Invest in Arts? 🎨

 

 How to Invest in Art? 🎨 

Art is booming! Indian art is the new avenue for investment! The headlines are screaming names of Indian masters and the amounts they are being sold for. Artist Tyeb Mehta’s ‘Mahishasura’ being auctioned for $1.5 million is still quoted in any article on the Indian art market. Suddenly people who wouldn’t know their Hussain’s from their Raza’s want to buy ‘Art’ and reap golden dividends on their ‘investments’. This brings us to the moot question that every new investor would like an answer to “How to invest in art?” 

                 

Know your art: When it comes to buying stocks you would undoubtedly study the market, go through past company records, see the financial health of the company. Investing in art requires the same amount of understanding and research, only in this case you will be focusing on the artist whose work you are planning to buy. Following are the points that you should cover in your research: 

• Go through his profile, it makes a difference if the artist has been to an art school or is self-taught. 
• Consider which galleries are promoting the artist, how many exhibitions has he shown his works in, who have been past buyers of his works, have his works been acquired by art museums or institutions? 
• Before zeroing in on a particular work, see the previous and current works of the artist. Ideally it is advisable to purchase work in the particular style associated with the artist. A one-off experimentalize work may appeal to you but would perhaps not be the best option when you seek appreciation on your investment. 
• For a artwork to have an appreciation value it must be ‘timeless’ which means it should be able to transcend currents fads and trends. For instance, the Indian art market a couple of years ago was flooded with images of the Buddha, with new buyers seeking the Buddha in line with the Feng Shui fad; these have little or no investment value. 
• Consider the provenance of the work, especially if the artist is well known. Insist on an authenticity certificate, signatures are very easy to forge and with the high prices that well-known artists command, fakes are a lucrative market. 
• Of course, it the job of gallerist to guide you before you make your purchase, but always bear in mind, that they too are interested in making a ‘sale’ so learn to read between the lines. 

Established or Upcoming Artist? This question can be easily answered by considering what returns you are seeking. If you are looking for short term gains then by all means buy an established artist, where you are likely to make an estimated 20% gain annually if you choose to resell your work. However, if you are able to have a lock in period of about 8 to 10 years for your investment, then upcoming artists are a more exciting option. For the reason that if the artist you are backing does become a sensation, then your small investment will truly escalate, besides you get the satisfaction of knowing that you have a good ‘eye’ for art and chose well. It is always advisable to balance your art portfolio with works by both established and emerging artists. Just as not all upcoming artists will be successful, similarly not all works by established artists are masterpieces and appreciate in value. 

Art for Art’s sake! Purchasing art cannot be just a business decision, because unlike stocks, here the ‘product’ that is the paintings should appeal to you on an emotional level as well. In fact, very often an artwork that manages to capture your imagination and wonder; is most likely going to appreciate in value as well. Again, unlike stocks, you are not going to get monetary dividends from your investment, but you can get hours of viewing pleasure from your artwork. Besides, you are likely to maintain a gestation period before re-selling the artwork, so you may as well purchase something you like – buy an artwork for its intrinsic value, the material returns will follow! 

                               

Art Funds: For those who wish to take advantage of the art boom, but would rather leave the purchase of artworks to the experts, there is the option of Art Funds! They function in a manner similar to the mutual funds and here their portfolio consists of works by artists which their experts recommend. Some art funds that cater to the Contemporary Indian art market are Copal Art, Edelweiss Securities, Crayon Capital and Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art. These funds are listed on the stock exchange and you monitor their performance. These funds will have a minimum investment requirement and lock in period as well. After deducting their managerial fees, they distribute the profits from the sale of the artworks to their investors. 

A word of caution though - Investing in Art Funds does not guarantee a return: evaluate an Art Fund carefully like you’d evaluate any other similar investment! 

The essential basic point to remember while investing in art is that it is not a very ‘liquid’ asset. There could be instances of artists you have purchased not appreciating in value, there could be a long gestation period. At the same time, ‘art’ is probably the only ‘collectible’ which has a reasonably structured and transparent market. Prominent galleries which deal with the top level artists can even offer you a buy-back guarantee on the artworks. Ride the boom of the Indian art market but play safe for when the levelling process sets in! 

Buy original paintings on Artzyme 

Fast Facts for investing in Art: 

• Buy a work that you feel a connection with  
• Research the artist 
• Check out the provenance and authenticity of the artwork 
• Buy work that is typical of an artist’s style 
• Be prepared for a gestation period on your investment 
• Purchase a mix of established and upcoming artists in your art portfolio 
• Art funds are an investment option for those not looking to physically own works 
• Take care of the artworks you have purchased, (read blog my blog on preserving arts), their value depends on how well maintained they are. 

Techniques to Preserve Arts | Paintings | Conservation

 

The Art of Preservation | Conservation 

Art – paintings, sculptures, tapestries, drawings, whatever the genre it represents is something unique, beautiful, and deserving of special care. Artworks may be masterpieces or done by upcoming artists, the support used may be paper, canvas or cloth, whatever the medium involved all artworks need to be cared for in a special manner. Would you leave a diamond unsecured or an exquisite crystal piece on the floor, the same applies to paintings, they require and demand care if they are keep giving you viewing pleasure for many years to come. 

