Repartee is on Groupon!!

http://www.groupon.com/deals/repartee-gallery-and-frameworks?c=dnb&p=1

 

 

Follow the link to purchase a coupon for $39 to get $100 in custom framing at the Repartee Gallery.

 

 

Saturday Seething (part 36 of a 444 part series)

Is Art Recession Proof?

 

Yes, art has been around since the beginning of time.

Yes, art has and continues to serve a function in society.

But, art is a true luxury item and such items are the first things to go off a priority list when times get tough (financially).

 

The filthy rich will always be filthy rich and unfortunately there will always be some sort of poverty because it serves a function in society (from a Functionalist sociological theory) so that leaves the middle-class left to feel the effects of a fluctuating economy. I guess one could argue that the rich are the ones who purchase art (originals) so there will always be a market to sell art in. In this post, I am questioning the sustainability of the middle art market, meaning the market for fine art reproductions and small originals. 

 

We are in a golden age for quality reproductions. The gicleé (pronounced jee-clay) printing process gets us closer to recreating the original than ever before. Developed in the first decade of the 21^st century, they take several HD photographs of the original artwork then, using paint pigments instead of lithographic ink, spray the canvas with the image. The pigment is laced with a UV protectant to insure the canvas is impervious to any fading or sun damage. The colors are rich and the canvas has a glossy glow to it.  Gicleés are made to be cost-effective and with the middle-class art buyer in mind. If the middle-class no longer purchase gicleés, I wonder if the ability to maintain this technology will survive. I also wonder if an even better reproduction process could exist but would not be developed because lack of funding. 

 

The middle-class art market is slowly shrinking. Artists are going bankrupt (or selling their souls to big box warehouses), art publishers are cutting back product and galleries are going out of business all over the country. Luckily, museums are still going strong but even they have the felt the effects of an unstable economy. Yet we still hear stories of art being sold at auction for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Just this weekend, there was a story on MSN about Jennifer Aniston and how she let her boyfriend bid and win a painting titled “Stranger #44” by a contemporary NYC artist. The winning bid was $450,000 and that shattered the record for this artist’s originals that usually go for around $250,000. The high-end market is still very strong (in cities like NYC or LA) but in middle America, art for the middle-class is floundering.

 

The reason why I am concerned about this is not only because I sell art but because I love art.

I know that I will never be filthy rich, I can hardly even begin to hope to be minimally rich, but that should not mean that I will never be able to have good, quality art in my home. I believe that every one should have access to art that moves and touches them, or at least creates some sort of reaction. I believe that artists are blessed with talents that they must share with the world, not only the cultural elite.

 

So, is art recession proof? I don’t know but I sure hope we all can weather the storm. 

Custom Framing with Groupon

Big News!!! The Repartee Gallery is doing a Groupon next week for $100 in custom framing for only $39!! That is a discount of $61- woohoo!!!!!

It would be a great time to frame travel mementos or a gift for Christmas!

So, keep your eyes peeled for the Groupon offer which should run Monday through Wednesday of next week.

 

Allison Dawson

Gallery Manager/ Art Consultant

 

Repartee Gallery at Fort Union

1110 East Fort Union Boulevard

Midvale, UT  84047

(801) 352-2569

allison@reparteegallery.com 

www.reparteegallery.com

 

 

Competition

Life is hard- competition is even harder but what is the hardest is when you are your own competition.
The me of last year is kicking the trash of the present me (work wise).
I'm competing against my numbers from last year and this time last year I was very lucky. I had that rare magic of the right piece with the right client and a very negotiable right price. That is the ultimate triumvirate of original art sales.
All I can do is my best but it is so frustrating when your very best now can't beat your very best from the past.
My gallery is having crazy 1 day sale this Saturday where if you buy any framed item, you get a second framed item (of equal or lesser value) for FREE. The only catch is you need to like us of Facebook and print off a certificate to be eligible for the sale. At this point- I'm happy to waive the bringing in of the certificate just as long as people come.
I feel like I'm planning a big party and fear that no one is going to show up.
I really hope this works and that people purchase and I can make room for products for Christmas.
I know that competition is a good thing and works as a motivator, but it is frustrating and can make people emotional. I have such passion for art and I love my job so it gets to be really hard to hold back the tears when I'm not doing well. Hopefully this sale will be a great day and something to celebrate!!

My Day

My day has been filled with cleaning, laundry, and this... A snoring Fiona cuddling cheek to cheek.

Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is a British television program that airs on PBS Masterpiece. The first series (season) won a bunch of Emmy’s last night: best mini-series, best director of a mini-series, best writer of a mini-series, and best supporting actress in a mini-series for Maggie Smith.

