one’s sensations.” ~ Paul Cézanne “What is one to think of those fools who tell one that the artist is always subordinate to nature? Art is a harmony parallel with nature.” ~ Paul Cézanne “When I judge art, I take my painting and put it next to a God made object like a tree or flower. If it clashes, it is not art.” ~ Paul Cezanne “Art must be an expression of love or it is nothing.” ~ Marc Chagall “Great art picks up where nature ends.” ~ Marc Chagall “There are more valid facts and details in works of art than there are in history books.”~ Charlie Chaplin “The beautiful is in nature, and it is encountered under the most diverse forms of reality. Once it is found it belongs to art, or rather to the artist who discovers it.” ~ Gustave Courbet (1819-1877) – French artist “Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.” ~ Salvador Dali (1904-1989) – Spanish artist “Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci “As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings happy death.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) – Italian artist “To become truly immortal, a work of art must escape all human limits: logic and commonsense will only interfere. But once these barriers are broken, it will enter the realms of childhood visions and dreams.” ~ Giorgio DeChirico “Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things.” ~ Edgar Degas “Painting is easy for those that do not know how, but very difficult for those that do!” ~ Edgar Degas “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” ~ Edgar Degas “If apple is the language of the future, then art must be the core.” ~ Elliot W. Eisner “What moves men of genius, or rather what inspires their work, is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been said is still not enough.” ~ Eugene Delacroix “We work not only to produce but to give value to time.” ~ Eugene Delacroix “Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything.” ~ Eugene Delacroix “The source of genius is imagination alone, the refinement of the senses that sees what others do not see, or sees them differently.” ~ Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) – French artist “When I feel a little confused the only thing to do is to turn back to the study of nature before launching once again into the subjects closest to heart.” ~ Raoul Dufy (1877-1953) – French artist “The big artist…keeps an eye on nature and steals her tools.” ~Thomas Eakins “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.” ~ Albert Einstein “We live in a beautiful and orderly world, not in a chaos without norms, even though this is how it sometimes appears.” ~ M. C. Escher (Dutch) “Art is a passion or it is nothing.” ~ Robert Fry (Vision and Design) “A painting is never finished – it simply stops in interesting places.” ~ Paul Gardner “Art is either plagiarism or revolution.” ~ Paul Gaugin “I shut my eyes in order to see.” or “I close my eyes in order to see” ~ Paul Gaugin “…the object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity.” ~ Alberto Giacometti “Art is skill, that is the first meaning of the word.” ~ Eric Gill “The essence of drawing is the line exploring space.” ~ Andy Goldsworthy “Fantasy, abandoned by reason, produces impossible monsters; united with it, she is the mother of the arts and the origin of marvels.” ~ Francisco Goya (1746-1828) – Spanish artist “To create one’s own world in any of the arts takes courage.” ~ Georgia O’Keeffe “Fill a space in a beautiful way” ~ Georgia O’Keeffe “Still – in a way – nobody sees a flower – really – it is so small – we haven’t time – and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.” ~ Georgia O’Keeffe “One day seven years ago I found myself saying to myself — I can’t live where I want to — I can’t go where I want to go–I can’t do what I want to — I can’t even say what I want to –….I decided I was a very stupid fool not to at least paint as I wanted to.” ~ Georgia O’Keeffe, 1923 “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way-things I had no words for.” ~ Georgia O’Keeffe “If I didn’t think what I was doing had something to do with enlarging the boundaries of art, I wouldn’t go on doing it.” ~ Claes Oldenburg “Imagination is the true magic carpet.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale “Art is a lie that helps us to realize the truth.” ~ Pablo Picasso “Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” ~ Pablo Picasso “There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are others who, thanks to their art and intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun.” ~ Pablo Picasso “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” ~ Pablo Picasso “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” ~ Pablo Picasso “Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.” ~ Pablo Picasso “I begin with an idea and then it becomes something else.” ~ Pablo Picasso “It takes a very long time to become young.” ~ Pablo Picasso “What good are computers? They can only give you answers.” ~ Pablo Picasso “I believe it is impossible to make sense of life in this world except through art.” ~ Daniel Pinkwater (author) “Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.” ~ Camille Pissarro “Every good painter paints what he is.” ~ Jackson Pollock “The painting has a life of its own.” ~ Jackson Pollock If you find that we have left out a few must have artist quotes, then by all means, send them in. We like to hear what artists have to say about their own works, so if an artist says something, we listen.

Keith Haring had a different take on what art is, “The best reason to paint is that there is no reason to paint….I’d like to pretend that I’ve never seen anything, never read anything, never heard anything…and then make something….Every time I make something I think about the people who are going to see it and every time I see something, I think about the person who made it….Nothing is important…so everything is important.”

