A famous work of art can be a phenomenal investment if you have the funds available, but at a lower level you may want to consider some of the up and coming artists, and mid range valued pieces from $10,000 to $250,000.  If that’s still not in your price range I’m suggesting taking a look at top of the line art that hasn’t yet priced you out of the market, but is yet unrecognized by the big spenders.  Art that fits your decor and tastes, and has a growing demand is the perfect art investment.  There are some terrific opportunities if you’re careful and willing to do your research, and someone I’d consider is David Manuel from La Grande, Oregon, an important bronze sculpture artist.  I’m biased toward David’s art as I’m personally acquainted with David and his lovely wife Lee, but I feel who wouldn’t be biased after seeing his art in person.  David is widely acclaimed as one of the best bronze sculptors in the country, and rightly so.  He produces some amazing pieces and you never realize the amount of research, fine detail and artistry he’s invested into each piece until you see one of his works in person.  David specializes in pioneer Western themes and Western U.S. history, such as famous native Americans  (benevolently known in the West as American Indians), pioneer history, and animals native to the western United States.  Since his personal story is such a unique one I’ll be submitting an historical article later about his family’s gigantic renovation project they’ve taken on at Hot Lake Springs, Oregon (“The Mayo Clinic of the West”).

Here are some of David’s most famous works, and some can be seen in their gallery photos:

•   Hondo Lane & Sam (John Wayne with his dog)

•  Council Fire on the Columbia (Lewis & Clark depiction)

•  The Shootist (John Wayne on Horseback)

•  John Wayne American

•  Rolling Thunder (American Indian sculpture)

•  U.S. Marshal (life size sculpture at the Pentagon)

•  The Promised Land  (“A weary pioneer family on the Oregon Trail”)

Some of David’s other noted accomplishments in the art field are his designation by the state of Oregon as the official sculptor for the Oregon Trail Celebration, John Wayne Family official sculptor (Wayne Enterprises), sculptor of the “U.S Marshall” life size bronze at the Pentagon and at the U.S. Justice Department, Washington, D.C., and the bronze monument at Custer Battlefield National Monument named “The Recall,” Battle of the Little Bighorn, Montana.

David is not only known for his bronze works, but also his paintings and drawings.  At the age of 3 ½ his sketches of airplanes were already being sold by his aunt to pilots at a local air base at Walla Walla, WA.  Some of his paintings today are valued as high as $20,000, and he and the family have crafted monuments that range in value as high as a million dollars (Council Fire on the Columbia).

You fine wine connoisseurs may be familiar with the beautiful Walla Walla valley in the state of Washington, and the highly rated world famous and prize winning wines and art culture.  This could be a great vacation for those who love the art culture and love sampling fine wines as there are over 100 wineries in the valley.  People from all over the world come to the valley for the tours, tastes, and art culture that abounds.  Only 90 minutes away is the Manuel family’s bronze foundry, art complex, bed and breakfast, restaurant, museum, theater, and western historical complex they’ve been working on since 2005 and over $6,000,000 invested in one of the oldest historical sites in Oregon, Hot Lake Springs.

Bronze by David Manuel

Art can be a great investment, but be sure to do your research before you buy.  There was a big drop in art values in 2008, but the turn around has been just as dramatic in the higher investment grade arts.  “In 2007 the art market reached unprecedented highs, with the global revenue for Fine Art reaching $9.39 billion, more than double the 2005 total ” says Thierry Ehrmann, CEO of Art Price.  Mr. Ehrmann goes on to show that art auction global revenues (from noted auction establishments such as Christies and Sothebys) practically doubled in 2010 versus 2009 sales.  The total for the later year was at $9.36 billion and was almost 3 times the amount sold at auction world wide in 2000.  Modern art represented 51% of those sales in 2010, with post war art coming in second at 18%, meaning there’s a very good chance of an abundance of later fine art having room for some valuable appreciation.  An important point made in the article was the fact that more and more people are getting into fine art as investments, and that China has now become the number one art seller at auction in the world.

The art market can be a great investment with the right pieces, but don’t expect it to be a quick flip for high profit, nor even an especially even rise to the top.  If you buy, buy something you will enjoy and plan on owning for a long time.  If you research carefully and don’t over price you’re likely to at least keep from losing value in your money and a good chance of gaining some real value over time.  Purchase wisely, enjoy what you buy, and plan on keeping it a long time.  Don’t forget to use some artificial plants, wall sconces, or silk floral arrangements to accent your art smartly.  Use the best art accents and they will add even more to your art enjoyment.

My Best,  Billy Goldmark                                             Silky Flower Store