The first season starts the morning after the sinking of the Titanic and ends with England declaring war in WWI.

The second series premiered last night on ITV in the UK but we have to wait until January for it to air in the US. With our increasingly global society, I wish they would air them in both countries at the same time. I am going to try my very best to not read spoilers of the second series which will be SO hard b/c of my insane curiosity.

So to tide me over, I did find the series 2 cover image.  The first image on this post is the 1^st series cover photo and the second image is series 2. You can tell by the photo that Lord Grantham, Matthew, and Thomas are in the military. You can also see that Sybil is working as a nurse. I am surprised that O’Brien is in this series- I thought she would have left Downton after what she did to Cora at the end of series 1.

Any who… I am just super excited that such a great program was recognized in a major way. January 2012 does seem like a long way away, but it will be over the holiday season so I’m sure the time will quickly fly by.

 

 

 

Saturday Seething (part 35 of a 444 part series)

“The Holy War”

 

Today is the BYU v. Utah football game and I just need to vent about how much this “rivalry” disturbs me.

I know that sport rivalries are all in good fun but it seems to escalate more and more each year. There is nothing wrong with school spirit and fandom, but I have a huge problem when it becomes hateful and violent.

People are teaching/brainwashing their kids into hating a whole group of people (the opposing team and their fans).  My sister shared a rather humorous video on Facebook of a 3 year old little girl hysterically crying because she hates BYU so much. Where did she learn that behavior? Why is it OK to hate someone for liking BYU? The scary thing is that it is not too far a leap to start hating someone just because of their religion or skin color or politics.

Our contemporary culture (as evident in our current political climate) is increasingly becoming more and more extreme. There will be no real change until there can be compromise for the greater good.  With kids being bullied on the playground and online, with dems and repubs in congress hardly able to be in the same room as each other let alone work together, with all the trolls on message boards spouting hate speech, how are we ever to live in a Zion-like community?

I attended BYU for 6 years, the first of my siblings to graduate from that wonderful institution, but that doesn’t mean I hate U of U- my siblings went there and it is also a wonderful institution.  Both have great football programs and both represent our state very well.  Can’t we all just enjoy a game of football and realize that no matter who wins, it’s a great day for the state of Utah?

 

Oh well, Utah is now in the Pac 10 so I really don’t think we can consider BYU and U of U rivals any more.  The “holy” war is soon to be over.

 

 

 

And Now, a Dear John Letter

Something is happening to me.
I'm not sure why.
I'm a little scared.

I now think that Coke Zero and Diet Coke are the most disgusting substances I've ever tasted.

What?!!!!!

I used to live off of Diet Coke; we a had a deep, personal relationship, but I fear it has all come to an end.
I will miss the Crest drive-thru runs during grad school and cherish the limitless consumption while working at Eat a Burger.
I know this may be a low blow but I have moved on to other diet sodas like Fresca and Diet Dr. Pepper.
Diet Coke tastes like a chemical, and not in the good way. Yes, it lends itself to drink mixing with lemon, limes, vanilla and cherry, but that isn't enough to withstand the horrible flavor anymore.
So this is goodbye, my dear Coca-Cola products. I shall think of you longingly while eating spicy fries at Rumrz.

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"Modern Chinoiserie"

So I found out about a new artist on artthatfits.com and I think I might need this piece in my apartment J

The first image is titled “Morning Light” and the second is “A Song of Celebration” by Kathe Fraga.

I kind of have a love hate relationship with Fraga’s art. She claims to have a modern Chinoiserie vibe to her art when really she has a heavy Asian influence in her paintings. Chinoiserie was the Western interpretation of Eastern (Asian) motifs in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. It is a matter of semantics but it bothers me none-the-less.  I believe she isn’t interpreting anything with her art; she is directly applying Japanese florals and mode of landscape narrative where the branches enter and leave the picture plane.  I guess one could argue that the Western aspect of her art is her non-objective abstraction but I still don’t see a Westerner reimagining the Eastern Other in their Western context.

 

Still, I enjoy her use of color and the mixture of Modern drips (a la Pollock and Morris Louis) and squares (citing Joseph Alpers).

I would classify Fraga’s work as Contemporary Art Nouveau which fits perfectly with the style of our apartment. We love florals, bright colors, feminine abstraction, and general girlyness.

Happy Adoption Day Millie and Fiona!!!

