When the economy is in the crapper and the words of the politicians, pendants, and profiteers sound more like the garbled ritual rights at a head hunters love fest, you ought to stop, say to yourself “wait a minute”, and consider your actions. Instead of plunging off the cliff into some pied pipers dream world, “stop and smell the roses”. The garbage coming from all sides of the media, fueled by greed, political decisions, outright lies, skyrocketing food costs, the health baloney and the blame game is frustrating all of us.

Words upon words, upon words, have more layers than a double portion of lasagna and what’s packed between them isn’t tomato sauce. We’ve gotten so far from the truth we can’t recognize it. We’re so self-absorbed that sponges in grocery stores are looking for the ocean. God gave you great gifts! Your mind, your heart, your inner sanctuary, emotions, feelings, understanding, wisdom, clarity and your eyes, both the ones in your head and the ones in your heart. He’s given you the ability to see real beauty. He’s given talent and creative interpretation to artists and painters to knock your socks off. Art paintings, works created by artist painters who labor hard at their craft, can transcend all the babble going on around us and make us remember, take us on a journey, inspire us every day and even benefit our health. Art for health, paintings for health, healing art is in itself an alternative healthcare, complementary therapy, creating positive thoughts. It’s the power of positive thinking at its very best every day. Art paintings, people paintings, add remarkably to healing grief and those going through bereavement. There are so many ways art paintings add benefits to our lives.

It used to be that when people went delirious or off on some self imposed tangent, someone would come along and give them a slap, grab them by the collar, shake them and yell “wake up”! As a society, as a culture we are in great need of people who have a grasp of real reality, not just some stupid excuse for television entertainment, but what’s real, what’s truthful, what’s meaningful. We need people whose vows and promises, aren’t watered down or thrown out because they’re not “feeling it”. With all that’s going on in our world and in us, true value needs to be recognized. Greed and money won’t satisfy the human soul and it’s not what life’s about.

Great art paintings, acquired because they stop the heart, last a lifetime and are “priceless” to those who have them. They have a true lasting place in the hearts and lives of human beings. Obtaining them is no get rich scheme. It is a quest, a quest to find them and obtain them. After one has them in their possession, one may still not think they have great wealth, but in reality, they will have great riches that last a lifetime. Great art paintings pay one back in so many ways that the reward far outweighs the investment.

Shut down the noise. Listen carefully. Ponder where you are and what adds to your life and living. Stop adding and becoming more like our self-absorbed society. Shut the television and the computer down for a time and listen to the messages that speak through your eyes directly to your heart as you gaze into a great art painting. Find them, acquire and obtain them or seek them out and let them find you,. They are riches that won’t screech, but will last a lifetime.

Douglas Auld
Copyright MMIX Douglas Auld, all rights reserved

About the Author:
Douglas Auld
Artist, Painter, Poet and Writer
http://art-paintings.us
http://www.paint-tings.com
http://findmypaintings.blogspot.com/

For More Paintings Go to Paint-tings Gallery!

Great painters work hard at their craft, creating art paintings, and their hard work has created wealth for many others. Finding the right emerging artist and riding with them means money in the bank when the critics howl. Finding, focusing and befriending as a patron, friend can mean a collection of art paintings worth far beyond its street value. Knowing what you are looking for and what you are looking at can mean the difference between money well spent and money lost.

There are a lot of factors in acquiring a collection and realizing a substantial return. Today’s technology is providing a unique opportunity to forge niche which once it runs its course could provide a tremendous upside. Never before have paintings been able to be crafted so that its appeal could be enjoyed by multiple individuals. Never before could the richness of look and feel set a work as a standalone or be one in a line of limited production. High end auction houses and high end galleries still consider the single work, the one and only of its kind, with the entire focus and discipline of the artist exhibited as still the most valuable. The price of ownership reflects that standard and most often the artist is no longer emerging but painting in the heat or the heavens. As this method is understandably a standard within much of the art paintings industry, it is still not the only place to find true value on potential return.

Technology has now provided the opportunity for the masses to enjoy and become part of this once thought of niche. The digital age, the digital generation, and the digital revolution has created a methodology to not only create works, digital paintings, far beyond any pigment and oil process, but also to make the reproduction, or better than the word “reproduction”, the multiple output of that original work. The finalization of that process is called a “giclee”, in which the output is a result of ink being exactingly applied replicating the precise digital image directly onto canvas. The image is created digitally from digital pictures usually a scan of previously finished art paintings or done within a computer environment in which a literal digital image is made of the work. The image is then output from a high quality printer with specialized inks. The revolution is unparalleled in color, control, execution time, and discipline. With all its opportunities presented in workable relationships, integration, and changeably the artists have a virtual smorgasbord of executable technique at their disposal. This is an amazing and wonderful thing for any artist. This opportunity opens the way for the enjoyment, interaction with and the acquiring of paintings for a mere fraction of the cost related to the old methodology. Not only can more people have a single limited edition work in their own collection, but the upside of the investment potential could be unparallel as well.

