Elvis.     Elvis Presley.     Elvis A. Presley.    Elvis Aron Presley.    Elvis Aaron Presley. No matter how you "define" him the fact remains that he was, is, and forever will be the GREATEST Entertainer...ever. In every category of entertainement (i.e. TV, record sales, music, movies, etc.) he was...the best. Elvis was UNIQUE in every aspect of his life and he was blessed with the ability to leave his "mark" on everything that he did.

Contrary to most individuals "beliefs" Elvis' movie career, probably the most "controversial" aspect of his career, was born of Elvis' desire to be an Actor. Elvis studied acting and studied the works of the greatest Actors of his time...and ours (i.e. Dean, Brando, etc.). Most people don't realize that Elvis was "signed" into the movie contracts WITHOUT ever seeing the scripts beforehand (note: in some cases Elvis was contractually commited to as many as FIVE motion pictures at a time). I will go into more detail, in later posts, but this one is about ART and my point is that all art...is in the eye of the beholder and subject to...critism.

Also, one of the "beauties" of artwork is that if YOU like it/love it...then that should be enough for you are the one that has to "live with it". After all I don't believe that "Clambake" (i.e. a motion picture starring Elvis) is in the "league" of Gone with the wind" OR "It's a wonderful life" BUT I enjoy the movie eventhough I know that Elvis was "repulsed" with the film BUT that he gave his "best"...and it shows. I guess my point is that art is one of the things that people can "agree to disagree" on but it if makes you happy...that is important...being happy with the item.

There are many type of art works that involve Elvis. Probably the most famous was the Andy Warhol piece of Elvis in Flaming Star. If you haven't seen it I encourage you to do so NOT because it is so "wonderful" but that it is a simple "silkscreen process" that duplicates an image of Elvis taken during the motion picture entitled Flaming Star. The fact that Andy Warhol respected Elvis, enough to do a contemporary piece about him, speaks more for Andy Warhols' ability to "capture Americana" than it does to the actual piece itself.

Elvis was not an "art collector" per se, but he knew beauty, when he saw it, and he knew (instantly) what he liked. Fortunatley, Priscilla exposed him to various Artists, and their works, throughout the 60's and these pieces were evident in the decorations in his California homes.

Basically you have two "types" of Art to choose from as it pertains to TIMELINES (i.e. dates). The first is artwork that was done during Elvis' lifetime and the second is done after his lifetime. If you are into "charcoal" or "pen/ink" or "pencil" drawings, that are very lifelike, then check out Betty Harper. If you are into "modern graphics" then you have a plethora of options and availability of many Artist works. EBay, like everything else, has a wonderful selection of artwork involiving Elvis from all over the world.

Since there is SO much of Elvis' life, and his "visual legacy" to chose from, there is actually more works of art to chose from after his passing (excluding photographs of course). Everthing from 4x6 freehand works, to velvet paintings, to watercolors, to oil paintings, to computerized altered versions of Elvis during his concerts/film career.

There are Elvis movie posters, Elvis concert posters, Elvis candid works of art, Elvis onstage works of art, Elvis on horseback graphics, Elvis on Ed Sullivan oil paintings, and the options go "on and on". Even being a DIEHARD Elvis fan I (almost) got...overwhelmed but (fortunately) I was able to "exhale" after putting on some wonderful Elvis music...and regroup. It is amazing how one's environment influences one's attitude.

Prior to authorizing this guide to be posted on EBay I spent a few months doing some "online research" and I found, over a reasonably short period of time, OVER five thousand different pieces of artwork of Elvis. Not only is there a "demand" for this but the "amount of products" are growing every year. Like anything Elvis involving Elvis if it is good...people want it if it involves Elvis.

I have a personal appreciation, having gone to Art School and doing several Original pieces showcasing Elvis, for any/all fans (of Elvis) who not only put their time into the piece...but also their love/respect/appreciation. Interestingly, EPE/Graceland/Elvis.com has noticied an increasingly desire for works of art involving Elvis and has promoted the signing of a "dedicated Elvis artist" online.

