Fanatical Art and Music

How To Book A Band For A Wonderful ...

So, you are having a party. Planning can be tough, but one area that can make it easier is whether to hire a Disc Jockey or to book a band. While pretty much everything else you do has many choices, this area only has 2 options. Do you want live music or listen to recordings that you and all of your guests hear all day, every day? There are benefits to each choice, but live music is ultimately the better option.

Many people just choose a Disc Jockey, simply because it is easy. You need music, they provide music, game over! However, unless they offer a never ending supply of musical options, you are limited to what recordings they have, whether they fit the occasion or not.

Using someone who spins records, requires that your venue has a high quality sound system. They seldom travel with their own and even if they do, it is generally not designed for a large facility. Considering that this is the sound of your party, the quality of their sounds are crucial. With live music, this is not a consideration. A band will arrive with instruments and sound system in tow, so you get professional sounds after a few sound checks.

When you book live music, your options are broader and in most cases, you can customize the music better. First off, they will bring their own sound system. If the group is accustomed to playing these types of venues, they are better suited to supply quality sound, so after a couple of sound checks, they are ready to rock and roll. By selecting live performers, it is also easier to include them into your theme, whether it be sound or appearance, you have more choices.

Let us compare how your party will differ with live music. Although a DJ can act as a Master of Ceremonies, the leader of the band is more likely to be able to lead your party. There is a different sound quality and performance level with live music, as you may be listening to the next winner of American Idol, in lieu of hearing the original artist sing a song your guests have listened to thousands of times on the radio. The live band may have different and entertaining arrangements of songs that have been or are current hits and your guests will enjoy the diversity.

Choosing live performers can be a little frustrating, but the end results are just better. You get to head out to listen to them perform and see how they interact with their guests. Find a type of music you want and check all of the live music in your area and you can always find some who will be a perfect fit for your special day.

Of course, the cost of hiring live entertainers will be higher than a DJ, but your overall results will be more satisfactory. The leader of the band can be a greater help as a Master of Ceremonies and will allow for more interaction with your guests. As long as you are not hiring a full orchestra, the costs will not be prohibitive.

Your choices are wide open and depending on the size of your venue, when you book a band, you have more control and more options. Maybe there will be one family member or friend who has aspirations to be a superstar and you really do not wish to have your party turn into a karaoke contest, but singing with a band will offer them a great chance to test out their pipes and give you a resounding performance. And, by the way, have a great time at the party.

Expert Dannii Symes is a writer for the http://www.souldesire.co.uk site. Making the right Band Booking will make all the difference to the success of your event. Find out more about ensuring you book a band the right way when you visit this website.

How To Find Bands For Weddings

Are you ready to start looking for bands for weddings? You will likely want to start looking on the Internet and take advantage of the available search engines. However, using a very broad term when you search will undoubtedly deliver thousands of results. To save yourself some time and effort, use a narrow search term.

A lot of bands not only play weddings but parties, bar mitzvahs, proms and functions. Try searching for a particular band say you like soul music then searching for a local soul band would be a good starting point.

Once you have the sort of music in mind you need to sort out which bands for weddings you want to use. An experienced band that has done lots of big gigs like weddings would be good idea. Checking their testimonials would also be a good idea. This should be easy as any good band will have a website with all their testimonials up on it.

If you are an event organizer you should keep a list of the bands that are suitable for weddings and other occasions. This way you can easily find a suitable band whether you need soothing background music or heavy metal music. It’s a good idea to have a back up band on hand in case the one you’ve booked cancels. After all, its your reputation that’s on the line.

Bands come in different shapes and sizes so do wedding venues. That is why it is so crucially important that you know what sort of area the band needs at each venue to be able to play and set up in. Also bands need good parking facilities. So remember not all venues will be suitable for all bands.

Even though you are the organizer, it’s always a good idea for the clients to meet the band so they can talk about what they want. This will insure that their big day is perfect and memorable.

The goal when choosing bands for weddings is for the celebration to go off without a single hitch. One thing that’s important to check is that the venue has the license for live music.

Other things to look out for, for example, does the venue have a sound limiter? If so the band needs to know because if they play too loud power will be cut to all their equipment. Other things to be aware of are is the band’s playing area big enough? Do they have ample parking to unload their heavy gear?