Let us explore the elements that are the main threat to artworks: 

Light: With light we walk a fine line, you need good light to view the works with all their details and nuances, at the same time too much can fade the colours and as a heat source, light can damage the works by drying them. When placing lights make sure that it does not reflect on the artwork, this is the ideal distance to be maintained. Also avoid direct sunlight by not placing the works opposite windows which not only could fade the paint but also discolor the paper. Another good idea of reducing the effects of light is to use non-reflective glass or UV-coated glass while framing paintings. 

                                             

Humidity: Damp can cause pictures to ripple. If the ripples touch the glass, the picture might stick and be hard to remove. Damp also encourages fungal growth - likely to show as brown stains. It is always best to avoid hanging framed pictures in humid conditions i.e. bathrooms. Allow six months before hanging pictures on newly plastered walls. 
Ideally, cool storage is desirable for archival materials. Fluctuations and extremes in temperature and humidity levels can have a detrimental effect upon the preservation of archival materials. Try to keep the temperature at one level 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; don’t change settings for nights or weekends. While this may be difficult to maintain in a home, the perfect temperature is recommended to be 67 degrees Fahrenheit or about 20 degrees Celsius the humidity level should be about 47 percent. Keep objects away from heat sources such as furnace vents, fireplaces, warm lights, and direct sunlight. 

Pests: There are a variety of insects that can damage paper, photographs and leather artifacts; primarily, silverfish, firebrats, carpet beetles, and the book louse. In general good housekeeping is the best method of deterrence. Regular inspections of stored collections provide the cheapest and safest method of safeguarding against infestation. Screening on windows and doors will aid in keeping out larger pests. In addition, fresh flowers and plants should be inspected before being placed in the vicinity of your artworks. When infestations are suspected, sticky insect traps can be placed under cabinets and cupboards. These traps do not poison insects; they aid in assessing the numbers and types of insects that are present. In general, insecticides should not be used on or in the vicinity of archival materials. Insecticides can cause fading and discoloration of paper, leather, and parchment. If you find an infested item, place it in a sealed plastic bag and contact a professional immediately. 

Pollution: Dirty air! You may wonder at the term, but air pollution does not merely affect our health, but also the health of your paintings. Tiny microscopic particles of pollution settle on the artwork and affect the paint and the appearance of the work. Research shows that not until at least 12% of the work has been affected will the normal human eye be able to detect the effects of pollution. 

                                 

Mold: Areas of high humidity and damp are highly susceptible to damage by mold growth. Any appearance of mold must be immediately removed; the best way is to use a soft brush and low suction vacuum cleaner. In case a vacuum cleaner is not available brush the mold onto a paper and then dispose off it. The aim is to not let the spores of mold spread in the air. Also remember not to use the brush again without cleaning it effectively. 
So now that you’ve read about the factors that can cause damage to your artwork, let’s see how their effects can be prevented or mitigated: 

Framing: While framing ensure that the board and mount are made of acid free materials. Paintings, especially those made of natural pigments, like the traditional Warli artworks, should be framed under glass so that the pigments do not flake due to environmental factors or accidents. Canvas works on stretchers may sag over time, it is best to get them tightened or re-stretched at a professional framers, every five years. 
Storage: At any point of time if you need to store any artworks, especially paintings need extra care. Place them flat in a crate if possible and ensure that the wood used for the crate is acid free. Paper works and photographs need more care while storing. Keep a regular check on stored artworks of artists to prevent the prevalence of pests, mold etc. 

Cleaning: Clean artwork gently, dust frames or treat with a soft brush, rather than applying water or cleaning fluids. At all times ensure that cleaning fluids or water do not touch the varnished surfaces of oil paintings. Do not directly spray cleaning fluids onto the glass of a painting; apply them on a duster first. Frames can also be susceptible to damage from cleaning fluids, dust them carefully instead. In the case of photographs or prints make sure you don’t touch them directly or you could leave prints. If by accident any artwork does get wet, dab it gently and leave it to dry, never rub! 

Moving artwork: Paintings are at risk when you move them so do not do so until absolutely necessary. Remember to clear the way of furniture and other obstructions. If you feel that you can manage moving it on your own, carry the painting with the artwork facing you. Remove all items like jewelry, belts etc. to avoid scratching or tearing the surface of the painting. 

Most people spend a huge amount on the artwork they purchase; unfortunately none of the artwork will come with a maintenance manual. If you practice the suggestions we have outlined above you will be able to enjoy the viewing pleasure of your artworks for a long time. 

How to Package and Ship Paintings. 

Fast Facts to preserve your artworks: 

• Avoid direct light, frame artworks using a UV-coated or no-reflecting glass 
• Do not place paintings near a heat source or air-conditioning vent 
• Mitigate the effects of pollution by framing all works using acid free mounts and boards 
• Never spray insecticides near or on stored artworks 
• Regularly inspect and clean stored artworks 
• Place paintings flat in a crate while storing 
• Never spray cleaning agents directly on a painting or frame 
• Remove mold using a soft brush and low suction vacuum cleaner 
• Be very careful while moving artworks.   

How do I package a ROLLED painting for shipping? 🗞

Packaging a ROLLED painting. 

Below are instructions for how to package: 

Rolled canvas paintings 🗞 

Paintings on canvas up to 72”x72” may be taken off its stretchers, rolled, and shipped in a heavy duty mailing tube between 8” and 12” diameter, depending on the size of the canvas. Make absolutely certain that your painting is completely dry before attempting to roll it. 
What you’ll need: 

              

· Glassine paper or acid-free archival tissue paper 

· Heavy duty mailing tube with plastic end caps no smaller than 8” in diameter and up to 12” (depending on the size of your canvas). 

