Archive for March, 2009

What is the employment situation for art teachers in ireland?

Sunday, March 29th, 2009
drum_stix_94 asked:


I am an art teacher from the US considering a move to Ireland. Are arts specialists common in public schools? I have a BFA in VA and a MAT in AE. I took my husband to DUblin and we noticed a lot of construction (his field) so our next question is how difficult would it be for me to find a job as an art teacher (Kindergarten-12th grade certified in the states)? We are open to all locations.

ROYAL

What is the best martial art for short and stocky individuals?

Saturday, March 28th, 2009
allenm23 asked:


Looking into getting into martial arts, but not really sure which one would be best suited for me. I am 5′4″ and I weigh 160 lbs, so I have a short and stocky build. Which martial art would be best for my build? Any honest opinion would be greatly appreciated.

GIL

Aboriginal Art - Investment Information

Saturday, March 28th, 2009
Michiel Van Kets asked:


Australian Aboriginal art has experienced an exceptional increase in popularity over recent years and it’s not just limited to within the home-country. Internationally the art form is recognized as very unique form of art, it is admired overseas and respected by art critics worldwide. Of late, it has also sprung to the attention of not only art investors but also to the wider audience, as wise buyers realize its high potential in the marketplace. As international attention increases and art critics express their respect for Aboriginal works, all kinds of collectors and potential buyers are becoming aware of the solidness of this investment. This art form is described by renowned art critic Robert Hughes as “the world’s last great art movement.”Whilst steeped in what was originally viewed as ethnographic historics, the works produced are very often amazingly modern in design and colour and therefore aesthetically pleasing.

Aboriginal Art is currently seen as the trendiest art scene in Australia, by fat outselling any other type of non-indigenous art and accounting for around 60 percent display rate in renowned Australian Art Galleries. As sales via the major Auction Houses in Australian capital cities will confirm, Aboriginal art is a best seller. As the world is awakening to the unique beauty of Aboriginal Art, prices augment radically. Now it would be a very good time to invest, as prices are considerably rising, and wise investment will definitely guarantee excellent returns.

It is wise to always cautiously investigate before investing in any product and art is no different. Search in reference books, the internet, magazines, Australian public galleries and catalogues from companies like Christie’s and Sotheby’s that arrange auctions of Australian Aboriginal Art. It’s of importance to get acquainted with the artist’s reputation, his community, his productivity and the quality of his work.

Aboriginal art can be a wise investment for the future but one must choose wisely. Works formed by well-known and respected artists has considerably grown in market value considerably over the past few years and can achieve a substantial return if prudently selected. $1,073.600 for Emily Kame Kngwarrey’s “Earth’s Creation” in May 2007 was a couple of months later followed up by a impressive $2.4 million for Clifford Possum Tjapaljarri’s masterpiece “Warlugulong”, auctioned by Sotheby’s to the National Gallery of Australia.

Traditional Aboriginal Art varies widely across Australia making it easy for art investors to assemble a diverse collection. Although the expression of identity and dreams are universal themes within Australian Indigenous Art, designs, materials, prints, and colours wildly differ according to the community an artist belongs to. The desert artists in the main use acrylic medium, in a myriad of colours and techniques. In other areas such as the Kimberley in Western Australia and Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, natural ochre pigment is used. In this regard, investors should be familiar with the communities and regions where the artists reside, and therefore the style of artwork produced. These are unique and individual artworks created by members of the oldest indigenous culture in the world. As an investor in or a collector of Australian Art, you are assisting in the building of Australian culture and you participate in the world’s oldest continuous cultural tradition.

An investor should thoroughly research the provenance of a work of art. Written documented provenance is paramount. This is normally via a Certificate of Authenticity provided by the seller, guaranteeing that the work is by the stated artist. Further details such as information on the story of the painting, a biography of the artist including their Collections and Exhibitions, the title of the painting, and other achievements normally come with a purchase from a trustworthy seller. Just providing images of the artist executing the artwork and holding the completed work will not prove authenticity, however they are of immense interest and again, the best suppliers of artworks will provide these photographs where it is possible. Reputable sellers will provide a Certificate of Authenticity which is of key importance, sellers often work closely together with the Aboriginal communities and the participating galleries and they should have no problem providing this.

Although the age of the artist is generally of no importance to the value of an artwork, investors have to understand the importance of social hierarchy within the structure of Aboriginal communities. Every member of an Aboriginal society is viewed and respected in regard to his age, status, achievements and who his tribal elders were. All of these aspects, including an artist’s track record and popularity should be taken into account by any investor who obtains to achieve an extensive and diverse portfolio of Australian Aboriginal artworks.

