How did a postal worker and librarian amass one of the largest and most priceless collections of art ever?

The story of Herb and Dorothy Vogel is a hot media topic and sparks investor inquiries. With modest salaries, (Herb’s annual income was 23,000) living in an 850 sq foot NY apartment, their collection worth millions was eventually deemed ‘priceless’.

 So, how did they do it?

Why should you care?

How to buy original art is the most common questions buyers like you ask. With the avenues to purchase original art expanding, from galleries, individual artist websites, art fairs, artist co-op’s, and private dealers, it can be a sea of confusion.

How did Herb and Dorothy do it? An International appraiser’s advice mirrors their actions. “Buy what you love. Art should be a passion purchase.”

“The Vogels only bought work they loved, whether the artist was known or not.”

Herb and Dorothy weren’t art specialists or critics. They never acted under the advisement of a dealer.

They collected with delightful passion. In fact, meeting the artists was an integral part of their process.

 “They communed with artists in the Greenwich Village art scene and never purchased art without a studio or personal visit with the artist, seeking out the artist’s input in an attempt to understand the process behind the works they were both drawn to.”

To gain confidence buying what you love, think of the music you collect. It’s unlikely you asked for approval before buying concert tickets and CD collection. You were moved by the music and it enriches your life. Art is the same.

People’s eclectic collections aren’t so strange, what is odd, is that more people don’t buy original work.

Helpful considerations when purchasing original art:

• Are you emotionally connected (joyful, intrigued, etc)?
• Does the work show mature brushstrokes and colour palette? Does the artist express commitment to their work? ( ie: a legacy of exhibitions/established website, clear information) Is the artist emotionally connected to their work?
• Are the persons exhibiting the work (dealer or artist) enthused or bothered?
• Is the dealer informed on genre/ medium/ info on art & artist beyond the typical? Providing background knowledge of both artist & art expresses interest and commitment to their artist roster.
•  Is there a documented history when you google the artist/ gallery? Testimonials? An added thought, see if they engage & contribute to their community/ charities.

These considerations will help you to establish value in the work.

Original art tends to recycle, and continue. It’s usually gifted, inherited, auctioned or resold, instead of filling up dumpsters.

Last year news broke that famous works of art were being manipulated overseas, mass printed and sold in big box stores. That print may not be Monet’s but an illegal knock off. In discussion of value, this is a relevant thought to consider. Conscious consumerism is expanding beyond the initial farm to table concept. We have the power and resources to collect wisely, considering, art, artist, venue, ethics and the environment.

Art matters. Herb and Dorothy knew that. They lived their passion, were enriched for it, and in the end, shared it with the world, gifting their entire collection. You can just feel the love.

~

New work ~ “Evening Light” –  ( barn) 18×36 oil on birch board ~ $2000.00 CAD

 “A feast for the senses and the soul.”— GLOBE AND MAIL  Mystical Landscapes at the AGO…”exploring the mystical experiences of 37 artists from 14 countries, including Emily Carr, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Piet Mondrian, Claude Monet, Edvard Munch, Georgia O’Keeffe and James McNeill Whistler.”

How does an artist experience an exhibit?

Like you, we savor.

Give the painting necessary distance when first viewing. Allow that image to soak in. Then, perhaps, move closer to study brushstroke and palette.

The Ago’s Mystical Landscapes exhibit affected me like none other. It was as thou brushes were reaching thru time and alighting us all in the room. Soulful landscapes dominated the halls. Centuries melted away, the work felt current, startlingly fresh. We were in the company of masterpieces & the masters themselves, with personalities as bold as the work. Forests beckoned and welcomed us under their protective canopies. Sentinels towered, commanding attention. Skies illuminated and sparkled. Walls vibrated. Goosebumps tickled my skin from the wind, my voice stilled in emotional silence.

Two thoughts struck me, as I wandered in awe, drunk on sensation, from hall to hall.

• I was standing amid some of the most accomplished and celebrated paintings of all time.
• Someone purchased and preserved the paintings long before fame touched them. Some even risked ridicule from their peers by collecting them.

What are their stories? How many kitchens and living rooms did these paintings grace over the centuries? How many hands have moved them from flat, cottage, or manor, wrapped, packed, opened and gifted these paintings before they arrived here?

Art lovingly cared for thru their lifetime, and left to future generations who would share with the world. Who were the first? The first that fell in love with a starry sky and gave it a home?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kliOluK0h3Q ( click highlight for video)

They came before the crowds, the fanfare, before a Monet, Carr, or Thomson was a ‘sure thing’.

