Getting your Art on Bluethumb. It's pretty easy.
Thursday 15th March 2012
Do you create art?
Well partner, here's why we think you'll love Austalia's freshest online gallery, and why you should get your art up this week.
It's so free and easy.
Getting your art up is easy. Sign up here, take some lovely shots of your work, describe it, price it and voila, you're on display in the Bluethumb Gallery. We have a handy 'how to' guide too.
Signing up with us is free on our Blue Membership, and we only take a commission when you make a sale.
Traffic is booming. Which means art is selling right now...
We do the hard stuff.
Like organise the shipping, the paying (securely through Paypal), the displaying, and the traffic growth. You do the fun stuff, like painting.
So go ahead, you might even get featured.
We have an extensive list of interested art enthusiasts and buyers from around Australia, and send a daily featured work (hey, you can sign up for it too if you like!). We have a few spots left for the end of February, so upload your work for a chance to be featured.
You can get started right here, see you in the gallery!
The Art of Investing
Tuesday 28th February 2012
To many people the idea of investing in art is a foreign one. Surely art is only for aesthetic purposes or the elite who can afford multi million dollar collections?
And what about investing in Australian art?
In fact art has a fascinating and sometimes volatile economic history and is increasingly considered a genuine alternative investment class, one capable of not only helping to diversify a portfolio dominated by traditional asset classes such as shares and property but also capable of outperforming such traditional investments. Growing numbers of Australians have been investing in art through their self managed super funds, and whilst the rules around this have become quite strict it is still a surprisingly popular form of investment.
The world’s most watched art Index, the Mei Moses All Art Index has in fact produced compound annual returns (CAR) of 4.9% over the last 10 years vs the S&P index CAR of 1.35%. No doubt the global financial crisis has greatly impacted these returns for both asset classes but it is interesting that artwork out performed shares. Over the last 50 years the Mei Moses has largely kept up with the S&P producing a CAR of 9.23% vs a CAR from equities of 9.73%.
So, for those of who’ve never heard of the Mei Moses All Art Index, why invest in art? Well, most people buy art because they love it. In fact, people who do this are often unknowingly abiding by the golden rule of investing in art. According to Michelle Seth of Eva Breuer Gallery “you must only buy art because you have fallen in love with it.” So buy what you love and brings you pleasure.
So what next? Well, according to Tim Olsen, art advisor and son of the famous artist John Olsen, “art can be a great investment if properly advised”. For those looking to buy artwork, which will appreciate in time, it’s not only important to choose the right artist but also the right painting. You need to buy one that you love and that other people will too, and look after it carefully. Damaged artwork is worth significantly less. In short do your research, perhaps get professional advice and in the very least choose carefully.
What if I don’t have much money to invest? Buying contemporary works from artists, particularly early on in their career, often means the works wont be too expensive. This can also prove extremely lucrative in rare cases. According to Alistair Bailey, Executive Director of at Art Equity, “the best investment in art over the past 30 years has happened in the primary market: an exhibition or work purchased directly from the artist”. For example, Andy Warhol’s first portrait sold on the primary market for $1600 in 1964. It May 2011 it was sold at Christies Auction House for approximately $38.4 million. This is a nice little bonus for having the pleasure of such a picture in your collection.
What about Australian Art?
There are 20 Australian artists whose paintings have breached the $1 million mark; some of whom; Jeffrey Smart, John Olsen, Charles Blackman and Ron Mueck have seen their paintings fetch above this milestone value within their lifetimes. In 2010, Sir Sidney Nolan’s famous painting ‘First Class Marksman’ painted in 1946 and one of 27 paintings depicting Ned Kelly sold to the Art Gallery of New South Wales for $4.5m. It had last sold to the Vizard Trust for in 1992 for a reported $400,000 meaning a gross profit of $4.1m and return of over 1100%. This sale largely confirms Sir Sidney Nolan as Australia’s top artist. Prior to this sale artworks from Brett Whiteley and John Back were seen vying for top honours in the auction market.
Generally speaking buying the best painting from an artist who has won prizes, or whose work is collected by the state or national gallery greatly increases the chance of their art becoming more valuable over time.
Of course there are many risks to consider before investing in art, some of which include; illiquidity, high transaction costs on the secondary market (often 10-20%), provenance (ie risk of buying a fake or stolen piece) and volatility in art and global financial markets. However, the positives can include; capital appreciation, potentially a rental return (it is becoming increasingly common for companies to rent their office artwork), portfolio diversification and simply the pleasure of owning great art.
In short, there is a lot of investment potential in the Australian and international art market. There are of course many risks and considerations before delving into the art investment world, but if you simply buy art because you love it, you’ll never regret it. And who knows, you might just stumble across the next Sidney Nolan or Brett Whiteley.
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How to Display Art in a Kitchen
Thursday 15th December 2011
Art takes on a personality of its own displayed in a kitchen. Choose from modern art, custom artwork, and more. Find a stunning piece of art called Dreamer, for example, and create a magical and surreal kitchen that makes you feel carefree after work is over. Whatever you decide on, now you need to figure out where the artwork should be placed in the kitchen.
Create a Focal Point
Instead of displaying many small pieces of art, find one large piece of art to displace on the main wall in your kitchen. As guests arrive they will love glancing at a landscape painting or a modern piece of art that seems to come alive on the wall. If the colors are bold on the painting, tone down the rest of the kitchen with neutrals. If you prefer bold colors, add a few more pops of colors on kitchen accessories throughout the kitchen. You don’t want the bold colors to overwhelm so it’s important to incorporate lighter shades as well.
