zhahn-ruh; Fr. zhahn-r

A distinct kind or type of artwork
A similar feature creating a unifying category
A particular class of artistic pursuit by one or more artists
Groupings can be divided by 
form, content, technique, style, geographic, time

FORM
miniatures
small works
murals
large scale
similar subsurfaces 

CONTENT
figures
children
flowers
fruit
marine

TECHNIQUE
oils
watercolor
impasto
alla prima
grisialle

STYLE
realism
abstract
impressionism
minimalist 
surrealism 

GEOGRAPHIC
south american
europe
russian
chinese
american

TIME
early christian
great depression
civil war
western
gothic

These are just some of the art genres to give you an idea.

If buying art is something you've wanted to do but didn't know how then this blog series - The 10 Steps of an Emerging Art Collector - is for you. The process is bitesized (a small but wise course of action) so it will develop growth without the growing pains. There are also other benefits that developing an art attitude help that have to do with a baboon, but I digress, that is for another post. 

In the art world there is a term "emerging artist". It refers to someone who is in the early stages of their career or someone who has caught the eye of an art critic or gallery owner but hasn't yet established a solid reputation as an artist.

Logically, it would seem that by definition an "emerging art collector" is someone in the early stages of their art collecting or someone who has an eye for art but hasn't yet established a solid reputation as a collector.

Just as there is training and processes for the emerging artist to follow I have created 
                 The 10 Steps of an Emerging Art Collector 
for those who have never ventured to think they could buy art let alone become a "collector". 

So EVERY FRIDAY CHECK IN FOR THE NEXT STEP. Okay, I am only yelling so that I can remind myself to post every Friday. 
Let the journey begin.

                      ____________________________

Sometime our discomfort in certain circumstances result from unknown surroundings or the unfamiliar synergy of the situation. No one likes to be in a conversation where there's a need for clarification, don't understand the discussion or actions have to be measured to avoid missteps. This can be avoided if you

        Advance Your Art         
           Understanding

The first step in becoming an emerging art collector is to advance your own art understanding. Art speak is not complicated and usually some basic vocabulary, terminology and principles will increase your knowledge quickly. Surprisingly enough this can start at home through self-directed education. I'll point you in the right directions. There are 

             4 things you can do this weekend -

The Greenwich Workshop carries art originals as well as reproductions. They specialize in fine art prints and on their website they have a thorough FAQ section that will inform you in some of the terminology and definitions. 
Read these sections first -

What are Greenwich Workshop 
Fine Art Reproduction Techniques?
and
What are  Greenwich Workshop Fine Art Definitions?

They are further down on their page - click on the link

Go to my old blog (click here) for some art talk there.
Check back here for vocabulary I'll be adding as well.

Write down what you learn. Questions you have. Artists and artwork that you find interesting. Websites you visit and like. Maybe even sketch a little artwork of your own. Keep this the duration of the 10 weeks to record your emerging tastes.

I subscribe to about 4 art magazines and then I periodically pick up others. You don't need to get that crazy. Just pick one. You can go to a bookstore or order online. One I like and recommend is American Art Collector. Art Instruction delivered to your door and computer (they offer an online version in the subscription.) click image

You might come across things you just don't quite get. Feel free to post a question in the comments or email me. I'll find the answer for you and either email or make a post for everyone's benefit. 

DATE NIGHT TIP: Go to Barnes & Noble. Check out art magazines, buy one and have cheesecake from the Starbucks Cafe. About $20 total for two.

You are on your way. Have fun with your fist steps. More next Friday.

ICONOGRAPHY
\ˌī-kə-ˈnä-grə-fē\

an image, subject or style that is traditionally or popularly used
to represent, symbolize or associate meaning to another thing;
a visual image used to represent a religious figure;
symbolism associated with an image

Here is an example of contemporary iconography - 
New York's I Love New York image.
The heart icon has long been associated with "love".
It's symbolism is recognized by most people and now needs no explanation to the meaning. An Icons beginning can be intentional or accidentally but it's the repetition that gives its meaning strength.