Original Art – Featured in August
Featured, one of a kind art in August:
he City Of Gods by Stamatis Grigoropoulos
Aftermath BY John Need
Ventura Pier II by Kevin Charbonneau
The Stalker by Debra Raskin
Covered By Colors by Joni Dalia
Running Man by David Johnson
Visual Stimuli by Chad Settlemier
Corridor Of Colour by Stephen Barnes
Araba by Debra Raskin
Los Pecados by Rolando Espinoza
Against The Elelments by David Johnson
The End Of Modern Architecture by David Johnson
Solid As A..... by Michael Phillips
Lightleg by Frenk Kaufmann
Lone Tree by Michael Phillips
The Temple Of Poseidon by Stamatis Grigoropoulos
Curious Fairy by Steven Whitfield
The No Equivalent Gallery is the home of original, collector quality art created by an exclusive community of top artists. Exhibiting the first one of a kind photography in the world, every No Equivalent artwork is personalized to a single client’s needs.
Customizable Art Originals
It is exclusivity that makes original art extraordinary and puts it at a class by itself, yet the one positive that it could never capture is flexibility. Yes it’s the jewel of an artist’s creations, one of a kind and high quality, but it’s when you need it to fit your space and decor that it often falls short and simply doesn’t.
It is interesting that high end art, of which art originals are part, was never expected to be flexible; even though most of the time it was used as wall decor. So it’s not surprising that many interior designers find dealing with art originals challenging and time consuming as finding the one that fits a space requires an extensive search.
The problem that original art has always faced is that a client can only purchase it once it’s already
- Designed,
- Printed & Framed, and
- Exhibited in a Gallery
If the art’s already printed and framed then it is not flexible and can only fit a particular space.
Therefore, in order to make original art flexible, the process of its creation has to be rearranged such that a Client can provide input prior to the print’s creation.
Up until recently, the only way to do this was by intervening right at the beginning of the process by asking an artist to create a commissioned, original artwork.
The advantage of this approach is that the client has an immense amount of input into the art’s creation. On the other hand, its disadvantage is that the client doesn’t get to see the finished artwork when placing the order and risks getting stuck with an artwork that isn’t to his/her liking.
The No Equivalent Gallery offers an alternative to this approach by exhibiting its artists’ original artworks in an online gallery. The client then browses the art and selects the one he/she likes. It is only then that the artwork is put into its print form, which is customized to the client’s space.
The advantage here is that the original art is made to fit the client’s space and the client gets to see it before purchase. The disadvantage is that if the client wants input into the art’s artistic creation then commissioned art is the way to go.
It is these new methods that push Original Art closer to perfection by making it flexible and personalized.
Original Art – Featured in June
Featured, one of a kind art in June:
The Haunted Factory by Stamatis Grigoropoulos
Curve by David Johnson
Lowern by Frenk Kaufmann
Tree Snake Holds Tight by Jak Wonderly
Nocturnal Fairies by Steven Whitfield
Ventura Pier by Kevin Charbonneau
Green Winked Eye by Joni Dalia
The City Of Athens by Stamatis Grigoropoulos
Butterfly by Debra Raskin
Rockfall by Michael Phillips
Yellow Daisy by Kevin Charbonneau
Woodland by Steven Whitfield
IceIceBlue by John Need
On Top Of The World by Joni Dalia
Breaking Into The Past by Stamatis Grigoropoulos
Abandoned Pier by David Johnson
A Seat With A View by David Johnson
Sea Turtle by David Lenhert
The No Equivalent Gallery of Original Art is home to one of a kind, collector quality art created by an exclusive community of top artists. Each artwork on display is one of a kind as it’s the only print, from the only edition ever made from an artist’s vision.
Art – Brings Out the Child in the Successful
In the world of high stakes business, only the calm, bright, and calculated survive and thrive. This makes it that much more interesting that these same leaders find the child in themselves when they get involved with art.
In its current issue, ARTnews posted a very interesting article describing Norton Simon’s secret bidding signals (recommended read) when he used to go to Christie’s auctions in order to acquire art for his collection. At the same time that Norton Simon put a stamp on the food industry through calculated moves and acquisitions, his unorthodox style when it came to art, his passion, were more like the moves of a child than a cool business leader.
Just one more way and further proof that art brings us closer to our true, pure, selves.
