A New Art Studio

We learned the perils of renting this year when we did not immediately purchase a home in our new community. Instead we wanted to take our time, look around and find the right place to settle. In November, our massively-leveraged landlord succumbed to the lousy economy and is losing the house we rent. On July 31, he will become another statistic, his property reverting to the bank. On that date, we will also be out of a home.

After MONTHS of looking—and by looking, I mean daily watching MLS listings, searching RealtyTrac, scouring County Assessor sites, driving around all of two counties, and talking with numerous realtors, friends and acquaintances—we’ve found a place and the buyers have accepted our offer. It was worth the wait.

Once upon a time, the neglected property we are purchasing served the community as a school. The dilapidated-shadow-of-its-former-self now sits forlornly on the side of a hill overlooking a lake in a small town. I’m certain few people can see it’s potential for all the rubbish and repairs, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with this disguised blessing. It has an art studio and a shop hidden behind brambles and junk.

Call me crazy, but I love it. We’ve never been ones to buy new houses. Actually, this will be the fifth in our line of project homes, and, hopefully, the last. May this one be permanent.

Art and Wealth

This morning I ran across an article about Sotheby’s recent auction in Hong Kong. It sold half of the previous auction due to investor fears of the economy. Okay, so that’s not a surprise. What is interesting is the remark made by an economist talking about this story on his blog. To quote Mish, “Anyone who proposes that art is a store of value in this environment is either a fool or talking their book.”

As an example of talking their book, take this statement from the article
“Buyers are looking for value,” said Tian Kai, a Beijing- based art dealer who flew in to attend the auction. “Governments are printing so much money now. Fine artworks might be a better way to store value than currency.”

Mish has a point. Most art fails as an investment during economic depressions. In difficult times, the monetary value drops precipitously, particularly with contemporary art.

On the other hand, for those with wealth and power, building and maintaining that wealth is a relative thing. While not gold or silver, art holds a measure of recognized value in our cultural consciousness. Beyond monetary value, art plays an important role in our lives. It connects us to the past. Through art we learn about the thoughts and feelings of others.

I can experience boundless wealth while enjoying a lovely painting in my living room.

Since I haven't figured out how to do hotlinks on blogspot yet, here they are:
Sotheby article-http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aJp6xS3eDiNM&refer=culture
Mish's blog-http://www.globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/

Art Show Opportunity

If you have taken classes from me through Daniel Smith, you are eligible to show in their upcoming Alumni Show in May. Call the Seattle outlet store for more details.

I heard yesterday that there are only a couple of slots left open in my April workshop at the Daniel Smith Seattle store; so, if you would like to participate in the Alumni Show and haven’t taken a class, this is your opportunity to be in the show and have a great time in an informative art class. Call and sign up!

Cross-posting to Blogger

Tada!

For some of you this is no big deal, but this old dog is having to learn some new tricks.

As of today, my online journal will be cross-posted here on blogger. A friend of mine (you know who you are :) ) convinced me. For old journal posts, go here.