While prices for unique works are increasingly beyond the reach of many, limited editions of, say, 150 plus are financially and widely accessible, making it possible to acquire pieces by major artists for reasonable prices.

There can be a downside, however. While little beats the pleasure a signed work can bring, generally speaking, the larger an edition, the less likely it is to appreciate in value quickly – or even substantially.

Nevertheless, the contemporary art market is full of contradictions, and with growing demand at all levels, recent trends have often seen this assumption overturned.

As an obvious example, Damien Hirst’s early prints for Eyestorm consistently fetch $10000-$16000 at re-sale, a very substantial profit on their original price. More recently, prints by Banksy and other urban artists have proved equally lucrative.

In other words, it’s becoming increasingly possible – although by no means a certainty – to make profits quickly with relatively little outlay; although the trick, as always, is knowing what to buy and when to sell.

Buying for fast profit

The art world has a curious attitude to speculation. Buying and selling purely for profit is still regarded as just a little unsavory, even though the entire art market is dedicated to this pursuit. Perhaps it’s because art has such a curiously dual nature, combining aesthetic and cultural worth with a commercial value that can reach very high sums indeed.

Whatever the case, it would be difficult to consistently make money from art without some genuine appreciation and an insight into what will stand the test of time. And many dealers are themselves collectors, at least partly funding their own acquisitions through trading.

Yet it’s certainly true that, with contemporary art consistently showing remarkable returns on investment, it’s also become an attractive proposition to a very wide range of buyers.

In general, non-specialist speculators often trade in the work of artists whose frequent media coverage makes them well known to the public. And as shown by the two examples mentioned above – Hirst and Banksy – this can certainly reap substantial rewards.

But it’s also important to remember that, in an increasingly novelty-driven world, the next big thing is usually just around the corner. ‘Celebrity’ artists often take on the nature of a trend, and fads can become outdated with dramatic speed. Knowing when to sell such work is vitally important.

Ups and downs in the market aren’t just related to artists with familiar public profiles, of course. The art world itself frequently generates its own, ‘flavor of the month’ buzz. A few years ago, Martin Kippenberger’s prices rose dramatically, then leveled just as quickly. Chinese and now Indian contemporary art have been subject to the same kind of intensely fashion-led markets.

Clearly, money can be made through quickly identifying and speculating on trends, but you’ll need to have your finger firmly on the pulse. Knowing what’s considered exciting is essential, but you’ll also have to determine how long this excitement is actually going to last.

Long-term investment – knowing your artists

When it comes to collecting art, you’ll often read the following: the safest way to build a collection is simply to buy work you really like.

Such advice seems tailor-made to shield less knowledgeable collectors from potential disappointment, and perhaps even encourage sales of less desirable work. Buy a piece you love and if the value falls no harm has been done. If it gains in price, that’s a bonus.

I prefer to look at buying art a little differently.

Of course it’s important to purchase work you want to own and view.

But since contemporary art presents real investment opportunities, it makes sense to think carefully about what to add to your collection. After all, look at almost any online art site, and you’ll see that prices for fairly standard pieces are often equivalent to what you’d pay for work with far greater investment potential.

Although there’s obviously no way of predicting future value for sure, the key is to familiarize yourself as much as possible with the background of artists you’re drawn to.

How long have they been practicing? Is there a theme or thought process behind their work? Has this evolved coherently over the years?

Artists with at least some degree of complexity and persistent ‘vision’ are generally more likely to gain steadily in appreciation and price.

You’ll also want to know if the artist has achieved some kind of recognition. Is their work held by collections, galleries or museums? Has it been exhibited consistently?

Professional opinion is yet another important factor in trying to determine an artist’s long-term prospects. If a large number of critics and academics coincide in their high opinion of an artist, this is another good sign that they will retain or even gain value.

Mid-career artists can be judged much more easily in relation to their existing work; and after all, good art isn’t just about something that happens to look nice on a wall.

It’s about a certain kind of commitment and an obvious path of development. If all these factors are present, buying probably makes sense. Limited editions by Jeff Koons, for example, were relatively inexpensive 5 or 6 years ago, but with recent record-breaking prices for major works, have also shot up in value.

Even artists who disappear temporarily from the art market radar are much more likely to re-emerge at a later point if they show the ‘right’ kind of commitment and passion.

