Collectors Corner, Inc Certificate of Authenticity and other Ruses

In the early 1980's I bought into one of those "home party" schemes called Collectors Corner, Inc. similar to that of Home Interiors but with original artwork, signed and limited prints, and paintings with Certificates of Authenticity labels on the back.  It was always my dream (and I based my college education) to be an Art Gallery owner and this company offered the concept of being an Art Dealer from my very own home!

I recently found a painting with such a label at the Goodwill in Ruston, LA and, being a charitable individual, paid the $9.99 asking price, not only for nostaligic reasons, but because I actually liked the "painting".

Signed by what appears to read J. Rodriguz, this framed 8x10 painting of musicians (appears to be children playing recorders) was sold by this company that is apparently no longer in business.  On the back of the canvas is a very faded Certificate of Authenticity numbered B19921G.

I searched the internet but found nothing that pertained to my particular piece but what I did find was several art collectors looking for information on the value of their work from the same company with COAa (Certificates of Authenticity) and were getting few if any answers.

First, let me explain how this company worked.  Very similar to that of Home Interiors, Longaberger, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, and other home party businesses, I was required to purchase a "kit" that at the time was around $150.00 which was a LOT of money for me in the early 80's.  It came with a catalog, a few unframed prints, a box full of frame corners and mat samples.  My job was to host parties just like the other home party businesses, encourage others to host parties for incentives, and offer to go to individuals homes to help them order art from our catalog that enhanced the style of their home.

As it turned out, at the time, I could not afford their framed paintings that easily cost between $100 to $1500 due to their "authenticity" let alone their framed prints generally costing $100-$350 which made it very difficult for me purchase any to display at my "shows" or to sell something even I could not afford to buy!

Needless to say, I failed miserably and disparingly chalked it up to an expensive life lesson.

Now, nearly 30 years later, I find this adorable painting that, in its day, probably ran around $100 and came with a spiel that it was an excellent art investment and would no doubt increase in value. 

During my search for the company Collectors Corner, Inc and the COAs I found many others seeking answers for their value, and to this I say....do YOU like?  Then that is its value.

I also found a post at http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110727193341AA9frXA regarding "production art" that seemed applicable to the answers these art collectors were seeking but I am not saying it is actually true in this case but it is a common method for mass producing art for consumers at affordable prices and typically sold as original paintings in "starving artists" sales and chain furniture stores.

As I tell many people, buy art because you love it and it speaks to you.  Art is like the stock market and real estate, it can go either way.  Hopefully, one day that original painting you bought from an artist because it looked so great over your devan WILL be worth several times what you paid for it...or maybe not.

But love it all the same.

I do want to add this thought that I was considering writing an entire blog about it but I feel it can be summed up in a few words.

I recently participated in artist tour and was pleased to see the work by local artisans.  I am told some of the artists did well, however, my particular sales were low.  This fell on the heels of attending a "ladies night" at Paul Michael's in Monroe, LA where women were loading their baskets with massed produced home decor items made in China. 

If you have the descretionary income to spend on home decor, why not make valuable use of it and support local artisans?  Why succomb to the marketing manipulation of the "keeping up with the Jone's" mentality retailers so pray on to sell massively reproduced overpriced trinkets that will become next year's "garage sale fodder" (thank you "Toy Story" for making that such a notable phrase) instead of investing in your community arts as well as your state and country's economy?

There I've said it!

I have a huge collection of original art work by many artists that may never amount to anything except that I love it and enjoy displaying it my home, and as the rest of my decor is smathering of all that garage sale fodder you bought for 10 times what you sold it for!  LOL!

 

Accidental Art, Photoshop, and Other Ways to Make You Smile!

Although fun, I don't usually transform someone's photo into a "Glamor Shot" with Photoshop Elements9 but I did find the opportunity to touch up an "oops" image when my subject turned quickly to swoosh her hair and I captured this shot.  I though her eyes looked great (which they usually do) SO..... I had a little fun with this "Accidental Art".



 My subject had been dancing and developed a bit of a glow in the 95+degree late afternoon Louisiana heat.

original

 

This is the image that follows the oops.

Some touching up.

I took over 1200 shots in a 4 hour shoot.  She had 5 outfit and hair changes.

and a little bit of airbrush work.

I added a layer with a FRESCO filter

Below are mores samples with no retouches.

Creative Gift Giving and Other ways to get the best Holiday Photos!

     

My son, Ross, has been wanting a set of double kick pedals for his bass drum but did not request them for Christmas. We had already spent a bundle on a huge Star Wars Lego set with 1758 pieces and I was looking for some things to fill their nesting boxes...a little Christmas tradition in the Taylor household.  Every year I divide up the 10 boxes between the boys and tie them up with two different color ribbons (one for each son) then tell them which color is theirs on Christmas day.

