Category Archives: Art Collectors

Art & Media Building Bridges

2 Comments

“Education is all a matter of building bridges.” ~ Ralph Ellison

My, my how our world has changed in unimaginable ways. When I  stumbled upon a Reuters news article, I realized just how far our  world really has come, in all industries, with regard to international agreements and trade. Even the arts and entertainment industry has joined forces with other countries to collaborate on projects. Reuters has reported that Time Warner Inc.’s Cartoon Network is  partnering with the United Arab Emirates to open Carton development in that country and also a training academy in September. New production studios will open in early 2011, in the capital city of Abu Dabi.

The initiative  is part of efforts by Abu Dabi to diversity their economy and create a 27 billion dollar cultural hub for television, radio, film, publishing and animation. The cultural district will also house branches of France’s Louvre Museum and New York’s Guggenheim Museum.

Many of the media broadcast stations such as Fox News International, the British Broadcast Corporation (BBC) and CNN have also joined forces in this collaboration. To read the article in it’s entirety http://bit.ly/djCEIp.

Never would I have I have thought a cultural exchange of the Arts and media of this proportion would be possible many years ago.  How far we have progressed in the world of international business and in the exchange of bright, open minds full of all kinds of possibility.

To see a model of the futuristic buidings designed by architects from France and California architect Frank Gehry, please visit 

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

The Light of a Soul

Leave a comment

“From within or from behind, a light shines through us upon things, and makes us aware that we are nothing, but the light is all.”                                   ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Have you ever seen a painting that so exquisitely reflects light, that you feel as if you are seeing a reflection first hand, rather than through a painted medium? I have! Those rare artists that can so exquisitely paint reflections of light, in my opinion, are painting from the depths of their soul. Only a person with great sensitivity and talent can duplicate light that looks so real on a canvas.

How could you fully describe, in words, what the artist of this scene saw with his own eyes when he came across it? Perhaps he felt he could better communicate what he was feeling, experiencing and seeing by painting it rather than describing it through words.

As a human being with a range of emotions, when you stumble upon a splendorous landscape that takes your breathe away, a beautiful relationship between husband and wife, the gift of friendship and love, stop and turn your thoughts to what meaning you can draw from it.  There is meaning in every occurrence and relationship we encounter in life, take the time to discover it.

It was the wish of this artist, Timothy Thies, to share this magnificent  scene with not just the owner of the original painting, but with all who care to purchase a lithograph of this image, which displays the reflection of his soul. To order this image, please visit www.WestWindFineArt.com.

I am grateful for beauty and light that Tim has shared with me through this image and his other beautiful paintings. His paintings have stirred and intensified my love for representational art.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Observing Beauty in Silence

2 Comments

“The best things in life come in threes, like friends, dreams and memories.” ~  Unknown

Spring is trying  here in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, it really is!! Old man winter had to have his way with us,  just one more time! No sooner had I declared the snow was melting here in the mountains on Saturday morning’s radio broadcast of “Cover to Cover”, I had to eat my words! Snow arrived yet again, on Easter morn!

I had a good chuckle when I arrived at the church doors on Easter Sunday morning. The greeter and I spontaneously said to each other, right at the same time, ” Merry Christmas!” Old man winter sure had us confused! Instead of putting on my Easter bonnet, fancy heels and special Easter dress, we wrapped up once more in our wooly scarves, winter wraps and boots for trudging through the sloppy, wet snows.

Sometimes, our words don’t quite fit the occasion. Sometimes our words don’t quite come. And sometimes there are no words to describe what we are feeling. Today, I think it best to share a story through an image, rather than through words. The image is too beautiful to describe and the artist who has shared beauty through his Art needs to be honored.

Artist: Timothy Thies

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Weekend Indie Publisher News

Leave a comment

Happy Saturday! Did all of you know March is Youth Art Month? Well it is! Invite a child and his or her parents into your studio this month, and share your passion for your craft. Maybe they will even want to go home with a souvenir – a piece of your work!

Art education teaches children about shape, color and form.  Children are able to articulate their feelings, their dreams and their expressions of perception through drawing, painting, writing, dance, film, pottery and every other medium of art.

Art education is often misunderstood and underestimated. Take a few minutes, watch this video and learn more about the important  part Art plays in the development of a child.

This  blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Spring Forth

2 Comments

“From heav’nly  thoughts all true delights doth spring.”                                  ~ Thomas Cameron

By the end of winter, I’ve looked long enough at all the shades of gray, brown and white. I have grown weary of seeing the natural landscape wearing the same colors for five months or more. By the end of winter, I am color deprived and am ready for the earth to deck itself out in an assortment of pastels and greens, once again.

