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Art is in the soul  of the  beholder!

3/1/2019

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Mar/Apr 2019 edition
Issue #4 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Steve Austin
If “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” then I believe that “art is in the soul of the beholder”.  What causes a person to warm to one painting, and yet someone else be completely cold to it?  That’s what makes art exciting, it’s not a science.

As this magazine is dedicated to collectors of automobilia it has made my job a lot easier.  Rather than talk about an infinite list of art and artists, it has already culled the herd for me.   However, the remaining herd is still pretty mind boggling.  With literally thousands of different automobile art pieces out there.  Where as a collector do you start?

Let’s first deal with the collector who is really an investor. Over the years, I’ve had clients who didn’t know a road car from a race car, a Model T from a GT40.  Their interest was purely in the artist and the reasonable chance of an increase in value.  Let the buyer beware!
WhenAscariwentintothePortGraceKellyPaintingBenjaminFreudenthal
“When Ascari went into the Port – Grace Kelly” by Benjamin Freudenthal, 8’x5’

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Getting Framed

1/1/2019

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Jan/Feb 2019 edition
Issue #3 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Steve Austin
ArideInParisMarcoFabianoSteveAustinArtAutomobiliaResource
It occurred to me this might be a good time to talk about framing pieces of art, the cost and the rewards, or in some cases the lack of reward. 

As an example, my exhibits are of various and multiple pieces; therefore it is very important not to emphasize one piece over another through the framing.

A good mantra to follow is, “It’s the art, dummy, not the frame.” It is quite amazing how many times I see wonderful pieces of art overshadowed by a too big or too ornate surrounding. Chances are, that if someone says to you “nice painting, I love the frame”, you may very well have overdone the frame.
So how does one go about choosing a nice frame for any particular piece? Some of it is reasonably simple. Car art has a wonderful wide range of emotions, and the question you always need to ask yourself is…. Where are you going to hang it?

Most car art is going to find a home in a study, games room, family room or garage. Each location will demand some adjustments – the study, a more toned down, dark rich wood. The family and games room is where you can have great fun, and anything goes, within reason. Remember, your wall decoration also states who you are. 

Be brave with your choices, but don’t look like a ‘wild and crazy guy’ unless you are one! Similarly, don’t be too low key, as you might be mistaken for the kind of person who thinks ‘War and Peace’ is light reading.


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Without the Inconvenience of being Dead...

11/1/2018

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Nov/Dec 2018 edition
Issue #2 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Steve Austin
AboveTheLawPaintingbyDavidUhlSteveAustinAutomobiliaResource
"Above the Law" by David Uhl. Currently selling for $1,850 to $3,250.
Art is an unscientific business and maybe that is why so many great artists struggle to be financially successful without the inconvenience of being dead. 

Nevertheless, there are quite a few who have made more than a good living from their talents.  The trick is to have a good sales system in place.

Three good examples are all living American artists; Randy Owens (Maryland), Ken Eberts (California) and  David Uhl (Colorado).  They have managed to organize a good team to look after the sales while they continually put out awesome work. The three pieces shown here are representative of their skill.
I’m always asked what paintings are going to be worth a lot more in a few years. My answer is always “I don’t know”.  What I would like to say is, “it shouldn’t really matter”.  Politeness, and concern for the potential loss of a client may have a controlling bearing on my responses.

The fact is, art should be considered for its value to you as a viewer. How much satisfaction does it give you?  Frankly I wouldn’t want ‘The Scream’ (by Expressionist artist Edvard Munch) staring at me in my living room any more than I could afford it. 

The aforementioned three artists have produced some indelible pieces that just hit my nerve, that’s why I like them.  Now if they appreciate, all the better.  The only advice I would really pass on is - if you are in it for the money, don’t buy ten prints, buy one original.

ChristmasTime1942byKenEbertsSteveAustinAutomobiliaResource
"Christmas Time 1942" by Ken Eberts. 18" x 24" Limited edition print of 850. Currently $120.
MonacoFerrari1and2RandyOwensSteveAustinAutomobilaResource
"Monaco Ferrari 1 & 2" by Randy Owens. 28" x 20" giclée of this image currently selling for $175
What continuously surprises me with some artists is their absorption of painting particular subjects that are, quite honestly, of little interest to almost no one.  They must be true artists! 

