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The Kitchen Table

I donated 3 photos to an art auction to benefit...

18 years ago

. . . our local animal shelter's feral cat trap/release program. The auction was held at an art gallery yesterday. The organizers (and many of the rest of us) had anticipated a crowd, but that didn't happen, unfortunately. Attendance was poor, and I'd say more than half of the 100+ pieces up for auction didn't sell. But the auctioneer was fun, and we all had a good time.

I donated these three photos, two of morning dew and one of a "hummingbird moth." All three soldÂnot for a lot of money, but they generated $95 for a good cause, so I'm happy.

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Comments (12)

casey_nfld
18 years ago
That is great!!!
iowagirl2006
18 years ago
Those are beautiful. I love how they are matted and framed.
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I completely agree with Lefty and IdaClaire. Art is not decor. It can certainly exalt interiors, but to relegate it to the category of decor would be remiss. To do so is to overlook the creative force that informs it. Art teaches us about the universe of which we are a part, who we were, are and aspire to become in the continuum. Art is. And it is content to preside alone. However, I do think it appreciates she who selects it as much as she who makes it manifest. Short answer is, no, Art most certainly need not "match" a room. In fact, I think Art would view the entire notion as ridiculous. To determine what we like in art, we must view a lot of it - and in person. As in face to face, real, original art. From what you've posted, you seem to be drawn to portraits. Manhattan has a tremendous art scene, so opportunity to explore your tastes abounds for you. You might have to get out of your comfort zone to do so. Art often requires that of us. And what an exciting prospect it is! In terms of how to arrange groupings of pieces, there are many formulas - many of which can be found here on Houzz - but it really comes down to what arrangement pleases you. I recommend you look into the Golden Ratio for insights on scale and proportional arrangements. Humans tend to be hard wired to look for that ratio - albeit subconsciously - as we find it very pleasing. It's applications are endless.
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Nita__AZ
18 years ago
They are all beautiful Susan, I especially like the Hummingbird moth one.
mcmann
18 years ago
Susan the photos are beautiful. Did you mat and frame them yourself? The purchasers really got a bargain - a signed original art work and for a good cause too.

Since the attendance was low and half of the donated pieces didn't sell are the organizers going to try some other way of selling them? I wonder if there's another place they could hang them with a price tag and see if they sell. I know one of our locally owned restaurants has done that and every now and then I'll see a display at the Mall.
alisande
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks, everyone. Good idea about the restaurant, Mcmann. I'll pass it along to the organizers. When I left yesterday they were talking about possible ways to sell the remaining art. The owners of the gallery sell on eBay, so that's another option.

I bought the frames, and one of them (the black one) came with its own mat. I've had the frames for a while . . . no doubt I bought them on sale. :-)
lydia1959
18 years ago
Super photos and a great charity!!

The restaurant idea is a good one.
liz
18 years ago
great pics and they look great the way their framed...I'm glad they sold for the cause...you're a great gal for donating them!!
glenda_al
18 years ago
Good for you! That was great!
sjarz
18 years ago
Your photography is amazing Alisande, you could get much more for your work than that...have you thought about selling on Etsy?
off topic, but interesting that our first names and our initials are the same - is your middle initial k by any chance?
Suzan J
okwriter
18 years ago
Those are AWESOME, Susan!! Good for you!!
alisande
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks, guys!!

Suzan, my middle initial isn't K, but C is close, yes? When I was born I was given the middle name of Campbell. These days I use my maiden name as a middle name, so the initial is L. Hey, L is right next to K in the alphabet! :-)

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I do have an eBay seller's account, but I hadn't thought of trying to sell my photographs. I'll have to checkout what eBay is selling in the way of photography.
daveinla
18 years ago
congrats.....have never donated or sold any myself.
Would definitely donate for a cause like this

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