As new galleries pop up, new artists are given the chance to show their work in more prominent venues.  It gives the public an opportunity to see artists at all points of the spectrum, from emerging to established with price points that match.  Just because a locale isn't a big name gallery doesn't mean that the artists shouldn't try and maintain a level of integrity in their work, unless their sole purpose is to see art any way they can for an income.

I visited Grace Gallery which looks more like a co-op than a gallery, but I was told by one of the owners that it truly is an owned gallery.  As I ventured to the back of the gallery I came across an artist's work that was full of color (immediately catching my eye) and it had animals.  The work was colorful animal portraits done in oil.  They weren't caricatures, but interpretations of the animal being painted.  They were fun and I immediately began wondering what my dogs would look like done in this manner.

What surprised me was that the artist, Peggy Atkinson, had watercolor paintings hanging right beside these animal portraits.  The animal portraits were fun, but I feel that her watercolor paintings were more impactful.  The watercolor work had a depth.  The two pieces that shows the talent of the artist are "Rain on Glenarm" and "City Rain".  The paintings of the city really caught the experience of the city in the rain.

If I had a better understanding of the artist's intentions the confusion factor might not be an issue.  There was a flyer/price list for the animal portraits and nothing about the watercolor pieces.  I guess the confusion factor outweighs the serious nature of an artist looking for their place at the art business prosperity banquet table. 

Keep the boundaries clear...
Greg

Helping artists create successful and sustainable art businesses