Artwork Pendants Blog Mission

I want the Artwork Pendants blog to be the blog that celebrates art, encourages you to take a look at indie art and gives you ways to to find and purchase indie art.

I make pendants out of the artwork of indie artists whose art I know, respect and adore.  I also make pendants from famous paintings.

What sort of Art Jewelry are you looking for?  Which artists do you love?

What are your questions about indie art?

Learn About the Artist, Then Purchase Their Art

Old School Ways to learn about the artist and their work:

1.  Look through books, catalogs, articles and reviews about the artist - as many as you can find and from as many different sources as possible.  

2.  Talk with collectors who are familiar with the artist, dealers who deal in the artist, and even curators or critics - whenever and wherever you can.  Ask them what makes the good art good.

3.  Shop around.  Get multiple opinions from multiple dealers before you buy.  Do not settle exclusively on 1 dealer until you have a good feel for the overall market.

4.  Don't try to get bargains until you know what you are doing.

More modern ways to learn about the artist and their work, especially indie artists:
1.  Go online!  Find the artist's website or blog and read up on them.  See where they have shown and where their art hangs and get an overall feel of their art.
2.  Check out feedback on their etsy or eBay or look for testimonials or guest books on their website to see what people had to say about their art.
3.  If they are independent you don't have to shop around!  You can just purchase directly from the artist.
4.  Don't try to get bargains at all.  The artist will likely bring you into their inner circle and you will no doubt get all kinds of special privileges like hearing about their new works first, being invited to openings, etc.  

Best Online Places to Purchase Indie Art

 

(Photo used via creative commons license by Mary Streepy)

Indie art is forward-thinking and original, but where do you buy it to start your indie art collection? This lens will show you some of the best websites to find indie art.

What is indie art? Indie art is an artistic work produced by an independent company or group. Fine arts made by artists independent of commercial fine arts establishments (a/k/a galleries.)

 

1.  Etsy

 

Etsy is probably the best resource for indie arts in any form online. You can spend hours or days - weeks even - looking at all the indie art.

To find indie art on etsy, go to www.Etsy.com

Click on "art"

Then pick from the categories on the left side: ACEO, Collage, Drawing, Fiber Art, Illustration, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Print, Printmaking, Reproduction, Sculpture.

Etsy is probably by far the largest collection of indie art online.

2.  Little Paper Planes
 
Little Paper Planes is a great website for purchasing Indie Art. They sell art, cards, zines, books, zines, paper goods and apparel.

Little Paper Planes also has a great blog where they, among other things, post interviews about the artists they sell and studio visits.

 

3.  My Bonnie & Clyde

My Bonnie & Clyde has a great name! Bonnie and Clyde were outlaws who refused to live by rules. My Bonnie & Clyde is trying to get people to think outside the box and think independently.

My Bonnie & Clyde offers indie art in all mediums.

From the My Bonnie & Clyde website: "my bonnie & clyde was born out of an intense appreciation for artists that choose to share their gift of creativity and inspiration. It's a company whose sole purpose is to promote, support, and service independent artists and designers." 

4.  Deviant Art

Deviant Art is an entire community with forums and journals. Deviant Art also has a shop to purchase indie art.

You can purchase photography, wrapped canvas artwork, t-shirts and more. You can shop by subject matter, which is really helpful as well.

 

5.  Indie Art & Design

Indie Art & Design is website that supports Australian indie artists. The website has indie offerings in many mediums, a blog and an e-magazine.

For the Indie Art section of the website, click here.

6.  eBay

Don't overlook eBay for Indie Art. Independent Artists have been selling art on eBay for years. There are hundreds of thousands of pieces available by a variety of artists.

When you get to eBay, click under the "Art" Category and then choose "Direct from Artist."

Make sure you're careful when making purchases on eBay. Sometimes people are selling knock-offs. Check feedback carefully and feel free to contact the artist. If you feel uncomfortable at all, don't make the purchase.

What is your favorite place to purchase indie art online?

Swimming in the Deep End - Interview with Artist David Gerbstadt

I first posted this interview with David Gerbstadt on my B.B. Bellezza Handcrafted Jewelry blog.  Today I am happy to present our collaboration pendant, available right here. 

I am truly inspired by David Gerbstadt, and I hope that you are, too!

