Tuesday, September 25, 2007

CHILDREN AS ART COLLECTORS


Alyson Stanfield's blog today has a link to an article written for the Wall Street Journal on Sept 14 about children who collect art. And no, we're not talking about the usual children's collections, like rocks, seashells, and toys from cereal boxes. These are kids (some under 10 years old!) who are purchasing Andy Warhol prints and other famous artist's works for thousands of dollars--many at art auctions. Where are these kids getting the dough? From their parents, of course! The article states that some of these kids get an "art allowance". Just another phenomenon of the incredible wealth that exists at the high end of our population here in the good old USA. As far as I'm concerned--they could be doing worse things with their money! I would hope that this early interest in art is not just an interest in "art as commodity" but develops into a passion to make art a more significant part of our culture. Maybe the art listings would even move to the beginning of The Chronicle's Datebook section--instead of at the end of all the movies & before the Las Vegas listings!

What do you think about Children Collectors? I hope that these kids are not just collecting art, but are making their own art as well--cause that's where the fun really starts! Speaking of which, it's time to get into the studio!
Image above: "Journeying" Acrylic and mixed media on canvas by Christine DeCamp

Monday, September 24, 2007

FIRST RAIN


We had our first rain of the season this this weekend---it was very welcome as everything has been extremely dry. There was a small thunderstorm Friday night, which is unusual for this area. Some brief showers Saturday afternoon and a few hours of light rain on Sunday. It was very lovely and the air has been scrubbed clean and everything has been sparkling. A good time for working in the studio!
Image: "Autumn Fog" by Christine DeCamp

Thursday, September 20, 2007

FAVORITE PAINTINGS


If you could have any painting you wanted from a museum---to take home and live with, what painting would it be? Hard to choose, I know. But I have always had a "favorite". And that is a big painting by Henri Rousseau, entitled "The Sleeping Gypsy". (If I can find a picture of it, I will add it to this post--DONE! Click on the post title for a link to the image and an article from MOMA about the painting)) It is owned by the MOMA in New York. I saw it there a long time ago (before they remodeled) and it used to be at the top of a stairway--you would come up the stairs & go around the corner--and there it was! Breathtaking. I have always loved his paintings. He created such incredible worlds of imagination--his figures often look a little goofy or strange, but the whole picture works together to create a world.
Image above: "The Bear Den" by Christine DeCamp--Acrylic and mixed media on canvas

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

BOOKS THAT INSPIRE


I have started a list of "Books that Inspire"--these are books that I have read more than once---some of them many, many times. They are the books I go back to--"Old Friends" that help to keep me on track. I tend to prefer autobiographical works---I like to hear it right from the artist's mouth! I will add to this list as I think of books that I want to share, or that I feel are important.......and my thought is, that I will write a review of each of them as part of my ongoing blog. Hope you enjoy them!


I just want to share that I am starting an online class tomorrow with Alyson Stanfield of ArtBizCoach.com---the subject is promoting your artwork, and there are quite a few people signed up--all different kinds of artists from all over the country. I am very excited about it! If you have not done so already--check out her website!
Image: "The Magic Book" by Christine DeCamp--Gouache on paper