In Step 7 - Accompany a Creative you ventured into art arenas that were non-commercial. The next step is to venture into the commercial realm and 

The goal of the emerging collector is to Acquire Art so at some point the commercial confrontation has to enter. But, the necessary ground work has been accomplished so that this won't be a totally foreign experience. In fact, you can see an art opening in play at the link below -

After watching the video you might notice it's a fun, relaxed, party-like atmosphere. When you find one to attend have fun with it. Take in the art and talk to people. Here are a few places you could do that at -

• Opening Reception of an artist at a local gallery
• College BFA shows with the artist's at the opening
• Alumni Art Shows and the reception
• Open Studios, artists open their personal studios and sell art
• Art Street Fairs

Whether you attend an opening or not, attend an Art Gallery and accomplish the following process:

At this point, you've made art connections. Hopefully through Adopt an Artist or Accompany a Creative  or some other way. Now is the time to ask them to show you their world. 

At least not this time. The goal is to acquire art but that doesn't have to happen the first time you walk in a gallery. In fact, it's best if it doesn't. So leave your Art Fund home this step.

Even though the point is not to purchase this step, money is still part of the process - gain an understanding of pricing. What is the price range for small works, large works, differing genres and particular artists. If price is not posted go ahead and ask. 

Since this is a commercial art establishment there is a likelihood that someone will approach you and ask if you are interested in anything or need any help. The natural response is, "No, I'm just looking." But, you are doing more than looking, you are an emerging art collector and are willing to learn from those who know things you don't. 

So instead say, "Yes, I am looking to increase my art understanding. Though I am not going to purchase art this moment I am going to acquire art in the future. Can you share anything that would be helpful in that direction and any art or artists that would be a good place to start." You have just stated all that they the gallery owner needs to hear and also taken the purchase pressure off of you.

This should be a habit by now. But, just in case it's not here's the reminder. Writing down first-time thoughts and experiences never comes again. First times, are first times. Write down what you think.

So far, there's been a lot of art to look at, money to set aside to purchase art, friends to look at art with, a genre to narrow down and adopting an artist. A lot of ground has been covered in The 10 Steps of an Emerging Art Collector but it has mostly been virtual territory. Now is the time to see the light of day. For step 7 you are going to -

Let's talk about what that means.

"Creative" as in a noun, meaning someone who is creative. Your Creative doesn't have to be an artist though they can be. But it needs to be someone who has an imaginative outlook, is an original thinker and has stimulating ideas. (It doesn't hurt if they are a good conversationalist too.) A "Creative" is a self definition not a title given by anyone else, though people tend to recognize it in others. You probably know people who you consider "creative" (maybe even yourself) that's who I am talking about. 

Pick someone (or a couple of someones) like that who you'd like to invite to go somewhere with you. Let them know you are taking them for their creative nature and that you want them to share their thoughts at a particular art institution. 

You'll take your Creative to an art establishment that is non-commercial. It is to be a learning, exploring art outing without the pressure of sales people, gallery owners or someone who's primary need is to make money. If there is an art venue that has the specific genre you are interested in that would be a bonus. Here is a list of ideas of places to look for -

• museums
• university galleries
• graduate BFA shows
• library collections
• traveling exhibitions
• art groups

Graduate BFA shows usually run on a school calendar year. Larger universities and libraries will have collections available to see. There are art groups that have membership fees but have access to private collections and resources. In museums they have docents (a knowledgeable art guide) who will give commentary through the course of the exhibit. Look for a local place.

After a tour go back through without the docent. Really look at the art. Look at the level of skill involved. Ask what it means to you. Let the Creative share any specific insights they have of art principles or theory. Have the Creative ask you questions to bring out your thoughts. Make observations. Make critiques. Make it personal. 

Remember to record it all in your Art Journal.

Offer lunch as a return kindness to your Creative.

Date Night Idea: Now that you have gone to an interesting art venue and know something about it go back with a date and razzle-dazzle them with your new knowledge. Then take them to the museum cafe or like eatery.