I first heard about David Gerbstadt at Hugs & Kisses from Studio B, an art show where I had my jewelry set up.  A friend of mine showed me his awesome match sculptures and told me about his $1 art by mail.  [Send him a $1 and a sase and he’ll send you art.  See his $1 Art Request facebook page for more info and to get your own $1 art!]

So, I got on facebook and found him and took him up on his $1 artwork by mail offer!

And this is what I got:

And that's just the envelope! 

And inside was not just 1, but 2 amazing pieces of art!  (I felt like I won the lottery or something!)

(and the chicken love piece at the top)

Somehow he knew just what to send me at that time, too.  Is it because he’s a mind reader?

Probably not.  It’s because he’s such a positive person.  He’s been through a lot – survived – and has decided to live each day positively.  

He makes "happy, accessible art for everyone!"

I asked David a few questions:

(his answers are in red)

What is your favorite medium (or mediums) to work with?  What are your favorite art supplies?

I work with materials I can find at any drug store or supermarket: crayons, markers, ball point pens, pencils. 

How long have you been creating art?  How did you get started?

I have been making art since I was a kid... building stuff in my dad's workshop.  I really did not think I was any good until I took a studio fundamentals class in college.  The professor said, "I was swimming in the deep end!" He said that I should take more classes.  So, I did and found my passion.  Art is in me and it has to come out.

I love your positive and uplifting message in your art. What inspires your pieces?

After my accident with the bicycle--- my life changed.  I knew with out a doubt WHY I was here and why I did not die!  I learned WE all are loved, we all matter, and we all are important!  I inspire my self... the fact I can get out out of bed and take care of my self.  For a long time I could not do this... Passion.  The people who have passion in what they do helps me go on.  The art I create heals me...

How does each piece begin?  Do you have an idea of what you want your pieces to become or do they progress as you go?

I begin by just doing the work...  I just let the art come out of me...  I repeat ideas and from repeating new ideas come. 

You make an astonishing amount of art.  Do you ever get stuck with your work and how do you remedy this?

I get stuck for  a moment.  I just keep going anyhow...  Right now I am drawing 51 drawings a day.  With a goal set at 10,000 drawings.  I read a few books, watch tons of movies, and just play... 

What made you decide to offer your art for $1 through the mail?

I had my art for sale at the first Dumpster diver art gallery on South Street in Philadelphia.  I noticed that on average 300 plus people came in on a Saturday.  Few people were buying art. I thought I had a ton of art at home.  What if I just sold a painting or drawing for $1?  I took my wall space and put up a bunch of paintings and a few boxes of rammed with drawings cut out of my sketch books on a shelf. Added a sign that said: "ALL ART $1".  People thought I was not going to do well.  I came back the next week to an empty wall...  Word traveled fast!  I kept the space as full as I could.  Then the gallery was to close.  So, I sold the drawings for .25 cents.  I remember  I sold a huge sculpture about 7' tall I made from my broken shop vac and made a monster out of it.  I sold that for .25 cents!  

People visited South Street on holiday from: France, Spain, and all over the USA.

Tons of people from L.A. and West Coast.  Tons of college students from Philly! 

they all went home with $1 art. 

I was sad when the gallery closed.  I wanted to keep the $1 art going...  I was on face book one day and saw I had over 500 friends and thought what if i did $1 art through the mail!  I posted if people send me a self addressed stamped envelope and $1 I would send them a piece of art 8"x10".  Within just a few minutes I got several replies.  Three days later I got the first wave of mail delivered to my house!  A couple days later I got requests from England, Whales, and Scotland.  

So far I have gotten requests from: England, Whales, Scotland, Norway, Canada, Rowanda.

In the USA: over 20 states.

My goal is to mail to all 50 states and as many countries as I can!

 

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am a full time artist.  I have a children's book 'the red heart book' on amazon.

I am also a motivational speaker, and artist in resident for schools and organizations.

Please contact me to book or for more information.

Find David on facebook or on etsy.  
David Gerbstadt's Website

To get your own $1 art:

Mail a self addressed stamped envelope and $1 and David Gerbstadt will mail an original piece of art to you! Send SASE + $1 To: David Gerbstadt, 54 Aiken Ave., Berwyn, Pa. 19312 USA. Outside USA - will accept paypal for payment: davidgerbstadt@gmail.com

Get your own piece of wearable art to inspire you as you go through your day.