If you spend just a little time paying attention to these details you will be able to find the right bands for weddings and have a memorable event.

Musician Tim Cadogan is one of the founding members of Soul Desire is a specialist writer for the http://www.souldesire.co.uk site. Having a great Bands For Weddings will ensure the success of your event. Find out more about hiring amazing Bands For Weddings from this site.

My Synopsis Of Sunshine Cleaning

I have been told a lot of great things about the movie Sunshine Cleaning that was released in the early part of this year, so, naturally, I have wanted to see it. Well, it was recently available for viewing free-of-charge through the plan that I have with my cable TV and I just now got done watching it.

First, I’ll fill you in on a basic synopsis of the movie without giving anything away. This is a movie starring Amy Adams as Rose Lorkowski and Emily Blunt as Norah Lorkowski, two sisters in their late 20s or early 30s, living in New Mexico.

Since their mother had died when they were really little, the sisters were reared by their father who was able to give them lots of love throughout those difficult years. Rose’s son Oscar, who is played by Jason Spevack, is about 8 years old.

The fact that Oscar did not have a father around while he was growing up contributed to several difficult times during his life and, despite the fact that he has been educated, he is still not understood.

Rose and Norah have both been struggling to find their way, running into financial difficulties in the process. Their father doesn’t seem to be much better off himself, though he’s found a way to get by.

Norah and Rose make the decision to begin a business, and that is what this movie is mainly about. It is not a business that you would normally think of because cleaning up areas where people have died is what this business happens to be. Every bit of residue and blood has to be removed from the area, but moving the dead bodies is not required.

The way that they build up their unusual business and everything that happens with respect to it are shown in this movie. And, throughout it, Rose and Oscar’s and Rose and Norah’s relationships are highlighted, as well as many other ones.

With some great acting jobs, you certainly feel a connection to the characters of the movie, feeling their joy and pain through their ups and downs. I’d recommend seeing this movie if you’re looking for a high quality drama.

The writer also frequently writes about things such as antique iron bed frames and full size bunk beds.

Why You Should Seriously Think About ...

If you have been wondering how to choose a party band, then you are in the right place! If you are coordinating the events for a party such as a birthday party, wedding party, or graduation party, it is important that you select a band that provides entertainment that will appeal to a large cross section of the guests that will be in attendance.

Obviously, the main priority of any such event is for your guests to have a memorable time, and by choosing a good band you’ll have peace of mind in knowing that all your guests will have a splendid time. The purpose of this article is to provide a little bit of advice with regards to choosing the ideal party band.

The first step to choosing a party band that your guests are really going to enjoy watching and listening to is to ask some of your guests in advance of the event what they want. Many event coordinators forget that it is the interests and likes of the guests that matter and not just their own interests and likes.

Speaking to your guests beforehand will not only help you to determine what sort of music the vast majority prefer, but it will also go a long way in terms of building up excitement prior to the event taking place. In most cases you’ll discover that most of the guests tend to prefer one sort of music over the rest. Of course, if after you’ve interviewed the guests and you’ve come to realize that many of them enjoy a variety of music, then you need to ensure that your chosen band is capable of playing different types of music.

Another important factor to take into consideration is whether or not you want a band to provide soft background music, or if you intend for them to be the highlight of the event. For example, if you’re coordinating a corporate event where people will spend a lot of time speaking to each other, then obviously it would be better to hire a band to provide some background music only.

On the other hand, if you’re organizing a wedding reception or a birthday bash then you’ll probably want the band to be the primary source of entertainment. In other words, once you know exactly what purpose the band should serve, you’ll be able to make an informed decision regarding the type of band you should hire for the event. Of course, you should also bear in mind that irrespective of what type of band you choose, they will all take periodic breaks, so you should determine whether or not they will be able to play recorded music during such intervals.

Next, you should consider the level of expertise of the band that you are planning to hire. There are many different ways that you can do this. First, you can ask that the party band submit a resume outlining their experience. Next, you may inquire about references. Many bands may even have a CD or DVD video that highlights their musical specialties.

Familiarizing yourself with regards to the band’s level of expertise is something which needs to be done before you hire them, simply because it’s crucial for you to know how professional they really are. You should also try to establish how long they’ve been together. Most bands that cater for special events will usually have an online presence, which means you can visit their website and browse through the group’s biography.