In the history of art, specifically the mid-sixteenth century, artists had a different place in the community than they do today. For sure they still had to rely on their abilities and performance of duties as today but it was an assumption that they would join with a ruler or patron in the same spirit as a secretary or chaplain would join the wealthy's household. It was part of a noble's obligations and responsibility to provide for the artist. The powerful patrons would give financial aid, commissions, introductions, surroundings and supplies. •

This week for The 10 Steps of an Emerging Art Collector we are going to explore a new form of patronage - 

Though there are still patrons in the old sense of the word we are going to look at it with a new view. You have looked through much art, subscribed to an art magazine, bookmarked some websites and have picked one or two genres to focus on. You have come across many artists. Now is the time to - 

Out of the many online galleries and artist's websites you have visited pick one artist that you particularly enjoy. If you have a local artist that you would like to support this would also work. Or maybe there is an emerging artist that you know that you could give aid to. The intent is to practice patronage either virtually or locally.

Read the information the artist has on their website - bio, resume, awards, work experiences, artist statement, publications, collections, galleries, who they studied with, organizations they're members of - to become more familiar with the artist and their outlook. You want to make sure it's a match that you can maintain long term. 

Sign up for notification on their website. They may also have a blog that gives up to date information that you can subscribe to. Watch how their work progresses. Make comments on their blog and develop a supportive relationship with them. 

Introduce "your" artist to other's. Send their link along in an email to have friends view the artist's work and maybe subscribe to the site as well. Also, send their link along to those who you think might be interested in purchasing some of their work. 

Some artists get involved in other projects or charities. See how the artist asks for help and get involved. If the artist is local you could arrange an Art Speak Event. Invite the artist to come speak to a group of interested art lovers about their art or anything art related. 

Don't forget to use your art journal to record what you find interesting about this artist's personality and paintings and how you'd like to patronage them. What makes this artist unique to you. Also, look to see if the artist has a self portrait. Study it for inspiration then do a self portrait in your book. 

Through the last 4 weeks of The 10 Steps of an Emerging Art Collector your art education has been below the surface. This week your art interests are breaking ground and your personal preferences are going to see the light of day. The focus will be

You are going to assign yourself an area of art that interests you. There is so much wonderful artwork out there that your art advancement can suffer from over crowding. Interest could end up all over the place without any coherency. Assigning an Area of Art Interest will - 

This section is to help you recognize what you are drawn to. This is all about you. It doesn't matter what anyone else likes or if anyone likes your inclinations, it is about what you like. You do not need permission to have your own point of view about art. If you thought you did you are free from that idea. 

Answer these questions in your Art Journal.

Answering these questions will start to point you in your preferred genre.

Hopefully, you have written notes in your Art Journal during the early process. Your ideas, impressions and inclinations about the art you have viewed over the last 4 weeks. Go through your Journal and find art styles that repeatedly drew your attention.

Also check your internet bookmarks (from step 2 - Appreciate Art) for the types and styles of work that you saved. Note the genres. 

Review of your art journal and answering the questionnaire will help you pick 1 or 2 genres that you will concentrate on over the remaining weeks. You don't have to stay with one genre forever. It is a starting point for your emerging art collecting.Here is a link to a more in depth definition of Genres. 

Just a short list of possible genres (to add to the one under the Genre definition post) - figurative, still life, portrait, realism, fantasy, folk art, marine, military, indian, western, religious, symbolism, conceptual, pop art, victorian, rococo, modern, graffiti, impressionism, landscape, etc.

Here is a genre distinguished by content - cups. It makes for an interesting, yet focused, collection. Click on an image and you'll be taken to that artist's website.

Now from exploring the above suggestions pick 1-2 genres you'll be focusing on. Post them for us. 

Date Night Idea: Invite some friends (maybe your Art Allies) to go to a diner and get a cup of hot chocolate and discuss what Area of Art Interest you are going to assign yourself.

We've seen those time lapse videos of plants growing from seed, seedling, to full grown plant in a matter of seconds. It's a fascinating peek into a slow process. Reality is that a plant takes time to grow. It also needs the cooperation of all the elements at play. Every member - seed, soil, sun, water - doing its part. 

Up until now, you've been the sole supporter of your seedling efforts of art exploration. The next step of The 10 Steps of an Emerging Art Collector is - 

This week requires the involvement of others. Art Allies. People who will help tend your art ambitions. There are reasons why other's contributions will increase your intentions and be of benefit to them as well -

There are a few ways (and probably more) to do this. The basic pattern is 

1. enlist friends or associates
2. pick a specific day/time
3. assign a specific task

Here is an example of one way -

Have a Art Tweet Tuesday that involves tweeting the link of some art related event, article, or image. Short and tweet. 