Emerging artists and the schlock of the new

New young artists are often fizzing with ideas, many of which can seem ground-breaking or even radical, but the problem is that they have yet to prove their long-term worth.

This said, you can certainly gain an insight into potential by applying the criteria above. It’s especially important to determine if they have something genuine to express or are simply employing methods that could, over time, increasingly be seen as just a gimmick.

Of course, if you’re looking to make a high return on investment, rapidly emerging artists can prove highly lucrative.

In such cases, it’s probably a good idea to invest in as substantial a piece as possible, although as we’ve seen, editions and multiples can also prove money-earners.

But keep a close eye on auction prices and signs of market fatigue. Such artists might be the talk of the town right now, but will they fulfill their early promise?

If, after a few years, their work appears stuck in a rut and prices seem to be leveling or even dropping, it’s time to think twice about their long-term appeal. On the other hand, if they do continue to create great work, any pieces bought for relatively low sums at the start of their careers should steadily rise in value.

Spreading your bets

If you’re lucky enough to have substantial sums of money to spend on art, newer artists, as we’ve just seen, can produce significant return on investment.

But perhaps the best way to offset the risks that they may never fulfill expectation is to ’spread your bets’ across a selection of up and coming names.

Buying the work of several different artists might mean settling for less significant works, but with the right kind of knowledge – and luck – hitting a jackpot is still potentially viable.

If you’ve done your research, the chances are fairly good that at least one – and hopefully more – of your chosen artists will gain in recognition.

And given the phenomenal increase in prices for contemporary art, if that happens, eventual profits could far outweigh the costs of initial purchases, even if other works fail to make the grade.

It’s worth remembering that many well-known collectors buy huge amounts of work by new, ‘promising’ artists.

Charles Saatchi is a particularly good example, and although he is famous for the apparent strength of his collection, a sizable proportion consists of artists who have now faded into obscurity (you won’t see these listed on the website).

However, the phenomenal rise in value of those who became major names – Peter Doig, for example – have reaped him many millions of dollars in profit at auction.

And if those are the rewards, you can probably afford to make the odd mistake.

Mike writes for modernedition.com, a resource providing articles and news on contemporary art, as well as limited edition prints and multiples by leading contemporary artists.

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The need for textiles, combined with our desire to embellish the world around us, has given rise to a huge range of fabric based art, everything from basic colored cloth to complex woven textiles. Tapestries and wall hangings have long been one of the most accomplished forms of this art, having a history dating back millennia, and artists from almost all cultures have contributed some form of textile wall art.

Recently tapestries and wall hangings have enjoyed a rise in interest, with many people looking beyond traditional options for wall decor. The tactile nature of tapestries, combined with their long history, has made them once again a choice for the discriminating home improver.

Contemporary tapestry design

Although there are a vast range of traditional designs available, a more recent development is the growth in contemporary art as a basis for modern tapestry designs. Because of the nature of the modern weaving process almost any design can be successfully incorporated into a tapestry, providing the weaver has the skill to do so. This has led many contemporary artists to consider wall tapestries as an alternative medium to framed canvases and prints.

The range of artists who now license their original work for tapestry wall hangings is impressive, and growing. Leading contemporary artists such as Malenda Trick, Elizabeth Brandon and Stewart Sherwood are now being introduced to a whole new group of art lovers.

Encompassing a vast range of subject matter, from modern cityscapes and impressionist inspired landscapes, to idyllic coastal scenes and fantasy art, these contemporary works of art are adding a new dimension to fabric design, marrying traditional weaving techniques with modern, vibrant images.

Although prints enjoy a unique position in home décor, paintings and designs from these popular artists are increasingly exploiting the unique qualities of woven textiles. The tactile nature of wall hangings adds depth and texture to these already impressive works and makes a distinctive alternative to framed art often bringing alive the designs in ways not originally planned by the artists.

Modern textile art

Additionally many textile artists who use fabric as their main medium are enjoying a renewed prominence in the art world. Rather than plying their art in paintings there are a growing number of artists using tapestries and other types of wall hanging as their primary medium for expression. Modern artists such as Ulrika Leander, Monique Lehman and Elda Abramson combine their artistic vision with the depth and range available through fabrics to create a new, modern twist on this ancient art.