Floral paintings have a special place in my heart and my art collection includes many. In the dead of winter, I find botanical paintings especially comforting and meaningful. During the cold, gray days of winter, I find myself studying the floral compositions. They help me to remember that Mother Nature never fails to burst forth with a whole new landscape every spring.

Today, I am going to indulge myself and buy a bunch of daffodils from the Visiting Nurse Association. Every March, the VNA sells bouquets of spring to those in need of a splash of color in their lives. Nurses know alot about healing the body, but they also know how to heal the spirit. Their fundraiser of selling daffodils comes just when it is most needed. In my previous place of residence, one of my friends reliably showed up at my door, impromptu, bouquet in hand every March. She instinctively knew when I needed a lift of color and spirit after a long, long winter.

It was then, that we knew it was time to talk and plan for our upcoming season of perennial flower gardening.  Vermont has the best climate for perennial flowers – the days are not too hot; cool and dewy nights. I find fulfillment, like no other, out puttering in my garden from May til October.  There is something rejuvenating and life affirming about working the soil and the earth. To me, it is not toiling, it is pure pleasure! Any shreds of artistic talents I have, are best put to use in the garden.

The season of darkness has begun to diminish. Daylight Savings Time allows us to witness, for an extended period each day, the pastel hues that slowly paint the natural canvas, called earth. Watch in awe and wonder as Mother Nature does her thing this spring!

This blog brought to you by www.cornerstonefulfillmentservice.com.

The Allusive Treasure

6 Comments

“The royal road to a man’s heart is to talk to him about the things he treasures most.” ~ Dale Carnegie

To a bibliophile, collecting rare books is a very serious matter. There was a time when collectors would drive all over the country pouring over cartons of old books piled high in dark, dingy, dusty attics, barns and shops. Great finds came from off the beaten path, and unexpected treasures were often found by just stumbling upon them. Today, through the power of the internet and e-commerce, locating that “prized” antiquarian book and other things of rare value are often just a few keystrokes away.

Serious bibliophiles are willing to pay very high prices for a book they have been searching for. Their reasons for collecting rare books are as eclectic as the publications that they collect. Some collectors buy strictly for the paper, vellum or parchment that the words are printed upon, others restrict themselves to the writings of a particular author, genre or field. Some bibliophiles even place  high value on unfinished pieces, in various stages of publication, such as advance review copies or galley proofs.

Abe  Books www.AbeBooks.com has reported some of their most expensive sales in 2010, and you will be greatly surprised to see that given this economy, rare book collectors have not lost their interest in paying top dollar for a much sought after publication. Here were the most expensive antiquarian book sales last month from Abe Books.

1- A collector paid $19,500 for an Ottoman Atlas containing 39 hand colored maps. The publication had been printed by the Royal School of Military Engineering in Istanbul.

2- A first edition copy of Titanic and Other Ships fetched $11,742 in the marketplace. What made  the book unique was that it had been signed by the Second Officer on the Titanic’s maiden voyage.

3- An antique version of “The Greatest Story Ever Told” – The Bible, reprinted according to the authorized version of 1611 sold for $7500. It was printed on unbleached rag paper.

As the Keno twins on Antiques Roadshow have proven time and time again, one never knows what treasures can be found in the abyss of the  most unlikely places. I have some antique cigar molds, darkened with age and tannin, that still reek of tobacco that I have put away for safe keeping. I often wonder if there is really any value to them.

 What do you have lurking in your basement, attic or garage that could be of great value of someone else?   Have you ever taken the time to explore what gifts you may have that could be of value to someone else?

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Packaging for the Artist

Leave a comment

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” ~ Winston Churchill

Over the months, I have received many rewarding comments about our blogsite.  Although I can not share all the comments with you, I would like to share a few because they have led me to my thoughts for this day. But first, I would like to preface this blog by saying that for as many artists as my comments apply to, there are an equal number of artists that these comments do not apply to. I am posing this question all for my own clarity in understanding the wonderful world of artists.

  • Melody the artist said “She appreciated my attention to the arts.”
  • Nicole said she “appreciates my business direction.”
  • Businesssprouts said ” I enjoy seeing people who are passionate and confident in their work.”

Artists  are known for their dedication and strong belief in their creations and their work. Why then, do many artists often think of themselves as “only artists.” Artists are business people and professionals, too!

Just as you consider your artwork as having high value and worth, are you putting yourself forward as a VIP? I am not referring to “lofty attitudes.” I am referring to presenting yourself to the world as a professional.  Your art work, and the presentation of yourself needs to be in sync, a complete professional package. It can be the very thing that sets you and your artwork apart from all the others.

It is more important to your success than you may think!