There are various possibilities in order to purchase. It’s of crucial importance that you trust the seller of the artwork in regard to the painting’s provenance before the purchase can proceed. A Seller will most likely be a gallery or an individual art dealer, in either case it is important to meet these people in person and check their references, selling approach and credentials. When purchasing on line, ensure there is a non-conditional money back guarantee if the artwork is not suitable for your needs or does not meet your expectations.

Purchasing directly from the Aboriginal communities might seem to be a good option but does not necessarily guarantee the artwork’s authenticity. Keep in mind, the Aboriginal artworks that have achieved highest prices through major auctions have not been obtained at art centres and provenance from a reputable dealer or gallery is also highly regarded. Here we have possibly the most important consideration of authenticity – the known association of the original purchaser of the artwork with the artist. Be aware of this scenario when assessing the value of works by well-known artists such as Emily Kngwarreye, Rover Thomas, Minnie Pwerle, Clifford Possum Tjapaltjari and Jack Britten.

One of the first considerations you need to do when choosing a painting is that you actually like the painting – you are going to have it on your wall – it should give pleasure to you. It is very fulfilling to invest in a work of art that you genuinely appreciate, especially after all the time and effort spent to learn about the roots and career of a certain Aboriginal artist. Rule of thumb is not to purchase your art quickly – enjoy the research and the knowledge of the artist you have gleaned from your trusted suppliers. In this way, collecting is not merely an investment – it is also a very personal and exhilarating and rewarding experience. Also research the careers of the European Masters - compare them with the Aboriginal artists. See which period of the artist’s career has produced the best and most sought after works. For instance, if one takes a look at an artist such as Van Gogh, ‘The Starry Night’ or ’Sunflowers’ raises far higher prices than many of his other paintings.

Once you are happy that you have found suppliers in whom you have faith, your personal favourite artists, their potential or past achievements such as works hanging in eminent and distinguished art galleries, museums or art collections, then you can be sure you have done your absolute best and you are ready to embark on a successful and rewarding project. Unique, resourceful, intense, and colourful Australian Aboriginal Art can be a magnificent investment that allows you to share and experience the stories and the worldview and of the Australian Indigenous communities. Check online today for a specialist gallery with Aboriginal paintings, artwork and artefacts on display. You will find an absolute mountain of information, and an incredibly comprehensive inventory of art from which to choose.



AUGUSTINE

What is Good Art? Interior Design Professionals Weigh in

Thursday, March 26th, 2009
DiscoveredArtists.com Media Relations asked:


The first rule for buying art is to love it.  The second rule is to be able to pay for it without taking out a bank loan.  And, rule #3?  Feel good about what you paid for it.

So, how do you know that a piece of art is worth the asking price?  If you love it, and can afford it, should you buy it?

We asked over one-hundred interior design professionals for some help.  We asked them to review pieces of art and tell us what they think about the quality of the work and the asking price.  Each designer chose five pieces of art to review from over 4000 original and limited edition artworks created by independent, fine artists whose work is available at www.DiscoveredArtists.com.

Designers were asked to comment on how they might use the art in an interior room design, and were asked to only review artworks that they felt were worth the asking price.  In other words, would you recommend that your client buy this piece of art at that price. Here’s what they said:

Terry Symington is principal designer and owner of T. Symington & Co. Interiors in Brenham, Houston, and Austin Texas.  She is a big fan of using art in her interior designs and suggests that “For rooms lacking a proper focal point, an oversized painting makes a great statement!”



Ms. Symington reviewed Fleurs Rondes #19, a 12″ x 18″ contemporary collage by Canadian born artist Lisa Carney.  The artwork is a mixed media original on panel priced at $115.  Lisa Carney is a formally trained, emerging, full time artist who is represented by galleries.  She creates abstract, modern, and fine art using multi-media methods and materials.  Her work is especially suited for decorative interior design.

Symington’s review of Fleurs Rondes 19: “I would love to see a grouping of several of Ms.Carney’s collages in an interior to make a really big statement.  Her combinations of materials, textures and colors are very pleasing … the the pricing makes it very affordable!”

Elaine Buderer, principal designer for Restoration Interior Design, LLC in Columbia, Maryland writes, “Good art brings some life into a space,” and adds that she approaches design by, “Using color, texture, furniture, art and the existing elements of a home.”