· A second tube of smaller diameter for inner support. (You’ll roll your artwork around this tube and insert it inside the larger tube.) 

· Packing tape 

· Bubble wrap 

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1 – Sandwich your canvas between two layers of acid free archival paper. Make sure that the canvas is completely covered by the paper. 

2 – Roll the paper-covered artwork—paint side outward—around the smaller tube to provide inner support. DO NOT roll too tightly as this can damage the painting! 

3 – Next, roll a layer of bubble wrap around the artwork for padding and to seal out moisture. Seal completely with tape. 

4 – Place this tube within the outer mailing tube. Fill extra space at the ends with extra bubble wrap, but take care not to crush the edges of your painting. Place the end caps on and seal them shut with packing tape. 

5 – Affix the shipping label to the package and put clear tape over the label so it doesn’t get removed during shipment. Clearly mark the tube as “FRAGILE.” 

How do I package a FRAMED painting for shipping? 🖼

Packing a FRAMED painting? 

Below is the guide to pack framed arts: 

Framed paintings 🖼 

What you’ll need - 

• Glassine paper or acid-free archival tissue paper 

• Plastic sheeting or poly wrap 

• Bubble wrap 

• Painters tape (if packing a glass frame) 

• Cardboard corner protectors 

• Packing tape 

• Foam board at least ½” thick 

• Shredded or wadded white paper 

• Very sturdy cardboard box if framed artwork is under 18”x24” 

• Custom wooden crate if framed artwork is larger than 18”x24” 

1 – Use a sturdy cardboard box or build a custom crate that will fit the framed painting plus approximately three (3) inches of space on all sides. (This extra space will accommodate the layers of bubble wrap to be added.) 

  

2 – If the frame has a protective glass or acrylic pane, remove it from the frame. If it does not, skip to step 4. Apply two pieces of painters tape diagonally across the glass/acrylic pane to form a large “X”. Should the glass break during shipment, the tape will help keep the broken pieces together. 

3 – Sandwich the glass/acrylic pane between two sheets of foam board approximately 2 inches larger than the glass on all sides. Firmly seal the foam board sandwich all around with packing tape, making sure that the glass/acrylic panel does not shift around within. 

4 – Wrap the painting in acid-free, archival tissue paper or glassine. Note that any material that will come into contact with the surface of the painted work should be archival quality. 

5 – To protect against moisture, wrap the artwork with plastic sheeting or poly wrap. 

6 – Add cardboard corner protectors to the corners of the wrapped work. You can buy corner protectors readymade, or you can construct them yourself. Several online resources offer instructions on how to make them. 

7 – Wrap the framed painting in three (3) layers of bubble wrap, using packing tape to secure it. 

If your framed painting is larger than 18”x24”, you’ll need to build a wooden crate and seal the work inside. 
If your framed painting is under 18”x24”, proceed to step below. 

8 – Sandwich the wrapped painting within two sheets of foam board and tape all the way around to secure it. 

9 – Place it inside a sturdy cardboard box. To minimize movement within the box, thoroughly fill any empty areas around the artwork with shredded paper. The more snug the fit, the less the potential for damage. Seal the box thoroughly with packing tape, reinforcing the corners. 

10 – Affix the shipping label to the package and put clear tape over the label so it doesn’t get removed during shipment. Using a felt tip pen, write “FRAGILE” in large capital letters on the package, or use readymade “FRAGILE” labels. 

The above packaging method should be followed, even if your aren't and artist. 

                                 🖼 🖼 🖼 🖼 🖼 

How do I pack artwork like sculpture in a crate for shipping? 🚚

 

To pack artwork in a crate for shipping.  

Use a custom crate for artworks such as sculpture, large flat artworks, paintings larger than 48"x48", and fragile items. 

What you’ll need: 

· Four (4) planks of plywood (¼ to ½ inch thick depending on size and fragility of the work) for the frame 

· Two (2) plywood sheets for the front and back panels 

· Drill 

· Saw 

· 1¼ inch wood screws 

· Wood glue 

· Foam board, ½” thick 

1  Measure your pre-wrapped artwork (wrapped according to the instructions given for your particular work), taking down the height, width, and depth of the wrapped piece. If you’re shipping a painting, use these measurements to calculate the dimensions of your plywood pieces for the frame of your crate. Keep in mind that you will add a ½” foam board lining to your crate, so accommodate for this. If you’re shipping a sculpture, make sure that the crate’s dimensions are approximately three (3) to four (4) inches larger on all sides than the sculpture itself. The extra space will be filled with bubble wrap and shredded paper. 