Original Art – Featured in May
Featured, one of a kind art in May:
A Bow To The Sea by Stamatis Grigoropoulos
The Dragonfly by Stamatis Grigoropoulos
Dream Little Boy by Stamatis Grigoropoulos
Flowbridge II by Frenk Kaufmann
DoubleV by Frenk Kaufmann
Hide And Seek by Joni Dalia
Araba by Debra Raskin
Calm Waters by Stamatis Grigoropoulos
Coastal Defence by David Johnson
Street Light Shadow by Chad Settlemier
Field Of Dreams by Steven Whitfield
Edge Of The Sea by David Johnson
Reflection Of A Fairy by Steven Whitfield
Simply Beautyful by Joni Dalia
Mt. San Gorgonio by Kevin Charbonneau
Her Thoughts by Rolando Espinoza
Tunnel At Sea by Rolando Espinoza
A Family Portrait by Joni Dalia
The No Equivalent Gallery of Original Art is home to one of a kind, collector quality art created by an exclusive community of top artists. Each artwork on display is one of a kind as it’s the only print, from the only edition ever made from an artist’s vision.
Masterpiece in the Making
Many artworks make their reputation by engaging the public through their genuine beauty. Other artworks draw value from the reputation of their famous creators, the artists. However, for an artwork to achieve the highest honor, to become a masterpiece, it has to have both.
Beauty connects with its audience, brings out emotion, is intimate and inspiring. Beautiful art can foster large followings as the general public finds it appealing and understands its value.
Unfortunately this is not enough.
The art market is unique in that each artwork requires a stamp of approval from “in the know” individuals, rather than the general public, to reach its value potential. These curators, art critics, and galleries often rely on artist reputation in order to provide their endorsement and therefore art by unknown artists often finds it difficult to overcome this hurdle.
On the flip side, some art doesn’t even fit the taste of the most open minded art lover, leaving its value dependent solely on the reputation of its artist. Because the reputation of its artist is established enough, it attracts investors, rather than art lovers, to purchase the art for its potential investment value.
While such art often commands great value, it cannot become a masterpiece until it becomes accepted by the public and this requires intrinsic appeal.
Masterpieces are artworks that create a connection with their audience as well as boast the name of a famous artist. It is parallel to having an interesting design catch your eye and then hearing that its made by a quality brand. Since a famous brand is required for art to be of high value and intrinsic beauty is required for it to be accepted by the public, it is only the combination of the two that puts an artwork on top of the pedestal, immortalizes its creator., and makes for a masterpiece.
Original or Derivative Art
Our search for the ultimate original artwork has brought us to the root of originality, its definition.
Originality (wikipedia) is the aspect of created or invented works by as being new or novel, and thus can be distinguished from reproductions, clones, forgeries, or derivative works.
This definition establishes a complex paradox as an original artwork cannot be a derivative, yet the term is so broad that everything has the potential to be a derivative of something. This is particularly relevant in the art world as the line between unoriginal derivatives of established norms and original works simply inspired by these norms is blurred.
Art is often inspired by existing objects, concepts, forms, or thoughts; those same influences that have led the crafts of countless artists since the dawn of time. We take it for granted that the world around us shapes our thoughts but do not realize that this same influence boxes our minds into reality and makes our thinking less original. People walk on the ground, clouds hover above us, red is red, and blue is not green.
An artwork inspired by such external influence may be argued as unoriginal since it is a derivative of the exact influence that inspired it. If this is the case then we would argue that all human made art is not original as it is created by people and all people are inspired by their surroundings.
Now we have gone too far. The nonexistence of original art, as implied by taking the definition of “derivative work” too literally, is nonsensical and therefore we offer an alternative translation. The critical aspect that separates original art from a derivative work is whether the artwork bends the influences it is based on and presents its audience a new, original perspective. It is about the resulting message, not the origin.
We often applaud art that flies in the face of dominant, and sometimes oppressive, norms and stereotypes as we realize and admire its original perspective. We do not consider it original because it is free external influence, on the contrary, we consider it original because it takes that same influence and provides us an original take on it.
To be original, art need not be uninspired, it should simply be different.
Original Art – Featured in March
Featured, one of a kind art in March:
Secret Hide Out by Joni Dalia
Forgotten Harbour by David Johnson
Green Reflection by Debra Raskin
Ventura Sunset II by Kevin Charbonneau
Equatable Conclusion by Hugo Gatsby
Church Sealing by Rolando Espinoza
Lowlie by Frenk Kaufmann
Standing Against The Elements - David Johnson
Flying By by David Johnson
In Sync by Debra Raskin
Violet Dream Space by Chad Settlemier
Running Man by David Johnson
Droplets 3 by Eric Blackman
Winter Outcome by Reggie Linsao
The Catch by Aaron Easton
Burn The Light by Rolando Espinoza
Painted Desert by Kevin Charbonneau
Tiny Classic by Jak Wonderly
The No Equivalent Gallery of Original Art is home to one of a kind, collector quality art created by an exclusive community of top artists. Each artwork on display is one of a kind as it’s the only print, from the only edition ever made from an artist’s vision.