Ms Buderer reviewed Drayton Hall #20 a 21″ x 25″ limited edition by fine art photographer John Michiels.  The artwork is an edition of 40 that is signed and numbered by the artist, matted and framed with glass, and sells for $525.

John Michiels’ primary style is fine art, his signature style is southern gothic.  He is a mature, juried artist who is represented by galleries.  Michiels personally completes every step of the printmaking process in his studio in his Charleston South Carolina studio currently offering prints in editions of 45 or less.

Interior Designer Elaine Buderer’s review of Drayton Hall #20:  “This is a spiritual piece.  It hints of serenity (provided by the classic balance) with a vision of hope beyond.  It would be a soothing vista in a quiet room.”

Nicky Quartermaine Scott is owner and principal designer for Quartermaine Interiors in Plainfield, Illinois.  Her advice to art buyers in general is “If you’re stuck choosing a color scheme for your home, look to art for your inspiration. Select a piece that you truly love, and start from there. Art will reveal some wonderful colors that you can use as a foundation for your project.”



Ms. Scott reviewed Italian artist Mauro Celotti’s large, landscape titled Follow the Clouds.  It is a 50″ x 40″ original acrylic on gallery wrap canvas priced at $3600. Celotti is a mature, professional artist, formally trained and juried, who paints abstract, modern, surreal and figurative subjects.

Scott’s review of Follow the Clouds: “This piece is reminiscent of Van Gogh, but with a twist.  I love the color combination of orange, grey and white.  It has a masculine quality to it, with diagonal line and strong movement, but the soft, undulating earth reflects back nicely to Mother Nature herself.”

So, going back to the rules for buying art, if you need a second opinion you certainly should get one.  But, it seems that the driving force behind each of these professional reviews is how much they liked the artwork and how they might use it in a room.  So, if you love it, and can afford it, it deserves a place on your wall.

To read more about any piece of artwork featured in this story go to www.DiscoveredArtists.com and type the name of the art or the artists name in Keyword Search.  To read more designer comments or to contact a featured interior designer click on Search Interior Designers on the DiscoveredArtists.com home page.

About DiscoveredArtists.com

DiscoveredArtists.com is a marketplace for buying and selling original and limited edition artworks.  Independent artists sell directly to the general public.  Prices are set by the artists and artwork is shipped from the artist’s studio.   All major credit cards are accepted.  Artwork may be purchased online and is backed by a satisfaction guarantee of a full refund plus return shipping expense.



LLOYD

An Education In The Arts

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
John Morris asked:


For some people art is just something you put on your refrigerator doors. It is something you have to do for schoolwork, or to while your time away. In truth, there truly is something beneath the surface of art that will tantalize every student and teacher. And this is the truth behind art education.

Q. What Is An Education In The Arts? A. Art Education is the means by which a student gains an understanding of form and design. An education in the arts is typically divided into three areas - the fine arts, such as music, drama, sculpture or painting, the general arts, programs such as education, criminology, etc, and design, such as graphic design, web design, or interior design.

Q. Why Arts? A. Art has a great power to influence people. It also has a significant effect on the history of man. Art may seem like it is just something pretty, but under the hood it boasts of a pretty powerful engine. One that has shaped the world, and indeed your very life. You can’t go one day in the span of your life without being exposed to some form of artistic design, from the

A wise man once said that an education in the arts is the absolute best education one can have because it exposes you to the most general field of studies. Over time, you will know a little about everything. If you chose a more specialized field, you would gradually learn more and more about less and less. And I’d rather know a little about everything than everything about something, don’t you agree?

1. Express Yourself

Art is by far one of the most rewarding careers because, unlike a career in the sciences or a trade, it allows you to express your creativity. And no two days are the same. The power to captivate and inspire is also very rewarding. Hasn’t the Mona Lisa drawn its share of oohs and aahs? And hasn’t many a tear been shed at the beautiful works of art around the world? Man has always expressed his deepest thoughts and desires in a tangible form. This form is Art.

Industries need artists who have had a good education in Art. Creating labels, stickers, and advertisements for their products isn’t easy. These things require plenty of thought and design. Every detail has been considered to make its effect on the consumer optimal. Have you ever been interested in a product simply because of the packaging? This is art at work.

2. Art Is Everywhere

- Color - Psychology - Design esthetics - Advertisements - Television & Movies - Furniture - Clothing

3. Who Should Study Art?

Almost everyone has gone to art class in grade school or high school. Even those who are not artists can benefit from an Art Education. They will come to appreciate the rich history and significance of Art.

