The Value of Original Art

Though there is something to be said for the accessibility of prints, I confess I like original art. When I am at an art gallery or presentation where I know the artist personally or am very familiar with their work, I feel deeply moved. I’m aware that I’m close to the piece, standing right where the artist stood when they dipped brush into palette and applied each stroke. I ponder what they were thinking and feeling then, aware that regardless of whether it was painted last year or 600 years ago, we share a deeply human connection: our desire to love and to be loved, to know and be known. This transcends the subject and elevates the original piece over a print; it connects me more intimately with the artist knowing that his or her eyes were cast upon the very scene in front of me. They touched the canvas and through that, me as the viewer. –Wayne