  

2  Cut four pieces of plywood according to the dimensions you took in step 1 in order to build a frame with an opening that can snugly fit your wrapped work. Remember to account for the thickness of the plywood when measuring length and height, and cut accordingly. The top piece of the frame should sit on and extend over the top edges of the side pieces, as it must be easily removable. This piece will act as the crate’s lid, to be unscrewed by the collector. 
3  Begin building the frame by assembling three (3) of the plywood strips together with screws and wood glue, leaving the top piece (i.e. lid) off for now. It will be screwed on after the artwork has been placed inside. 
4  Line the frame with strips of foam board, securing them on with tape or glue. If using glue to line the crate with foam board, wait for it to dry before finishing the packing process. 
5  Cut two sheets of plywood to the same dimensions of the assembled frame. These will be the front and back panels of your crate. 
6  Secure one sheet to the back of the frame using wood glue and screws. 
7  You will then complete the packaging process by placing your artwork inside and sealing the crate around it. Lay a piece of foam board (the same size as the frame) inside the open crate, and place your pre-wrapped artwork on top. There should be no room for movement inside. 
8  Cover your artwork with another layer of foam board. Place the other sheet of Masonite board on top of the frame, securing well with wood glue and screws. Do your best to ensure that the crate is air and moisture tight. 
9  Clearly indicate which panel is the removable lid by writing “UNSCREW THIS SIDE ONLY” so the collector knows which panel to remove. If needed, write any instructions (using a black felt tip pen) on the crate that will help the collector easily remove the lid. 
10  Affix the shipping label to the outside and put clear tape over the label so it doesn’t get removed during shipment. Clearly mark the crate or box as “FRAGILE.” 
TIP: For ease of transport, you can screw a cabinet handle to the top of the crate. The screws should be long enough so that the handle doesn’t come loose while someone is carrying the crate with sculptor or painting inside, but not so long that they protrude into the interior of the crate.  

                                                                 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 

                                                                                                           - Himjal 

How do I package a artwork/ painting smaller than 48" for shifting?

 

Arts smaller than 48”x 48” 

Below is the guide to follow for packaging your Arts: 

All artworks that are 48” or above on any one side need to be packaged into a wooden crate. 

IMPORTANT: Always make certain that your painting is completely dry before packaging it for shipment. Sometimes paint can appear dry when it’s not. Since drying time depends on such factors as the type and brand of paint, the drying mediums used (if any), the paint colors, etc., you must research the correct drying time for the specific supplies you’ve used. 

  

Paintings smaller than 48”x 48” - 

What you’ll need: 

• Glassine paper or acid-free archival tissue paper 

• Plastic sheeting, poly wrap, or heavy plastic bag 

• Bubble wrap 

• Foam board at least ½” thick or two-ply cardboard 

• Packing tape 

• Cardboard corner protectors 

• Cardboard box 

1 – Wrap the painting in glassine paper or acid-free, archival tissue paper. Note that any material that comes into contact with the surface of the work should be archival quality. We advise that you avoid touching the painting’s surface with bare hands by wearing white cotton gloves or placing acid-free tissue paper between the work and your fingers when handling. 

2 –Take four (4) 8”x 8” square pieces of glassine paper or acid-free tissue paper (you may adjust the size of the squares to better fit the size of your work) and fold each in half diagonally to create a triangle, then fold in half again to create a triangle pocket. Place one pocket onto each corner of the painting. 

3 – Taping only onto the tissue paper corners, tape the wrapped painting to a sheet of foam board (or two-ply cardboard) the same size or slightly larger than the painting for a firm backing. 

4 – To protect against moisture, wrap the glassine-covered artwork with plastic sheeting/poly wrap or put it inside a heavy plastic bag. Use tape to seal all areas where water can enter and cause damage. 

5 – Wrap the entire work with two (2) layers of bubble wrap for a protective padding. Wrap it as you would a gift, using tape to secure it shut. 

6 – Place cardboard corner protectors on the corners of the wrapped artwork. 

7 – Place the wrapped artwork between 2 pieces of foam board that are at least ½” thickness (or two-ply cardboard), forming a “sandwich.” Also, the borders of the foam board sheets should extend 2-3 inches beyond all edges of the bubble-wrapped artwork. Use packing tape to bind the foam board sandwich together. Be certain the sides are taped down firmly to ensure that the artwork doesn’t shift around within. 

IMPORTANT: Take care not to apply too much pressure to the surface of your artwork. Doing so could create indentations on the stretched canvas. 

8 – Place the foam board-covered painting into a cardboard box with approximately three (3) inches of space on all sides. Fill the empty space with enough bubble wrap or wadded/shredded white paper to ensure that the artwork doesn’t shift during transit. 

9 – Use the H-taping method to seal the box. The H-taping method involves using long strips of packing tape to completely seal the opening flaps of the box. Use one long strip of tape over the horizontal opening between the two flaps, and two strips over the vertical sides of the flaps—forming an “H.” Apply additional vertical strips of tape as needed across the sealed flaps for added reinforcement. Illustrations of this method are provided by different sources online. Just type “H-taping method” into the Google/ Bing search box. 

10 – Affix the shipping label to the package and put clear tape over the label so it doesn’t get removed during shipment. Using a felt tip pen, write “FRAGILE” in large capital letters on the box, or use readymade “FRAGILE” labels. 

The above packaging method is not only for artist but also for anyone shipping an artwork. 

 

How do I pack artwork/ paintings larger than 48" for shipping?

 

Artworks larger than 48”x 48” 

Below is the guide to follow for packaging your Arts for shipping: 

IMPORTANT: Always make certain that your painting is completely dry before packaging it for shipment. Sometimes paint can appear dry when it’s not. Since drying time depends on such factors as the type and brand of paint, the drying mediums used (if any), the paint colors, etc., you must research the correct drying time for the specific supplies you’ve used. 