There are some "basic rules" that you should consider when looking for, and/or buying, artwork relating to Elvis. So here goes:

1)     Before buying try to do as much "independent research" as you can about the Artist themselves. Worth finding out is the artist reputation, if applicable what are the professional auction prices (i.e. what their art currently has brought in the "open market"), and what their "customer satisfaction" history has been (i.e. there are many professional art critics articles online as well as (literally) many "blogs" written about artist so we encourage you to "do your homework" and also understand that some "opinions" have agendas).

2)    Always try to obtain an ORIGINAL (if it is within your budget). If an Original is not available then see if there are "limited edition" prints/reproductions available. Also, look for NUMBERED PRINTS as the "lower the number" the more (historically) value the art retains.

3)    Always try to see if you can get the Arist to offer an ORIGINAL SIGNATURE on the art. Sometimes this is not part of the "advertisement", for the item, but it never hurts to ask and it ALWAYS will increase the value of the item.

4)   Always try to get a "certificate of authentication", for the art as this will not only confirm that the piece is "authorized" but will also ensure that the item is "documented" not only for your own "insurance/replacement" purposes but also for "resale purposes" (when/if applicable).

5)   Look...before you buy. If you like something then...follow your heart (and adhere to your monetary budget as well).

6)   Determine WHERE you are going to place the item before buying it (i.e. on a wall, kept with a collection, etc.).

7)   Obtain your FRAMING options, if applicable, prior to buying the item when at all possible. Prices vary, for professional framing, and can vary from less than a hundred dollars...to several thousand dollars.

8)  Negotiate on the price if you can and if it is something that you really like, but can't monetarily obtain right then, don't be affraid to ask what the "estimated" length of time a piece will be available for public sale (i.e. a month, always, a year, etc.). And, please don't make the mistake of OMMITTING the "shipping costs" to get to you. Some oversized pieces of art can cost a FORTUNE so negotiation is encouraged to "factor in" the shipping costs. Lastly, INSURING your item (during shipping/transportation) should be aggressively pursued and obtained. In this day and age you never know what can happen going from "truck to plane to doorstep".

One "fundamental rule" is to ask yourself, before buying, (a) is this within my budget (b) do I just like this now but will want something else later (c) is this something that I will "show" (i.e. be displayed in public in my home/office) or not and (d) what, if any, are my "resale options" should my circumstances change. Many times the monetary costs are "nominal" so resale questions are not applicable. However, if you are spending more than "nominal" it is always good to know your "resale options" as there is a difference between "what you pay" versus "what you could sell it for".

Once you obtain the piece you may want to confirm IF you existing insurance (i.e. homeowners, rental, etc.) will cover the "replacement cost" of your item. If not you may want to get a quote for a "rider" from your insurance agent. Also, it is highly recommended for you to digitally photograph, from every angle, the art and (if possible) videotape it as well. Lastly, make sure that your "digital records" are stored safely and a "second set" is stored "away from home" (i.e. lockbox, fireproof location, etc.). This will save you a lot of time, agony, frustration should the item be "lost to mother nature" or (God forbide) stolen or damaged.

I have had, over the years, many people share with me that after they purchased one of my artworks that they had the original "scanned/copied", then displayed in their homes/offices, and kept the original in another safe/waterproof/temperature controlled location. I had never thought of that before but it seems to be a "win win" as long as the "quality" of the scan/copy is comparable to the original. With modern technology there are many options available now that were not avaible beforehand.

In closing, thank you for being an Elvis fan and (hopefully) this guide will "shed some positive light" on your options/process involving Elvis Presley Artwork. Take care and God bless.

Jeff Schrembs

ElvisCollectorWorldwide (an EBay Store)Elvis Presley Artwork Burnin' Luv by Jeff Schrembs