Here's another - 

Something like a What-do-you-think-about-it Wednesday lunch bunch. This could be virtually or an actual lunch visit. Have everyone get 2-3 art images of styles they like. Tell who the artist is and why they like it. Summed up.

Yet another -

Do a Blog Swap Saturday email exchange. Everyone can find 1-2 blogs (or websites) that have to do with an artist or art and pass it along to the group. Simple.

I've even tried to make it a little easier for you by including text for the invite.

Art Journal 
Write it down -

• Acquire a list of allies.
• Assign an approach to use. How do you want to do this?
• Attract others with the invite. Compose and commit when you'll send it out.
• Allure of art. Why you love it and want to pursue it. Share this with your invitees.

Date Night Idea- Invite friends over for French bread, fruit and cheese. They bring cheese and an art book they are intrigued by. Share talking about the artists and art. And the food.

I am participating in the BlogHer 2010 Art Auction as a contributing artist. Each artist was given a blog post from 
one of the finalists of the Voices of the Year. I was given
 Jessica Bern of BernThis.com's 
blog post as the inspiration for the artwork. 
(The painting will be auctioned off
 - in a couple of weeks online -
to raise money for the Gulf Area.)
Here is a part of the post I was assigned.

There were several considerations I have when doing a project like this. 

First, the art composition has to connect with the content (Jessica's blog) while still being able to connect with others (art collectors.)

Then, the art has to be in the same vein as the article. This was interesting for me because Jessica is a humor blogger. I am not a humor painter. So it was a challenge. You can't force funny, it just doesn't work. And to force a funny painting is even tricker, especially so on your first time. So I didn't go there. Instead I went for playful, along the same line as funny.

And finally, I wanted to add my own genre to the artwork, which stories, symbols or secrets. Jessica supplied the story. 
And here is some of the symbolism -

Let's start with Jessica herself. I didn't want to be too literal while including her but I definitely wanted to have her in there. So I went with her name as she does in her blog - Bern This. There is a match and the burned edge of the paper. She also uses bread on her website as her logomark so the burned edge of the paper is a bread shape.

Then there's Jillian and Bob from The Biggest Losers. I used plumb bob's to represent them - weighted, finding center, 'bob". Also, in the post there is reference to their personalities. For Jillian, Jessica wrote that she would "look me deep in the eyes and whisper in her therapy voice..." representing a calming influence. Which led me to leave her in a calm, motionless position. And she writes for Bob, "...he tends to express himself better physically..." so it made sense to me to put him in motion.

There are the numbers for the weight that goes down and the page views and retweets that go up. The numbers are all under 365 (except the year 2010) to represent the days of the year. The idea being that there needs to be a consistent, even daily, effort to writing or working on any goal. And the white numbers being the potential of the writing days ahead.

And the magnetic, refrigerator numbers and checkerboard pattern representing the playful, game-like, fun nature of humor writing about life.

There are other little things but the real secrets to this painting are the ones other's will 'read' into it and the view that they'll disclose. 


Feel free to share your secrets about the painting.

Update: Watch for the speed video of this painting coming soon.

Last week was Appreciate Art. It was pretty intense art viewing week but gave a good idea of many different styles and subject matter. To help you continue to be art aware throughout The 10 Steps of an Emerging Art Collector here are a couple of iPhone apps of artists to add to your growing interests.

• Duane Keiser - iPhone App
• Abbey Ryan - iPhone App
• Seamus Berkeley Fine Art Paintings - iPhone App

We're at week 3 and this is less intensive than the first two. This week's focus is 

We're not ready to go out and purchase a painting but it is not too early to start saving for one. Decent small paintings can be found for around $60 - $200 from an emerging or established artist to tens of thousands of dollars for a high demand artist. Assuming that you will start out small plan to set aside $25 - $45 every couple of weeks.  I bring this up now so that you will have funds in a couple of months to buy a painting - to actually make your first purchase as an emerging art collector.

To give you an idea of what you're saving for here are a few links to painters whose prices are on the lower side for their small paintings.

Daily Painters - Over 50 artists (not all are great but many are)

I am choosing paintings out of the Daily Painters blog for Aug 5 and other artists to show you an example of what you can expect on a small budget. These are paintings I would actually bid on.

The bid for the one below, Abbey Ryan's Watermelon Slice, is $99 on ebay and is an auction forum.