Paintings larger than 48”x 48” - 

What you’ll need: 

• Glassine paper or acid-free archival tissue paper 

• Plastic sheeting, poly wrap, or heavy plastic bag 

• Bubble wrap 

• Foam board at least ½” thick or two-ply cardboard 

• Packing tape 

• Cardboard corner protectors 

• Custom-made wooden crate 

1 – Wrap the painting in glassine paper or acid-free, archival tissue paper. Note that any material that comes into contact with the surface of the work should be archival quality. We advise that you avoid touching the painting’s surface with bare hands by wearing white cotton gloves or placing acid-free tissue paper between the work and your fingers when handling. 

2 –Take four (4) 8”x 8” square pieces of glassine paper or acid-free tissue paper (you may adjust the size of the squares to better fit the size of your work) and fold each in half diagonally to create a triangle, then fold in half again to create a triangle pocket. Place one pocket onto each corner of the painting. 

3 – Taping only onto the tissue paper corners, tape the wrapped painting to a sheet of foam board (or two-ply cardboard) the same size or slightly larger than the painting for a firm backing. 

4 – To protect against moisture, wrap the glassine-covered artwork with plastic sheeting/poly wrap or put it inside a heavy plastic bag. Use tape to seal all areas where water can enter and cause damage. 

5 – Wrap the entire work with atleast three (3) layers of bubble wrap for a protective padding. Use more if you believe your painting requires more protection (e.g. it has a raised surface). Wrap it as you would a gift, using tape to secure it shut. 

 

6 – Place cardboard corner protectors on the corners of the wrapped artwork. 

7 – Next, build a wooden crate and seal the work inside 

8 – Affix the shipping label to the package and put clear tape over the label so it doesn’t get removed during shipment. Using a felt tip pen, write “FRAGILE” in large capital letters on the box, or use readymade “FRAGILE” labels. 

Hope the above is helpful not only to artists but also for anyone transporting artworks. 

The YouTube video should help you understand the complete process. 

                                                                                                                 - Himjal 

Arts for Your Living Room 'Paintings'

 

Art Selection for Your Living Room 

"A work of Art works because it's true and because it's Real " - Yann Martel 

"Art enables us to find ourselves as well as lost at the same time " - Thomas Merton 

Art is the ultimate expression of an individual's personality, attitude and state of mind. The walls of his home are mirror image of the real Him/ Her. The moment someone enters the home, the wall art in the house reveals volumes about the house, the family, culture etc., therefore, one needs to be extremely diligent in selection of wall art. Below are some points to consider while selecting the same - 

   

 Contemporary Paintings 

• Select the most important and visible walls in your home. The art that you decide to bring into your house is important to you so give it room to shine by leaving some walls blank. It is not necessary to hang something on every wall. The mantle is a great place for a piece that you love as your eye is drawn to it and it is often one of the first areas noticed in a living room. 
• Mirror the size of the wall: If you have a long horizontal wall hang a long horizontal piece (or collection of pieces) on that wall. If you have a narrow vertical spot, place a piece that is narrow and vertical and that fills the space. By accentuating the height or length of the wall, you make the room feel larger. 
• Fill the wall - Don't be afraid to use the entire wall; many people think they can't handle a big piece of art when they can. 

   

• Color is important: Think about the feel of a color before placing it in your room. Light blues and greens are cool, serene colors that are well suited for a room meant for rest and relaxation such as a bedroom. It is nice to greet people in an entry space with warmer tones, welcoming them into the home. 
• Vary the texture of the pieces in your room. If you have a photograph behind glass above your favorite chair, you may want to choose a piece of art on canvas for above your sofa. Variety is good when you hang art in a room! 
• A frame can serve as a bridge between the artwork and the room. 
• When selecting a frame, it is important that it complement the furniture and architectural features of a room. Choose a frame to match the wood floors or if you have gold lamps in your living room, select a golf frame for the art. A frame can be particularly helpful when bringing modern art into a traditional home.                                                                                                                                        Abstracts 

                                                      

• Play with the lighting in the room: After placing the artwork, move your existing lighting around or think about adding new spots to illuminate the piece. A well-lit piece of art will draw visitors into your space. 
• Watch out for glare: When hanging art behind glass, stay away from walls directly across from windows as the light will create glare and the piece will be lost on the wall. Non-reflective museum glass is available at a higher price but worth it if glare is an issue.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Landscapes 

  

 

                              - Himjal  

How To Display Artworks | Paintings?

 

Art! It brings an element of vibrancy into your home or office. Choice of art often reflects your Aesthetics. 

Your choice of art often reflects your own personality, your tastes, your aspirations… little wonder then that not only the choice of art, but also its display requires a lot of thought. 

Articles For Paintings 

  

Placement: Where you place the painting depends on the subject and composition of the work and which room you determine would suit the mood of the painting best. However, that is not the only consideration; one even needs to consider which wall the painting is placed on. It is always advisable to place paintings on a wall that is a dividing wall within your home rather than on the perimeter. The simple reason is that the perimeter walls are more subject to temperature fluctuations and also the possibility of water seepage. These could result in fading of pigments, cracks forming in the canvas and increased yellowing of the varnish. If you would still need to display the painting on the perimeter wall then it would be prudent to place rubber or plastic behind the frame so that the work is not in direct contact with the wall. 
Displaying a painting above fireplace will expose it to extremes in temperature and soot and is a strict no, no. The same applies to having the painting above heating and air conditioning vents. Avoid areas of high humidity like the bathroom. The kitchen is another room which should not host artworks, the steam and fumes of cooking are bound to ruin the colors over time. 

