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Why Would I Buy An Art Print?

July 10th, 2021

Why Would I Buy An Art Print?

I get that question a lot. Perhaps the better question would be: “Why would I NOT buy an art print?”

An “art print”, as the name implies, is a “reproduction” of an “original” work of art. A work of art, when printed on an archival-quality medium using reproduction techniques that ensure the integrity of color and line, will be just as beautiful as the original. The difference is that the “print” is much more affordable than the “original” for the average consumer. Instead of paying $300 and up for an original, the art print may sell for $50 and up. This allows the consumer to purchase several quality works of art for the price of one original!

In my case, I create original hand-drawn digital art. Digital art is art created on a computer and then reproduced by a printing method. The “original” is the image on the computer. The “art print” is its reproduction.

You Only Need To Be Concerned With Four Things When Purchasing An Art Print

(1) What printing process was used?

When investing in an art print, you want to purchase prints that were printed by a company that uses archival-quality paper and archival-quality inks. This printing process is referred to as giclee (pronounced zhi-clay). This ensures that the print colors will not fade over time and the paper will not deteriorate over time. The prints that I offer are reproduced using this process.

(2) Should I purchase an artwork from an Unknown artist?

Remember even Picasso was “unknown” once. If the artwork catches your eye and you keep going back to it when you are searching for the perfect piece, then this is the work that is made for you!

The advantage of purchasing works by unknown artists is that you will not walk into another home with the same artwork. You will not walk into Walmart and see a rack of replicas of it in a cheap finish. Your artwork will be unique! Your home will be unique! You may have even discovered the next “Rembrandt”.

(3) Is this artwork something that I will love once I get it in my home?

Ever go into an art store or shop online, see something that looks like a possibility and then agonize over how the artwork would look in your home? With the advent of print-on-demand companies, it is so easy now to purchase, at a very reasonable price, countless art prints. And each artwork can now be reproduced in so many sizes, frames, and materials that it overwhelms most of us.

So, you may ask, How do you manage all of these choices without losing my mind? Well, several online companies, that specialize in print-on-demand art, now use the capability of augmented reality (AR) on their websites to show you exactly how the art will look in your home on your walls. And all you need is a SmartPhone to work this magic!

You select the artwork that you like on the website, click on the AR app provided by the company site, point your phone at the wall you want to hang the art and Walla! There is the art displayed on your wall! You can immediately tell if the art works with your home décor. If the size you originally selected seems too small for the space, you can select a larger sizes. If the original size is too large, you can decrease the size.

Once you find the appropriate size for your wall area, then start trying out different frames and matting options that the site provides – all with AR so that you can see exactly what you are buying. Some companies will even ship the artwork ready to hang!

But what if the artwork you have fallen in love with is not sold on a website with AR capability? After all, we all have budgets we have to live within. No one wants to pay good money for something and then be unhappy with the purchase. Well, what I would do in this case is find a site with AR. Select an artwork they offer that is similar to the one you want – a landscape, a cityscape, people, etc. close to the color scheme and style that you like. Then select the size of the print and the matting and framing close again to the one you wanted. Through the magic of AR you can see what the artwork will look like on your wall! Now you know what to order from the company where the artwork you like is being sold.

Unfortunately AR is not functioning on my Art website. However, one of the companies with AR for works of art is Saatchi. Just search for this app on your SmartPhone.

(4) Satisfaction Guaranteed or Buyer's Remorse!

Be sure you understand what your options are if you decide you are not happy with the artwork after it arrives. Check the exchange, refund and return policies. Most companies have a customer service person who will be happy to answer all of your questions. Art purchased through my website gives you 30 days from placement of the order for you to determine if the product meets your standards. If the product is defective, the product will be replaced at no cost. If the product is not defective; however, you can return or exchange it but you will have to pay the return shipping.

How Do I Know We Are All One Family?

May 6th, 2021

How Do I Know We Are All One Family?

What is My Personal Story?

I think it is important that you understand what I am trying to convey with the art that I create in my collection: “We Are All One Family”.

I am white. I grew up in a housing project in Richmond, CA in the 1940’s. The housing units were segregated by skin color. Whites and people of color lived in separate buildings in the project. The "working poor", like my parents who did not have an 8th grade education, lived amid alcoholics, petty thieves, and prostitutes in the “white only” designated units and the “colored” designated units, alike.

Our public school was a row of one-story connected trailer-like wooden building – one for each classroom. There was no school library and, in fact, we did not even have the word “library” in our vocabulary. Despite these issues, there was one major benefit: I went to school at an early age in a world that was desegregated. Students of Chinese descent and students of African descent were in my classes. We were all just children and friends. Skin color meant no more to us than eye or hair color. To us, one skin color was not better or worse than another.

But, then in 1950, my parents moved to St. Louis. We no longer lived in a housing project; we now lived in a building that could only be described as a slum. When we turned out the lights in the evening, hundreds of large roaches emerged from under the baseboards and swarmed over everything. It was not unusual to get out of bed in the morning and find a few crushed roaches in the bed. In my neighborhood, we were all poor to lower middle-class. Yet, housing was still segregated. Public schools were segregated. Department store lunch counters were segregated. Movie theaters were segregated. Bathrooms were segregated. People of color and whites could not marry each other. And, on and on. The children and parents that I came in contact with appeared to think this was the natural order of things and should not be changed. Coming from a different paradigm, I was confused as to why this was going on.

