Collecting Art, Your Own Way

A couple of weeks ago, I spent a whole day going through my online shop, decluttering and reorganizing. Somehow I ended up randomly looking at the items that have sold since I opened the shop in 2011. Originals, prints, custom artworks, and even quite a few things I created out of a whim. It's always wonderful when someone reach out and purchase my work. Appreciation is simply the best possible reward for artists like myself. It is no wonder now we see all kinds of artists popping up, thriving throughout all corners of the world, each with their own band of followers who admire and collect their work.

So are you one of these people? If you happen to be a strong admirer of a particular artist, then you are bound to purchase at least one of their art pieces. Some people may have even started their own little collection. But the question is, how do you really become an art collector? Here's what I think...

Maurice Sapiro, Reflections in a Golden Pond, oil on canvas

First of all, Broaden Your Horizon. 

There is a whole world of boundless imagination and creativity out there. Artists from all kinds of art genres, different kinds of styles and accomplishments to suit your every taste. Fine art, contemporary, and decorative are the main categories to consider, each with a wide selection to choose from. Paintings, drawings, sculpture are the most popular forms that people collect, but don't get me started on the number of styles you can feast your eyes on. The list just goes on forever.

James Jean, Portrait (Girl), acrylic on wood panel

Martin Wittfooth, Lantern, oil on panel

Once you have a wider knowledge of art, it's time to Explore and Hunt.

Spend time visiting art galleries and auction houses to experience the real business of collecting art. Check out exhibitions and art venues to get the feel in person, but if you have little time to spare, surfing the internet is a definite option. There are plenty of sites that actually offer a wide variety of art, in both originals and reproductions.

Painting Exhibition Taiwan painter Huang Tsai Sung

Amy Sol's solo show, Numina

After you have found the art you love, Set Yourself a Reasonable Budget.

Now, contrary to popular belief, you don't have to own a mansion and sports cars parked in your garage to be an art collector. These days, art comes to suit various economical levels. Some are friendly enough for your pockets, some are not so friendly. It's really just a matter of drawing a clear line and staying within your budget. Although, mind you, many people have experienced that this budget can grow along with the depth of your passion. So take caution, once you are in love, there will always be a tendency to reach deeper into those pockets.

Yellena James, Mitra

Mister Finch, Mushroom sculptures

When you have bought your first piece or art, remember to Cherish and Enjoy.

What's the point of becoming an art collector if you don't enjoy your purchase, right? Place your art piece where everyone can admire it and prepare a space where a real collection can grow. This will allow you to add more art pieces in time, because it is a known fact that a collector will never likely to be satisfied with just one.

Ozabu, Chiyo, graphite and acrylic on paper

Elsa Mora, papercut artwork

Lastly, and a very important point is, Treat Your Collection as an Investment.

Never underestimate the value of art. If you have excellent taste and sharp instinct, use them to the maximum by purchasing the kind of art that is potentially valuable. Some people go to all the trouble doing extensive research on a piece of art, and some just know it in their guts when they see it. Either way, you should try to see your collection as something that might prove to be essential to your financial well being in the future.

Well, there you have it, just my point of view on art collecting and how to see it from different angles. I realize that people collect art for various reasons, but I know that the one thing in common is simply because we love it. If you feel like reading more about the topic, this article might help to enlighten you further.

That's it for now, have a smashing weekend, everyone!


Best wishes,

The Girl with No Face

If there is one thing I have learnt over the years about being an artist, is that we are forever changing and continuously evolving. In my own personal cases, my work tends to show changes when I become restless or unsure about something essential. This, I'm afraid, has happened quite a lot in the past. Not very practical, I know, but it is how it is. It is who I am.

Given the state of mind and emotional changes I went through over the past few months, I have noticed some drastic developments in my work. It was to be expected, of course. Like all sudden changes, I had my share of hard times dealing with them. And like many times before, learning to accept them is usually the easier way to go...

Those of you who have continued following my posts over at Instagram may have seen this change. Is it temporary or permanent? That question stays unanswered until today. All I know is that my work, myself both as a person and an artist is a working progress. I don't think any of us stays the same through time. Our world, the people in our lives and the personal experiences we encounter will continue to shape us as a person. Maybe this is one of the bumps in the road that have truly shaken me, enough to wake me up completely and really look around with open eyes.

I don't suppose I'll see the last of these changes. For better or worse, I know that the only way to do now is to embrace it. Because again, it is how it is. It is who I am.

Have you ever experienced anything like this before? If so, please share your stories here with us. I know we can only benefit from them.

Your friend,

Project Happiness

While I was away in my own little island, I tried my best not to wander off too much from my usual routines. I didn't want my family to think there was anything wrong and I knew confining myself into my studio would bring up all sorts of questions that I wouldn't be able to answer. After all, taking a break from the world doesn't necessarily mean you have to cut yourself off from the ones you love. So I carried on with my life. Took care of the kids, did the chores, even let myself work every now and then.

Here is one of the projects that actually kept me happy...

As a little girl, I grew up adoring Pooh and his friends. I remember having all kinds of collectible items in my possession...dolls, books, figurines, clothes, bags...you name it, I probably got it! So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I was asked to work on this special commission. To recreate the whole gang in their original classic style, from scratch. All the long hours and hard labor really paid off when I finally got them all gathered up for their group shot. Now, don't they look cute? :)

I'm glad that I decided to keep my hands busy during my troubled period. It can be lonely up there in my head, and working on these guys brought back some wonderful childhood memories. I'm so thankful mine was a happy one.

