Life as Art

Collecting original art is an investment in yourself!  Welcome to Invest in Inspiration! We’re here to share the art of three critically acclaimed and distinguished Canadian artists – Helen Lucas, David Wright, Tom Miller and one amazing photographer – Hope Rogers. But more than that – we want to share our passion for original and inspired art as an intrinsic and necessary part of a good life – well lived!

Browse our galleries, join our discussions, become a Life As Art Subscriberfor bulletins of upcoming exhibits, insights and events – or buy a painting! You will soon see that these talented and established artists have a depth of creativity and a fascinating range of subject and interpretation.  Each of these artists has an impressive list of corporate clients who have purchased or commissioned their work as a valued asset (see Collections and Commissions below) and each is a valued contributer to Art Publications (see Publications under each artist). Over their professional history Helen, David and Tom have shown in some of the most prestigious galleries and private exhibitions, but choose now to make their work more personally available.  It is my privilege to provide that service for them.

No reproduction can equal the splendour of these magnificent paintings. To truly appreciate them they must be seen in person. If you are in our neighbourhood of Southern Ontario contact us and we will arrange a studio visit with Helen, David or Tom.  If you are purchasing for a corporate collection, please ask about our charitable donation on your behalf.

After you’ve enjoyed the galleries, you’ll find What Makes a Painting Valuable? at the bottom of this page. If you wonder if you can trust your own taste in choosing a good piece of art for your private collection, perhaps this perspective will help.

Helen Lucas

Paintings for Sale
Profile
Publications
Collections and Commissions

David Wright

Paintings for Sale
Profile
Publications
Print Archives
Commissions and Collections

Tom Miller

Paintings for Sale
Profile
Personal Perspective
Publications
Collections and Commissions

Hope Rogers

Profile
Custom Prints for Sale

What makes a painting valuable?

Owning Original Canadian Art is an investment in yourself, your family and your community. All creative art is a blessing but only art of excellence is of sustained value. Choosing art that pleases you is personal and subjective. However, choosing art which value will accrue is an act of calculated discernment.

An artist’s training and technique will apply the same principles of space, balance, composition, colour, movement, and light to an abstract as to a landscape. These elements are what inform the psyche as well as the eye and produce a work that is at once visually pleasing, intellectually balanced and imparts a sense of relationship. In a way a quality painting is a self contained world. Like a window capturing a moment in time, it can engage us with multiple levels of interaction and enjoyment. Such a work of art interacts with our own varying moods and state of mind.

A compelling and memorable passage of literature or poetry will rely on the interaction of word and cadence to impart its emotive message. Eloquence relies on the practised and knowledgeable use of literary tools whereby simple words, well articulated, carry deep and moving messages.

Conversely, art which relies solely on its visual aspects of colour or subject alone will lack the depth required of any relationship. Such a work may appeal today as a pleasant match to a decor, but will soon lose its personal value once the scheme or trend changes. Home decor trends, like car designs and fashions are created with obsolescence and change intrinsic to a flourishing and increasing market. It is change for change’s sake. Moreover, the transience of trends – designed for a season or two – is not reflected in their price. On the contrary, often trends are more costly at the outset and quickly diminish in value.

Style and quality on the other hand sustain us even as they become familiar and more loved in repeated use. Like friendship, or a cashmere sweater, a good piece of art inspires us and comforts us and goes with any occasion! But beyond what appeals to us, how do we know what makes a painting an investment of sustained value? We want a piece of art that gives us pleasure today – but we also want an asset of value to pass on through our families.

Until we develop confidence in our own choices, it is advisable to seek out advice as to what galleries value or what a museum looks for in an artist or body of art. While they may indeed reflect trends, by and large, they will have an observed criteria for admitting an artist to their collection. Corporations and Institutions are noteworthy for their commissions and collections of fine art. They understand long term value and support artists of distinction. In addition periodicals and books dedicated to the fine arts will often include examples and references to artists who have achieved a measure of public renown and peer respect.

In short, seek out artists who have formal fine arts training, whose work has been adjudicated by recognized public and private enterprise, who have been represented by established fine arts galleries and museums – nationally and/or internationally, and whose work has been purchased or commissioned by private and institutional corporations have proven their worth and distinction. Choose artists of this calibre and you will be pleased and proud to display this art and be assured that it will continue as an appreciated asset.