Admittedly, there are several things you need to take into consideration when choosing a party band, but of course this is something which needs to be done in order to ensure that the band of your choice will be capable of entertaining your guests. For this reason, you should also always insist on the band signing a contract outlining details such as time, duration, location, dress codes, and code of conduct. Providing you follow the tips and advice mentioned in this article you’ll be able to have total peace of mind in knowing that the band of your choice understands what’s expected of them.

Musician Katherine Clark is a member of ‘Soul Desire’ featured at the http://www.souldesire.co.uk site. Hiring a specialist Party Band will make all the difference to the success of your event. Find out more about hiring a professional Party Band when you visit this website.

watch alice in wonderland online free ...

Watch alice in wonderland online free

http://tinyurl.com/aliceinwonderland2010download

Alice in Wonderland is a 2010 fantasy adventure film directed by Tim Burton, in black and white by Linda Wo…

Venetian Masks and their History

Venetian Masks originated from the Carnival of Venice around the 11th Century developing into the Commedia dell’arte – a popular form of improvisational theater which began in Italy in the 15th centu…

Commedia Dell’Arte

The outdoor performances, funded by donations, were improvised around a repertory of conventional situations: adultery, jealousy, old age & love, with dialogue and action adjusted to satirize loca…

Famous Magicians and Escape Artists

While the art of magic and the conjuring arts has existed since pagan times through priests, witches, etcetera, it is the ones who dare – the magicians who defy death and show acts that we ourselves w…

Child Acting Career Tips

How can you help your child’s acting career? Here are five tips you can use to help them succeed while they pursue their dream of acting.

Sign them up for a good <a href="http&#58…

Anthony Lister at Lyons Wier Gallery, ...

Australian born artist Anthony Lister is showing at the Lyons Wier Gallery in New York City from March 19 through to April 19.

A lot of my favorite artists are painters that never really give up using the pencil (line). Painterly paintings are good but so are paintings that look like drawings. I guess I like painterly drawings or linear paintings. I like painterly paintings and linear drawings too

anthony lister painting
Anthony Lister – Terms of Engagement, 2010
Mixed media on canvas, 39.5 x 39.5 inches

anthony lister at Lyons Wier nyc
Anthony Lister – BET, 2010
mixed media on paper, 6.5 x 9.5 inches

australian artist anthony lister
Anthony Lister Super Girl 1, 2010
Mixed media on canvas, 14 x 11 inches

From the Lyons Wier Gallery blog here..
“Known in the Low Brow movement for his intriguing, playful hybrid of street art, expressionism, and cubism all manifested in non-traditional media such as spray paint; Lister’s new body of work shows the tongue-in-cheek frivolity of his earlier pieces developing (or decaying) into a more mature and disturbing direction. The deformities and un-done aesthetic resolve of Lister’s work provides viewers with a concretization of contemporary societies’ psyche – or, as the artist himself states, “making the obvious more, well, obvious”.”

OPENING: Fri. March 19th, 2010 6-9pm
DATES: March 19th – April 19th, 2010
See more Anthony Lister works from the exhibition here or see the artist’s website here.

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The Rise of Victorian Paintings Pt. 4 ...

The Rise of Victorian Paintings Pt. 4 – artmarketblog.com

WILLIAM SOMERVILLE SHANKS, R.S.A., R.S.W. 1864-1951 TIDDLEY WINKS 150,000—200,000 GBP Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: 181,250 GBP

Sir David Scott began collecting art in 1910 and over a period of 75 years amassed a large art collection that included 150 Victorian paintings, all of which were auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2008, more than 20 years after Scott’s death (1986). Scott was an eccentric aristocrat whose efforts to maintain a low profile meant that he was able to put together an extremely important collection of Victorian art at his Dower House, Northamptonshire residence in relative secrecy. Scott’s passion for art, the Victorian period in particular, is evident in a comment he made regarding one of the paintings in his collection. According to Scott:”I don’t think I have ever seen another picture by Somerville Shanks but if this is typical of his work I wonder why he is not better known, for it is really beautifully painted, the dress of the girl in the foreground is reminiscent of Sargent at his best and of course the whole picture is delightfully nostalgic, absolutely redolent as it were, of a day nursery of the 80s or 90s.” This comment is also evidence of how under-valued and under-appreciated the Victorian era is, particularly the work of Victorian painters.

