Following are factors to keep in mind when investing in art:
Generally, it is most advantageous to buy the best of an artist’s work. This does not necessarily mean the most expensive. Major works are most likely to gain in value but so are “quality” works in all sizes. While investing is not a guarantee; the art market is unique in its’ potential for large returns. Quality paintings will always have a market and improve in value over time. The challenge is in recognizing “quality” using an observant eye.
Quality will be evident in the paint surface and will reveal the facility of the artist’s touch. The hand should be a fluent servant of the mind of the artist. Good technique has its own beauty and reveals a delight in the medium. Look for brushstrokes. Are there thick impastos or disappearing edges? Is the artist’s hand invisible or readily apparent? Some artists hide their technique in service of the illusion. Others take pleasure in the piece as a work of art and let the medium remain visible. Physical works created with hand skills are becoming an increasingly rare, and thus, valued commodity.
Look for a keen sense of the artist’s eye. Talent comes from visual intelligence gained over a lifetime of observation. Does the work have depth or visual impact? Does the artist offer a fresh look at a subject or repeat the cliché? Artwork should be created with artistic integrity where the underlying motivation is aesthetic rather than commercial. We believe this insures that the work will have lasting value and appeal to future generations.
Look for a refined sense of design. How does the eye move around a composition? Notice focal points, rhythm through texture, the color scheme and mood or tonality. Study it from a distance and up close but judge it primarily from its viewing distance.
Artists should have a distinctive style that comes out of their own aesthetic explorations rather than a look that is derived from another artist. This unique style (which includes subject choice, size etc.) sets the artist apart and makes the work memorable.
Proper oil painting technique should be used and archival works should be created with solid construction and permanent pigments. The durability of oils is one reason they are often chosen as heirloom pieces.
The work should be appealing. Trust your instinct.
Watch the Antiques Road Show and you will see the importance of “provenance" and how a work’s story adds value. Get to know the artists or their work.
We do not believe that giclée (ink jet) prints have inherent or long-term investment value especially now that cheap reproduction technology is ubiquitous. Not to be confused with “fine art”.
Collections may have a theme: e.g. one could collect paintings of Cape wildflowers or different views of a certain place. Someone might collect street scenes or paintings done only in a specific town or anything with a favorite flower. Some collect only one artist or from a small group of artists. The possibilities are endless. The collection then becomes an artistic expression itself where the eye of the collector is revealed through their selection. Quality collections take on added value.
Some collect purely through artistic choices and they might collect the non-typical subject. Others might choose art that adds to the ambience of their interior: informal still lifes of food or florals might set the stage for a kitchen, small detailed oils can be seen up close in hallways, formal classical works or portraits might enrich the elegance of a dining area, artistic colorful works might lighten up a living area and restful landscapes might set the tone for a bedroom.
Commission work directly from the artists of your favorite subjects to be part of the artistic process and share in the “story”.
Look for artists who are full-time and have consistent sales. They should continue to build and increase their audience year after year. The larger the audience, the greater will be the number of bidders in a future secondary market. Artists committed to the long haul and who consistently sell, increase their collector base. Quality work combined with a practical business engine should create consistent upward trajectory of an artist's market value.
Art is a hard asset that doesn’t disappear on a bad trading day. Investment aside, an immediate daily dividend comes from the pleasure of living with original handmade art.
People often say, “I wish I bought that painting 10 years ago when I could afford it”. Will they be saying the same thing 10 years from now?
Artwork Rental/Lease to Own
We will deliver and install artwork of your choice (for special events: family gatherings, weddings, conferences) at 1/12 of the price per month (to own in 1 year) with a minimum of 1 month rental. A July or August rental requires a 3 month commitment.
Labor of Love
"As artists we are fortunate to be a husband and wife team engaged in a labor of love. Daily interaction with a committed art partner has helped us develop artistically through our continuing discussions and explorations in fine art and compounded our ability to focus on our art careers"
-Hillary Osborn & Doug Rugh
Osborn and Rugh biographies include exhibition histories, published artwork credits, broadcast and publication features, awards and other credentials.
Collector Status - 10% Discount
Patrons who have an Osborn or Rugh painting in their collection or buy 2 or more receive collector status and are entitled to a 10% discount on any of the oil paintings in the gallery and on any commissioned works.
Patron Purchases - 15% Discount
Patrons who purchase 5 or more works at one time will receive a 15% discount. This can be helpful to those looking to decorate a new home or office.
Corporate
Quality artwork is a reflection of your corporate mission. Whether it is custom paintings for executive suites or the boardroom that reflect the ideals of your business or oils that enhance visitor spaces, fine art elevates the stature of a workplace. If your preference is for a complementary series of art throughout your space we offer the option to create custom made landscapes, still lifes or portraits and will consult with you about how best to make those subjects appropriate for your space. Affordable monthly (annuity-like) payments are an expense deduction for your business.
Affordable Payment Plans
Currently offering: 0% interest - $90/month minimum - 12 month maximum. Bill quarterly or monthly.
Talking Points
When you need to convince your spouse that you need an Osborn or Rugh painting...
Residential
Paintings are a window to a world of your own choosing. Whether displaying paintings of favorite landscapes, decorative still lives or portraits of people that are important in our life, original art in our surroundings satisfies the artist within us all. These works provide heirlooms for future generations. If you are ready for a centerpiece painting or want to purchase that accent painting before someone else takes it home we will design a monthly payment plan that will comfortably fit within your budget. If you have a new home or renovated interior and would like to enrich the space with a collection of paintings we can custom-paint the art or provide samples from the gallery for your consideration. Whatever your needs, we will put together a payment plan with a time frame to accommodate your budget.
Shareholders
"We think of our collectors as shareholders and out of respect for those who buy our work partly as an investment, we have maintained a strict no discount policy (other than the "collector's discount"). Out of gratitude to all the collectors who have supported our work throughout the years (through purchases) we are committed to insuring that our market prices rise over time. Patrons who buy our works can rest assured that they are getting the best price possible and that we will use our best efforts to insure that the future market value of the work will only be higher. Since the work is priced by size the bargain goes to the discerning eye that purchases the best piece in each size."
-Hillary Osborn & Doug Rugh
Pro Bono Art Advisory Service
For when you need help in picking the right piece for a spot...
Pro Bono Art Advisory Service
If you have an interest in aquiring original art and would like guidance, we freely offer our recommendations. Please ask.
We Offer
An artist's eye (x2) and a collective 55+ years of working in the visual arts.
Hands-on approach of direct consultation from site visit (with no obligation) to final hanging.
Specific guidance with: viewing distance, style, proportion, coloration, tonality, rhythm, texture, subject and the display of complementary works.
Recommendations on which type of art would best be used in interiors as accent pieces, focal points, centerpieces or to fill cathedral spaces.
Unique commissioned work of a favorite subject or a series of cohesive works that are complementary in style.
Advise on how existing or improved ambient, daylight and artificial light will bring out aesthetic qualities of artwork.
Custom framing recommendations based on your interior including museum quality, gilded, carved and joined frames.
Delivery of a sampling of pieces for on-site viewing.
Installation of framed oil paintings.