Buying Art

I wanted to talk a little about buying art. I don't mean choosing art. I mean being able to afford it.I think it's probably an online thing , where a person sees a painting for $300 and asks if they can have it for $50.I feel it's important to help people understand what actually goes into producing an original work of art and why they are priced that way.

Materials are probably the most expensive part of the process. Even if an artist were to work with mid grade materials most large canvases are already $40-$100. The TriArt paints that I use are $30-$80 for a 1L jar. I also use different mediums like modeling paste & acrylic gels which are about $50-$60 per gal. I've not even added brushes,pencils,pastels and so on.

Then there's my time. I paint very fast and even then I only finish a few paintings a week. Most larger pieces take several hours of painting and if time is money how much is that worth?

Lastly, Fine Art is a luxury item. I know many artists that would argue that point,but the truth is it's not a necessity of life. I remember when I bought my wife her engagement ring.I couldn't outright afford one so I saved a bit and even then I didn't go straight to Tiffany's . I think this also applies to art.If you plan on buying a work of art even if it's online, then save a little.There are a ton of great works for under $300 and you'll really help to support us independent artists.

New Abstracts

This is a new set of small 16" x 16" abstract peices painted on heavy print paper.They are titled " Abstract 11 & 12". Check them out here in my store for under $50usd!!!
http://cgi.ebay.ca/16-ORIGINAL-MODERN-ABSTRACT-ART-PAINTING-Cen-Arte-/320568628091

http://cgi.ebay.ca/16-ORIGINAL-MODERN-ABSTRACT-ART-PAINTING-Cen-Arte-/220645577143

Sold Piece

I've just sold this 24" x 24" abstract piece to a collector in Montreal.The title is " The Divide".If anyone is interested in a similar piece just let me know.

New Piece

I've just finished this abstract floral painting.It's a large 36"x 36" titled " The Patchwork Vase".I've used acrylic and some mixed media on canvas.It will be for sale later tonight .

Textured Landscape

I've just finished painting this textured landscape.It's titled " Midnight Birches".The size is 24" x 48" on 1.5" Gallery Canvas. You can find it for sale in my store-http://jmcenteno.com/store/

Completed commission

I've just finished a large 2 piece commission. Unfortunately I can't post the actual images because of the nature of the project.I can hopefully get back to filling my online store.

New Sold Piece

This piece was just completed a couple of days ago and has already gone.It was actually found by the collector on Etsy. It's titled" In dreams ".For more pieces like this one check out my store-
http://jmcenteno.com/store/

Just Sold

I've just sold this large 30" x 60" abstract triptych to a Collector in the US.The piece is titled" The Red City". For more artwork like this check out my online store- http://jmcenteno.com/store/

White Abstract

I've just finished this new abstract, titled: Antique II. The size is 24" x 36" and is done in acrylics with mixed media and collage. This piece can be found at my CenArte store-
http://jmcenteno.com/store/

New Online Store

After a year and a half of selling my artwork exclusively on Ebay, I've finally opened my own online gallery. No more listing & high transaction fees. I think the hardest part of being exclusively on ebay were the constant policy changes.I had no control over my store. I haven't left ebay yet,but I'm hoping that most of my collectors go to my new site first to find new pieces. The best thing is that collectors can now truly buy "Direct from the Artist".


here's the link to my new store-http://jmcenteno.com/store/

Just Sold

I've just sold this great floral over the weekend.The title is " Summer Bloom II ".

New Painting

With all the holidays going on I was still able to finish this large abstract.It's titled-"The Red City". The piece is a 30" x 60" triptych done in acrylic and mixed media.It will be up 0n ebay later tonight.

Abstract for Sale

click to enlarge

The piece I had in the Art Integration Project is now for sale in my store.It can sometimes be difficult to part with a piece that you've put so much effort into.The painting is mixed media and collage on canvas.It's Untitled and the size is 30" x 40" on 1.5" gallery canvas.You can see it here
http://www.etsy.com/listing/50620387/40in-original-contemporary-modern