Hugs,

Still Here

It's been almost a year since my last post. I have no bizarre excuse or extraordinary story to explain my absence. Just the urgent need to step back and rethink my purposes in life. Never an easy thing to do, but I knew it was the only way to keep going. When you find yourself constantly questioning the world and the people in it, you are bound to question your own thoughts and actions. It wasn't pretty, and I must admit I still struggle with the answers I found. But here I am, moving on.

The months went by very slowly on hard days, but I found that some days were quite easy to get through when I tried doing things that I enjoyed the most. Exploring new areas and stepping outside of my comfort zone...

 

So you see, I haven't all together broken down and disappeared into thin air. I'm thankful to many of you who have taken the time to send me messages, asking how I was. You truly are such wonderful friends.

Yes, I was troubled in a way. Something has put an abrupt halt to my pace and taken me to a place where I could view my life from afar. I am grateful for this intervention. Now I can see everything in better perspectives and carry on with a new light on life. So please, stick around, dear friends. Expect more great times here in my happy place. I'll do the best I can to bring them back to you. :)


Much love,

A Gift of Gold

Humanity is flawed. In so many ways and on so many levels. My mind continues to wonder about our true nature as humans and the purpose of our existence each time I watch the news, or when I read the latest updates on all the recent catastrophes that have colored our world red. What has happened to us? Do we even deserve to be called humans?

We have known wars since the very beginning of time. Some were born into it, others are still living it today. It's so ironic to see how one side of the world can stroll along the streets in glorious freedom while the other side hides under ruins, praying for the tiniest ray of sunlight. I don't think I can imagine living with such tremendous fear, not knowing if there would even be a tomorrow.

Sometimes I look around and feel thankful that my life is still blessed with love and peace surrounding me. That my children are safe under our roof, living the days as children should be. Their minds and hearts still pure, untainted by the hatred and cruelty we see so much in this world today. As mothers, it is our natural instinct to protect our children from harm. But what can we do about the dark shadow that overcasts their future?

I realize that the best thing I am able to do now is to shape my children into the true human beings they are meant to be.To teach them love, respect and compassion that I believe will help them build a better world for us one day. To make sure they understand that kindness and forgiveness can go miles away, even when you see nothing but anger all around you. Faith may seem scarce, but it is never gone completely.

I do agree that we all deserve the right to speak our mind, no matter how bewildering it may sound to others. But without respect or compassion, our voice will remain as merely, our own voice. One that only ourselves would understand. It is within our choice to act as the intelligent beings we claim to be, to create peace that our kind so desperately hunger for.

Yes, humanity is flawed. In ways that could wipe away hope altogether from our hearts. What kind of world are we leaving our children with, when all we do is see ourselves but not others? So close your eyes and listen. Faith is still there, even if you only hear it in a whisper. It is the one gift that we have for our children, to justify our purpose of existence, as one.

My hand to yours,





Artwork title: A Gift of Gold (an original acrylic painting).

Halloween Giveaway

Hello lovelies. So we meet again at Halloween! It's always such an exciting time of year, isn't it? Little ghosts and ghouls roaming about, grinning skulls and cute green monsters every where you look. I hope you have something wonderful planned this year. As for me, I've been so busy organizing my Halloween art and displaying them in my Etsy shop. I just love how Halloween seems to have taken over every corner of the internet world. It feels like we're all having fun together! :)

I even have new printable digital stamps available. You can use them to create craft projects such as card making, scrapbooking, coloring pages or last minute party decoration. I drew these witches out and scanned them to create high quality JPEG images. But then I just couldn't resist coloring them in! I absolutely loved coloring books as a little girl! I remember having a high pile of them in my room and I kept getting more every time I went shopping with my mom. These days, I do the same with my little ones. Although my eldest has outgrown her coloring hobby, my boys still love it. Only they prefer racing cars and robots, of course. :)

I do plan to add more of these digi stamps to my shop very soon. I love the idea of someone out there using their creativity with my drawings. So to celebrate Halloween, I'm giving away these witches digi stamps to three lucky readers! To enter the giveaway, you simply need to sign up to my newsletter through my online shop, and leave a comment right here.

It would be so wonderful to see what can be done with my little witches. So please, if you win these or purchased them in my shop, feel free to send me a photo of your creation to my Facebook page and I will gladly post them there.

So, until next time...and enjoy your Halloween weekend! :)

Much love,

Owls Forever

If there is one animal that could get me all googly eyed and warm inside, it's an owl. There's something so wonderfully majestic and adorable at the same time that sends my heart a flutter every time I see an image of them. I'm sure you've noticed that I've drawn and painted owls in my art so many times before. I mean, I can't help it...can you blame me? :)

Well, to those of you who share the same love for this amazing animal, here are some "owlsomeness" I have stumbled upon... (please click each image to visit the link)

See how owls have inspired so many people to create these wonderful treasures? Just as I was inspired to create these two new owl sculptures, in collaboration with the local traditional craftsmen. A project that I started a few years back.

I had loads of fun working on these two! So beware, expect more dashing cute owls parading through here very soon. Meanwhile, these owls have made their way to my shop and eagerly waiting to find a new home.

I hope you've enjoyed this owl collection. Believe me, I had such a hard time selecting which ones to post because I had found so many! Well, just another good reason for me to write a sequel, wouldn't you say so? ;)

Hoot hoot!




PS:
If you're thirsty for more owl mania, check out these links:
The Owl Pages
My Owl Barn
Daily Owls
Oh, My Owls!
Owl Owl Owl