Put us on your calendar

On Friday, August 7th, join us for "A Splash of Color," an exhibition of the works of Jim Chapman, Jane Schmidt, and Cassandra Gillens. Each artist uses color in a unique way to make an unforgetable impact on the viewer.

What a great night to go "Into the Park."

Thursday, May 14th was a gorgeous Spring night to debut new collections by Geoffrey Johnson and Kim Scheussler under the bandshell at SouthPark. Proceeds from the art sales went to support the Charlotte Symphony, and having NASCAR's Jimmie and Chandra Johnson among the 240 attendees added to the excitement.

April Show Tonight!

Click on our Evite below for more information. Hope to see you there!

A good time was had by all at the Connie Winters/Darren Young opening on March 27th. Join us for the next opening on April 17th from 6-9pm. We're featuring Terry DeLapp, Paul Hunter, and Curtis Jaunsen.

It's like Christmas around here...

So many new boxes have arrived today we can't decide which to open first! There are new goodies from New York's Paul Hunter, and 3 big boxes from our newest artist, California's Terry Delapp. All will be on display for the show Friday night, April 17.

April Show

New Paintings by

Curtis Jaunsen

"Japanese Teapot with Cherries"

12 x 16

and introducing

Paul Hunter, NYC

"Amethyst Landscape # D"

24 x 20

and

Terry DeLapp, California

"East of Junipero Serra"

24 x 32

Acrylic

Artist Reception, Friday April 17th, 6 -9 pm

Stay Tuned for More Details...

Save the Date!

We're working diligently to plan THE Spring event of 2009. "Come to the Park" will be held at the SouthPark bandshell on May 14th (Thursday). Starting at 6:30pm, Kim Schuessler and Geoffrey Johnson's new works will be unveiled and for sale. The band is top notch and will have you kicking up your heels under the stars. The event benefits the Charlotte Symphony, and tickets are available on their website for $125. www.charlottesymphony.org.Stay tuned for details!

Darren Young's exhibit

visit www.shaingallery.com to learn more about this rising artist

Connie Winters and Darren Young's Opening Reception

Friday night was a huge success!! We had a wonderful turn out. Thank you to all who attended. I've posted some pre-party pictures. More event pics to come...

Connie Winters Gallery Exhibit

New Arrivals from Connie Winters

Connie's show opens here this Friday, the 27th and we've taken in many new pieces. Here's a sample of the fabulousness, she has me ready to book a ticket to a calm countryside. This is "Villa en la Campagne," sized at 36 x 48 unframed.

"Pleasant Lane", sized at 24 x 30

Paul Hunter's latest

Just another reason the arrival of the FedEx man makes us salivate - he's always bringing wonderful new pieces, like this Paul Hunter titled "Amethyst Landscape #D", sized at 24" by 20"

March Show

We're getting ready for next Friday's show! Here's a little sneak peak...

New Artist, Raffaelo D'Onofrio

Spring is in the air at Shain! D'Onofrio's fresh take on landscapes has us ready for fresh flowers and spring breezes.

February Show

An Invitation to Vacation!

New works by Henry Barnes

" Farm Hill Sunset"

Oil on Canvas

Show runs through March 25th!

The Art of Collecting Art

The Gallery Experience
Don’t feel intimidated by spending time in a gallery. Look for a gallery whose reputation is for offering their clients the best they can - without compromising for market trends. A good painting has a timeless quality and will resonate with viewers in any decade and will never seem dated. Don't hesitate to ask your dealer to justify the pricing. (Note: avoid the mall and “production art.” Quality art is original and can't be mass-produced for multiple retail locations)

Trust yourself
I find most people have a better instinct for art than they realize. Everyone's response to a work of art is equal, because it's your response. Reading about art is great, but just looking and looking and then looking some more is a sure way to gain appreciation - you're contributing to your visual memory and mentally cataloging layers of comparisons.

Art is an investment in quality of life
The best gallery owners and curators won't tout art as an “investment” per se. Art is for enjoyment, and for adding layers of culture, for fun.

Start small
This is a good way to test yourself and your instincts without breaking the bank. You can collect wonderful pieces that aren't necessarily expensive. I've seen some exciting pieces by high school students - if you can get their parents to part with it. Also, keep an eye on your own children, they may produce something frame-worthy.

Collect living artists
You're supporting the artists and enabling them to continue doing what they do. Also, this way you'll never wind up with a fake. In the secondary market, the artist receives not a penny.

Read the artist resume
It helps to read the artist statement and relate to what you are looking at and to the price you're paying.

On Approval
Any reputable gallery will want you to try the painting at home on approval and experience it for a few days. (That includes that great palm frond piece in neon that you saw in Hawaii. Like the flowered shirt, it may not be really you when you get it back home.)

Art and the power of placement
Art and the Power of Placement is the title of a new book, touted as definitive, about placing art. Yes, we do joke about the "over the sofa" quote to painting; however, then you can enhance or detract from the power or the enjoyment of a piece. (This was demonstrated by the recent flap over a Pollack that was hung in the huge canyon of a space in the new MOMA where much of its impact was lost.) So yes, it's logical to ask yourself where you're going to put it, but if you are madly in love with it -- it won't matter.

Politics and art don't mix
This is a standard directive for any fine arts discipline. Good art is not politically motivated.

Questions to ask
· Does this painting have an emotional content?
· Does this work express successfully what it was meant to express?
· Does it “grow on you”- increases in stature every day and intrigue you every time you look at it?

Have fun
The experience of visiting galleries and museums is something of a sanctuary from everyday concerns. The end result could be the joy of seeing an art work that you admired enough to bring home, grow into a regular “family member”.