RESOURCES FOR ERIN THOMAS ART COLLECTORS
Provenance
Provenance is the documented history of ownership for a work of art. It traces a piece from its creation to the present day, including past owners, sales, and locations where it came from. A complete history proves an artwork is genuine and legally obtained, which establishes its current and future market values.
Provenance is most often proven through purchase receipts from art galleries or similar paperwork or electronic histories.
Erin Thomas originals have been sold over several decades everywhere from fine art galleries, private sales, yard sales, websites & pop-up street galleries, which can make the history of each individual piece more difficult to trace. We have created a new database to identify & track as many original Erin Thomas artworks as possible, and archive the image records of each of the works history and records of ownership for individual pieces and their current valuation. This may also serve valuable for potential future use in retrospective shows or publications..
If you own an original work of art from Erin Thomas (also sold under names 'Erin Duquette' and 'Erin McFarland' prior to 2016)
You can register your work for free below and add it to the artists new gallery and collector database to further secure the provenance of your own original piece.
• Registration of your original art is FREE
• Registration of provenance is for original and identifiable artwork from Erin Thomas ONLY
(even if signed under a different name) Please do not submit works from other artists.
• If you are unsure if your artwork is created by Erin Thomas, please indicate so in the registration form, and a formal identification will be included within our response.
Please register one artwork at a time using the REGISTRATION FORM below
It may take up to two weeks for the artwork to be evaluated, identified and recorded. Each submitter will receive an electronic printable pdf file to confirm receipt and completion, with a signed response directly from the artist regarding each piece that may be printed or saved for your records.
Valuation
Are you wondering what your original art is worth for resale or records?
• Your original piece will be identified & confirmed by the artist & staff
• Current market value of the piece will be estimated
• You will receive a pdf file signed by the artist that can be saved or printed for your records indicating the results of the valuation
IMPORTANT:
Market values on original artwork can change rapidly and we can only provide an estimated monetary value and this is no way a guarantee of sale or monetary value, nor is it a purchase agreement of any kind.
You will have the option of listing your work on the database as "Potentially available for sale" which allows the artist to connect your art with a potential buyer or gallery seeking to purchase work...this is in no way a guarantee or agreement of a future sale of any kind.
Submit the information about your owned artwork using the VALUATION FORM below
Becoming an art collector
Have you always wanted to collect art, but you weren't sure where to start? Read on!
The best advice to begin....is to make sure that buy art that you love!
An original piece should "speak" to you in someway, whether the colors make you feel nostalgic, or a face reminds you of an ancestor or the subject aligns with a passionate political position...it should be part you and spark some feeling inside of you.
Your personal taste is important!
Art is more often created from the heart, and savvy art buying comes from a similar place...learn, research, study...
and then trust your own instincts.
Visit museums and focus on the types of pieces that make you feel something inside. Identify styles you might lean towards and seek them out in all kinds of places that show and sell art. Always lean away from the urge to find something that matches your couch or home...you'll likely go through several couches, changing tastes and maybe even houses ....but that art will remain unchanged and with you through all of it!
Set your budget
Most seasoned art collectors set a yearly budget to work with, whether they buy one piece or many pieces within their budget, it's good to know your limits and do your best to work within them. When you come across a piece you just can't live without that is outside of your budget, the artist may work with you on a payment plan, or offer you guidance towards a similar piece that is closer to your budget. Despite what many people think, you do not have to be a millionaire to collect art! There is so much art that is affordable, approachable and within your budget!
Learning the ropes
Start learning right away by browsing through local galleries, going to open studios, art openings and learn the terms & different mediums artists use and how art is presented, and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions! Follow your favorite artists on social media and identify styles you love and do regular web searches for similar styles...keep up by looking up any unfamiliar art term you come across to expand your knowledge.