2 years ago today Millie and Fiona joined the family. They are crazy, purring, cuddling kitties and we love them.
Millie purrs non-stop like a motor. She prefers to sit next to you rather than on top of you, but always in the same room. When she is off by herself is when we know she is being naughty. Her fur is soft as silk and she loves to sit in the window and stare out at the world. She is most definitely the alpha cat between the two. She enjoys pureed pumpkin but only Libby's brand and not the new brand they sell at Smith's- she knows the difference. She also enjoys opening cabinet doors and hiding in dark places.
Fiona is a beauty. She understands English and will literally follow orders. Earlier this Spring, Lesley said "I'm gonna take a nap in my bed. Come with me Fiona." and Fiona got off the couch, followed Lesley to her room, jumped on her bed, and napped with her for an hour. She did something similar this morning when Lesley asked for companionship while she was sewing. Fiona is a scare-d-cat and is terrified when anyone knocks on the door. The only "strangers" she doesn't hide under bed when they come over are my mom, Jenny, and Kendra.
They both shed awfully bad but they love having their paws rubbed. They are getting better at getting their nails trimmed and Millie loves to be brushed. They sleep approximately 20 hours a day but always seem to be wide awake at 6 AM.
Bottom line is that we love then dearly and cannot imagine our lives without them. They have brought joy and purr-fect love in to our lives.

I'm so glad this didn't happen to me

A piece of tree debris fell on my car between the hours of 10:00 PM to 10 AM Saturday- Sunday. I feel so lucky it was only bark and not a whole branch and now I only need to replace the windshield. As we were looking at the damage, Lesley brought up this commercial and it was the only thing that got me to smile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CocgDJJCBFI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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Saturday Seething (part 34 of a 444 part series)

So I went babysitting last (yes, I'm 27 and still babysit Friday nights). The boys played video games, something called COD Black-Ops, while the girl and I colored. I was SHOCKED by how hypnotized the boys were while playing. I'm used to the normal tv watching vegetative state most people get into, but these boys wouldn't even notice if the house was on fire!! They were so out of it I got right in front of one and took a picture- I wasn't even sneaky about it either!! So funny!!! The sound was muted after I heard a bad word and even still, they were totally absorbed. I thought it was hilarious and spent a good chunk of the night trying to break them. I turned on music, ran the garbage disposal, turned on lights, and the only thing that got then to look up was when I said "dinner is ready". I think the boys are official on their way to being teenagers.

Yellow Roses

I am in love with this still-life by Minerva Teichert.

The original was brought to our company about a year ago by the son of the original owner.

His mother grew-up in Cokeville, WY and Minerva Teichert was her visiting teacher. When she got married, Minerva offered to paint her wedding bouquet as a gift. Can you imagine that?! At the time, Teichert was not considred the amazing artist she is today, but she had still done some brilliant work up until that point, like the Manti Temple murals.  Luckily, the original was always displayed with reverance and not placed in an attic so the painting is in practialy mint condition.

The client has given us permisson to make reproductions and I am so excited!!

It is a small giclee* canvas, 15x8 inches for a bargain price of $59.00

 

 

*meaning they use paint pigment instead of ink in the printing process.

 

The Cosby Show

I have been watching The Cosby Show on Netflix and tonight I finished watching the final episode. It's been a long journey over 8 seasons and 201 episodes. The best seasons were 2 and 6. My favorite episode is the one where Denise makes a designer knock-off shirt for Theo in season 1. The last season felt tired, like the writers had run out of gas and I really didn't like how they "broke the 4th wall" in the final moments of the final episode.
I think what makes The Cosby Show a classic series is it was always about the love parents have for their children, even when they are upset or disappointed. What is also great is the love Heathcliff and Clare had for each other and they never let anything come between them.
What also makes the show is its fashion- it's like a catalog of fashion trends circa 1984-1992!! Jumpsuits!! Fringe!! Neon!!! Funk!! It was always changing.
What rarely changed with the interior design of the house. With the exception of the new kitchen in season 8 and the change of couch in season 5, the house stayed the same. They added new artwork here and there but no dramatic differences occurred throughout the run of the series. A lot of the art was done by Honeywood and a lot of her prints were personally owned by Dr. Cosby.
I'm so glad I've had the opportunity over the past 8 months of watching the Huxtable family grow and learn.
Now onto the next goal!!
Ps: Lesley is almost done watching the entire The Dick Van Dyke Show and hopefully she will give us a report when she finishes :)

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The Help

Confession: my New Years goal to read a book a month has fallen off track- the last book I read was March's art crime memoir.
But remember my book for January, "The Help"? The movie came out yesterday and apparently it is very good. I really want to see but I'm working this weekend so I probably won't get a chance until $6 Tuesday movies after work.
We are set to see Captain America next tuesday since we missed it this week. Maybe Cap will have to wait until after I've seen The Help.

