It's a Gift That Keeps Giving – ART

Except as noted below, these are all original, one-of-a-kind paintings or drawings. So, no matter how many givers are on the recipient's list--- they'll never get another of what this show has for them. 

Maybe you'll also have the advantage of bringing them to the gallery with you to do a little surreptitious scouting of what they like. Don't be surprised if they're pulling the same kind of intelligence on you…

For this show, I picked specifically works that I thought many people would enjoy in terms of subject matter. I also chose only things at relatively modest price points… So no $100,000 Rockwells, no $38,000 Leyendeckers or $25,000 Cornwells here.

Sure, you could still spend quite a bit at the show and while I'd love it if you do… you really don't have to. There are tons of items under $100 each… Then there's my book at the special price of $50 + tax… or you can even sign someone special up for my biweekly (more or less) “Picture(s) of the Week” newsletter… that's free.

Beyond all this if you see something that's interesting but that's not quite what you want… or if there's a partiocular subject matter that you're seeking just ask. We can make an appointment for you to see others. 

What Am I Looking At…. ??

These are all original paintings and drawings and as such are each one-of-a-kind. All were created for the purpose of being printed (or at the least as a preliminary version of something to be printed)-- either in a book, a magazine, as a poster, a billboard and so forth. 

At the heart of this show and of most of illustration is the telling of just enough of a story to attract the attention of the viewer. What you see here would have been submitted to the client for publication. An illustrator can speak volumes of mood and action through many apparently simple things: body language, composition and color for instance. A talented illustrator can make a good picture look easy. If you're ever tried to make a piece of art…, particularly one that has to be approved by someone else… you'll know what I'm talking about. 

Art for reproduction in America stretches back to about 1840. The reasons for this relatively short history are many, complex and not really the point of this show. Up until fairly recently, say the early 1970s, the overwhelming mood (even among the illustrators themselves) was that once artwork appeared in print, its usefulness was at an end. Probably along the lines of 80 – 85% of the illustration art created in the Golden Age of American illustration (roughly 1880 – 1960) was destroyed for one reason or another. 

Enough words… Go, enjoy the show. If you have an opportunity come back and enough it again.