Sadly, there are many people living today who still hold this as a truth – that one group of people is better than another just because of skin color. I want my art to help change this perception. My art focuses on depicting the common emotions and bonds that all people experience regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.

Now Let’s Do a Quick Dive into Genetic Genealogy!

I am my family’s historian and, because of that, have for the past six years been a student of genetic genealogy.

I think everyone should have their DNA analyzed through National Geographic to understand who they are in relationship to other people on our planet. National Geographic’s DNA test, unlike Ancestry, 23andMe and the rest, shows you your deep genetic history back over 300,000 years.

If female, you learn that your mitochondria DNA, like the mitochondria of all female humans on this planet today, is directly descended from a woman who lived 180,000 years ago in the Riff Valley in what is today Ethiopia.

If you are male, your Y-chromosome DNA, like the Y-chromosome DNA of all male humans on this planet today, can be traced back to a man who lived 300,000 years ago also in the Riff Valley.

Somewhere around 180,000 years ago the descendants of this man mated with our female ancestor. And because of that, we, their descendants, exist. That is not to say that these two people were the only humans alive at that time, just that, for whatever reason, their descendants were the only humans to survive to modern times.

Therefore, we all started out from the same place on Earth, from the same great-great-etc grandparents, and all looking the same. Skin color and facial feature changes evolved over time as our ancestors migrated to different parts of the world and faced different environments to which they had to adapt.

With genetic testing kits being commonplace today, the belief is that our DNA can sort us into categories like the “five races:” African, European, Asian, Oceania, and Native American. However, all these test companies are doing is sorting us back to the migration patterns of our ancestors over the last 300 – 500 years. There is no scientific evidence that supports the concept of race. In fact, the term “race” has no scientific underpinnings. Classification of groups of people by “race” is merely a means to justify subjugation of those groups.

From our genetic history, we know that All People Are Related. We Are All One Family. We are all entitled to respect and equality in rights and opportunities. However, we know that the playing field is no way level in the US even today. Overt racism is easy to recognize and denounce. Unfortunately, racism and segregation also exist in subtle ways that are not so easily recognized. Recommended reading: "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America", by Richard Rothstein and "The New Jim Crow (Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness) by Michelle Alexander.

Featured Art

In this Blog, I decided to feature an artwork from my collection "We Are All One Family!" sub-collection "African". This image is of an African mother and her child with the words below the image: "I wouldn't change my child for the world, but I wish I could change the world for my child." As for me, I, too, wish I could change the world! Hopefully my artwork will help a little to change a few hearts and minds.

Now Your Turn

What was your experience with segregation and racism when you were growing up? What about today? Please contact me at Lescrog@aol.com. I would love to know your story.

Also, please let me know of topics you would like discussed.

Until next month, stay safe and well!

Linda Scroggin
artist@art4acause.net

How Did The Wondrous Earth Collection Get Its Name?

May 6th, 2021

How Did The Wondrous Earth Collection Get Its Name?

HOW DID THE "WONDROUS EARTH" COLLECTION GET ITS NAME?

An American of Chinese descent purchased one of my art prints last November. He was so pleased with the print of a Chinese village that he posted a picture of it on FB and tagged me. There were a lot of positive comments from his friends. One comment was from a published award-winning author and poet, Nona Mock Wyman. She wrote an enchanting haiku (ancient Asian poem style) about the artwork. I asked permission to use this haiku and she was pleased to be so honored. She and I have been corresponding ever since and I have made a dear and special friend.

Nona Mock Wyman has recently received additional honors. She was interviewed for the California Library system as part of their Asian studies collection. “Planet China” honored eight women on International Women’s Day. Nona was one of the eight. She was gracious enough to kindly mention that I have incorporated several of her haiku in my artwork.

Here is the list of art in my Asian sub-collection, many of which include Nona's haiku. I hope you will view these and let me know what you think.

Title: Chinese Village By The River
I redid the Chinese village image using Nona's haiku at the top. And I changed my collection name from, “There is Only One Earth”, to the first line of the haiku, “The Wondrous Earth”. This artwork shows a Chinese village by a river. Architecture from diverse cultures enrich us all. The haiku says: “the wondrous earth/by sea, ancient dwellings/alas paradise” by Nona Mock Wyman, haiku-yun. The Chinese Village composition, including the haiku, is displayed at the top of this blog.
Title: Happiness May Be Enjoyed
We Are All One Family! This artwork shows that all peoples can find comfort in the company of friends and family and in the simple act of sharing food. The haiku above the image is: "Etched upon each face/Soul's desire to achieve/Family blessed” by Nona Mock Wyman, haiku-yun. Below the image is: "Course Rice for Food. Water for Drink, Happiness may be enjoyed even in these. Confucius"

Title: Asian Mother Reading
We Are All One Family! This artwork depicts a mother and daughter of Asian descent. The mother is reading to the child at bedtime. This is an act that is common across many cultures. The artwork contains a haiku: "books are wonderful friends/expanding one's soul to flight/intermingling minds" by Nona Mock Wyman, haiku-yun.