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Saturday Seething (part 33 of a 444 part series)

Deodorant is not optional, People!!!!!

Lesley invited me to her company party at Boondocks today and we had a ton of fun (she also brought Aaron and Ashley). We played miniature golf, rode go-karts, almost played laser tag but A&A freaked out when we put the vests on them in the black-light.
We also played arcade games and I have never been around more stinky, sweaty people in my life. The smell of body odor could have been a WMD (weapon of mass destruction) to my lungs!!
Why don't people wear deodorant?!
The kicker was that almost everyone there was an adult even though it smelled like the eau de perfume of pre-maturation seminar sixth grade boys.
As a hydra-perspiration sufferer myself, I cannot fathom going without odor and wetness protection, especially during the sweltering August heat but I guess I am alone in that line of thought.
The true tragedy is that Lesley may or may not have to work with some of these stinkers :)

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Saturday Seething (part 32 of a 444 part series)

High School Never Ends

Maybe it's the YSA stage of life.
Maybe it's the same for everyone.
Maybe it's just me.

My new singles ward feels very much like I'm back in high school even though the average age in the ward is mid to late 20s. There are the popular girls, the jocks, the goths that sit in the corner, the dorky but funny guys that we all love/tolerate, and drama drama drama. Seriously, I feel like I'm in
an unfunny version of a John Hughes movie!!

Why do I care?!
I thought that I didn't!!

I bugs me how society always segments itself (some call it Cliques) into insiders and social outsiders. How do we become insiders? Why are we outsiders? Does everyone feel like an outsider?

It reminds me of Bachelor Pad last summer- the house ended up divided into groups of insiders vs. outsiders and the insiders dominated the competition. I wonder if the same thing will happen this season.

I probably should have been a sociologist- I find human nature fascinating!!

Happy Saturday!!! You're all insiders to me :)

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Happy Pioneer Day 2011!!!

We celebrated the 24th of July (AKA: Pioneer Day) today. We started the day at a neighborhood breakfast then went to Liberty Park to watch the Days of '47 Parade. We were able to park the car in Lesley's old employer's driveway and they joined us to watch the floats.
Happily, the weather was only in the 80s and overcast so it wasn't sweltering and we didn't bake in the sun.
Happy Pioneer Day!!!!!!!

I feel the need ...

... the need to blog.

It could be boredom or a longing need to communicate into the void, but I have a desire to blog today even though I have nothing important to write about. (who am I kidding, I never have anything "important" to write about!!!)
I saw the new Woody Allen film "Midnight in Paris" and I really enjoyed it. The art cameos got to be a little over the top (hello Adrian Brody as Dali) but the overall message of the film really touched me. The message is that nostalgia for the past, along with being dissatisfied with the present, is part of the human experience, no matter what our present is.
Long story short, our 2010 protagonist longs for the days of the Roaring 20s in Paris and he magically gets transported back there nightly at midnight. While there, he meets a girl who longs for La Belle Epoch (the beautiful age) of the late 19th Century Paris. They, in turn, get transported back to that time and while there they meet Toulouse Lautrec and his friends who long for the time of the Renaissance. It's a never ending cycle of never appreciating the present.
I believe the phrase "the grass is always greener on the other side of the street" fits this situation rather well.
Maybe this human desire for the past is why some people struggle with contemporary art- because it is from our present and therefore we are dissatisfied with it. Being an art historian, the past captivates my interest and imagination. I adore contemporary art at the same time but perhaps we value art from ages past because the past can never change, it is stable and constant.
These are just some ramblings of a girl who is looking for contentment (or satisfaction) in a rather uneventful life. My wish and hope is to find joy in the journey of life and feel valued or find value in everyday tasks. I need to look towards the future and appreciate the gift that is the present.

Saturday Seething (part 31 of a 444 part series)

This week's rant is brought to you from the checkout line at Walmart. Apparently it is totally for a Walmart cashier to close the line at anytime even if there is still a long line waiting to be checked out. I have had the line "close" when I was only 1 cart away not once, but twice tonight- I wish I was kidding. Both lines where incredibly long so basically I've had to start all over 3 times. The current line is stopped b/c the customer needs translation. OMGosh- the first line that closed on me just reopened but now the line is as long as the one I'm in- ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do I have more than 20 items so I can't get in the "express" lines? Oh ya, I'm in charge of mingles in my YSA ward and we have zero budget so I'm stuck buying 200 paper plates, cups, and napkins. Except the utensils only come in packets of 50 so I have a cart full of cheap quality foam that is just going to be thrown away to fill up a landfill for the next 100 years.
I have now been waiting to be checked out for 30 minutes. I hate Walmart.

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