Framing: The choice of frame can detract or enhance the painting. It is essential that the frame should compliment not just the painting but also the décor of the room where it is placed. Normally smaller paintings need to be displayed with a mount. If you have a large wall, a museum style framing would help cover a larger area. A dark frame is normally advised for smaller works which help to bring the artwork into focus. For larger canvas works, keeping them on the stretcher would suffice, but they need to be checked regularly for signs of moisture or dust. 
Visit Artzyme.com, India's fastest growing original Painting portal where you will find framed as well as unframed options. 

  

Lighting: It's a known fact that direct lighting can harm the paintings and cause the colours to fade. While the commonly used 'picture' lamps are popular, they cast a harsh glare which heats the painting unevenly. It is always best to have an indirect light source highlight the artworks, in the form of recessed lighting or spotlights in false ceilings. While using halogen lamps be aware that these emit a high level of ultraviolet light which damages artworks and hence should be installed with a UV filter. If the option is available, use tungsten lamps instead. 

You may select exclusive range of Paintings by Eminent as well as Emerging artist on different mediums (viz. Acrylic, Oil, Watercolor, Mixed media etc.) on Artzyme.com. Abstracts, Contemporary, Landscapes, Figurative, Traditional Paintings like Tanjore, Warli, Miniature etc. on Artzyme.com. 

                          

                                                                                     - Himjal (founder of Artzyme) 

Live a Living out of Passion

 

Do you want to follow your passion for arts? 

Jut follow and live your passion the way I did while starting Artzyme  

We believe that each one of us have an inborn talent, talent to sing, draw, paint, cook, write, and the list goes on. Some talents lay hidden with in us the entire life as we chose to ignore them or never get no opportunity, avenue to showcase or even explore the same. Some of us make it a conscious decision to make our talent our livelihood and some of us just a hobby. Then there comes those moments in our lives where we want to give up our existing jobs/ source of income to pursue our talents as we want to excel in our talent too. The question that arises in most of our minds is that do we actually run for our talents or is it the right time to pursue the same. 

Below are Some tips or points that will help one take a decision on the same: 

 

Ability:- The first and foremost decision to make is my skill, talent really worth or will I will be able to make a living out of it. In Order to succeed as an artist do you have that some level of artistic ability. 

That's not to say that you need to be a master painter with a fine art degree. In fact you don't really need any formal qualifications to make a living as an artist. But you do need enough skill to produce consistently high quality work, and to have the confidence in your own work to be able to sell it. 

If you don't feel like you're at that level yet, then you may need to get some more training. 

Today, there are many online courses, short term courses available in classical drawing and arts, to give your talent the finesse and professional touch that it requires to get you success. 

One important thing to note, is that just because you are still learning, that doesn't mean that you can't be earning at the same time. An artist never stops learning. You will never reach a point where you have nothing left to learn, so you don't need to wait until you are an 'expert' before you can make money from your art. 

Visit Artzyme for emerging artist. 

  

So if you have the spark in you to follow your passion, don't get down bogged down by what you don't have, just make that one leap, and path leads to your passion with little amount of hard work and sincere dedication. 

Age:- If someone was to ask me does age really matter to change one's profession and that too for a perusal for passion, I would say Yes if your heart so doing fine, and you have no ailments. As new venture that one starts comes with stress, time to dedicate, complete involvement, and a bigggg RISK... And for that you may want to start young, like in late 30's or early 40's.. As after this one may not be as agile to handle physical as well as mental stress. 

Finances:- How healthy is your bank balance ? Do you have enough bank balance to make it through without any income for the next one year? Is your project self funded? Or financed ? Do you have enough assets to cover up for your liabilities? These questions and many more need to be analyzed and answered before taking the Biggg Leap. One must have a consult a good financial analyst to making good conclusions and deductions and finally arrive at a decision. 

"Creativity isn't some rare gift to be enjoyed by lucky few...its part of human thinking behavior" - Tom and David Kelly of Creative Confidence. 

Information Technology (IT) and Arts - It's Pay Back Time!

Information Technology and Arts! 

Just today morning a friend of mine asked me as to what do I think about the evolution of IT in Arts (Paintings). I thought for a while on this interesting topic and here are my two cents, found them interesting… Therefore started writing. 

 

To me Information Technology is the birth child of the artistic side of the brains of a Software/ Hardware engineer. The entire IT domain thrives on the creative thinking of an engineer and support staff. Be it complex software to gaming Program, laser shows... just think about it would it ever involve if there was no creativity or element of art to it. There are many visual art, graphics, software that we use in our day to day lives without even realizing the creativity used behind them. IT would not have reached our houses if these artists did not perceive and then create end to end solutions. 

To me now it's just a pay back time of IT to the actual artists like painters, art creators, decorators who are artists by profession and have a formal education and skill in physical artistic creations. These creators have started to use technology to create better, through various visual arts software. Artists just think of an idea and use technology to give it a final outcome. Eg. a designer designing marriage invitation cards, thinks of the design he wants on the cards, the fonts he wants write up, the colour scheme, the layout and the entire pattern. He visualizes the same and uses technology to transform his thoughts in to physical form, and then uses the same technology to produce more copies of his production (hi-end printers). It has made life of a creator, developer so easy that he doesn't need to manually sit and try various permutations and combinations, just a few clicks on the keypad, and he gets exactly what he wants to create. 