Reproductions have in and of themselves been collectables at their own price points and at their own levels. Now these new works not only have their own price points but clearly outweigh the potential on true personal interaction. The look and feel and execution as well as their personal artist interaction within the multiple, yet single output painting offers a uniqueness all its own. These things along with the ability of the artist to make timely comments, personal artist insights, provide certificates of authorization creates a higher value similar to the works that are appraised at the “Antique Road Show”.

There are more opportunities for the great works to be shared, exhibited, and personally acquired. This is true not only because of the reduction in pricing and cost of ownership, but also in the quality and value added abilities that the artists now find at their finger tips. Individuals who engage with these types of paintings can truly enjoy the work and their personal and emotional attachments. They can look for an upside beyond them being personal “priceless” collectables because of that meaning and those messages which last for a lifetime.

Find an artist that you believe in and want to befriend. Find great art paintings that stop your heart and engages you. Find them as giclees and build a collection. It’s worth the ride.

Douglas Auld
Copyright MMIX Douglas Auld, all rights reserved

About the Author:
Douglas Auld
Artist, Painter, Poet and Writer
http://art-paintings.us
http://www.paint-tings.com
http://findmypaintings.blogspot.com/

For More Paintings Go to Paint-tings Gallery!

How can so many be out of touch with reality? Reading the other day I saw where some critic said digital art painting was for those in the production mode. Next, I expect that digital cameras don’t really depict photography; you really need that gun powered flash. If anyone thinks that paintings somehow walk off a production line, then they have confused printings and paintings. Just because both words start with the letter “P” doesn’t mean they don’t have a totally different meaning. It’s ridiculous! Concepts, ideas, visions invade and permeate the mind of creative individuals. Most have so many ideas its drives them crazy for it is a curse as much as it is a blessing. Painters have eyes and not just one set. They live and breathe in a world inside them and outside them and they are influenced by all that is around them and that with which they come in contact. The gift is like dropping a coin in a vending machine without the same control. When the right coins are collected into the right slots “cha-ching”, an idea, a concept, a vision of expression appears in one’s head. Then comes the choice. How much does the idea drive and motivate? It’s not as if you wake up someday and say gee what I have believed in all my life I’m going to throw out the window or I guess I have to consult everyone in my family to see what I should do. It’s a choice that says I have to work this out to its conclusion to wherever it’s going to take me. Within this there is a struggle that manifests itself not only within oneself but usually through visual expressions of drawings, planning, small experimental works like small paintings or techniques which may be put in place to create the desired affect for which one is looking. There is a constant overlay of active visuals that goes on all through this process as the artist is at a heighten state and aware of all visual affects around him that is tying him or her into reality.

The structure, the plan, the exercise all come together to execute the originally desired concept and make it a reality. The painters choose within themselves when the completion of that reality reaches its final conclusion. Many artists put their works aside as a matter of practice to see and judge and feel what their certainty is for finality. They may find they see it a little different or that something is missing or a correction is in order. Others reach a point within them and know with all confidence and conviction that the work is complete. Their own satisfaction level has been reached.

Paintings done and if it wasn’t for the economics of it all the painter would probably add it to his or her collection. In most cases if they had enough wall space they’d be completely satisfied with hanging it. That’s not what is usual. Pure survival and the need for a new bush, canvas, digital pen, or digital output sets in and what’s produced goes to being sold. The reality is that the painter doesn’t need the validation of the sales to know what he or she has painted. However, the affirmation of the sale constitutes a satisfaction which every artist wants for his or her work.

The buyers, though many are, should be just shoppers. The process of purchasing and acquiring paintings should always involve connection. Guys walk into parties, look around and hold their tongues back from all the beautiful women they see. Girls walk into that same room and a measuring up devise sets off in their head along with a connection meter. When the meter goes off, get out of their way! That’s why it’s not totally shopping where you think you just go there to get your needs met or pick up a few things and look for others in a spontaneous way. The acquiring should at all costs be a connection. There has to be a “spark”, “click” or “hello” that initiates the dance. Sometimes the dance leads to a date and sometimes the dance leads to a long term relationship that is truly cherished.

