Western Art and Life in Sandpoint, Idaho

Random Thoughts

2009-10-21T11:37:00.001-07:00

High end luxury brands reported today business is still soft and they do not expect a turn around till 2011 / 2012. Also housing sales are still tough and there is a lot more foreclosures to hit the market so prices will be depressed for some time. So what does this mean for the art market. It means times are tough and if you are a buyer with cash now is the time to buy some art. The same is true of real estate. It also means though you must buy quality. Buying decorative pieces just to fill a space will only hurt you long term. Take the time and energy to purchase real quality art (either originals or limited edition prints). You might have these pieces for a long time so get what you enjoy. If you ever need any help on thinking through your art purchases just let us know.

Making Change

2009-04-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

Summary of key points from an article about making change in Time Magazine.

Make it clear - better information can help us make better choices.

Make it easy - we'll do almost anything - even things that are good for us - to avoid extra paperwork.

Make it popular - we will save and recycle if others do it also.

Make it mandatory - only if necessary.

We tend to over value things we have and over eat food in larger containers. In general we we ignorant, shortsighted and biased toward the status quo. We procrastinate. Our impulsive ids overwhelm our logical super egos. We plan to lose weight, but ooh - a cupcake. We truly want to make better decisions but we need help to get us there. The first key is knowledge. Better information - from public services announcements, appeals by respected figures, media outlets assist us in making better choices. But information alone isn't enough. It's got to be easy. Even when utilities will pay for efficiency upgrades that will save us money for years, we're unlikely to make retrofits-unless the utilities take care of the schlep factors, like finding contractors and inspecting the work. Cheap is alluring; easy can irresistible. This is why default options pack such power. Change is not easy but its time to concentrate on real art and what it means to you. Think about the piece you want to purchase and ask yourself why? If its to make money put the painting back. If its because you like the piece, you want to support an artist, raise money for a charity, or other moral oriented reasons than buy it.

Thoughts of the Day

2009-03-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

The economy is still weak even though the stock market is showing signs of life. Unfortunately at the ground level people are still being fired and money is an issue for everyone. It appears big business has figured out how to rid itself of bad loans and move forward without incurring to much pain. I hate to admit it but you have to give them credit for figuring out how to get the government to pony up all the money for their mistakes. I bet they won't make the same mistake twice so obtaining a loan is going to a lot harder which unfortunately could hurt growth in the short term. The art auction market took a blood bath this past month in Montana. Pieces went for 40 - 60% below their low estimate. Very few if any went above the high estimate. A great time to buy a bad time to sell. The art market like real estate had probably gotten a little out of whack with reality so its probably good it drifted down ward a little. The weather is finally starting to turn in Sandpoint, Idaho and the grass is starting to show. Yea. I'm off to Lewiston, Idaho this weekend for the first pro-am of the season. The weather isn't supposed to be good but at least Lewiston has no snow and its a little warmer. If you have any interest in the Ace Powell attached to this story let us know.

WE ALL HAVE TO PITCH IN

2009-02-25T04:59:00.000-08:00

"We all have to pitch in" - President Obama said this during his state of the union address on 2/23/2009. If we truly want to grow and enhance our cultural past, present and future in this country they we need to make sure the arts remain a part of our everyday life. Times are tough and everyone is watching their bank account but now is not the time to pull back. Now is the time to dream big. We have never truly embraced art in this country yet not only can it be an emotional boost to our well being it can have a huge economic impact. Now is the time. Find an artist or gallery and support them through these difficult times. You will be happy you did. The attached photo is Ross Hall who lived in Sandpoint, Idaho during the early 1900's.

Random Thoughts / new artist

2009-01-23T02:53:00.000-08:00

If you haven't already heard of artist Qiang Huang you need to view his works. I just bought a small piece from him and believe he will be a major influence on the art world for years to come.

