While we can’t offer a true tutorial, I can offer these pointers:

View other works by the same artist to determine if the style, subject and signature are similar to the work you are considering. Keep in mind that over an artist’s professional lifetime all these things may vary.

Subject and style – Some artists often paint many different subjects while others may only paint one subject. If an artist is known for market scenes and you are shown a landscape you need to do your research. It may be a very old painting or a newer style…or it could be a fake. Older paintings, paintings done before an artist found his style are not necessarily valued differently than the ones that he/she is known for…do your research.

Signature – Some artists have signed every painting in the same way on the same spot on the canvas. Others may have signed in different places on the canvas. Even more confusing, some have changed the way they sign over the years; changing from full name to only last name or abbreviating a part of the name. Sometimes they might date a painting, other times not. Again, do your research.

Much has been made about price and how it implies value. This is always true, but it is coupled with another valuable tool…know your source. Yes, a number of Jonathan Demme paintings went at auction for far below their expected market price. This does not imply that these paintings are not authentic. One can know and trust the source of these paintings, Jonathan Demme, a noted artist and collector with an impeccable reputation. The fact of the matter is that attendance was very low at this auction due to lack of publicity and this resulted in some very good bargains! The same cannot be said for auction sites like ebay where the integrity of the seller is not verified by an outside source. The buyer is left to judge for himself, and only has past performance and limited communication to go by. We advise caution.

Really, short of buying from the artists themselves, the best advice and the surest way to avoid costly mistakes is to:

Do your research!
Know your source!

Haitian Art is well received on the international market and is sought by art lovers and collectors around the world.  These works offer an insight into the history and culture of Haiti and the everyday struggle and survival of its people. The art is an outgrowth of a unique past involving socio-economic, ethnic, political, and religious phenomena. There is no other island in the Caribbean with such a proliferation of great artists, creating a large number of artworks that depict the human experience.

Come see the works of some of Haiti’s wonderful artists.  These paintings are full of life, vibrant and affordable.  Come meet Patricia Brintle, see many of her wonderful paintings and speak with her about the source of her inspiration.   Her award-winning paintings have made the museum circuit throughout the U. S. and are full of symbolism.

MedaliaArt is an internet art gallery featuring Caribbean and Latin American art. You can find us at www.medalia.net.

The Yankee Peddler is located near downtown Huntington, home of many wonderful restaurants, shops and art galleries. Also, on Saturday, August 8th, from 7 am-12 pm there will be a farmers market/antique show in the Church Street parking lot across from the Yankee Peddler, home of “The Artists in the Attic.”

Show hours: Saturday, August 8 – Sunday, August 9, 2009 11-5 p.m.
Opening night reception will be held Friday, August 7, 2009 from 5 to 7 p.m.
“The Artists in the Attic” is located on the second floor of the 100-year-old Yankee Peddler Antiques building, 1038 New York Avenue in Huntington Station, NY.

For additional information contact:
Ruth Kahn, 631-246-5527 webmaster@medalia.net
Patricia Brintle, 718-746-3012 origeninc@aol.com