We have much to thank them for, these early care givers, collectors and believers.

To those who work in the industry; creators, curators, museum staff, gallery owners, collectors who purchase, celebrate, live with, donate, auction, sell, share, we thank you. To the painters, in your quiet studios far from the crowds, have hope.

We can be inspired as much by those who came before us in art, as those who believed in it. The guardians.

~

Mystical Landscapes was curated by Dr. Katharine Lochnan “After conceiving the idea for Mystical five years ago, Katharine invited 20 experts, largely from the University of Toronto, to explore the very challenging concept of the “mystical.” What is it? Which artists were proponents of it? Which paintings best exemplified its complex character?

As you can imagine, there was no easy answer. Over the years Katharine adeptly stickhandled her way through the debates, encouraging open talk and a constant flow of ideas. What emerged was an intriguing, often moving story about nature and our place in it, together with a new understanding of 50 years of European, Scandinavian and North American landscape. The story and the artwork struck a chord: the exhibition attracted an unprecedented number of visitors to the AGO, sold over 8,000 catalogues, and garnered widespread international attention both for the Gallery and for Katharine.”

From ~AGO Art Matters http://artmatters.ca/wp/2017/03/one-woman-five-decades-of-inspiration/

” ~ A.Y. Jackson was from Montreal. His work had caught the eye of Lawren Harris and J.E.H. MacDonald as early as 1911; they recognized that he clearly had aspirations in common with the Toronto artists and was frustrated by the reactionary art scene in Montreal. Jackson was lured to Toronto by MacDonald and Harris, then persuaded to stay (he had been toying with the idea of moving to the United States) by means of a similar offer from Dr. MacCallum as was made to Thomson – a promise to buy sufficient paintings to pay for a year’s artistic activity.”From : http://www.mcmichael.com/paintingcanada/panelsandlabels.html

If it’s available to you, close electronics and your eyes. With awareness of your breath, pair it with the mantra ‘peace’. If chaos exists nearby, say to yourself “I choose to see peace instead of this”.

Be conscious of your senses, the texture of warm clothes against your skin, delight of sunlight on your face, lingering taste of your morning coffee or tea. Be still. Pay attention to what this moment offers you, sounds, scents, feelings, textures.

Take another deep breath and open your eyes.

“You create your world with what you pay attention to. Pay attention to the good, you’ll feel better. Pay attention to the bad, and, well… you get it.” Writes Eric Barker. He continues “Via Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life:

All day long, you are selectively paying attention to something, and much more often than you may suspect, you can take charge of this process to good effect. Indeed, your ability to focus on this and suppress that is the key to controlling your experience and, ultimately, your well-being”Research shows that paying attention to positive feelings literally expands your world. “

Savoring the good things, Eric writes, “is one of the secrets of the happiest people and it’s part of the basis for one of the most effective happiness-boosting techniques.”

In creativity, external observation is combined with mindfulness. Think of it as absorbing life in childlike wonder.

Much of daily anxious stress is a result from thinking of future or past events. Giving pause to recognize positive elements in every day occurrence are crucially important to absorb fully. You will remember the birth of your child and the day you received the big promotion. Savoring small happy details, the flight of a butterfly, smile from a neighbor, hug of a friend, keep one grounded on a daily basis, adding up to major health benefits for long term wellness.

In painting, artists focus on one brushstroke at a time. Thou the act of painting is familiar, but the work itself, is not. While cooking a recipe the mind can wander to ‘next steps’ or the day’s agenda. During a run, it’s motivating to ponder what will emerge in the next mile. Painting unlike other pursuits, requires attention that is absolute. Original concept is developed and re-evaluated upon each brushstroke. In this way, artists can embody laser focus with ability to tune out what doesn’t apply to the immediate momentary act.

It is a process of diverting one’s scattered forces into one powerful channel. (James Allen)

To ease a cluttered mind and restore positive energy, for me, the key is recognizing this very moment will never come again. This enables one to focus and savour life with gratitude at any given moment.~

“Art is not an amusement, nor a distraction, nor is it, as many men maintain, an escape from life. On the contrary, it is a high training of the soul, essential to the soul’s growth, to its unfoldment.” ~Lawren Harris

“Landscape artists are a dime a dozen.Why work in the most competitive genre in the world?” an art dealer asked.