Many of these textile works of art are abstract in nature, often employing bold colors and striking, modern designs that incorporate the weave of the fabric as an essential part of the design to create a depth not available with traditional materials like canvas. As a home décor option they can add a splash of color to brighten up a room, and often become a great focal point in almost any setting.

Like abstract art prints, contemporary tapestry designs often allow art lovers to take more of a chance with their wall décor choices. Unlike a traditional painting, where the subject matter can be too modern, old-fashioned, fussy or just plain wrong, contemporary art allows us to concentrate more on the hues and tones of a piece to match the ambience of a room. Because of this they often afford a great deal of flexibility when decorating, adding to the reasons so many are looking towards contemporary tapestry art for their wall décor choices.

An ancient appeal

Contemporary artists are increasingly attracted to tapestries and textiles primarily because the individuality of the weaving process makes each piece produced a unique work of art unlike any other. In a world driven by mass production art lovers are often drawn to the uniqueness of wall tapestries as an antidote to the monotony of many other options.

Now, despite their ancient origins, many people are again looking towards tapestries and wall hangings as an answer to their modern home decor aspirations. With an ever growing range of options the choice has never been better for art lovers.

Godfrey Bazalgette writes extensively on art, history and tapestries & textiles.

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In a nutshell, is living history — a snapshot of the time that we live in. Most people remember contemporary art in the style of Andy Warhol since it reflected attitudes about the times people lived in, and the changing culture around them. Another reason why contemporary art is so highly praised is because it gives a very clear window into the mind of the artist — you see what truly inspires them, and contemporary art has even been used as a source of deep connection to the passage of time as a whole. It’s easy to mark time through art, which is another reason why artists produce strictly contemporary pieces. In fact, there’s even political statements that can be made through prints.

Given that there’s so many benefits to collecting prints, it’s only natural that you want to make sure that you get the very best for your home or office. There’s a few things you’ll want to keep in mind as you look through the selection of prints. Since there’s definitely a strong history and tradition around contemporary art as a whole, you will want to make sure that you pay close attention to the purpose you have for the art you’ll purchase. For example, location is really everything — if you’re buying work for your office, then you will have different needs and tastes than someone that’s buying artwork for their home. Generally speaking, you may want to avoid more controversial themes for your office, since this can definitely offend your customers. It may be better to save such works for when you are buying contemporary art prints for your home. Another area that you will want to think about is the way the art is framed — the frame around a print will need to be used to bring out the best of the artwork it contains.

All things considered, prints are some of the best pieces to add to your art collection. If you take the time to really select good work, you’ll have no problem at all getting exactly what you desire!

The best place to find contemporary art prints is definitely to look at online art galleries — best selection with affordable prices! Finding original prints for sale truly isn’t difficult at all. The best way to get started is to look at online art galleries for the best selection going!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Burbles

Once you have bought your favorite art piece, explore unique ways of presenting it to your audience. If you have several pieces of art that you want to hang on the wall, try grouping them creatively to add a more interesting look. If the art piece is small enough, why not frame it and place it on a shelf or side table – it’s nice to be able to pick it up to have a closer look once in a while. Art doesn’t have to be hung on the wall. You can simply place it on the floor and lean it against a wall or a piece of furniture, perhaps against a cupboard or side table – just make sure that the art piece will not obstruct walkways, and that it isn’t too large or too small that would make it look out of place.

Just hanging a solitary piece of art on the wall may not be enough, why not tell a story by including accessories or other decorative ornaments to compliment the art work. For example, if you have a piece of Asian contemporary art on the wall, you can place a small coffee table below it and decorate it with Asian antiques – maybe include some stone carvings of Buddha, or perhaps a few candles or flowers to add more variety and complete the look. Make sure that the items you choose will suit the theme of the art piece and not steal attention away from it.

Once the art is hung on the wall, use creative lighting to bring attention to it and to give it a stunning look. This will certainly lend excitement and be a point for interesting conversation, especially in the evenings when you’re having a nice cocktail party with your guests – or perhaps enjoying some special time alone with a loved one.

There are many exciting ways you can display your art in your home. This article only highlights a few of them. Be daring and unique – let your hair down when it comes to creativity. There are no hard and fast rules in interior decorating. If you’re short on ideas, look through your favorite home decorating magazines and books to draw new inspiration. The creative possibilities are endless.