In other news the economy seems to be unsure of itself. The bailouts are not working and everyone is cutting back and hoarding cash. To some degree this is good because we have been over spent as a society for several years now and we need to save versus spend, spend, spend. I do believe however we should spend on those things that are of quality and have meaning to our lives. Years of greed by the financial industry, the housing industry and others has come back to haunt us and unfortunately will be with us for years to come. On the bright side there is always opportunity to make money in good and bad times. Plus if you are looking to purchase hard real assets now is the time assuming you can get them at a value that is more realistic. This is one reason people are looking for good quality art work. It may not appreciate quickly if at all but at least you obtain some joy from it versus worthless paper.

Enough is Enough

2008-11-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

I think its time we understand things suck but it will get better over time and we need to adjust our habits and lifestyles to a different set of rules. Traits like quality, workmanship, handcrafted, value, green, etc... will grow in importance as we move away from mass produced meaningless possessions. Its bad out there don't get me wrong. I'm working two jobs and avg. about 70 hours a week but even I see a bright future. Take a look around you. What matters? I think art has an important place in our future so look for those items that have meaning to you and those you love.

Stocks and Art

2008-10-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-29T05:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-02T11:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-29T13:11:00.001-07:00

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

2008-04-02T11:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-02-14T10:36:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-29T14:49:00.000-08:00

“Your home is an investment. Your peace of mind is priceless.”

A second home is a wonderful thing to have – a place of comfort and enjoyment. It’s a place to relax, renew and experience the joys of Sandpoint and North Idaho.

But, as with any investment, your home needs constant care and attention, especially here in North Idaho, where the elements can weather your investment and destroy the lifestyle you have wanted for so long.

That’s why Northwest Secure Homes can play a vital role in helping you maintain your home and peace of mind.

Imagine arriving at your place of comfort on winter holiday to find the driveway and walkways plowed and groomed….your house perfect, warm, and stocked with provisions…your ski passes on the table with the latest ski report and a list of all the weekly events you can attend in the area like wine tastings, artist receptions, opening nights at the Panida, etc....

Moreover….because you can’t be two places at once…imagine how secure you will feel knowing that trustworthy, caring, local professionals are on site to handle your home and your investment.

So, don’t hesitate a minute. We give exacting attention to each and every home under our care, our services are available to only a chosen few.

Jim Quinn owner of the Timber Stand Gallery and Mike Duperault a local developer in Sandpoint, Idaho have launched Northwest Secure Homes to cater to the seasonal home owner living in the Inland Northwest. You can reach Jim or Mike at email: info@northwestsecurehomes.com or call 208 610-1110. You can also visit their web site at www.northwestsecurehomes.com

January 2008

2008-01-17T15:17:00.000-08:00

We are in the process of mailing postcards out for our first ever Jewelry and Intimate Painting show. We will have over six local jewelry designers on hand in addition to several local painters showcasing their talent and talking about their passion. The show is Feb 8 from 5:30 - 7:30pm at the gallery in downtown Sandpoint.

This week Sandpoint host's its 35th Annual Winter Carnival. The Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce and several eating establishments get together and have a big evening of fun and lots of food. Its a great way to try out different establishments without having to purchase a full meal. There are also other events in town to go along with the excitement.

The weather has turned very cold but it has created crystal clear ski's. We usually get a week of this and than in early Feb we either start warming up or get some more massive snow storms. Each year is different.

We are gearing up for our trip to the March in Montana Auction in Great Falls, Montana. It will be our first year as a dealer at the show. We are excited about exposing our offering of artists to another client base and hope to have some sales (Jennifer McChristian, Amanda Fish, Jeremy Doss, Mike Wise, James Moore, Stephen Lyman and others).

The attached painting is from artist Dalas Klein and retails for $1,700. It measures 24x12 and is of Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint, ID. If interested in purchasing the original let us know. There are also greeting cards available of the painting.