 This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

I Like It, I Like It!

Leave a comment

“All for one and one for all” ~ Proverb quote

As I was making dinner the other night, “The Mike Huckabee Show” was on Fox News www.FoxNews.com. Admittedly, I was more engrossed in making dinner than watching the show until I heard the words “Twin Artists.” Naturally, my ears perked up and I began to tune out dinner and tune into the show. Being a twin, I am all ears when it comes to that subject!

On the show, Mike Huckabee gave twin artists, Jerry and Terry Lynn, one canvas and collaboratively they created a wonderful painting all within 30 minutes. Evidently, painting in tandem is not  a new concept to the brothers. They often merge their styles and talents into one painting.  Working side by side, their completed image embodied the American spirit.

The painting they completed on the show is being auctioned off on E-Bay and the proceeds from the painting will go towards the “Want to Play” Fund, which purchases musical instruments for students. A great example of artists supporting artists!! For more information on this talented pair go to www.Lynntwin.com.

Painting is not all these twins share, they share blogspace! They have a twin blog! Being a twin, I am used to sharing. We’ve shared  brothers, laughs, clothes, birthdays and even worms. We really have!  As kids, if one of us found a worm, we would divide it, so the other wouldn’t be left empty handed.

But, I am warning my twin sister, Jan, right now! Blogspace is not something I am willing to share! She can keep her decorative painting, that she does so well, to herself and I will keep my blogspace to myself! There has to be one thing that we can each excel at individually!

Wait a minute! Maybe I shouldn’t be so selfish. Maybe I can learn to paint – The Lynn Way!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Art and Romance

4 Comments

“All art is erotic.” ~ Gustav Klimt

A few years ago, I was wandering all up and down the aisles of the tiny, but wonderful library in Winhall, Vermont looking for nothing in particular. Suddenly, a book nearly jumped right off the shelf into my awaiting hands.

The book was called “The Painted Kiss” by Elisabeth Hickey.” The story is about Gustav Klimt, painter and owner of an exclusive fashion house, who was hired by a father, to give drawing lessons to his daughter, Emilie. The daughter blossoms into a spirited woman, and mistress to Gustav Klimt. Despite tragedy and scandal and a very vague place in Klimt’s life,  the young woman’s loyalty earns her a role as model for Klimt’s most important masterpiece painting “The Painted Kiss.”

Gustav Klimt lived during the late 1880’s and the book is set during the Vienna Succession Movement. The descriptions in the book of Vienna’s elegant cafes and grand opera houses were so atmospheric, I felt as if I was right there. As I traveled through the story, it seemed I was among the community of painters, composers and writers in the community that existed in Vienna during that era.

“The Painted Kiss” by Elisabeth Hickey is a moving love story. The book would be the perfect thing to give your Valentine if he or she is an artist, art history buff or fan of Gustav Klimt.

Although Klimt lived in a much different time in art history than Vermeer, whose life was portrayed in the book “The Girl with the Pearl Earring,” I would put both books in the same genre of writing.

To all you romantic artists, writers, filmmakers and composers who  follow in the footsteps of the masters who came before you, Happy Valentines Day! You enrich our lives by sharing with us your passion, your creativity and your Art!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Bull or Bear Art Market?

Leave a comment

“If you count all your assets, you always show a profit.”                              ~ Robert Quillen 

Who said art is not selling during these economic times? Who said we have all returned to frugality? And of all things, who said there is no value in being an artist?

All the skeptics have been proven wrong! “L’ Homme Qui Marche 1”  (Marching Man 1) was sold within 8 minutes of the opening bid to anonymous buyer at a London auction.  The opening bid was 12 million pounds and it sold for 65 million pounds ($103.4 million dollars) and the guy is not even a CEO!!! He is a piece of sculpture!! Imagine that!

The sculpture is a thin, wiry figure of 72 inches in height, crafted by 20th century Swiss artist Giacometti.  The last time one of this artist’s sculptures was auctioned off was 20 years ago, and it sold for 6.82 million.  Wednesday’s sale of “L’Homme Qui Marche 1” set a world record. It is reportedly “the most expensive piece of art ever sold” by Sotheby’s auction house.

The sculpture is said to be “both a humble image of an ordinary man, and a potent symbol of humanity.” Well- the value placed on that walking man’s head was not humble!! As for being a symbol of humanity,  we do sometimes attach that kind of  high value to some men or women walking around today, whether we agree with it or not!

Don’t get me wrong, if the artist was alive today, I would say “good for you, Mr. Giacometti, for being able to garner that kind of value from your artistic talents!”

Can anyone help me calculate what the profit per square inch of sculpted wire would be?

  This blog brought to you by ww.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.