The length of time that the paintings in the Scott collection had remained off the market made the sale even more enticing to collectors and connoisseurs who turned out in force to take advantage of the opportunity. “A Great British Collection” was the title given to the sale – a move that Sotheby’s hoped would distance the sale from the stigmas associated with the word “Victorian” and bring more people to the sale. At the time of the sale, in November 2008, the art market was still reeling from a major crisis of confidence brought about by the hyperinflated market for contemporary art, which led to many art market commentators making rather sceptical predictions about the sale. Because the market for Victorian paintings was dominated by a small number of passionate collectors and connoisseurs, there was particular concern when the auction took place due to the fact that the removal of even one of the main patrons of the Victorian era could spell disaster for the whole Victorian paintings market.

To be continued……

Part 1:

http://artmarketblog.com/2010/02/25/the-rise-of-victorian-paintings-part-1-artmarketblog-com/

Part 2:

http://artmarketblog.com/2010/03/04/the-rise-of-victorian-paintings-pt-2-artmarketblog-com/

Part 3:

http://artmarketblog.com/2010/03/11/the-rise-of-victorian-paintings-pt-3-artmarketblog-com/

**Nicholas Forrest is an art market analyst, art critic and journalist based in Sydney, Australia. He is the founder of http://www.artmarketblog.com, writes the art column for the magazine Antiques and Collectibles for Pleasure and Profit and contributes to many other publications

Filed under: art, art auction, art collectors, art investor, art market, victorian art, victorian paintings Tagged: art investment, art market, sotheby’s, victorian art, victorian era, victorian paintings

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Learn To Play Guitar Chords Online ...

The study of chords is a very important side of learning guitar, mostly because a chord or a mix of chords forms the skeleton of a song. Learning chords takes you to a upper level of guitar talent. Knowing a large amount of chords helps any guitar player to analyze better a song they hear, an exercise and unconditionally, to make their own music rather than playing other musicians songs all the time.

So, here are 3, most common chords simple to play on guitar and practice with, particularly if you study guitar chords on the web.

C Major Chord

Position your third finger on the third fret of the 5th string, your second finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string. Ultimately, place the initial finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string. Now for the strumming, do not hit the 6th string. Focus on your pick and strum only the bottom five strings. Ensure all the notes come out obviously, without buzzing. Voila! You’ve got a straightforward C Major chord.

G Major Chord

For this G chord, place your second finger on the third fret of the 6th string, your 1st finger on the following fret of the initial string. Next, take your third finger and put it on the 3rd fret of the 1st string. Make sure you’re not holding down any other strings than those you are supposed to and have a firm grip. Employing a plectrum, hit all 6 strings in a flowing motion. You may obtain a multi-note which is the sound of this G chord.

E Major Chord

Place your second finger on the second fret of the fifth string, third finger on the following fret of the fourth string, and finally, your 1st finger on the first fret of the third string. Play all the strings, and hear your E chord.

Now, as a general idea, as you practice with chords, don’t press the strings to hard, because this will generally bring on a sharpened agony in your fretting fingers after a bit, if you don’t have a trained hand. However , have a firm grip, to obtain the mandatory notes. I usually learn guitar chords online, 1 or 2 each day, and practice with other four or 5 I have learned to keep them always fresh in my memory. Irrespective of what others say, that you actually need a mentor or to attend classes, web could be a good guitar tutor if you are eager to learn.

Come and join us at Guitar Lessons for Children for the most fun and comprehensive free lessons on the web! – Simple Guitar Notes For Beginner.

Rare Vinyl Records – Three Factors ...

Do you love the idea of having a huge collection of various items? Then, why not add rare vinyl records to your growing collection? These are important part of history, so they are also worth collecting. But buying these items does not have to be done in haste. To really get good value for your money, you must determine if the vinyl record has a value or not.

However, since there are lots of vinyl records for sale around the world, chances are you’ll end up buying not the rare one. So you really have to be keen when choosing and take your time assessing your options. You see, there are lots of suppliers claiming that their records are of high value, only to find out later that they are actually not. So to save yourself from getting the wrong item, be sure to consider these three factors before buying.