I have taken photos of Ross standing by these nesting boxes for the past few years.

Then, call it a Christmas miracle, I actually found a gently (if you can use that term in percussion speak) used pair on craigslist for a very reasonable price. Unfortunately, the double kick pedals were way too large to fit in even the largest of the nesting boxes so Phil (my husband) decided to take off one piece that would fit and just wrap that.

What happened on Christmas morning made for some interesting photography and fond Christmas morning memories.

He finds the piece in the largest of the nesting boxes.

We ask him if he can figure out what it is.

Then after several agonizing minutes and failed guesses, his Dad gave in and went to retrieve the REST of the gift from the closet.

 

I just love the look on his face!

I think he is pleasantly surprised!

And that's what makes great Christmas memories.

Cypress Knee Santas, Popeyes and other ways to Celebrate Christmas!

I have just spent about 40 hours painting 8 cypress knees most of which are going to the daughters-in-laws of a very sweet man who harvests the cypress knees from his property, boils them til the bark is soft enough to pull off, and dries them in his oven.
There is nothing quite like the smell of cypress knees drying in the oven.
Why I forgot to photograph the naked cypress knees before I painted them, I have no idea, but there is something curious about the twists and knobs on the knees that just speak to me.  Just check out this LINK to get an idea of what they look like naked.  Not all cypress knees can be a Santa Claus, although I've seen other artists just slap a face and beard on any old thing (actually, I've done that as well) so I like to "find" the Santa in cypress knee.
My friend, who began bringing me his cypress knees to paint about 10 years ago, made some special requests for this year's lot that reflected the individuals who would be receiving them as Christmas gifts.

My friend's family has grown in the past couple of years with the addition of two grandson's, a 21 month old and one just born on Monday the 20th, and two more special grandsons by marriage all who call him "Popeye".
So I want to share these with you all.  The tallest of the lot is only 9 inches tall and the smallest (not pictured with this group and was to be a gift for a friend at work) was only 2 inches.
Here are some other photos of the individual cypress knees.

 

 

Decorating for the Holidays and Other Reasons to Hoard

I have been collecting Corn Husk Scarecrows and the likes for many years.  I only collect the ones with the corn faces (many of the contemporary ones have fabric over Styrofoam faces) and I have rarely, if EVER, paid over $2 for any one of them.  There is a certain thrill to coming across one at a garage sale or thrift shop.  They stay tucked away 11 months of the year, along with my other Halloween decor, then make their charming appearance on my mantle or buffet for the month of October.  I just love their little faces.  There is something about a bunch of cute little faces that can't help but make you smile!

Another element of my Halloween Hoard are crows...dolls, scare "crows" and other objects d' art featuring crows.

Years ago I picked up a few more Scarecrows at an after-Halloween sale (75% off probably), a needlepoint harvest scene from a garage sale (another cast-off masterpiece) and when I added one of my original batiks " Indian Corn", that created a festive fall mood I have used in some combination over the years. 

A pierced tin cat (originally off white, now painted black) who holds a votive candle giving of an eerie glow sat on the hearth with a wonderful old harvest basket (I found at a garage sale for 50 cents) and a couple of pumpkin baskets.  

However, some of my favorite "faces" glow on Halloween night from a collection of Jack o' Lanterns that flank my front entry.

But too soon passes the month of October!  

However, I have a stash of Thanksgiving decor to swap out with the jolly Jacks.

This year I added deer antlers (a gift to me from a friend in Del Rio, TX over 10 years ago) into my fall decor using the same basket as background over my television cabinet.  The silk leaves are cheap and pitiful (a Rolling Hills find from last year) but the colors are perfect!  And as soon as I find a better solution...they'll just have to do.

 

On my mantle is a wonderful old turkey print in a handsome barn wood frame.  I found the stained and dingy framed print at an antique store for only $15 and paid another $70 just to have it cleaned, matted and put back in its frame.   It was still a great deal for the quality of the old print. 

Another "hoard" I have amassed is one of wooden candlesticks.  A similar rule applies (the cheaper, the better) and for less than a couple of bucks a piece, I have quite a large collection.  

Even though a local decorator said colored candles were out and white candles are in, I disagree.  I LOVE colored candles and can always find some at my favorite haunts (garage sales, thrifts stores, and of course, Rolling Hills) that reflect the colors of the season.

So, have fun, as I have, decorating for the fall holiday season, and with any luck, I will post a blog soon on my Christmas decor!  

Did I mention I collect Santas?