The opposite end is a lovely man who lives in the south of France and rides around on his Harley.  Every now and again he gets short of cash, goes into his studio and paints.  A number of us buy the results and off he goes on his bike.  The man is now well into his late sixties and has no intention of change.  He just happens to be a brilliant artist, I mean mega brilliant.  His pieces are already changing hands at telephone number prices.  He could be considered one of the greats, but he has no interest in his own work – they are a means to his own ends, and he remains incognito to all but a few friends and associates. I love the man!

​Steve Austin

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It's All a Matter of Opinion

9/1/2018

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Sept/Oct 2018 edition
Issue #1 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Steve Austin
Automobile Art is as old as the first automobile.  In fact it was the automobile artist whose talent promoted the sales, the events and, of course, the first races, giving us a glimpse of what was to be. 

The thousands of artists who have since arrived on the automobile art scene are as varied as the vehicles they painted.

So, who was the best, you may ask?  Just like the race drivers, it’s all a matter of opinion.  For someone who is totally talentless, even painting a fence is a challenge, I refuse to become that horrible character, the ‘art critic.’  In fact, I prefer to go at it from a far more friendly angle. 

While, quite obviously there are icons who have graced the walls of collectors, there are also many journeyman artists who have depicted and brought fantastic moments to life.
​
SirStirlingMossPaintingByMashaSteveAustinAutomobiliaResource
"Sir Stirling Moss" by Masha.
I purchased my first piece of art at a very young age.  I didn’t even recognize it as such.  It was a set of Christmas Cards advertised in the Autosport weekly magazine.  A set of ten pictures of my Formula 1 heroes.  Of course I had no interest in sending off the ten Christmas Cards, even if I knew ten people to send them to; these cards were mine.  It took me many years of collecting these annual treasures before it dawned on me that someone had actually painted them.  Starting from a blank sheet to...yes!... A work of art. That wasn’t a revelation, but more an understanding of what a talented artist could do.  These were paintings that were real - images of light, shade, speed, almost sound.   ​
MonteCarloRally1964PaintinbByNicholasWattsSteveAustinAutomobiliaResource
"Monte Carlo Rally 1964" painting by Nicholas Watts.
I started to truly study these people, some who splashed color, some who caressed the paper with watercolor, some whose detail was so intense you believed at first it was a fine photograph, and some who were so brilliant you were absorbed into the painting.  I loved it, maybe too much, as my ‘car art’ collection got larger and larger.  It was only a matter of time before I needed to move some to allow for new ones. I was precariously close to becoming that object referred to as an ‘art dealer.’  A dubious recognition! 
​
The ensuing, now twenty-eight years, has been quite a ride.  I’ve traveled around a large part of the world to various venues, met many of these talented people and come away with definite perceptions.  

In my art business I represent three artists, each different, each extremely talented.  That doesn’t mean they are the best, that is something for each viewer to decide.  To me they are a great combination, each offering a different perspective.  
The painting ‘Beau Rivage’ was commissioned from Alfredo de la Maria of Argentina.  A master of light and balance.  You can feel the intensity of both drivers, Nuvolari and Varzi.  The excited crowd and the depth of detail makes this one of my all time favorite pieces.  
 
BeauRivagePaintingByAlfredoDeLaMariaSteveAustinAutomobiliaResource
"Beau Rivage" painting by Alfredo de la Maria.
Nicholas Watts is a purist, his paintings are perfect portrayals, his cars are alive with sound, they even conjure up the smell of hot engines.  Take the scene portrayed.  Lights blazing, racing through heavy snowfall.  In my opinion, no one can hold a candle to this artist for pure emotion.  

Masha, is a recent addition to my displays.  A young Ukranian artist, now living in the US.  Her portrayals are brilliant.  The painting she did of Sir Stirling Moss is one of my favorites, however, equally good are other pieces - Andretti, Steve McQueen, Dan Gurney, and more.

In future articles, I will try to address the value of art, both in personal enjoyment and in personal gain.  Meanwhile, look at paintings... and imagine...the artist bringing it to fruition.

Steve Austin​

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    Steve Austin Auto Art
    Steve Austin

    Auto Art

    Steve Austin, the owner of Steve Austin's Automobilia and Travel, is one of those fortunate people whose work is an extension of his love of art, cars and motor racing!

    [email protected]
    SteveAustinsAutomobiliaAndTravel.com

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