4. I Want to Learn! How do I Sign Up?

Art education is not confined to undergrad studies. It also extends to tutors, art classes, vocational classes and other learning methods. Many schools exist that teach the history, principles and appreciation of Art. These schools carry the tradition of imparting to the next generation the significance of art.

5. The Rewards Of An Art Education

You may be tempted to think you will be able to wing it through a career without any formal training. That is possible, but not likely. Industries are on the lookout for those with professional education. Even with an education from a post-secondary institution, in this field, you never stop learning and keeping up with technology.

An Art Education is clearly important to artists and laymen alike. It may not be the path everyone takes, but it is the path that richly rewards those who take it. The riches here are not only of the material kind but that of a good education and a heightened appreciation of the world around you.



FREDDY

Exuberance of the Orient and the Western in Contemporary Art

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
Suzanne asked:


What is art? There exists not one but hundreds of definitions of art offered by renowned artists, scholars, and philosophers throughout the ages. Considered literally, art refers to any specialized skill, or human activities encompassing a wide range of fields like literature, music, painting, or sculpting. It’s the end but not the means that constitutes the success of art. A lot many artists believe in the cult of art for art’s sake. However, this function of art has been subjected to severe criticism by some of the noted scholars of the late 19th century who believed in the instructional quality of art. To them, art existed not just for aesthetic pleasure but was also associated with the purpose of converting the mind into a particular trend of thought.

Theories abound as to the true purpose of art. Whether didactic or aesthetic, there is no denying that art casts its influence on the observer’s mind. Times have changed and with it, artistry has undergone multiple changes too. If Romanticism and Classicism influenced art works of yester years, it is Realism, Impressionism, Fauvism, Dadaism, and Surrealism that have laid their impact on contemporary art. No wonder, contemporary art is distinctly different from the art works of earlier generations.

The fields encompassing contemporary art remains the same even today but its essence has been infused with modernity. As in earlier times, contemporary art too covers the fields of music, painting, sculpting, literature, to name a few. New styles along with an eagerness for experimentation have found greater expression in contemporary art works. However in case of paintings, there often crops up a dilemma as to symbols represented on the canvas. Contemporary paintings often appear complex to the common eye, a fact often relished by some of the distinguished artists.

Nevertheless, the revival of some of the Asian art forms of China and Vietnam has breathed a fresh lease of life into the contemporary art scenario. Contemporary art exhibitions featuring some of the masterpieces of Oriental art are being widely appreciated by art connoisseurs across the world. The impact of Socialist Realism and the New Culture Movement is pretty evident in the oil paintings by Chinese artists. Not just China, but Vietnam too, has soaked up the western influence of Impressionism into its cultural fabric. A lot many of Vietnamese paintings depict the daily, simple world of the villages as observed through the human eye. The Vietnamese painter, Nguyen Thanh Binh, is renowned for using human element in all his canvases. Nonetheless, the influence of the Romantics does not lag behind. Paintings portraying the beauty of autumn, the green fields, the lotus pool abound.

Notwithstanding the influence of Oriental art on its western counterpart, there can be no denying the impact of the latter on the former. In fact, both these diverse art forms have imbibed features of each other. The French Impressionist and Viennese art nouveau have been chiefly influenced by Japanese prints. The history of Japan post 19th century, has cast an impression not only on visual arts but on European ceramics as well.

This intermingling of existing art traditions has thus given way to further innovations in the contemporary art scenario. Herein crops up avenues for the birth of new art genres with fresh appeal. This would certainly not deter people from admiring the older art forms. As a matter of fact, contemporary art has been and will be constantly inspired by their masters.



JERMAINE

The World’s Best Art Consultancy

Monday, March 16th, 2009
Art Exchange asked:


The World’s Best Art Consultancy

art-exchange.com unveils Release III of its art tool for designers

The Future Art Consultancy

Locating and placing artwork in a design project is arguably the most difficult part of the project. While some designers take on this task themselves, many enlist the assistance of an art consultant. One limitation of this approach is the consultant’s limited universe of artists. Most art consultants end up with a few “go-to” favorites.

Imagine an art consultancy able to directly access 10,000 artists, with technology capabilities aggregating art choices in a portfolio for emailing or high-resolution printing for presentations. Add the ability to correspond with clients via e-postcard including selected images. And finish with the ability to access framing options online thus enabling the designer to actually show the customer how the pieces will look framed.

Does It Work?

Can a website help you find art? Art-Exchange (www.art-exchange.com) is not a new website, not a new service, not a new company. It does, however, take a new approach to providing art to designers. And it has a new site design that Art-Exchange claims will make the service even more powerful and easier to use.

