As this painter goes, this is a successful piece -- the colors are generally good and the reflections in the water are well rendered, though bear in mind that they look better in a small size reproduction than in the original: the actual piece is 26 x 26 inches and if you see it up close in person you will realize how intrusive the brushwork is and how little of the liquid feel of the water remains as a result on closer inspection; this one is definitely best admired from 6 or 7 meters away, in other words. And this is a relatively successful piece, I say, since others by the same fellow are significantly less technically attained (and most reek of fake modiglianismo). Yet Bonhams is putting them all on auction in the absolutely breathtaking price range of HK$1,500,000 - 2,500,000 (US$190,000 - 320,000) each.
Bonham's is a good outfit and I have no doubt they read the market right, yet I cannot help feeling incredulous. Really? Why? A street hawker just outside my house turns out approximately ten of these a day and will sell you a day's production for probably 50 euros, if you haggle well. (His first price is 50 each, but he never sells more than a piece day, so most of his work either rots or gets scrapped, which makes me feel certain that a deal can be struck, especially if you throw in a beer or two).
Which brings me to my point. Why aren't all of you painting for a living? It is a well paying profession even at the economic bottom; apparently, the sky is the limit on the upside; and not much actual painting skill is required. And if you have children, please, forget the usual law, medicine, and engineering bit. The obvious economic call is: Paint, young men, paint!
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I have thought about this myself. I few paintings of urban alienation, a "show" at a local cafe full of alienated urbanites, and voila! I can quit my job and devote my time fully to being alienated.
i think you should try it; set about it completely mercenarily and without any illusions; milk the market; and when you have reached your success, publish an expose making a fool of everyone; and call it a "project" ("intervention art"?)
You know, there's enough of a Situationist in me that I just might do this...I will, if nothing else, finally learn to draw and paint a bit...
when i was a kid i wanted to be a novelist and write adventure novels; but when i turned 20 i realized that i would rather live an adventure novel; ie write one with my own life (this is literally what i wrote in my journal then); so i suppose i am a "situationist"? and my life is a work of literature?
Sir G, that's a wonderful analogy. Perhaps that's also my problem - I still want to write novels so maybe that's why I'm stuck where I am!
That´s why i am adamant not to write; and when i do, not to finish; and certainly never to publish. i would rather live an interesing life of adventure than be remembered as a great novelist with a dull life. (aka thomas mann). :)
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