•  Nature is always going to be relevant, and current.
• It’s non- offensive and excludes no one. Nature art connects to diverse audiences of any age, demographic, religion, culture, & language.
• It’s versatile &  suitable for every room. Residential, commercial, offices, lobbies, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, baby nurseries, hotels, restaurants, and schools and public venues all benefit from having nature art on the walls. (My clients share they also use the work as a meditation tool.)
• Scenery/ Nature art is scientifically proven to have positive impact on wellness, promoting healing physically, mentally, emotionally. (Art of all genres improve academic/ problem solving skills in participants and viewers.)
• Landscape art requires no guidebook, translation or title to emotionally connect the viewer.
• Thou trends change, nature art continually appears in art auctions indicating it has longevity and may be a solid investment.
• It’s home. I have explored many genres with pencil and brush, finding myself most at home in wilderness work. Raised in nature, I understand it’s primitive balm to our souls. Landscape art can be a powerful emotional connection to wilderness, our universal ‘home’. Why not provide this love to a global audience?

If the work is created sincerely, authentically, evolving skill & expertise it will connect to the viewer and find it’s audience, offering delight, healing and inspiration.

All this, from pigment & cloth.

Thou the most competitive genre, I’d say it’s worthwhile.

~

“Paint horses, they are more marketable, and try to stay away from green.” my Montreal dealer said.

“Focus on flowers, we sell a lot of those.” my Ottawa dealer chirped.

“Tuscan villages would sell, instead of this nature stuff. Villages are trending.” Exhibit attendees.

Humans have a designated ‘beautiful view’ part of the brain.

Dr. Esther Sternberg author of “Healing spaces, the Science of Place & Well Being” explains this amazing fact here.

This special part of our brains is also rich in anti- pain molecules & endorphins.

Witnessing beautiful views not only gives pleasure, it increases our immunity.

Watch Sternberg’s powerful TEDX talk here. She makes a strong case for the impact of nature and our health.

Dr. Sternberg suggests we need to pay more mindful attention to our spaces. Thou environmental psychology isn’t new, it’s in the midst of a resurgence.

“Environmental psychology is oriented towards influencing the work of design professionals (architects, engineers, interior designers, urban planners, etc.) and thereby improving the human environment.” Wikipedia

With North Americans spending nearly 90% of our lives indoors, scientists and specialists are studying how behaviour is influenced by interior surroundings with particular attention to our health & wellbeing.

American Institute of Architects recently launched an initiative. “Design & Health Initiative” goal is to bring these / principals of health, peoples health at the forefront of all architectural design & urban design.

Dak Kopec, is the Director for Design for Human Health at Boston Architectural college. The program is innovative, because it’s the “first US credited design degree focusing on optimum human health”

This concept is observed in Canada too.

“We can merge what we are doing in science & help with design, to help people heal, be more productive, and to prevent disease.” Dr. Sternberg says. “We can integrate these systems & apply it, because science has proven it, “she continues.

Our physical environment impacts us consciously and unconsciously, in dramatic ways.

Advertisers know this very well.

Marketing companies spend billions sourcing what makes us linger longer in a grocery aisle, dial for a pizza, or adventure away to Newfoundland.

Visuals, scents, language, colour, pattern and sound may all be used to entice, influence mood and social behaviour.

Similar to these studies, scientists are discovering some amazing facts about artwork in our surroundings.

Truly remarkable results of exposure to artwork includes random acts of kindness, wounds healing faster, influencing our diets, increase of endurance and problem solving skills.

Nature art offers the most positive health influence. Why? We are hardwired to react positively to nature.

With behavior dramatically influenced by surroundings, doesn’t it make sense to apply this knowledge to our homes, offices, clinics, hospitals, lobbies to create positive well being?

Simple ways we can alter our spaces to increase productivity, health & wellness, is to introduce plants, colour, tactile experiences in fabrics & furniture, calming scents, visual imagery, and increase natural light. If a garden view isn’t possible, spark the BV ( Beautiful View) part of the brain with nature art. Science says so. :0)

PS~  Common thought that interior design was for esthetic purposes only, more firms are now recognizing the important factor of clients whole well being influenced by elements in the space.

You pass by that picture in the hallway thousands of times. In what way are you routinely consciously or unconsciously affected?

~ WHATS NEW in the STUDIO?

Experimenting with new tools these days, including erasers. Loving the idea of using a tool for it’s opposite purpose & the emotional impact of these free form paintings. The smaller new work you see above are completed with erasers.

I am continuing to developing new colour palettes in replicating sunlight. The new Canoe painting was infused today with more light, overall cohesive colour, and toning down of pattern. I am most pleased! All work is available for purchase, please email me for details. Thank you!