Visit Artzyme. 

Artists are using IT to showcase their work, creation to the entire world through Paintings, where people virtually is it these artistic exhibitions, like the work of the artist, give their inputs through comments section and what more even buy them instantly through hi-end securitized payment gateways. It's so simple, no logistics , transportation involved until the last phase of shipment, which saves artists all his effort and time, and he is creating more while the exhibition is ON. All it required an Artists to do was click his work through high end digital camera and post his work online. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3075406/... 

Artists have come out of their nutshell of traditional way of selling only through retail shops, or through physical exhibitions. They are now moving one step ahead, like the entire world is moving, and have started selling their creations online, through various portals, like Artzyme, dedicated India's Fast growing Arts Marketplace. Again following a very simple process of clicking their work, pricing the same and listing it on the portal. Buyers window shop for their needs and if they like it they make advance payments and the seller just has to ship the products to buyers across the globe, giving him an open international market exposure. All he has to do is ship the products. What's more the payment reaches the artists sitting at home, saving him all the time and energy, and there by allowing him to focus on Creating More, and learning more, as today there is no dearth of avenues to showcase your talent. 

Technology has also enabled physically challenged artists like challenged with ability to see, disability of hands, create and bring out the hidden and unexplored talent in them. There are many software available today which helps a blind feel, recognize colors through touch of the button, and sensory motions, he exactly knows which colour to use and where and there by creates master pieces which leave many of us in a state if Aww... 

 And all this is possible by the new and better developments through the creative minds of our IT artists, who are working day in and day out to create what ART needs and uses. So to me Art Creates Art! 

- Himjal (Founder Artzyme - Creative Bazaar to enhance your Home/ Office with Paintings and Home Decor). 

Logistics Challenges in India with respect to Arts

 

Will Logistics be helpful in category of Arts? 

Arts site Artzyme banks on Logistics for frill-free deliveries.  

Logistics is the backbone of the economy, providing the efficient, cost effective flow of goods on which other commercial sectors depend. The logistics industry in India is evolving rapidly and it is the interplay of infrastructure, technology and new types of service providers that will define whether the industry is able to help its customers reduce their logistics costs and provide effective services. 

 

Despite weak economic sentiments, the logistics & warehousing industry continued to witness growth largely due to growth in retail, e-commerce and manufacturing sectors. The Global Logistics sector is expected to grow at around 10-15% in the period 2013-14. With this forward looking attitude and a promise of growth and improvements, the service oriented logistics industry is all set to expand beyond the horizons in the latter half of this decade, utilizing this fiscal year as its launch pad. Indian logistics market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.17% by 2020 driven by the growth in the manufacturing, retail, FMCG and e-commerce sectors (Artzyme.com, Flipkart, Amazon etc.). 

India spends around 14.4% of its GDP on logistics and transportation as compared to less than 8% spent by the other developing countries. 

3PL logistics market in India is expected to be worth US$ 301.89 billion by 2020. 

NOVONOUS estimates that the warehouse market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% whereas freight forwarding market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12% till 2020. 

This growth rate is based on the expectation that the new government will soon implement the GST regime and the logistics companies can optimize their operations to reduce cost and increase their margins. With the implementation of GST, the logistics companies, which are currently forced to set up many small warehouses across multiple cities can set up just a few, big warehouses region wise and can follow the hub-and-spoke model for freight movement from the warehouses to the different manufacturing plants, wholesale outlets, retail outlets and the various POS. This growth is also backed by the boom in the e-commerce sector  and expansionary policies of the FMCG firms. This has increased the service geography of the logistics firms but they also have to meet the demands of quick delivery and tight service level agreements. 

The Indian logistics industry spends around 14% of the GDP on different types of cost incurred in logistics operation. The amount of cost incurred is very high in comparison to the logistics cost incurred by different nations. The logistics firms are moving from a traditional setup to the integration of IT and technology to their operations to reduce the costs incurred as well as to meet the service demands. The industry as a whole has moved from being just service provider to the position where they provide end to end supply chain solutions to their customers. 

The Ten key logistics players in Indian market namely TNT Express, DHL, All Cargo Logistics Ltd., Agarwal Packers and Movers, GATI, DTDC, BlueDart, First Flight, FedEx and Globe Express services.

{Have you visited Bazaar for Original Arts?} 

Challenges:- 

Poor Infrastructure -
One of the major critical challenges faced by companies today is of insufficient integration of transport networks, information technology (IT), warehousing and distribution facilities. 

Trade Regulations - 
Regulations exist at a number of different tiers, imposed by national, regional and local authorities. Regulations often differ from city to city, hindering the creation of national networks. 

Trained Manpower - 
Trained Manpower in both the third party logistics sector and the manufacturing and retailing sectors is very weak at a practical level, i.e., IT, driving and warehouse as well as at a higher strategic level. 

Lack of Training Institutions - 
The disorganized nature of the logistics sector in India, its perception as a manpower-heavy industry and lack of adequate training institutions has led to a shortfall in skilled management and client service personnel. 

Information and Communications Technology - 
There are a lack of IT standards and poor systems integration and equipment.

Poor Warehousing and Storage -
Poor facilities and management are to blame for high levels of loss, damage and deterioration of stock, especially in the perishables sector. Part of the problem is insufficient specialist equipment, i.e. proper refrigerated storage and containers, but it is also partly down to lack of training. 