I spoke with Richard Gipe, President and CEO of Art-Exchange, to find out why he thinks his company’s service is so special. I asked him, “If you had to communicate Art-Exchange’s value to designers in a single sentence, what would you say?”

Here’s what he said: “If you want to access as much art as we have on Art-Exchange, you would have to go to 20,000 galleries, and you would have to deal with so many different sellers that the logistics would be overwhelming.” That sounds pretty good. But does the site work?

About Art-Exchange

Art-Exchange is a business service provider that specializes in solutions for the design trade. They can offer solutions to designers as an art consultancy, or they can provide solutions to art consultants to help them be more effective and efficient.

For the past five years Art-Exchange has been actively contacting artists to list their works on the exchange. Today there are approximately 100,000 different works of art created by over 10,000 different artists. Imagine searching 100,000 records to locate the perfect art solution. Nearly 60% of all the works are originals, and the remaining 40% is a variety of editions. All of these works are organized in a database, and a search engine locates works using any or all of the following criteria:

• Artist’s name

• Title

• Subject matter

• Style

• Medium

• Size

• Colors

• Price

• Orientation

Suppose you need oversized original works and price is an issue. Maybe you want only works with lighthouses. Or perhaps you need large public works. That’s how specific the search engine can be. And with the new design, if you enter several criteria and the search engine can’t find a work that matches all your criteria exactly, it will refer you to the works that match your criteria most closely, so that you don’t have to start over. As one of the new site’s designers said, “We don’t ever want to show nobody anything.”

Normally, designers hire an art consultant or visit multiple galleries or view print books to find the perfect art solution. That’s the old way of finding art. Now designers can look in one place and view tens of thousands of originals alone. This is the new way of finding art. Art-Exchange let’s designers search for all the art they need in one place. That alone has the potential to save time, but the website has some other very powerful features that give designers even more flexibility and power.

Powerful Features

One very important new feature is the Designer Portal. Art-Exchange has four different portals that members can use to enter the site. There’s one for retail clients, one for community partners, and another for artists and other sellers. But the Designer Portal is available only to designers. Once you enter the portal, you can search for the art you want, view images of the art, and immediately see designers’ wholesale pricing.

Here’s another great new feature: Portfolios. How do you keep track of the works that fit your client’s needs? You keep a portfolio. Designers can set up portfolios for individual clients, different locations, or just for future reference. It’s easy to save works to custom-made portfolios. And it’s easy to show the portfolio to clients—from anywhere in the world.

Another terrific feature is the Exhibitions section. Exhibitions include the works of around 200 artists and are compiled topically. Prior exhibitions, which are still accessible, include Realism, Landscape, Watercolor, and Impressionism. In order to have fresh ideas readily available for clients, designers need to be reviewing art all the time, and these exhibitions can help. It takes only fifteen minutes to view an entire exhibition.

Another feature that can help designers and clients work together—especially when clients have trouble describing their interests—is the Postcard feature. Clients can go to the website to browse for themselves. They can view an exhibition, browse by artist, or do a search. When they find something they like, they can send images to their designer using electronic postcards.

Soon, Art-Exchange will even offer the ability to create Custom Frames online so that clients can view the artwork in different frames and choose the one they like best.

Full-Service Art Consultancy

Art-Exchange goes far beyond just the website, however. They also provide full-service art consultancy. They have a full staff of qualified art consultants who can do as much or as little as a designer wants them to. Anything a typical art consultancy does, Art-Exchange will do. If a designer works with an art consultant already and wants to maintain that relationship, Art-Exchange will even work with his or her current art consultant.

How to Access the Features and Benefits of Art-Exchange

Go to www.art-exchange.com and visit the Designer Portal. Log in as a designer and learn about how the service works. You can easily search for art, access their full-service art consultancy, or guide your favorite art consultant to Art-Exchange. A subscription is free. Art-Exchange is paid by the sellers on completed transactions; so they only get paid if they’re helping designers find the right art, for the right job, at the right price.

When asked what he would most want to communicate to designers about the company and the service it provides, Gipe said, “I want the members of ASID who place art to try the art consultancy service at Art-Exchange, and if they’ll give us 10% of their trust, we’ll earn the other 90%.” If you’re a designer or an art consultant, it’s worth trying. Does it work? Is it really whole new way of finding art? Yeah, that’s what it is. And for designers, the world of art will never be the same.