Line up Three Paintings Vertically on a Wall
If you enjoy Southwestern elements, find a watercolor art piece with red colors. Confidents, from the Blue Thumb website, is a refreshing work of art that features a young woman with similar Southwestern elements and red color tones. Do you really want the artwork to stand out? Put three pieces of art right next to one another vertically on the wall. It can be the fridge or oven depending on your wall space. All three art pieces will play off of one another and create bold accents in your kitchen.
Create a Theme and Decorate around it
If you have a theme in mind, stick with it. Plan your artwork around the theme and let that lead you in regards to how you want to display your artwork. Perhaps you want a few smaller pieces of art on easels or a piece on your dining room table. Whatever the theme may be, let it guide you with the creation process. Add stylish elements such as a long rug or big clock to finish off the look.
What Is Contemporary Art?
Friday 11th November 2011
You may read the term “contemporary art” over and over again on websites
and articles, but do you really know what the term means? It’s quite
simple really, but can often get confused. Contemporary art refers to
art that is created during our current lifetime, specifically from the
1970s until now. Modern art and contemporary art often times overlap,
but here is an easy way to remember how
they are separated: Modern art comes from art from the Impressionists
(say, around 1880) up until the 1960's or 70's, where as contemporary
art comes from the 1960's or 70's until this very hour.
Contemporary Art is Socially Conscious
It is quite difficult to classify emergent movements but another way to
remember and identify distinctive contemporary art pieces is by
realizing that this art is much more socially conscious than any
previous era has been. Contemporary art continues to cover issues such
as feminism, AIDS awareness, globalization, and more since the 1970s. If
there is a “movement” happening and artists want to spread the word,
they let one another know and soon enough more contemporary artwork in
the making. Artwork is classified as contemporary when it covers and
addresses the modern times through painting current events and
interests.
What is the Appeal of Contemporary Art?
Contemporary art continues to enthrall artists and art owners like
because it encompasses a vast range of subject matters. Discover modern
cityscapes, impressionist inspired landscapes, idyllic coastal scenes,
fantasy art and more that comes from inspiration and current events from
our modern day and age. These contemporary works of art add a new
dimension to artwork with their vibrant images, canvases, paintings, and
other unique forms of art translation.
Incorporating Contemporary Art in Your Home
Incorporating contemporary art in a home is very common because there are a variety of themes and topics to choose from. Pair a Nude Swim
painting made with acrylics with a white sofa and crisp curtains near a
lake home or at a beautiful resort. Add a mysterious painting in an
office or bedroom and surround it with brightly colored elements that
pop. An example is Mystique,
an enchanting painting that exemplifies a modern woman that enthralls
and fascinates. Most homes already encompass contemporary art within
their interiors, but if they don’t, most home owners end up updating
their décor to stay with the times and to invest in contemporary art
that is a perfect addition.
Interview with an artist - Jane Welsh
Saturday 8th October 2011
J
ane Welsh started emerging as a successful, contemporary artist after moving
to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane nearly 7 years ago. Jane is becoming well
known for her striking portraits created using the natural beauty of the
Sunshine Coasts beaches as her backdrop. Sitting comfortably beside these are an
eclectic mix of strong abstracts using nature as her inspiration and flowing
figurative sculptures in both wood and clay. Jane has won a number of awards for
her paintings and sculptures.
For the month October all of Jane's artwork will be discounted by 20%. Quote janewelsh80d as the discount code on checkout to receive the discount.
When did you first realise you wanted to paint?
I have loved art as long as I can remember, and I really discovered my gift for drawing realistically and having a good instinct for colour and design in middle high school. Since highschool I have known "I am an artist" even though I took the more "sensible" route through a couple of other professions.
Could you tell us some more about your work?
I have yet to settle on a style or theme as some artists do. I enjoy playing with colour and the flow of paint to produce abstracts that are vibrant, that have an energy or life of their own, and I guide them to suggest a landscape. I love vibrant colour and rich textures. I enjoy realism too, especially creating paintings that capture love, joy and connection and I hope these are passed on to the viewer. And I love to combine these two elements of abstraction and realism, which is perhaps the most challenging.
What is it that
inspires you to paint?
To capture joy, create joy, to express love or connection, to create a good feeling or mood.
What other artists have influenced you, and how?
I love Gustav Kilmt's work for the combination of glowing nudes and rich abstracted colours and patterns. I love the wiry rawness and freshness of Egon Schiele's paintings, and on the Australian scene I love Brett Whiteley for his fluidity and courageous explorations of confronting themes.
Does the internet have a positive or negative influence on art?
I think the internet has both a positive and a negative influence. I really appreciate the connections made with other artists, how easy it is to see fresh art. But it is also so easy to indulge in this instead of progressing my own work, ie procrastinating!
What do you do for
fun (besides painting)?
I have 2 wonderful little kids and we have a great time on our rural property in the Noosa Hinterland, recently enjoying the jasmine blooms, and eating mulberries fresh from the tree, and getting our herbs and vegies planted to make the most of spring.
What's your favourite painting and why?
I really like "Spring meadow" an abstract landscape painting that has a great mix of colours, lots of vibrant loose splashes and brush strokes. It is happy and lively, and one of those paintings that fell together in a fresh way.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am working on some paintings of my kids, my son swimming with an octopus, his favouriate animal, and my daughter getting a magic spell cast on her by fairy Tinkerbell. I am also working on layering of colours to decorate a stylised painting of a mother and child, a painting of love and connection.
What’s your greatest
ambition as an artist? 
I used to want to make it BIG TIME, for example to win the Archibald or the Wynne prize. But recently my drive has changed to wanting to be a positive creative force in the world, to create work that enriches people's lives and helps them to feel good, to be of service in the world by sharing my gifts.
For the month October all of Jane's artwork will be discounted by 20%. Quote janewelsh80d as the discount code on checkout to receive the discount.You can view all of Jane's art here.