“I wish you could see this light that surrounds you in the night and I almost woke you up”.

Stephen Kellogg and his skilled band held the Ark audience captivated last week.

“I Almost Woke You Up”  written to his sleeping daughters, was among many beautiful original songs they performed.

Kinetic musical magic filled the room.

It isn’t the first time Stephen Kellogg held an audience with his smooth voice and guitar strumming hands.

Theatre spectators sat spellbound during his inspiring 2013 Ted Talk on Job Satisfaction. Click here for 19 min well invested.

SK’s TourdeForty concluded in Boston this weekend (via Instagram)

“This whole tour is my midlife crisis move. I want to show my kids that dreams do come true and art is a viable job if you work at it. I want to show myself that the best is still ahead. I want to give you nights of music and storytelling that will take you out of the darkness that is our daily news. In short I want to fuse my heart with yours.”

He continues,

“I’ve asked my musical friends in this formation of the #SouthWestNorthEast for help with this task. They have responded with talent, dedication & passion.”

Art is a viable job, thou few express this with such absolute sincerity.

Thanks for doing so, Mr. Kellogg.

~

Jackson Pollock answered best. ”My whole Life.”

Thou we discuss it among ourselves, it’s the most difficult question Artist’s face from the public.

Lee Humphries president of ThinkingApplied.com, describes artistic process eloquently: He writes

“…At its core, artistic process blends emotion with the disciplined pursuit of quality.” When you think of creative process on these terms, a question of timing doesn’t seem applicable.

“How long did it take you to paint that?” is stress inducing for artists to answer because:

1.  Establishing value of art/ people often equate with time.

2.  Time in execution does not mean time of creation. ( ie. We may do pre-paintings, studies and apply internal puzzle work first, which may take years)

3. The public’s association of professionalism with efficiency.

~Companies can rise or fall depending on their efficiencies. Big industry depends on it. Associating creation of a handmade original with any other kind of manufacturing process is a dangerous road. And Artists know it.

4. We don’t keep track.

~Imagine making a complicated recipe, then stopping every time you add an ingredient to list the time each step took. It would be labour intenstive and incredibly distracting from your focus. Now imagine this process is a hundred times more difficult than the recipe, because there is no template or formula.

~ We often work on several pieces at once to varying degrees. It would be nearly impossible and inefficient to track time.

“How long did it take to paint that?” may be followed by “Artists only work when they feel like it, or when inspiration moves them”.

Yet, that simply isn’t the case.

Many put in long days, months, years, some with near obsessive rigid schedules. One artist responded, “how long did it take me to paint that?.. it took me 5 years of nervous breakdowns”.  (Read Picasso’s comment and about toil  here.)

Artists who Thrive, state “Artists don’t trade their time for money. We trade value for money. And what value is that? Emotion.”

From Artist Lori McNee “ART in all its forms )(is an accumulation of knowledge. Each painting, novel, poem )( is the embodiment of the artists lifelong experiences, emotions, education, and intuition.

To Lori’s comment I would add: this accumulation of knowledge and emotions are a form of communication to humanity.

Art can emotionally reflect a viewer’s experience which they possibly couldn’t articulate themselves. That’s powerful.

Artists understand when asked this question, the public is either curious or searching for a way to validate the art.

This validation can be assured with quality of work, intention, uniqueness, originality, collective following, and, the spark of emotional connection.

The purpose of art is not a rarified, intellectual distillate – it is life, intensified, brilliant life.~ Alain Arias-Mission

~ Please feel free to share this free newsletter with your friends & encourage them to sign up. It’s free, and the best way online to view the paintings when first unveiled. I create the blogs on my own time, answering your questions within them, offering a glimpse of creative life, and art education. I receive no financial aid or assistance & refuse advertising. Hoping it’s of value to you to read & share.

If you have received a notice today that you are now subscribed, I have submitted your email to my auto news sender. It’s easy to unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive them.

Creative ideas are often born not in the boardroom, but the shower.

Why? Creative ideas flow while in a relaxed state.

(Click highlighted text for further cool reading!)

New 14×18 oil

Brilliant minds and artists have sourced their creative slumber stream for centuries.

Einstein said “The greatest scientists are artists as well”. If anyone understood the mysteries of the creative mind, it was Einstein, who’s “insight did not come from logic or mathematics. It came, as it does for artists, from intuition and inspiration.” He thought in visuals before he ‘found the words’.

 new 8×8 oil

Quality sleep can improve your memory and make you more creative.