Copyright 2008 Edwin Mah

Edwin owns Abstract Prints, an online art gallery offering more than 20,000 contemporary wall art prints for home and office decorating. Decorate your home with contemporary art prints today!

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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.

Suzanne Macguire is an Internet marketing professional with keen interest in contemporary art and the role of the renowned Vietnam artist Do Duy Tuan in the field of Vietnamese painting.

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To find out more about contemporary art you can read articles on the topic in various places. I hope you will read some of them at Contemporary Art Gallery Magazine. CAG has several fine writers working on basic education of people to contemporary art, as well clearing up some of the more controversial questions on contemporary, and even some articles on esthetics and artists’ interviews.

Some of the better articles were written by Arthur Browning, Daniel Ferris, and Allan Swinson at CAG. These writers have taken on some topical assignments that should be of interest to you. Arthur Browning is focused on contemporary art collecting and art business. Daniel Ferris is concerned with the future of
art and artificial intelligence in esthetics. Allan Swinson has written on art history, art and technology, art and cultures. As far as types of contemporary art that they are interested in, each of these writers has focused on some media more than others. Allan Swinson is interested in prints, collage and constructions. Daniel Ferris is interested in sculpture and photography. Arthur Browning has interests in painting,
especially abstract and nonobjective.

Another newer writer of some note is Giselle Borzov. Specializing in art business and art criticism, Giselle Borzov also critiques artists’ works. In this way she could be considered an artist consultant or career coach. Giselle Borzov is a freelance writer, she has the Art Now blog and does public relations work for small and medium-sized gallery businesses – private and corporate.

Artists can be reviewed by these writers and receive some attention in the media, especially on the internet. For artists or collectors who want opinion on marketing, buying and selling art, you should talk to Giselle Borzov. For the contemporary art -interested public the articles of any of these four authors is of value. Daniel Ferris has a blog at “It’s Only Art?” in addition to his writing a t CAG, Arthur Browning and Allan Swinson write for CAG, Giselle writes for Art Now and under pen names for other art publications online and in print.
# Tia Marks, Executive-Editor, Contemporary Art Gallery Magazine Art Now
# It’s Only Art?
# Contemporary Art Gallery Magazine

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Usually, art that’s produced in the 20th Century onwards are considered contemporary art. But it’s hard to classify an artwork as contemporary simply based on time alone. What happens if an artwork is produced based on ancient ideas? Would that art piece be considered as contemporary art? Hardly.

For an art piece to be widely recognized as contemporary art, contemporary ideas should be adopted when creating contemporary art. This has something to do with the evolution of art. Anyone who studies the historical records of art would be able to understand how contemporary ideas come about.

When creating art, there are a few elements that define that artwork. The techniques adopted, the technology adopted, the medium used, and the concept that’s adopted.

For example, contemporary techniques may include single brush strokes. Forms are created using single brush strokes. A single painting can be completed in minutes using this technique. Due to its speed, this technique has gained popularity very quickly.

Also, more and more art pieces are created using advanced software. Such software can create 2D or 3D digital artwork very quickly and the images are much more defined than a traditional artwork.

But artists who still prefer to stick to traditional painting tools such as paper or canvases still need to pick a medium to work on. As acrylic paints are water-based, non-toxic and fast drying, many artists have made it their choice of paint medium.

If you notice, the three elements which I’ve just mentioned share some similar characteristics. What seems to fit into the notion of contemporary art involves simplicity, speed and convenience.

We see more and more digital art prints because it’s so fast and convenient to produce artwork on computers. We see more and more artists turn to fast drying mediums because art pieces can be completed faster. That’s the essence of contemporary art.

As for contemporary concepts, that can be a little hard to grasp. That’s because it’s hard to classify any idea as contemporary as ideas are formless and subjective. What’s contemporary for one may not be so for another. The most convenient way of classifying concepts is to use time. For instance, any concept that’s born in the 20th Century and beyond is classified as contemporary.

So the next time you’re producing contemporary art, keep these four elements in mind. What techniques are you adopting? Are you using any modern technology for your creation? What paints will you be using? And finally, how modern are your concepts?

When you can answer these questions, you have already answered the question of how contemporary is your art.

Darren Chow is the founder and developer of MyArtPassion.com, an online website that offers free drawing lessons, home study courses, and other drawing related resources. For more free resources like the one you’ve just read, please visit MyArtPassion.com for free online drawing lessons.

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