Art Scams

I received an Email from "Larry Douglas" in February. He said he was a collector who found my work on the internet and was interested in purchasing a piece he found online. The painting he referenced was sold by Pryor Fine Art in Atlanta. I forwarded his Email to the gallery director, who immediately responded that I was their third artist to contact them. They immediately sent out a warning to all of their artists.

This is how the scam works:

The scam is that they say they want to purchase your art, and that they have a shipper that they will put you in touch with. Then, this scammer sends a check exceeding the sale price, and when you bring it to their attention, they say, "oh my...I am sorry, you can just send me a check for the difference". Do not correspond with him. 

I've copied the text of the Email below:

Hi there,my name is Larry im an art collector from Connecticut,was browsing through the internet and my eyes caught this particular work on the subject,will like to have it for my new apartment probably this month.please let me know if the piece is available and if yes let me have the detailed price and more information about it.kindly reply me with your phone#.

Regards.

Sadly, there are many scams targeting artists and galleries. If you want more information, check out this blog by Katie Moe, a self-professed "Anti-Scam Samurai". stopartscams.blogspot.com

We can have an isolated work life in our studios. Special thanks to Judith Kindler for reminding me how important it is that we artists look out for one another.

Atlanta

If you happen to find yourself in Atlanta within the next few weeks, be sure to stop by Pryor Fine Art. This Friday is opening night for what looks to be a gorgeous show with new work from Atlanta artist, Dusty Griffith paired with one of my favorite Seattle artists, Michael Schultheis.

And, while you're at it, check out my six new paintings delivered to Pryor Fine Art this week. I've been fortunate to have great success with my work here in Seattle at the stellar Patricia Rovzar Gallery, so it has taken me over a year to get new art to Atlanta. I am pleased to have the great fortune of representation by the patient and professional people at Pryor Fine Art.

"mon ange", 36x42

"village beat", 36 x 34

"let go", 32 x 42.5

"honey pie", 36 x 34

"du jour", 36 x 34

"a delirious dance", 32 x 42.5

leftovers and a little olive oil

 poppy leftovers on the easel

Thanks in part, to a severely overcooked bird, none of our guests returned for seconds, and we were rewarded with an enormous amount of Thanksgiving leftovers. The leftovers were turned into all sorts of turkey related concoctions. Some edible.

"a very large meal" 12 x 24

Same thing with poppies. After completing such a large body of poppy paintings, I found the studio filled with bits and pieces of cropped images and odd-sized boards. 

detail from "a very large meal"

I don't usually like working with smaller sizes, but I also wasn't anxious to jump back on the computer to develop new large imagery. And the beauty of working small, is that it gives me a sense of freedom to work on new techniques. 

detail from "a la folie"

The details above illustrate how I'm developing my mark making through scraping and rubbing. Keeping in the spirit of the season of cooking, I used olive oil to rub off excess paint. Reheating the area with a heat gun caused the paint to separate in areas, adding texture to the work. 

"a la folie" 12 x 24

The Great Poppy Takeover

"ratatouille", 36" x 54" at Patricia Rovzar Gallery in December

Poppies are addictive. Although the big bloom was early summer, they have taken over the studio for many months.

Earlier in the year, I opened up my photo archives to discover hundreds of images of the opiate flower snapped over the summer. Thinking this must be some kind of sign, I decided to give in. I have two more small poppy paintings to complete, and a large commission.

detail from ratatouille

In order to keep the topic fresh, I am deconstructing some of the forms to give more of an impression of the flower within its environment.

"wild rubies", 2 panels, 50" x 48" overall, soon to deliver to Pryor Fine Art, Atlanta 

I'm also adding more exposed brushwork. Some of the branches and leaves take on a calligraphic quality. 

details from "wild rubies"

"Some say that doing the same thing over and over is boring. 

Others say that doing the same thing over and over can be a door to an experience that transcends boredom." 

- Richard Stine, Pal Press Greeting Card.

Pryor Fine Art

I am honored to be accepted for representation by the prestigious Pryor Fine Art in Atlanta, Georgia. I join a talented and mature group of artists including encaustic artists John Folsom, Jeff Cohen and Tom Brydelsky; mixed media artists Andre Petterson, Todd Alexander, Paula Landrem, Michael Barringer and Michael Moon; and painters Susie Pryor, Amy Cannady, Peter Bruega and more! If you find youself in Atlanta, be sure to stop in to see my work, and give my regards to gallery director, Tiffany Hay.

Atlanta Bound

"secret signals", 36" x 40"

Call me crazy. I'm absolutely thrilled to have my work shown by the prestigious Pryor Fine Art in Atlanta Georgia. But am I out of my mind sending encaustic to the hot south in June?

"my interesting neighbors", 48" x 40", diptych

I've decided to use the professional packaging and shipping services of Artech for this first batch. A small fortune, but I wanted to get my first national presence off the ground with confidence.

"a capricious little breeze

", 36" x 40"

When I know the final cost for crating and shipping 5 panels (4 paintings) I'll be sure to post it.

"gaia's window", 36" x 40"