While quality sleep is ideal, you can also nap like Einstein and Dali to access creative rhythm.

 New morning paintings

Artist Robert Genn suggested painting before a “morning cup of joe”.

Routine can be essential to an artist’s productivity. Like a snow globe on a bright sunny day, it’s also good to shake things up to release the sparkle. Recently I have been experimenting with the morning creating concept.

So far, this exercise is quite productive, revving up my brush and quieting my mind.

To spark your creative juice, a few handy tips I have found along the way.

Regardless of your profession:

• Keep a journal bedside for instant morning thoughts, visuals, ideas. Write in point form, key words.
• Work in natural light only, or with as little artificial light as possible. Dress comfortably, or better yet, if possible stay in pj’s.
• Work before breakfast or coffee. I discovered it’s nice to have a warm cup of water with a drop of lemon.
• Write three pages of ‘gibberish’. Julia Cameron author of The Artists Way overcame writers block by writing a series of morning pages daily. Task is to write anything coming to mind, non stop, no punctuation. Julia used this method to purge negativity, and open up ‘space’ for creative thought.

 Artists:

• Have boards etc prepped the night before, so you can begin immediately in the morning.
• Paint non-stop, no fixing mistakes.
• Extra challenge: use left over paints on palette from previous day.
• Thou I prefer to work with music on, for these tasks silence is key.
• For those who usually have electronics nearby, leave the phone/laptop, watch, clocks etc outside the studio. If you are short for time, set the oven timer in the kitchen.
• Time Trial: I love my breakfast and morning run. For me, this exercise becomes a speedy time trial.

If these options aren’t available to you, it’s been proven pacing sparks creativity. Pace in your office, or outdoors, which will increase creative juices considerably.

You can even pace in the shower. :0)

~ “Nap time, the shut down that reboots” Robert Genn

P.S  New work will be titled, I just haven’t gotten around to ‘finding my words yet’. :)) To purchase work, please email. Thank you!

Brand recognition is a strong element in business today.

It’s advantageous if brands are unique and consistent with a clear mission, because we are inundated daily with information.

This is also true in the art world.

“Meadow” New 11×14

Beyond an Artists Signature style, branding may encompass original and recognizable features of their art, personality, or how they work. ( ie: showmanship, tools, unique materials, etc)

Below is my favourite painting by a certain famous artist. Recognize the work?

You may not, because “The Old Fisherman” was painted in 1895 before Picasso evolved to his more recognizable style, founding the method of Cubism.

Landscape painting is highly competitive, perhaps the easiest genre to be lost in the crowd. “You landscapers are a dime a dozen” one dealer told me. Being distinguishable in the sea of thousands is one of the biggest issues professional artists face.

That’s why many are devoting time and attention to their brand.

Last month a new client strolled the studio. “It’s difficult to recognize all of these works were done by one artist. This must be hard for your brand?”

What followed was one of the most exciting conversations I have had in the studio.

By putting me on the spot, I was able to focus on his perspective as a collector and avid supporter of original art. He’s given me insight what may be obvious to me, may not be to the public.

My response was:

1)  I can connect with my subject on a deep emotional level in a short period of time.

I paint a variety of landscapes having been fortunate to live in some of the most beautiful places in Canada as an adult. We were raised in lovely remote provincial parks growing up. Having this unique relationship with the land since I was a child has given me the adaptability to form a very quick connection to natural spaces everywhere.

2) Colour.

I have never used a colour wheel, so my palette is uncommon. I mix all colours by instinct. You will find the use of Cad yellow’s in nearly every single painting. I use a combination of at least 3 yellows to achieve a golden effect.

3). Fresh Air/ Plien Air feel

Thou my technique changes because I use a variety of tools, bare hands, brushstroke in the work, I am told it embodies the raw freshness of outdoor work. Vibrant colour, thick strokes, bold design help achieve this.

4) The largest focal point brought to my attention by dealers, collectors, and the reason I was chosen for the boreal expedition is the way I paint light. I am told this is the work’s outstanding feature.

New logo look highlights the play on my name ~Sunrise~. click here.

In the spirit of branding, I am working with my friend Dayna,  for the “Dawn” art brand, so exciting! Watch for updates in the future!

~Note:  “People say your work is similar to the Group of Seven, I disagree. Seeing their work, I feel cold and traces of (distress)? It makes me want to put a sweater on. I see happy warmth in your work.You don’t have an angry bone in your body, I just feel.. happy”. new Client.