One, you should check the vinyl record’s condition carefully. See if it already has scratches and writings on the label or if it is already worn out. Any signs of damage will tell you that the item is not in excellent condition, thus it is not worth getting. If you really want to get an item that is your money’s worth, be sure to buy a record that is still in very good condition. And hey, that basically applies to everything that you would want to collect in the future.

Another important factor is the rarity of the item. Records produced in the 60’s and 70’s were either sold in large volumes or small ones. So if you are to choose a record, make sure to get one from those which were sold in smaller volumes. Why? Because this definitely has higher value than those records sold at large volumes.

And three, you have to see if the record comes as a complete product. It definitely values more if it includes a paper, hard cardboard, or picture sleeve. So check if the record that you’re planning to buy has it.

These three factors will help you know the value of the rare vinyl records you’re eyeing on. But if you want to be certain, you can always have a professional check them out for you.

The fastest and most convenient way to locate rare vinyl records is online through www.buyvinyls.com. The author also discovered a great source for Michael Jackson vinyl records.

Party Bands Liven Up Your Party Or ...

There is really no one in the world that hates music, it is an intrinsic part of what it means to be human. It is a central part of many cultures and a main form of expression. New forms of music are born out their time and circumstances, like the birth of jazz as a uniquely American artform. Music is always evolving and changing and we are surrounded by it now more than ever, what with the invention of mp3 players. These players are able to hold libraries of music, more than many could have conceived of listening in their lifetime and it allows us to be more voracious when it comes to the music we listen to.

Many times there are songs that define a couple and when you get married, the picking of a song to dance to can be a difficult decision. You don’t want something overly trendy and picking something too classic can mean picking something stale. One facet that should never be part of this decision is “we should tell the DJ what we decided.” Weddings are a grand occasion and should be treated as such with the renting of a party band.

DJs are everywhere these days and it is a profession that anyone can join with only their laptop and the purchase of a DJ sound kit. It is essentially something that a small child could do and yet many locally famous DJs charge huge amounts of the privelege of having them at your occasion. When it is a wedding, it is the bride and grooms day and no one elses. Why deal with the ego?

Throwing on a mix of party music is a great way to set a fun mood at a house party, but when the occasions become larger and more ornate the DJ equipment should stay at home. Many weddings have ornate dresses and fancy tuxedos, but relegate their reception to a cheesy DJ.

Party bands have real musicians skilled at their jobs that bring an air of professionalism and a sense of occasion to playing music. Also, with real musicians they are able to play with your favorite songs and alter arrangements and making it a true concert experience.

While some may say that party bands are antiquated and DJs are the way to go, when has it ever been acceptable to outsource our entertainment into the hands of someone whose job we can easily replicate.

Musicians are dedicated to their craft and have spent their lives learning music and musical instruments and are dedicated to the art of music in a way that a DJ could never be. Also, there is no substitute of live instruments which lend an air of class to any occasion, especially a wedding.

The ins and outs of wedding preparation are varied in their prices, but bands can be as reasonable as you need them to be charging anywhere from $500 -$3000. The price quotes that are given include all sound and PA equipment that will be used – there is nothing that you, as the consumer, will have to add. Bands take care of themselves.

Don’t let some DJ charge you hundreds to thousands of dollars to appear at your wedding and play songs you hear on the radio, instead get a live party band and make your wedding reception as fun as any concert you’ve ever been to.

Musician Lyndsey Seabrook is a member of ‘Soul Desire’ featured at the http://www.souldesire.co.uk site. Having a live New Year Party Band will ensure the success of your event. Find out more about hiring an amazing Birthday Party Band when you visit this website.

Top Tips For Improving Your Wedding And ...

Event photography as a job is very rewarding. Someone who shoots live events such as marriages, seminars, award functions and music performances is known as an event photographer.

People usually believe that all you need to do to become an event photographer is to bring the equipment and keep clicking photographs during the event. But, the truth is actually the contrary. Many professional courses are devoted to train people to become an event photographer and as with any other highly skilled profession, an event photographer must have some important qualities to be successful at his job.

From the outside you may think that as the photographer runs around just clicking that there is no method in their photography. At an event there is an aim in place that must be met. Getting a large spread of great high quality pictures takes skill and an extraordinary eye. Being quick off the mark is a must to capture all those unexpected shots.