2008 - What to Expect

2007-12-19T10:51:00.000-08:00

There has been a lot written about the housing and financial mess so I thought I would throw in my two cents. I think as long as the job market holds strong we will see a decent 2008. Nobody is going to let the financial businesses fail and the housing market has already suffered so by February, 2008 things will start to look positive and confidence will return to the market. We will also start to have a good sense of who the next President will be so we can determine the pros and cons of them winning the election. There will be a huge surge into technology over the next several months as we look to continue our competitive advantage in this industry. The high art end of the art world will slow a little and finding quality pieces to auction will become an issue for many auction houses. We may even see some of them partner with other houses. The art world will start to look at art from Mexico and other South American countries as the hispanic population continues to grow in the United States. The limited edition print market will re-surface as publishers narrow the amount of prints available in an edition and start to price the prints to target a wider consumer base. The internet will continue to play a major force in the distribution and awareness of art in 2008. Framing vendors will start to look for ways to make their products more eco-friendly and they will look to other materials for framing. The industry has not advanced in some time but in 2008 they will start to look beyond their four walls.

New Artist - Bill Drum

2007-11-24T11:17:00.000-08:00

The Timber Stand Gallery would like to welcome artist Bill Drum to the mix. Bill is a metal artist who deals in salvaged materials. He vists salvage yards throughout the area to create unique one of a kind horses, bears and buffalo's. Bill trys to provide a provenance with each piece so the client has an idea where the materials came from. The attached image is called Basilio and it measures 36" tall, 46" long and 10" wide. It weighs 35lbs. Parts of Basilio are from the radiator grill of a 1930's model international pickup truck which had been painted a few times druing its life. The hole is for the starting crank. The reds and yellows are from a Shell oil drum, used to transport lubricating grease to the Stillwater Mine in Columbus, Montana. If you would like to learn more contact Jim Quinn at email - info@timberstand.com

New Artist - Jennifer McChristian

2007-11-12T16:28:00.000-08:00

The gallery would like to welcome artist Jennifer McChristian to our mix. Jennifer is from Los Angeles, C.A. and has been labeled an Artist to Watch in the latest issue from Southwest Art magazine. Jennifer paints in oil and has adapted a painterly, impressionist style that expresses her affinity for nature. She has won awards throughout her career and is a founding member of the Plein Air Painters of the West (PAPW). Please view her offerings and let us know what you think if this great new artist.

Miniature Show results

2007-11-12T16:25:00.000-08:00

Last Friday November 9, we hosted our first miniature show. We had about 60 people attend the opening night reception which we thought was pretty good for our first time. Jared Shear, Aaron Cordell Johnson and others had some sales which is exciting for everyone. I'm pretty confident based on the buzz that was generated that we will do another miniature show again next year.

Sandpoint City Elections

2007-10-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Nov 6, 2007 Sandpoint residents will vote for mayor and city council members. At first it looked like no-one was going to run now there are a wide assortment of candidates to choose from. All of them seem to support the same things so in my mind I'm curious to know their position on the arts and what local government can do to improve and enhance it within our community. If you run across anyone running for office ask them what they will do to ensure we continue to grow and support our artistic roots. Issues like affordable housing, the byway, regional sewer and water are all important but let's not forget Sandpoint is known as an art destination and if we don't pay attention to it, it will be lost over time.

On another subject I think Catherine Earle and Stephanie Bozich are two of the best emerging artists we have in Sandpoint currently. I highly encourage you to take a look at their works.

Preview of Miniature Show / framing options

2007-10-11T18:47:00.000-07:00

Artist Aaron Cordell Johnson stopped by today and dropped off some pieces for the miniature show on November 9. Its shaping up to be a great event and I'm looking forward to seeing all the art work that represents North Idaho, Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille. We should have over 70 pieces on display. Aaron and I also talked about frames and how much they can add to a painting. I've seen a lot of art poorly framed and wish artists would spend more time thinking about what type of frame they choose for their pieces. Aaron had a painting of a huge motorboat and he wanted a big strong frame to go with it because it tied in with his vision of why he painted this large strong motorboat. It was the focal point. The boat towered over the others as should the frame.