CARMEN

National and International Art Fairs at Saatchi Gallery

Saturday, March 14th, 2009
Saatchi Gallery asked:


National and international art fairs, art expositions and 2008 art events are listed on Saatchi Gallery. Listing includes United Kingdom, United States and International Art Fairs.

At this section of Saatchi Gallery all Art Fair Organisers are free to have as many pages as they need to give details of their Art Fair. All Galleries Exhibition Can be Included with their own Page to show their artist’s work, profile and contact information etc. You are free to use Gallery Details from your last fair until your next fair is available for loading. Art Fairs are trade style sales events, held (usually) under one roof. Art Fairs are a great place to both buy and sell work with stalls and partitioned gallery areas often being reasonably priced enough to allow profit to be made.

At Saatchi Gallery you can see the List of Main Art Fairs around the World few of those are given as below.

Fine Art Fair Frankfurt – Germany

Fine art fair Frankfurt positions itself as a veritable jewel in the landscape of art fairs. While other events often choose (or are forced) to focus on quantity, fine art fair Frankfurt deliberately concentrates on quality and the ideal presentation of exhibited works.

Frieze Art Fair – London, United Kingdom

Frieze Art Fair focuses on the most interesting galleries working today, from the UK to China and Brazil to USA. The fair introduces and showcases new and established artists to visitors from around the world. In addition to being able to see and buy art by over 1000 of the world’s leading artists, visitors can participate in Frieze Projects – the fair’s unique and critically acclaimed curatorial programe.

Art Cologne – Köln Germany

ART Cologne inspires more spirited debate than any other leading international fair for modern and contemporary art. The broad spectrum of art - presents from important modern works to the latest art by today’s artists — provokes conflicting opinions and in-depth discussions in the art world.

The Armory Show - New York City, United States

The Armory Show, The International Fair of New Art, is the world’s leading art fair devoted exclusively to contemporary art. In its tenth annual exhibition, The Armory Show 2008 will celebrate the spirit of contemporary art. The exhibition includes many of the most important contemporary dealers showcasing new art from around the world.

Art Basel Miami Beach – Miami, United States

The international art show in Miami Beach (Florida) is the American sister event of Art Basel in Switzerland, the most important annual art show worldwide for the past 37 years. Art Basel Miami Beach is a new type of cultural event, combining an international art show with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events including music, film, architecture and design.



LUCIEN

Can art teachers receive the loan forgiveness program?

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
??sing?? asked:


Im planning on becoming an art teacher for secondary schools and I was wondering if I would be eligible for the loan forgiveness program? I have the subsidized and unsubsidized loan.

Any information would be helpful. Please,no guesses ): Providing proof for your answer would be great also.

LANCE

Five Reasons You Should Hire a Washington Art Lawyer

Thursday, March 5th, 2009
Art Gib asked:


Are you a Washington artist that is just starting to get into the business of selling your work? One of the first things that you should do is hire a Washington art lawyer to help represent your interests. It can be hard work getting a business set up to sell your art, especially if you really would prefer to be just making art and let someone else handle the selling of your art.

Here are five reasons you need a Washington art lawyer if you’re going to sell your work in Washington:

1. To protect your designs — If you are an artist that creates original work you need to copyright and in some cases patent your designs to protect them from being copied or stolen. A good Washington art lawyer can help you start the copyright process that you need to go through to fully protect your designs and your artwork.

2. To go after anyone that steals your designs — Usually all it takes to get someone to stop copying your designs if they have started copying your work or your images is a cease and desist letter from a good lawyer. If you have a good Washington art lawyer on retainer you can clear up any problems with people that are copying your work quickly and easily.

3. To help you sell your art — Many artists that deal in high end art have a lawyer that represents them for sales. This make the process of drawing up contracts and completing sales where lots of money changes hands go much more smoothly and it’s expected for high end artists to have their lawyers handle the details of selling the art.

4. To help you get set up to sell your art — If you are setting up a business to sell your art in Washington then a Washington art lawyer can help you fill out the paperwork that you need to file in order to get a seller’s license and complete your tax information so that you can legally sell your art. It’s important to take care of these things before you start to sell your art.

5. To produce legal contracts — If you are having a gallery or an agent sell your art on commission then you will need to have contracts in place that will specify how much of the final sale price you get, what happens to any artwork that doesn’t sell, and other details that come along with having someone else sell your work.

It’s always a good idea to have a Washington art lawyer look over or even draw up the contracts that you plan to use to make sure that the contracts are legally binding and are in your best interests as an artist.



DARRELL