Having an imaginative trait is a prerequisite for an event photographer and he must be able to adapt to the tone of the occasion. For instance, a wedding has to be shot in a very different way than a sports event. Therefore, the photographer must have a flair for capturing the mood of an event in his pictures.

Remember at an event you are there to take the shots and not actually be part of the photographs. By that what is meant is that you should be able to do your work without disturbing the run of the event. No one really should know you are there. When people do not think you are there, not only do you gain the best candid real shots you also do not disturb the event.

Event photography also requires appropriate handling of various issues that a photographer might have to confront during the event. Negligence and apathy won’t take you far in this profession. It demands that the photographer be ready with his camera and other essential devices well before the start of the occasion. A habit of lazing around or doing things in a hurry will not help you a lot in this profession.

It is obvious that an event photographer should know his art inside out. Familiarity with the technical aspects of photography gadgets has a bearing on the end results. He needs to know about the proper use of light and angles and he should be able to utilize the available resources to the maximum.

Offering a photography service also means that you are in business. You’re no longer an amateur clicking a few photographs for friends you are a professional. Because you are in business you will need to improve your non-photography skills such as your people and communicating skills. Take the time to do communication and people management training courses because they will pay dividends for you particularly if this is a weak spot for you. If your communication skills are low your business growth will be weak. Being able to be effective with people is a number one skill in this industry and field of photography. Books like ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ are also a must to read. Grow your individual communication skills today and observe your business grow tomorrow.

Summing up, an event photographer requires serious dedication towards the profession along with the eagerness to grasp different features of this art. To ensure that you do well in this profession, the qualities of being always aware and flexible in your approach are critical.

Find out more about Wedding Photographer and Bridal Photography. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory

Guitar Tutorials: Things To Consider ...

What is a Jedi Master with no lightsaber or Magnum PI without his Ferrari? Have you seen Pamela Anderson without her boots?

You need a great axe if you want to became a great guitar player. That doesn’t have to be a 1960’s Gibson or anything but it needs to fulfill a few basic requirements.

What am I saying?Read on and find out. I have a few words of wisdom if you look for advice on this topic.

So if you want a quick answer here’s the deal. Purchase the best axe you can for the following reasons.

If it sounds good and feels good you will play it more often and that’s why you bought the guitar in the first place isn’t it? The last thing you want is to spend money on a instrument that doesn’t inspire you to play and end up giving up on music.

When the time to upgrade comes, be aware of it, your instrument will have a greater resale value and you’ll have a good deposit for the new guitar.

If you don’t have a big budget then I suggest you beg, borrow or steal a guitar. There are loads of guitars lying around gathering dust and I’m sure you will be able to find one if you ask around. Take initiative, get a guitar and in the meantime start saving so that you can get one of your own!

What if you already own a guitar and it’s not good what do you do then? Well get a guitar technician to ook at it, see if you can pimp it a bit and change strings on it and you’re good to go. An average guitar with a good setup can be a good start. And a bad instrument is better than no guitar at all.

Remember that most importantly you get your hands on a guitar and start practicing. So don’t delay and get going as soon as possible and you’ll soon be able to play all the songs you like. I suggest you get good easy guitar lessons and follow the examples as much as you can. to have good guitar tutorials is key for your development as a guitarist.

The Author is been teaching guitar for two decades. Before you buy any guitar tutorials online check his Free Guitar Tutorials. Easy Guitar Lessons Videos

Learn To Dance Salsa

More and more people are getting into salsa and for good reason. Salsa is one of the hottest, most scintillating dances ever created and if you want to learn it, there are a few things you need to ha…

Tailor-make your frames for paintings

Paintings are similar to an extension of our own selves. The people around you acquire a complete idea in relation to you by just watching your paintings. The frame of the painting is, on the other ha…

Art News Blog Plans

I’m really good at making lists. I’m a list person. Without lists I watch too much tv, surf the web, or read too much.

I create lists that are too ambitious as I rarely ever complete the jobs on them. Which in some ways shows the masochist in me as I know I’m setting myself up to fail, but in other ways it gets me off my fanny (I have always wanted to use the word “fanny” in a sentence as it makes me laugh. In Australia the fanny is different to what a fanny is in the US).

Here’s my To Do List for Art News Blog this year. I figured if I published the list it would make me more likely to do it.

