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.

color variation in wax medium

Left: new bag of RF Encaustic Medium     Right: original batch of same medium

I'm in the beginning of frenzy mode for my next solo show, so even the smallest of disruptions to my work plan can be irritating.

The current culprit for my diminished comfort is a new batch of R&F pellet medium that I recently received from the Dick Blick online store.

This is the first time I've noticed a significant shift in color quality. The bag on the left is the new batch. It may be difficult to see in the photo, but the pellets are remarkably yellower than the original bag on the right.

I called R&F to see if they changed their mix, or wax, or methods. They had not, and the nice customer service person I spoke with said that since the wax is an organic substance, there will be variation in pigmentation of the medium. She suggested that placing the wax pellets in sunlight will bleach them to my desired level.

This is surprising news to me, because I always thought that wax was impervious to UV. In the spirit of experimentation, I've proceeded with the test. After 5-days, still no perceptible change. I'll keep trying until I run out of wax and need to use the pellets to finish the show.

The yellow wax is especially confounding because I believe that the clearer the medium, the less it effects the color of my base image. My newest work has a lot of cool white background areas. The yellowing of the background caused by the medium will require more layering of transparent white to bring it up to a level I like.

It's simply a matter of more hours in the studio. Good thing I like my job.

hard at work

Brushes are out and wax is hot. Two paintings just completed, one on the easel, one at the waxing station, two ready to print and glue.

My gallery has requested large pieces for the June show. Next up: figuring out dimensions so I can get an order in to HoldStudios in enough time to finish those big babies!

Stephanie Hargrave, Proliferous

Stephanie Hargrave, detail

Missing opening night of a talented and popular local artist can have it's advantages. I love going to the openings to support the artist, and experience the excitement in the room. But often there is so much energy in the room, that I find myself missing some really beautiful details.

Stephanie Hargrave, detail

This was exactly the case for the January show at Patricia Rovzar Gallery featuring new work from encaustic artist Stephanie Hargrave.

Stephanie Hargrave, detail

Stephanie's newest body of work displays both the maturity of an established artist, and the joy in exploring the depth and breadth of a difficult medium. I found myself getting so close to the paintings that my nose almost grazed the surface. There are bumps and etchings, and layers upon layers of yummy wax to explore with your eyes. It is almost impossible to resist caressing the surfaces with my hands. Lovely.

Stephanie Hargrave, Proliferous

Patricia Rovzar Gallery

through January 31st, 2014

Catch Up!

I've been remiss in updates to my blog, so todays post is an attempt to summarize my work over the past few months.

I completed a large commission for the cafeteria of a Puget Sound Hospital,

flight, 30 x 132

painted four new pieces for the annual December show at Patricia  Rovzar Gallery

I'll not forget you, 32 x 24

morning dance, 36 x 32

the heart finds its morning, 30 x 52

touch softly, 44 x 14

experimented with several new figurative studies,

plunge, 18 x 36 

the grass was wet with dew, 36 x 24

and began work on a new body of work for my next solo show in June 2014 at Patricia Rovzar Gallery.

photo mounted and  ready for wax

Over the next few months I promise to post updates of my progress. Happy New Year!

New Year, New Gallery

I am pleased to announce representation by the outstanding contemporary art gallery,  Forré & Company, in Aspen and Vail.

Forré represents some of the most respected contemporary artists in America, including a few of my personal favorites: Lynda Lowe, Judith Kindler, Julie Spiedel, Ashley Collins, Kris Cox, Michael Schultheis, Victoria Adams and Michael Shemchuk.

They now have eight of my paintings available for viewing and purchase. If you have the good fortune to make a trip to Vail or Aspen this ski season, please stop by to visit this beautiful gallery.