Good practices & etiquette when buying directly from an artist or art studio:
Expect prices to vary wildly in the art market, it seems like there is no rhyme or reason for the varied prices, but there is a certain logic to pricing an individual work correctly ....and the equation might look something like this:
a+b+c/d/e+f+g/h
a: the cost of materials needed to create an original work
b: how much time the artist has spent on creating an original work (including sketching/planning/thought)
c: how long have they studied/or have been considered a working or professional artist
d: what the artist is willing to part with the work for
e: what the buyer is willing to pay for the work
f: costs of presentation or showing works (framing/gallery/wall fees/promotions/etc)
g: costs of shipping/packing/delivery
h: supply & demand of a particular artist or style at the moment of purchase
At first you may not understand why a 16"X20" painting is $125 at a street fair, and $1200 down the road...but understanding that different materials vary in cost, each artist is different, costs for displaying may vary and even the demand for the work can change from week to week, you'll soon be able to identify the opportunities for smart purchases while also finding what you love!
Negotiating prices directly with an artist in their studio is only okay in some cases, but keep in mind that the artist has likely already set the lowest price when you are buying direct from them, so negotiating a lower price can sometimes come off as "devaluing" their work as they are already working with low margins and minimum profitability when a lifetime of study is factored in.
Same goes for negotiating with galleries, in most gallery relationships, the artist is taking an even smaller margin, and the gallery works for a lower margin than the artist while also paying costs of rent, insurance, utilities and promotion or marketing costs.
Do not ask to hold original work without offering a deposit. It's best practice just not to do it unless you have a very established relationship or history of buying from that artist. It's always okay to walk away without a purchase, but do not expect the artist to wait on your decision for an endless period...if you don't buy it at that moment, or request to leave a non-refundable deposit to hold the piece, then you missed out, and that's just how it goes. Buying art is similar to buying on the stock market, I mean, don't we all wish we bought Amazon or Apple stock when it was a couple bucks?
As an art collector, the thrill of the hunt, the search for something 100% unique that feels like it was made just for you, and finally scoring it to take home to display in your space IS the best part! As the saying goes... it's the journey, not the destination is the same thing that ties a collector so tightly to the artist who values the process as much as the finished painting!
Happy Collecting!
Care & Handling of Your Original Artwork
The majority of original works from Erin Thomas are created using either acrylics or oils on canvas, or mixed media on paper
H
The majority of original works from Erin Thomas are created using either acrylics or oils on canvas, or mixed media on paper
Here are some tips for caring for your artwork once it arrives home
Acrylic or oil on canvas
• Acrylic and oil paintings on canvas (in most cases) should never be enclosed in glass fronted frames- enclosing a canvas in glass can trap excess moisture and heat and cause the paint to separate from the surface of the canvas
• Do not hang paintings in locations that create unusual exposures to outside weather, water, moisture or drastic temperature changes.
• Only use trusted professional custom picture framers for reframing or repairs, or consult the artist directly for recommendations
• Clean surface dust off canvas by using either a soft brush or use cotton or microfiber cleaning cloths to gently wipe dust or debris off the image - never spray or apply cleaning chemicals or water directly to the image or the canvas surface as this can alter or damage paint or varnishes
Original works on paper
• Works on paper should be either stored flat with archival paper covering the image of the art, or it should be displayed properly in a frame and it's always best to consult a professional picture framer on best practices for conserving your work.
• When framing a work on paper, on of the most important things to remember is NOT to ever rest glass directly on the work of art and press into a frame - use mats or spacers to allow for enough air space between the image and the glass to prevent adhesion or trapped moisture to do damage
• Original works on paper should never be glued or mounted onto backing boards, consult your certified picture framer on techniques for mounting or attaching works properly.
• Archival materials for framing are always preferred, be aware that some mats labeled as "acid free" can yellow rapidly and transfer damage onto the artwork. Using mats and backing labeled as "conservation" or "archival" are preferred for longevity.
• If the option is available, UV protective framing glass is an additional way to protect your work
Commissions & custom artwork
COMING SOON
Identifying original works from Erin Thomas
COMING SOON