Here we are living in an instant breakfast, fast food, superficial world. This is a world filled with self-absorbed individuals who are living moment by moment for the feelings of the moment. Family, traditions, friends, beliefs, and so often reality has been replaced or thrown away by chasing of the fallacies: “I want it all”, I deserve it”, “I want to get on with my own life”, “what’s in it for me”, and “what did you do for me lately”. Eyes no longer see and the eyes of one’s heart and soul have designer glasses so dark that nothing is seen through them. I beg of you get a reality check and start to look, start to see with all your senses, reach out and find great paintings that move you, heart-wrenching, heart-breaking, emotional capturing paintings that draw you back and remind you every day of life, memories, truth and pure beauty.

When you find them you never have to worry about what you paid for them, because to you, and rightly so, they are and will be “priceless”!

Douglas Auld
Copyright MMIX Douglas Auld, all rights reserved

About the Author:
Douglas Auld
Artist, Painter, Poet and Writer
http://art-paintings.us
http://www.paint-tings.com
http://findmypaintings.blogspot.com/

For More Paintings Go to Paint-tings Gallery!

Décor in one’s life is important. Architect, interior designers, and a host of others all providing valuable services in this area operate a thriving business community worldwide. Your décor not only provides the environment you live in everyday but it’s important for your business setting as well. Highly trained and skilled individuals can interview you and come up with some of the most intriguing and enhancing applications one has ever seen. They can be created perfect for your living environment; everything matches within the scope of design. Here’s where I differ with a lot of people who think a certain way and even some designers. Paintings don’t have to match the pillows, or anything else for that matter.

While there was a struggle over the depiction and nudity of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, which was really about political power of the Papacy. None of the Bishops or the Nuns stood around and said; “gee that doesn’t really match the seat cushions”. No one at Christy’s Auctions stands up and says will you take my 30 million dollar paintings bid back? After looking at it, it isn’t the right shade of purple!”

If you design that way, then shame on you. Go to the biggest discount store, local retail outlet and buy the poster that matches. Go have it framed and make sure the frame costs a gazillion dollars more than the stuff you got and put on your wall. That big red thing representing some flower or something means nothing. Understand that it won’t be talked about, won’t send messages, won’t make your life better, but it will match the pillow. You get what you pay for and what you get is nothing. Something that cost nothing means nothing and is nothing, but of course once again it matches the pillow. Remember when you went to school there were teachers who put stuff on the walls that stayed there all year round and after the first day you couldn’t tell anyone what it was, what it meant or let alone what it said. If that is what you want to live in and the environment which is supposed to be your resting place, your sanctuary, your retreat, then be assured you have retreated.

Real, true and actual paintings are an expression of an artist’s creativity. If it buckles your knees, stops your heart, brings you to tears it’s worth everything. It is priceless. It’s priceless to you every day. It sends messages, gives you feedback, sets your compass, encourages you to go on and its beauty is unsurpassed. You don’t have to spend 30 million for it; you just have to find it! Even if it’s a copy of a Master piece you love and can’t live without, it’s worth every penny. You can find these paintings today. You just have to take time, engage and be determined and most importantly use all your sense and your hearts eyes first. Again, why should you spend any time doing this? Because you want your life better “every day”! These paintings are all over the internet as artists live, breathe and create paintings. These artists who have been given a gift by God to help us be, keep us stable, give us some peace, and live better paint wonderful expressions of their vision and their creativity. You can see it in their work. You can see it in their efforts; you can see how it is “the works of their hands”. As they hone their craft, develop their technique, and explore their territory set before them, you can participate with them. Join in with their journey. Make a friend. Be an encourager. Watch as a plant starts as a seed and blooms into the most beautiful flower you’ve ever laid your eyes on. Get an understanding of art and painting. Combine all that with a single or several artists, developing an understanding of them and build a relationship. Buy one or several of their works if you can find the ones that send your heart messages. If not those then ones that intrigue you and you think might age with you. Make sure you become part of their journey. You want your home décor or business décor to come alive and add something to you living better, healthier, and more positive, start your journey. Let the works become the focal points of your environments. Let them lift you beyond the daily grind and all of your décor will come alive and renew itself each and every day as you become more alive and renew yourself every day. People you invite over, friends and family will start to talk about subjects you never thought possible and it won’t be all about them.

Pillows may match, but no painting should be thought of or designated for acquisition because it matches some pillow. You do the painting a great injustice and most of all you do yourself wrong. Paintings live, pillows don’t!

Douglas Auld
Copyright MMIX Douglas Auld, all rights reserved

About the Author:
Douglas Auld
Artist, Painter, Poet and Writer
http://art-paintings.us
http://www.paint-tings.com
http://findmypaintings.blogspot.com/

For More Paintings Go to Paint-tings Gallery!