This is artist Justin Clayton's Orange with Bowl and the bidding started at $1 (yes, that's one dollar) and ended up on ebay's auction selling for $100.

This painting by Jacqueline Gnott's Peony Family bidding starts at $99.

Carol Marine is another artist that does smaller paintings. This one Side Dish sold on ebay for $127.50

Not all paintings are auction style. Here is Duane Keiser who is doing a series of 1000 small paintings (3" x 2.5" Oddments) @ $150 each.

My daughter, Leila, made her debut as an emerging art collector on small painting purchases. Here are a couple of paintings by Andres Ortega that she bought online.

Set up and art savings account. Do an automatic withdrawal into a savings account or hide cash in your pillow. However you do it doesn't matter as long as you do it.

You don't need massive amounts of money but you need some money. You will be excited to purchase your first art so don't hinder yourself by not having the funds to do so. Determine what dollar range you are planning for your first purchase and write it in your art journal. 

Set aside a certain amount. You've made a cash commitment now save it on a regular basis. Also, look for ways to add extra money to the fund. Take whatever you are going to spend on coffee, convenience stores, clothes or fast food set aside and watch your art savings grow. 

Date Night Idea: Whatever amount of money your were going to spend on a date put that money towards starting your Art Fund. Do a costless date night - go around town, walk and talk together. 

I hope the first week of The 10 Steps of an Emerging Art Collector gave you a glimpse through the door of your own art possibilities. This week will will take the next step -

Appreciate Art is becoming fully aware of art. You already are to some extent just by virtue of reading this. But we'll take it up a notch by developing better observation skills and personal opinion thorough an over exposure to art.

In order to Appreciate Art you've got to be exposed to artwork. And a lot of it. And different kinds. By viewing a lot of good art you will subconsciously start to register patterns, movement, value, color, composition and content. And continue to absorb the intricacies of the profession.

Which is sometimes easier said than done since it's not your full time job to look at art. But, the internet is our friend and will aid in Advancing our Art Understanding. It's a way of having the art world come to you. Here are a few more ways and places to look at large groupings of art. Did I mention the internet is our friend?

Art Competitions - Watch for winners of art competitions. An art contest will show lots of different artists and their styles in one place. The winners for these events are usually the best in contemporary artwork. It helps to see what the art galleries and artist peers think of the work. These contests are held annually so that every year you can expect to them. 

Sometimes they're a little tricky to find so I've listed a couple. They tend to keep up many of the winners work until the following year.

•  Art Renewal Center's"International ARC Salon"
This one is my favorite, so many wonderful paintings!
•  Greenhouse Gallery's "Salon International"
This is one that I've won awards in, in the past.
•  Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery Finalists
Entered but didn't make in into the show

Education Packets - This is an compilation that a museum does for teachers as a resource for their students. Not every museum offers them and not all are as good as the school I am an alumni of. This is an excellent way to go through art because it has a little art history, artist perspective, discussion points, images, and activities. You can take this as far as you want to.

•  Walter Wick  Explore the world of make believe
Games, Gizmos, and Toys in the Attic
•  Windows on a Hidden World 
Japanese Woodblocks Prints
•  Masterworks of Victorian Art 
Collection

Art Publications - These are a little different than the magazines that you find at Barnes & Noble. Their focus is a little less commercial and some incorporate poetry.

•  Art Wall  International Contemporary Art Mag
*  Modern & Contemporary Art   Paintings, Prints  
•  O & S  Art, Poetry, Interviews, Reviews

Art Galleries - It is a tough economic time for galleries but there are still thousands of them with many great artists. Here are a few to look through. The first 2 are from the West Coast and the last is from the East Coast.

•  John Pence Gallery  Contemporary Painters
•  Wendt Gallery  4 Genres of Painters
•  Winkleman Gallery Contemporary Artistis

I did warn you in the beginning that it was an over exposure to art. There is no getting around the idea of becoming an emerging collector without looking at a lot of art. Hopefully, you are having fun in the process of learning. And I hope I've made this process a little simpler with the addition of the links. Enjoy exploring all the creative expression this week. 

Date Night Idea: Pick up some great Chinese food takeout. Bring a laptop to the couch (or the park.) Sit together going through the links I've provided and talk about the art with an eye toward the art principles that I've listed above.


Share how it's going.