WOW!!! Have you seen all the art on ebay? Are you overwhelmed?? Me too!!!! As a self representing artist myself, I wish I knew how to get more people to my store..... I thought about hiring a few henchmen to drag buyers in, but then realized that all they had to do was turn off their computers. So, how DO you shop for art??

You have heard, or probably said it yourself (be honest), "I don't know anything about art, but I know what I like." Now, granted, some of those people really have all their taste in their mouth. However, there is a lot of truth in that statement. You really should look at art for art's sake, but some works will really jump out and speak to you. I don't mean they will grab you and jump on your back to bite your neck, although, for some people, that wouldn't be a bad idea.

Am I sounding bitter? Nah, I have sat at many art shows and listened to some of the stangest comments that could come out of peoples mouths. Now, my artist peers can vouch for this. We are abused and belittled until it could bring one to tears, but then, someone who really appreciates and has some art knowledge walks up and spends probably more money than they wanted to , because they found the perfect piece for them. Now that makes all the abuse seem worth it. point? The art should speak to you, mean something to you. It doesn't matter if it is a print, an original, or huge, or small, etc. etc. etc.

OK ... Let's get serious for a minute... The greatest gift one can give an artist is to purchase a piece of their work; their heart in soul are entwined in the creation which is meant to bring joy to others. By purchasing, it allows the artist to continue to create. A true artist does not stop imagining, therefore, he/she will continue to experiment and that is how something different is born.

I keep my favorite cartoon on my studio wall. It is from the Wizzard of Id.... the artist has a painting on the easel and the other character asks what he has named the painting. The artist says "Survival". When asked why, he explains that if it sells, he can eat for another month. How true, how true.

Ergo....... patrons do a lot more than give money for one painting, they make it possible for a future possible masterpiece to be created. I love my patrons, they have kept me going for many years. I appreciate their support and help. Being an artist is one of the best, but hardest jobs in the world. Creating is easy, but marketing is hard. Partially because, sorry to say, we are not all honest. Some try to pass off a giclee as an original, because the process of printing is so good. The artist should be very clear as to what the buyer is purchasing. That is our responsibility. Be sure to ask questions if you feel the need to.

I have always wanted to own other artists work, but being an artist, if I didn't trade, I couldn't afford their work. Well, guess what! I have found a solution. They are called Artist Trading Cards (ATC) or Art Card Editions & Originals (ACEO) and if you put these initials in the search for ebay, you will come up with many choices at very low prices. (Anywhere from 99 cents to $75 and up depending on whether it is an original or limited edition... be sure to read the description well) What a concept!!! I have already collected several dozen and have sold many. No need for wall space ... they can be used in a variety of ways. (Frame, put in sheets of trading cards for a coffee table notebook, add to those special scrapbook pages, etc)

Thank you for reading this and I hope it has helped you understand the world of art a little better, and if you are an artist, I know you will have related to some of there points.