Create or pay for a new blog design. Art News Blog has a pretty ordinary design and it hasn’t changed much in more than 5 years. I might even get a designer to create a new logo. I might even add a little color to the design.
Move the blog to another blogging platform. Blogger is making some hosting changes so I figured now might be a good time to jump ship. Not because I don’t like Blogger but because I just want change.
Post at least 5 times each week.
Allow more guest posts by other bloggers and artists.
Monetize the blog. I currently make about $0,000.00 on the blog so it shouldn’t be too difficult to increase that amount. I’m thinking, offer advertising spaces to artists, which might be a challenge as artists are TIGHT, like duck’s ass tight when it comes to spending money on marketing themselves. So I might look at approaching some art supply companies, galleries, art publications or just go the affiliate route.
Post reviews on more products. Encourage companies to send products to me (I love receiving gifts in the post) and mention them. It could be win/win/win if done right. I get a surprise in the mail, the company gets exposure, and you learn about a wonderful new product! Competitions could be an option too, where I just tell the company to send the products to a reader of the blog.
Respond to emails and comments!! Argh, sorry if I haven’t replied to you! Don’t take it personally, I suck. I do read everything, I just haven’t been replying to much lately.
Keep up to date with what is happening and write about it! Pretty straight forward this one, I just have to look at my domain name to remind me; artnewsblog.com.
Do more artist profiles. If I find an interesting artist online, I should do a post on them.

Anyone know of reasonably affordable blog designer that can make me a spiffy new blog and tranfer Art News Blog from Blogger to.. umm.. Wordpress or that other blogging platform that I can’t think of right now? Perhaps I should see a logo designer first.

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The Rise of Victorian Paintings Pt. 3 ...

The Rise of Victorian Paintings Pt. 3 – artmarketblog.com

Henry Herbert La Thangue's Leaving Home

Following the sale of the Koch collection in 1993, the next major sale of a collection of Victorian paintings came in 2003 when the Forbes collection was auctioned by Christie’s over a two day period. The Forbes collection, considered one of the 20th century’s most important collections of Victorian art, was put together by Malcolm and Christopher Forbes of the Forbes Magazine family. Malcolm and his son Christopher began the collection after Christopher made the comment to his father that, for the price of a minor Monet hanging on the wall of his office, he could assemble one of the world’s great collections of Victorian art. Malcolm, a lover of bargains and challenges, liked the sound of this idea and so, with his son Christopher, began collecting. Malcolm Forbes died in 1990 leaving his son with the collection that they had both had put together with passion over a thirty year period.

Unfortunately for Christopher, a family squabble is rumoured to have meant that the collection needed to be sold, even though Christopher was quoted as saying at the time that he would not attend the sale because “it would be too sad.” Among the numerous outstanding works that were included in the sale were John Martin’s Pandemonium; Sir Edwin Henry Landseer’s ‘Scene in Chillingham Park: Portrait of Lord Ossulston’ or ‘Death of the Wild Bull’; John Phillip’s Early Career of Murillo; Dicksee’s Chivalry; and W.H. Deverell’s masterpiece, Twelfth Night. The sale was a huge success, especially considering the poor market sentiment at the time, with 75% of the works finding new homes for a sale total of 16.9 million pounds. Most exciting of all was the 63 artist auction records set during the sale for artists such as Henry Herbert La Thangue, Sir Edward Landseer and John Martin.

There is no doubt that the success of the sale was bolstered significantly by the association with a famous family – an association that Christie’s took full advantage of. A large contingent of buyers from the Continent, who would usually not be interested in the work of Victorian British paintings, indicated that the Forbes name was a big draw-card. Regardless of the fact that many of the buyers were motivated to a large degree by the provenance of the paintings, the success of the sale and the associated publicity gave the market for Victorian art a major boost. The Forbes sale was a huge milestone for Victorian paintings and paved the way for what was to be a slow but steady revival for Victorian art.

To be continued…………

Part 1:

http://artmarketblog.com/2010/02/25/the-rise-of-victorian-paintings-part-1-artmarketblog-com/

Part 2:

http://artmarketblog.com/2010/03/04/the-rise-of-victorian-paintings-pt-2-artmarketblog-com/

Filed under: art, art auction, art investment, art market, christie’s, victorian art, victorian paintings Tagged: art auction, art market, christie’s, victorian art, victorian paintings

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