The Culture of Art
Art, just like the people that create it, is shaped by the circumstances of its birth and the path that it takes to reach maturity. It is therefore not surprising that just like the culture of people, art takes on the culture of its creation and stereotypes are quite prevalent.
The childhood of art
Everything has a starting point, whether it is an impressionist painting, a carved statue, or a landscape photograph. This starting point shapes the thinking of all artists in an art medium and sets the path it will take through life.
A painting for example begins as a blank canvas awaiting transformation into a vision. This initial emptiness is like an infant waiting to be molded by its the artist, the parent, through simple impressions, brush strokes.
Photography on the other hand begins with a canvas already filled with an image of reality. Somewhat like adopting a teenager, one that already has an impression of the world, the parent molds this existing image to one fitting their end vision. Fortunately, unlike in the real world, here parents get to influence the initial impression such that, sometimes, it is exactly as the artist intended it to be.
Art coming of age
While the path to maturity depends on the artist, just like all other individuals, artists have their cultures and these cultures are shaped by their mediums of art.
Painters constantly push their canvas as far from its initial blank state as possible. The further the art goes the more skill is evident in its creation and this often instills a culture of “more” rather than “less”.
Photographers on the other hand often have a more minimalistic approach to adjusting their art. The initial impression that the photographer’s canvas starts from is often more than half way to the final creation.
Maturity of art
The initial state of art affects the mentality of its artists and, in turn, affects the art’s ending form. This gives art distinct cultures that are very much byproducts of their mediums. From the ultra realist approach of many photographers to the idealistic forms that many paintings take, art is just like the people that created it. It is a reflection of people’s culture.
Original Art – Featured in February
February’s collection of featured art is truly original and inspiring. Enjoy!
Fairy Flight by Steven Whitfield
The Stalker by Debra Raskin
For Those Lost At Sea by David Johnson
Resting On Rocky Rainbow by Joni Dalia
Enigma by Steven Whitfield
Curve by David Johnson
Jaguar Walks Along Fallen Log by Jak Wonderly
CoatHangerSkull by John Need
Sun Sets On Abandoned Building by Stephen Barnes
Ventura Pier II by Kevin Charbonneau
Reflections by Michael Phillips
Hurricane Horses by Debra Raskin
The Energy Of Flight by David Johnson
Lone Tree by Michael Phillips
Red Blue Kneeling Nude by Malcolm Salmond
River Of Eden by Joni Dalia
Los Pecados by Rolando Espinoza
Against The Elelments by David Johnson
The No Equivalent Gallery of Original Art is home to one of a kind, collector quality art created by an exclusive community of top artists. Each artwork is one of a kind, as it is the only print, from the only edition, ever made, or will be made, from an artist’s vision.
Wall Art that Leaves an Impression
Again you’ve fallen in love with an art piece and want others to see it the way you do, but you’ve already been down this path and learned that being beautiful is not enough for an artwork to leave a lasting impression. There is always something missing. Why does art in museums always leave an impression while art that hangs at one’s home does not?
Simple; unlike wall art that hangs in most homes, art admired in museums is so rare that people assume there won’t be another chance to see it. No matter how creative or aesthetically pleasing the artwork on your wall; it will not get any attention if your guest feels like they can get the same thing in the department store around the corner. People only stop and admire something if they feel that they will not get a chance to do it later. For example, while I know people that live in Paris and have never been to the top of the Eiffel tower, I went and visited it immediately during my first trip to the city. The same applies to wall art, make it one of a kind and your house guests will take their time to admire and talk about it; because they won’t get a chance to do it later.
It is a real shame that today’s fine art has been made so manufactured that an artwork hanging in one’s home is often assumed to have thousands of copies. Art was always meant to be original but we’ve been conditioned to stop thinking of wall art as “art” and think of it more like a copy of some template design that one can get just about anywhere. If there is no originality then there is no value and if there is no value then don’t even hang it up, as it is as good as missing.
Bring out the conversation inspiring aspect in your decor by adoring your home with original art. Imagine telling your guest that “this is a one-of-a-kind, original John Smith” hanging on your wall. You should then measure how long they spend admiring and talking about it.