Lack of research and development (R&D) of the industry - 
Although both the practitioners and the academicians are increasingly aware of the importance of logistics and supply chain, however the field is still under penetrated as far as research is concerned. It is important to prioritize research and development so that various weaknesses in the industry could be identified and improved. 

Solutions to overcome challenges:-

Surely some serious thinking and action is happening around for the improvement of the Indian Logistics industry. Arts category should get help from logistics.

Below links state the same 

http://www.transreporter.com/index.php?Page=2

http://www.cargotalk.in/pdfs/Cargo%20Jan%2015.pdf  

                                                                                                   - Himjal (founder Artzyme)

Right Price and Place for your Arts Creations

 

 Right Price and Place for Arty Creations  

Making your art is different from pricing art 

It's something you do with your art after it's made, when it's ready to leave your studio and get sold either by you personally or through an exhibition, at an art & craft fair, online (e.g. #Artzyme.com), at open stores, through an agent or representative, wherever. Making art creations is about the individual personal creative process, experiences that come from within; pricing art creations for sale is about what's happening on the outside, in the real world where things are bought and sold for money, and where market forces dictate in large part how much those things are worth. 

Art prices are not pulled out of thin air. When you price your art creation, you must be able to show that your prices make sense, that they're fair and justified with respect to certain art criteria such as the depth of your resume, your previous sales history and the particulars of the market where you sell.  People who know something about art and who are interested in either buying, selling or representing your work are going to figure out one way or another, not necessarily by asking you, whether your creation is worth what you're selling it for. In order to sell, you have to demonstrate and convince them that your prices are fair and reasonable. If you can't do this, you'll have a hard time selling art. 

For those of you who have little or no sales experience, who haven't sold much art, a good starting point for you is to price your work based on time, labor, and cost of materials. Pay yourself a reasonable hourly wage; add the cost of materials and make that your asking price. 

The basic pricing fundamentals: 

Define your market. Where do you sell your creation? Do you sell locally, regionally, nationally or internationally? The art, artists and prices in your market are the ones you should pay the most attention to. 

Define your type of art. What kind of art do you make? What are its physical characteristics? In what ways is it similar to other creations? How do you categorize it? If you paint landscape, for example, what kind of landscape, how would you describe them? This is the type of art that you want to generally focus on for comparison purposes. 

Determine which artists make art similar to yours either by researching online or visiting exhibitions, open studios or other venues and seeing their work in person. Pay particular attention to those artists who also have career accomplishments similar to yours, who've been making art about as long as you have, showing about as long as you have, selling about as long as you have and so on. 

  

See how much these similar artists charge for their art. Their prices will be good initial estimates of the prices you should charge for your art creations. 

No matter where you sell your creation, make sure it's priced and that people can see the prices. ALWAYS price your creation. Don't make them ask. Don't make them email. Don't make them call. Not pricing your creation and making people ask is a game. Here's how it's played... "You tell me which one you like the most. Then I try to figure out how much you like it and how badly you want it. Then I look at your shoes or your email address or your online profile or your area code, and try to figure out how much you can afford. Then I price it as high as I think I possibly can." This turns people off; they know what you're doing; they don't like to be played and they don't want to be saps. 

Pricing your creation also protects you from having to field unanticipated questions, especially if you're not comfortable talking about money. Suppose, for example, someone asks a price and you're not sure what to charge, so you start fumbling around. "Oh... that one," you say. "You like that one? Hmmm… Let me see, I haven't thought about selling that one before... I really like it though; it's one of my favorites. I would have thought you'd like this one." And on and on you go, looking bumbling and unprepared as the asker makes a beeline for the door. Also, people don't like to ask prices and then find out they can't afford the art. This is embarrassing. Let people see your prices first, think them over, decide whether they like your Rs.100000 sculpture Rs.100000 worth, decide whether they can afford it, and when they're ready, then they'll ask questions. 

  

Raise the prices of the in-demand art above those of your other art, and price earlier examples that are still in your possession higher as well, possibly even higher than those you're currently making. For example, if collectors come to prize your modern art much more than your landscapes, raise prices on all past, present and future modern art, with prices for your earlier most formative or significant works (those in the styles that are receiving the most attention) being raised the most. 

Offer art in all price ranges. People who like your work but can't afford the expensive stuff should at least have a chance to come away with something. No matter what their budgets, they're still among your biggest fans, your potential future collector base, and the people who have the highest likelihood of standing by you throughout your career. 

Getting your art out into the public whenever and wherever you have the opportunity is the best way to maximize your exposure, create goodwill and become known and established in the arts community. The more people who see your art and the more circumstances they see it in, the greater the chances good things will happen in your art career. That includes getting shows, being Online, arts publications, getting representation and last but certainly not least, making sales.  

  

Online sales of al creations' including paintings, crafts and artifacts is increasing. And with the Smartphone sales increasing significantly high, do not ignore the online option for sales. It not only will improve your Brand recall with customers, but give you better exposure globally too. Make your creation available in as many possible places as you can. Look at the sales of other categories, where we never thought online had any market, but, looking at current trend the offline sales are threatened and have lost sizeable marketshare to online players. 

Place your creations with Category focused Online marketplace portal. 

We help selling your prized creation, visit Artzyme.com. We enable artisans from urban and rural areas to showcase their creative talents to Art connoisseurs and customers. 

                                                                                                     - Himjal