With so many differing opinions it is hard to focus on exactly what is what is not art. Many will tell you their opinions such as “I don’t know what good art is, but I know if I like it or not” and this seems to be the sentiment with many.

Paul Gaugin at one time said, “Painting is the most beautiful of all arts. In it, all sensations are condensed; contemplating it, everyone can create a story at the will of his imagination and.. with a single glance…have his soul invaded by the most profound recollections; no effort of memory, everything is summed up in one instant. A complete art which sums up all the others and completes them.” Gaugin was as eloquent with speech as he was with a paint brush and painter’s hat.

Theo Van Gogh once said of brother, Vincent, “He (Vincent) has painted a few portraits which have turned out well, but he always does them for no payment. It is a pity that he does not want to earn something, for if he did want to he could make something here, but you can’t change a person.”

So many artists have not had any acclaim to fame or fortune during their own lifetimes. It is only after they are gone that the general public tends to take notice and appreciate the master artist. And even for those few who have claimed some form of notoriety, it is not all a bed of roses.

As David Hockney has said, “I know some people think one leads a glamorous life, but I must admit I’ve never felt that myself. Even when you’ve sat here in Hollywood with a swimming pool out there, I still feel my life is just as a working artist, actually.”

And so goes the life of a working artist. Some get to live the dream and some are not impressed by it when they get it. Yet, a lucky few get to live the dream and are impressed by it at the same time. Which kind of artist do you want to be? Impressed or unimpressed? Or even depressed?

And, the bigger question is are you in it for the art or are you in it for the lifestyle? Many artists and writer dream of the lifestyle without a true passion and commitment to the art. If it’s only the lifestyle you want there are perhaps better ways to achieve this than being a working artist. If however, you would wrather do art than anything else, then you’ve found your bliss and that is a reward in and of itself.

Buying Art Online

The Internet allows people from all walks of life to instantly access knowledge and wisdom at their fingertips that spans the ages and the world over.  GFM painting designer on-line gallery are a wonderful way to buy and enjoy art without having to leave your own home.

With the rise of e-commerce and the growing appetite of consumers for goods and services that are ready to go with a simple click of the “buy now” button, it’s only natural that there is a demand by art lovers, art collectors and indeed artists themselves to buy art on-line

What makes GFM painting designer unique is that it not only provides visitors and buyers with an extensive, high quality resource for buying art, it also serves as a great information website for artists and art lovers from around the country. With a myriad of potential sponsorship opportunities for investors and business owners this is a great way to also get your business noticed.

The beauty of an on-line art gallery is that you can view the artwork at your pace and in your time but you will also have the work of art delivered directly to your door, we even include free delivery!

The Internet has taken the beauty and accessibility of artwork to an unprecedented level, allowing millions of people throughout the UK to view and purchase art instantly. This not only improves the overall exposure of individual artists Inspired Art, but it also provides the country with far greater amounts of cultural and social capital.

However, you must also use a bit of caution when buying art online. As you do not see the physical artwork it is only when it arrives that you get to view the work with your own eyes. Therefore it is imperative that you have some form of safety from the gallery. At Inspired Art we recognise this and offer all of our customers a  full money back guarantee which last for 30 days! You will struggle to find service close to this anywhere else. We believe in our art and the service our customers receive, therefore we are happy to offer this guarantee to all of our customers.

Remember we have a close relationship with our artists so if you wish to know more about them or a piece of art they have produced then contact us through the contact section and we will give you all the information you need. Good luck in selecting your new piece of art and why not join our club while you’re looking around.

Art Investment Guide

Second only in size to the US market, The UK art and antiques market is worth well over £4 billion a year, and holds a global share of some 26% of the world’s total art sales. In terms of volume, the UK is the largest marketplace for art on the planet.(1). In 2005, the index covering sales of old masters showed growth of 18.8%, while the similar index covering post-war and contemporary art rose 8.3%. Over the past five years, the average annual returns were 3.1% and 17.7% respectively.(2). That’s a better return than investing in stocks and shares.

Buying art can represent a fantastic long-term investment opportunity. In order to help you make an informed decision on the art you buy through The Art Ministry website, we have put together some key considerations to bear in mind when selecting work from our galleries. With over 25 years’ experience in the art market, our team have followed the same steps to ensure all work available in our Online Store is fairly valued.

