Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9412080001
SECTION: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PAGE: HGG-17 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Cormany said that many times it's parents who are trying to help their kids decorate new apartments or homes, since "a lot of younger people don't have the money to buy original art."
Cormany & Turner gallery deals almost exclusively in one-of-a-kind pieces, said Cormany, especially local art. Cormany believes that buying local art is a show of support for the local economy. Ann Masters, executive director of Clean Valley Council and art broker, agrees.
"I feel strongly about giving original art because I believe in supporting local stores and artists," said Masters. "If the people here don't support local artists, who is going to?" She suggested not only browsing through local art galleries, but checking out the downtown Roanoke City Market on Sunday afternoons, when artists take over the farmer's stalls.
"I got a wonderful watercolor down there by a young artist that was a detail of the Grandin Theatre," she said.
Masters mentioned a woodsmith she has seen on the market with "museum-quality things." She also said to keep an eye out for outsider art.
They are "self-taught artists who work outside of the traditional art world," said artist and art teacher Brian Sieveking. Masters also suggested exploring craft shops as well as the Sidewalk Art Show portion of Roanoke's annual Festival In The Park.
Both Cormany and Masters are adamant about one thing: Do not buy art for investment purposes.
"Unless you have a lot of money, it's real hard to guess the New York market. I encourage buying for passion. I think you love art more when you know the artist," added Masters.
Cormany said that information about local artists is always available at art galleries, and many artists welcome calls or visits to their studios by appointment.
Cormany advised buying art first, then decorating the room around it, but in any case, buy what you really like. "Most of our people never, ever, want to resell it. Art's a personal thing, and everybody reacts to a piece personally," she said.
Which makes buying art as a holiday gift somewhat difficult, although Masters said it is a creative and thoughtful present. She said what you first need to know is if the recipient likes prints, blown glass or ceramics. Is there a space restriction? Do they like bird feeders? Are they into sophisticated Asian art - and if so, you may want to get something other than that, so you're not competing with an expensive collection.
If you're stumped, but still want to pursue artwork, Masters suggested a gift certificate and a trip to a local gallery with the recepient.
Cormany advised evaluating what kind of art the recipient already has, and trying to deduce from that what their preferences are. Her policy is to encourage taking home a piece of artwork prior to purchasing it, on approval. That helps "because we don't want anybody to be unhappy with their purchase. Especially because we always pay the artist before we pay ourselves," she said.
Cormany said she has even been giving her small daughter art on a regular basis. "I think art is a more unique gift," she said.
Eric Fitzpatrick, a well-recognized local artist, said the holiday season is without a doubt his busiest time of year. So busy, in fact, that for commissioned pieces he advises calling during the spring to get the ball rolling.
''The holiday season is the lion's share of my work," said Fitzpatrick, whether it's a landscape, an architectural rendering of a home or a humorous portrait.
Fitzpatrick, who has had his own business for 20 years, said one of his first steps in commissioned work is to meet with clients and get a good sense of their aesthetics. Clients, he advised, should have a vision of what they want. The hardest task of all is trying to create art for a client who says, "just do me a painting."
He then draws up a contract, complete with final cost and delivery date - "and it never deviates from that" - because he said that's what he would want from an artist. "There's no reason art shouldn't be business-like," he said.
With humorous portraits, he interviews his client and tries to get a good picture of the subject's idiosyncrasies. But he's also careful to ask what to avoid in the portrayal, because people can be sensitive about certain aspects of their character.
Because much of his work around the holidays is meant to be surprise gifts, he has a strict policy of keeping his mouth shut.
"I don't talk much about my projects, and I don't name-drop when I'm talking."
by CNB