Carmel Artist Beverly Borgman
Hi, my name is Bev. I live in Carmel-by-the-Sea where every other store front is an art gallery.
Maybe it's the fresh sea air, or the murmuring pines, or the sunsets that are so beautiful, they defy description. The urge to create simply overwhelms. And it looks so simple. All you need is a nice starter set of paints, a few brushes, a canvas or perhaps some watercolor paper. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to take a few lessons. Then, voila! You are an "artist."
Well, for some lucky souls, that may be their story. For others it's a 40-year commitment, an evolution often painful, sometimes gratifying -- but always interesting!
My own journey began a long time ago, in the Bay Area. The first time one of my pieces was accepted for exhibit, I brought the whole family to the gallery to see Mom's painting hanging on the wall. Even better, as we stood at a discreet distance, a customer bought it! We celebrated with champagne that night. (The champagne probably cost about the same amount that I would later collect from the gallery.)
Since then I've enjoyed modest success. Perhaps one of the most satisfying moments was when a young newly-wed couple from Japan purchased a painting of mine of the Carmel Mission tower . They explained to the gallery owner that the tradition in Japan was that the first purchase made jointly by a newly married couple would serve as the hallmark for their future purchases.
What Is Affordable Art?
A work of art that might be affordable for Microsoft's Bill Gates is definitely not affordable for a young couple just beginning to notice and buy art.
In Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, buying art can be very confusing. Prices may range from a several hundred dollars to $150,000, all within a few blocks of each other.
That old saying, "I don't know anything about art, but I know what I like", is what keeps the Carmel art community perpetually re-inventing itself. Every year a few galleries close for lack of sales, but others take their place. Amazingly, in this small town there are currently more than 50 galleries!
If you plan a visit to Carmel, do take a long look at the differences in galleries.....Are they on Ocean Avenue where the rent is highest? Or a few blocks off Ocean? Does the staff greet you, then leave you alone to browse? Or do they follow you around, spouting hard-sell phrases? Is it a co-op where the artists themselves staff the gallery? Are they casual in their approach, or do they make you uncomfortable?
Buying art online directly from the source has its own risks, of course. But because the artist is totally independent, he or she can set an "affordable"price. That is, something that is affordable to YOU!
Feeling lucky? Where else can you find a large array of original paintings by well-known local artists, each priced at only $75?
The Patrons Show at the Pacific Grove Art Center, opening on October 28th, makes it happen. Tickets at $75 each will be sold equal to the number of paintings on display. In other words, EVERYONE who buys a ticket takes home a work of art. The drawing, an exciting bit of action in itself, will take place at 2 p.m. on December 11th. If your ticket is drawn first, YOU may choose the first painting.
Members of the PG Art Center may buy show tickets for only $50, an added inducement to supporting the arts.
Carmel artist Beverly Borgman has donated eight paintings to the Patrons’ Show. Or is it nine? When it comes to supporting the arts programs for kids, she gets carried away.
There’s a certain snob appeal to owning an “oil painting”. Perhaps it goes back to the idea of the “old masters”, such as Mr Rembrandt and Mr. Rubens
Thus, a potential buyer may admire a work of art and ask, “Is this oil?” and when told, “No, it’s acrylic,” there may be a perceptible wrinkling of the nose, followed by a disappointed, “Oh.”
The word “acrylic” is just too plastic for many art buyers, but as with most things developed in the 20th century, acrylic paints have definite advantages over oil. The advantages are, admittedly, mostly for the artist. They cost less, are less toxic to work with, and they dry quickly, making them far more portable.
For me, acrylic means that I may paint at the seashore, then wait 10 or 15 minutes, and put my finished painting safely into the car with no fear of ruining the car’s interior, or ruining the painting itself.
For the art patron (which sounds so much nicer than “buyer”), the price is right.
………….
Note: To my oil-painting friends: No offense. And do be careful with that turpentine.
Beverly Borgman’s art is “affordable” for a number of reasons:
- Beverly sells from her own studio and has no gallery overhead expense.
- Beverly’s paintings range in size from very small (4” x 6”) to no larger than 16’ x 20”. This is “subject size”; the size of the painting itself. The frame adds two to four inches to the overall size.
- All framing is modest, inexpensive and is included in the sale price. You may hang it on the wall the minute you unpack it. This simplicity in framing allows the purchaser to perhaps re-frame later to one’s personal taste or décor.
- Shipping of Beverly’s art within the U.S. will never exceed $25 unless the purchaser requests special mailing.
Some years ago I had several pieces in a small gallery which was located just a block off Ocean Avenue.
One day the gallery owner, discreetly writing at her desk, head down, listened as two visitors looked at a small floral painting of mine.
One woman said to the other, “It’s only $250. It can’t be worth much,” and they walked out of the gallery after only a few minutes. Later that day the gallery owner put a new price tag on my floral: $750.
It sold two days later!