1. Buy what you like

It’s important to trust your own taste when buying art. Our aim in providing this collection is to offer artwork for every budget that adds interest to your home or office, a talking point that enriches your environment and lifestyle. Great art needn’t be expensive, and buying artwork should primarily be an expression of your own personality. Like stocks and shares, the value of artwork can go up or down, so it’s crucial you buy what you like and can afford. Ultimately the true value of art is in the pleasure or feelings it evokes. The more people that find it appealing the more demand increases, which inevitably increases the value.

2. Do your homework and understand the value of the work

When you view a piece of artwork to buy, pay attention to detail. If you look into the way it has been physically created, how much time it took and the journey the artist went through in producing the piece, you will come to appreciate the skill of the artist and the effort involved in making the work. When it comes to value, don’t be taken in by the medium either. For example, oil paintings are in general more expensive than watercolours, but the latter can require more skill to achieve the desired impression.

The more artwork you look at and the more background information you obtain on various artists and how they work, the more you will learn what you like and why. Comparing the merits of a work with other artist’s work will help you determine the inherent value in any given piece and assist your buying decision. If you want to know what similar work has sold for, use a source like The Art Sales Index, which has catalogued art prices since the 1950’s, or the Mei/Moses Fine Art Index, which tracks various auction price indexes and compares them to the stock exchange to gauge relative performance.

The comparative merits include:

• The artist’s exhibition history
• The nationality of the artist
• What country the artist works in
• The medium the artist uses
• The size and dimensions of the piece
• The price their work has sold for in the past

3. Buy from a reputable dealer

Only buy artwork from a reputable dealer. The best ones will provide extensive background information on the artists in their portfolio, giving details on how they work and what inspires them. Knowing the artist’s passion might also help you find a work that is right for you. Click here to read ‘About the Artists’ at The Art Ministry.

Reputable dealers will also provide a ‘Certificate of Authenticity’ with all original and limited edition artwork sold. This will be signed by the artist and proves the work is 100% genuine and has been accurately valued. These also include the following information:

• The title and visual description of the artwork
• Edition numbers and collection details
• Materials and techniques used
• Size and dimensions of the work
• The copyright holder
• Distributor details
• Release date of the artwork
• Printer’s details if relevant
• Comments from the artist
• Notes on caring for the artwork

Sources:

1. The House of Commons Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport (Sixth Report)

2. ‘Is it just art, or is it investment?’ by Joe Bolger, Times Online 17th April 2006, quoting figures from the Mei/Moses Fine? Art Index

If you require more assistance with buying art from our website, please to contact us, alternatively, feel free to browse our to view the work of all our artists.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/art-investment-guide-122736.html#ixzz0uF4EejPI
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Stealing the Famous Mona Lisa, 1911

GFM painting designer Leonardo Da Vinci Mona Lisa

The world most famous painting Mona Lisa byLeonardo Da Vinci was once stolen in 1911. On the 75th anniversary of the Lindbergh kidnapping, TIME looks back at the notorious crimes of the past hundred years. The stealing of the Mona Lisamade the Top 25 Crimes of the Century.

Perhaps the most famous case of art theft occurred on August 21, 1911, when the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre by employee Vincenzo Peruggia, who was caught after two years.

Mona Lisa, or La Gioconda (La Joconde), is a 16th century oil painting on poplar wood by Leonardo da Vinci, and is one of the most famous paintings in the world. Few works of art have been subject to as much scrutiny, study, mythologizing and parody. It is owned by the French government and hangs in the Musée du Louvre in Paris. The painting, a half-length portrait, depicts a woman whose gaze meets the viewer’s with an expression often described as enigmatic.Leonardo Da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1502 and, according to Vasari, completed it in four years. Leonardo took the painting from Italy to France in 1516 when King François I invited the painter to work at the Clos Lucé near the king’s castle in Amboise. The King bought the painting for 4,000 écus and kept it at Fontainebleau, where it remained until moved by Louis XIV.

The National Gallery Exhibition of Fake Paintings

Fake Oil Painting Hans Holbein

The BBC News Arts & Culture posted an announcement that The National Gallery, Londonwill have an exhibition of their acquisitions of fake paintings.

The exhibition is billed as a celebration of “the remarkable collaboration of scientists, conservators and art historians” at the central London gallery.

In June 1874, the gallery paid more for a fake than a real Sandro Botticelli when two pieces were purchased at the same time.

More than 40 works of art will go on display at the gallery in June. Fakes, Mistakes and Discoveries opens on 30 June and runs until 12 September.

Another Picasso Painting auction record $106 millions

The latest news on record breaking auction of a painting was posted today on BBC News Arts & Culture. A Picasso’s painting called “Nude, Green Leaves and Bust” painted in 1932 fetched a record price of $106 million today at Christie’s Auction House in New York. The winning bid was made by an unnamed telephone bidder.