Stocks and Art

As we all know the stock market is experiencing its worst decline in 50 years and unfortunately there is no end in site. GM and the car industry are in a downward spiral and some other major industries will follow soon. So what does this do for the art market? It is a huge boon to the middle - high end part of the industry because its the only place you may be able to make a return on your investment. Now is a great time to buy good assets and build your collection before the next upswing. Look for known artists with a track record or emerging artists you think have a chance of creating a name for themselves over the next few years. At the rate we are going the market is going to hit bottom real soon so now is the time to act. I think it will take about a year for us to work through all of our issues but once we do we will see steady small growth over the next few years as new inventions come online or new ideas on how to create wealth become reality.  

Now is the time to collect Art

If you have ever wanted to collect art for your home and possible investment now is the time. The market is soft and probably will be for a few more months until the housing issue clears up. Art can be a solid investment but more importantly it can provide a life time of joy and purpose. To often we are a society that throws everything away. We need to slow down and appreciate the work that goes on around us. Greed has gotten us into a very poor financial position. Let's step back a moment and thnik of others and support others.

New offering from artist James Moore

Artist James Moore was in Sandpoint, ID the other day and dropped off some new pieces for the gallery. The attached image is called "Old Farm" and has already received several positive comments. We have seen a vast improvement in James's works and are very excited about his future as a painter. He will be shown in Art Collector magazine and he has started to pick up more gallery representation. James is definitely a talent that will be a major force in the art world.

Artist Janene Grende

Last Friday I had the chance to watch artist Janene Grende demostrate her silk painting style. She is only one of two artists that I know who paint like this - the other is Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey. Its an old process developed by the Chinese many years ago. Janene did her demostration while painting upside down so she could talk to the audience. It was very impressive. I believe Janene is on the cusp of having her pieces featured at major auction houses and her prices will start to raise quickly. She is already produced and her prints are featured in stores across the country. Janene uses salt in addition to the paints to get the colors to blend, bind and run at times. Janene is donating a piece to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in Missoula, Montana for their annual auction this year. If you would like to learn more or purchase an original please contact us at email - jimmic22@yahoo.com

Spring finally - April, 2008

Spring has finally decided to show up. The snow is melting and I would guess by May we should be totally free of its grip on the community. The art market continues to hold up well during these uncertain times and we have been fortunate to obtain access to a large investment grade collection of art from CM Russell, Joseph Sharp, Victor Higgins and others.

We are putting together final details for our Plein Air show in June. It will be June 18 - 20 and we have several new artists attending. We are also working with the Scotchmen Peaks group to host a fall Plein Air event in October of this year. More details will be follow later.

Our miniature show is still scheduled for November 7. We will have over 30 miniatures on sale for the event.

SPRING 2008

Is it possible after all the snow we have had that Spring could be on the way? The temp. is starting to warm up a little and there is no snow in the forecast. I think everyone is dying to get outside and take in some fresh air.

The art market has been paintful but we expect things to improve as the housing issue becomes manageable and the presidential election becomes clearer.

If you haven't had the chance please stop by Stage Right Cellars to see some photographs from Sandpoint artist Marie-Dominique Verdier. She did a series called The Alleys of Sandpoint.

March 14 I will be attending the CM Russell show in Montana. If you have any old western paintings you would like to sell please let me know.

Northwest Secure Homes

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