Art:21

2007-10-09T08:38:00.001-07:00

Jackie and Dan Earle hosted a great evening of fun and art the other day. Art:21 is an emmy nominated award winning series on PBS. We got to hear from Ben Mitchell, Art Curator for the Northwest Musuem Arts and Culture in Spokane, Washington - it goes by the name MAC also. Ben talked about the museum and a show they will be introducing shortly. The show will focus on the earth and the globally issues facing us all with our environment. Than we watched a short video by Lida Saskova on artist Marilyn Lysohir who has sculptured busts of all of her high school class mates. Jackie and Dan's house is an art gallery unto itself and they are great hosts who cherish the arts. To learn more about Art:21 you can visit www.art21.org

The whole evening got me thinking about exposing more people to the arts and how we can help and assist creative individuals with their passion. I realize financial issues tie us all down but the arts are truly a benefit to everyone and help keep us alive. To be creative is not just about painting or making a sculpture. Business and community leaders are creative individuals also.

Thoughts of the Day

2007-10-04T14:21:00.000-07:00

I had a great conversation with an artist out of Jackson Hole, WY yesterday and it got me thinking about surviving and growing in the art world. I think its important artists and galleries market themselves to the best of their financial ability. They should always be putting money aside to use for marketing. There are some great publications like South West Art Magazine and Art of the West that give good exposure even though they can be costly. Pick your spots and move slowly.

Establishing a database of customers and potential customers is also very important. Its very labor intensive but if done correctly you can develop long term sales and not be so tied into traffic off the street. Artists and galleries should also have a web site. Its a great way to show your depth and technology will only continue to be a bigger and bigger part of our world.

For artists getting works juried at key events is important to help build your resume and build relationships with other artists. There is a constant educational process that must occur also not only for artists but gallery owners.

The concept of marketing is not new and it is not cheap in most cases but I saw a book the other day about a gallery owner called A Girl and her Gallery. Its about Edith Gregor Halpert who helped establish modern art in this country. She was loved and hated at the same time because she was tough and spoke her mind which was rare in the early 19th century. From the few pages I have read on Amazon she was a pit bull and I think to some degree you have to be in this world. You don't have to be mean or anything but if art is your thing you must live and breathe it 24/7 or at least the days you are not playing golf.

Have to run. More some other day.

October and the Fall Season - 2007

2007-09-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

October will be here soon and with it the weather will start to get a little colder and Sandpoint will be heading into winter. We are hosting a miniature show November 9 at 5:30pm. Over 70 paintings will be on display from local and regional artists. The pieces will measure no more than 9x12. Small originals make for great gifts or to fill a specific niche in your house or office.

The Idaho Arts Commission was in Sandpoint recently asking what they can do to enhance arts throughout the state and Sandpoint. Providing additional funding was of course the number one response. Many organizations like POAC and the Panida need funding from the state to survive. Galleries could use the help also. Its a shame we don't qualify.

Real estate in Sandpoint has really slowed which in turn has brought everything to a crawl. We are returning to the days when Sandpoint wasn't number #1 on everyone's radar. Sandpoint Sports is moving out of downtown. They are building in Ponderay. Parking was a concern but I don't see that at our location on Third and Cedar. You can always get a spot. I think its more about perception than reality.

Where does art go from here in Sandpoint? What would the commuity like to see?

What a show

2007-09-08T15:21:00.000-07:00

Our September 7 show was a huge success. Over 50 people attended and learned about the most famous painters of our time. Artist Gary Kaemmer re-created each artist in their style and medium. It is quite an impressive collection. Each person that participated had to guess each artist and than we scored them on results. It was a great educational experience.

Sandpoint Art Salon

2007-08-02T15:23:00.000-07:00

A bold Intellectual Movement in Art

An invitation only venue, dedicated to artists, appreciators and enthusiasts

September 7, 2007

Timber Stand Gallery
(corner of Third and Cedar in the new West Cedar district of downtown Sandpoint, Idaho)