Title: Blossoming Moment
We Are All One Family! This artwork shows how mothers of all races and cultures help their young daughters become young women. The artwork contains the haiku: "shyness of child/gently merging with love/blossoming moment" by Nona Mock Wyman, haiku-yun.

Title: Chinese Beauty
We Are All One Family! This artwork shows the universality of women wanting to look attractive. The message below the image is: “Beauty is the Wisdom of Woman. Confucius”

Title: Chinese Folk Dancer
We Are All One Family! The child, dressed in her native dance costume to perform the Water Dance, is in front of a map of China. The message below the image is: "Dance is the Beautiful Language All Cultures Speak, Chinese Folk Dancer."

Title: Korean Folk Dancer
We Are All One Family! The child is dressed in her native dance costume in front of a map of S. Korea. The message at the bottom of the image is: "Dance is the Beautiful Language All Cultures Speak, Korean Folk Dancer."

Title: Unforeseen Treasures
The Wondrous Earth! This artwork shows the life teeming by a coral reef. With coral reefs dying, these plants and fish will also go extinct. “The haiku at the bottom is: “the depth of life/ treasures unforeseen/awaken am I” by nona mock wyman - haiku yun

Title: Koi Pond
The Wondrous Earth! This artwork shows the elegant beauty of a koi pond. A place to reflect and to refresh the soul.

THE RACISM OCCURRING IN AMERICA IS NOT NEW!

From ASPIRE (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Rising and Empowering)

“On March 26, 1790, the Naturalization Act was signed into law, prohibiting non-white people from becoming citizens of the United States.
Over 200 years later, the Asian community is still suffering from the effects of the racism our country was founded upon. Asian American and Pacific Islander elders are being physically assaulted in the streets. AAPI children are afraid to go back to school. And we're still reeling from the murders of 6 Asian women in a racially-motivated killing spree in Atlanta this week.

Reports show that there have been around 3,000 COVID-related hate crimes against Asian Americans since last spring alone, and that number is speculated to be a huge underestimation of the actual number of cases.

During Trump's presidency, we saw an alarming increase in anti-Asian hate crimes, and although Trump is out of office, his enablement of bold racism remains ingrained in our country -- and Asian Americans are the ones paying the price.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO!

I could include the same type of racial incidents and statistics for the other minority groups in the US – Muslims, Blacks, People of Color, LGBTQs, Jews, Hispanics and anyone who does not look like a White Christian whose family came from Western Europe.

Do not ignore harassment of others. On the internet there are several suggestions for what you can SAFELY do if you happen upon a scene of racial harassment or violence.

Remember, there is also another way to help: 100% of profits from purchases of my art goes directly to fight for equal rights and opportunities for all peoples and to protect the environment and wildlife.


NOW YOUR TURN

Do you think that my art in the Asian sub-collection helps non-Asians think about how “We Are All One Family” even when we are from diverse cultures and don’t all look like we are of White Western European descent? Please let me know your thoughts.

What was your experience with racial harassment? Please contact me. I would love to know your story.

Also, please let me know of topics you would like discussed.

UNTIL NEXT MONTH

Stay safe and well!

Linda Scroggin
artist@art4acause.net




Are You An Anti-racist, Feminist?

May 6th, 2021

ARE YOU AN ANTIRACIST, FEMINIST INTERESTED IN WORKING TO SOLVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS? IF SO, YOU WILL WANT TO READ THIS!

EXCERPTS FROM “Diversifying Power” by Dr. Jennie Stephens (2020) (IslandPress.com)

“Dr. Jennie Stephens is the Director of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, and the Dean’s Professor of Sustainability Science and Policy at Northeastern University in Boston.”

“In Diversifying Power, energy expert Jennie Stephens argues that the key to effectively addressing the climate crisis is diversifying leadership so that antiracist, feminist priorities are central. All politics is now climate politics, so all policies, from housing to health, now have to integrate climate resilience and renewable energy.”
“Diversifying Power offers hope and optimism. Stephens shows how the biggest challenges facing society are linked and anyone can get involved to leverage the power of collective action. By highlighting the creative individuals and organizations making change happen, she provides inspiration and encourages transformative action on climate and energy justice.”

“The dominance of technocratic, white, male perspectives on climate and energy has inhibited investments in social change and social innovations. With new leadership and diverse voices, we can strengthen climate resilience, reduce racial and economic inequities, and promote social justice.”

NOW YOUR TURN

Do you think that my art in the “Wondrous Earth” collection makes people think about endangered species and an endangered earth?

What are your thoughts about fighting to protect the earth and all living things? Please contact me. I would love to know your story.

Also, please let me know of topics you would like discussed.

UNTIL NEXT MONTH

Stay safe and well!

Linda Scroggin
artist@art4acause.net