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Preparing for the Appraiser’s Exam

? Locate all items in advance of the appraiser’s arrival and make them accessible.

? Share pertinent records about when and where items were purchased, including their receipts. Receipts often have a painting?s title, which may or may not appear on the back of the frame or on an attached plaque. Art works without a title may be determined if the artist is still living. Unfortunately, some artist?s do not remember titles or record them…

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Preparing for the Appraiser’s Exam

? Locate all items in advance of the appraiser’s arrival and make them accessible.

? Share pertinent records about when and where items were purchased, including their receipts. Receipts often have a painting?s title, which may or may not appear on the back of the frame or on an attached plaque. Art works without a title may be determined if the artist is still living. Unfortunately, some artist?s do not remember titles or record them in a permanent ledger. Not all art bears the date or dates it was completed. The date of the receipt could assist in dating the artwork. The goal is to create as complete a record about the artwork as possible. Don’t slow the process down or create an opportunity for the document to be less complete by holding back information.

? Allocate enough time for the appraiser to carry out the inspection and the photography. Appraiser’s typically need about 15 minutes an item for both activities. While the appraiser often enjoys visiting with clients, he or she must focus on the task at hand in order to not take additional time or overlook pertinent information.

Discussing Value With a Prospective Appraiser

Identify what you need to have appraised by providing the following information:

? Artist’s first and last name
? Medium such as bronze, painting, or print
? Condition, especially if you are not sure if the item has enough value to warrant an appraisal.

State why you need the appraisal.

The same item can have a different value depending on the purpose of the valuation. Appraisers ask why you need an appraisal document because they want to investigate value for the appropriate market. Imagine that you are buying this item instead of having it appraised. Would you expect to pay the same price for the item at a flea market or at an estate sale as you would in a high-end antique shop or art gallery? Different purposes mandate different markets, which translates to correspondingly different value levels.

Identify the timeframe needed for the appraisal document’s completion.

Is this a rush job? If there are 200 items and your moving van will arrive in less than 60 days, this is a rush job. Also, the appraiser may have too many active assignments to meet your desired timeframe. If this is the case, the appraiser may redirect you to someone else who can fit your appraisal into his or her schedule.

Identify if there are special conditions for examining your artworks.

For example, does the appraiser need to bring a ladder? Will the appraiser need to wade into a pool to examine a sculpture? Will the appraiser need to wear washable clothing? While unforeseen events do happen at most appraisal inspections, pre-planning keeps them to a minimum.

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Gallery One framing standards have long been recognized for excellence. Here is a summary of the procedures Gallery One follows for framing works of art on paper.

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framing art, how to frame artwork, frame paper art

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Gallery One framing standards have long been recognized for excellence. Here is a summary of the procedures Gallery One follows for framing works of art on paper.

1. Art should be surrounded by white, 4-ply, 100% rag (mat) board or the equivalent.

Usually, fine art should be attached with special flanges that allow for the normal expansion and contraction of the artwork. (By using such flanges, the artwork can be easily restored to an ?unframed state.?)

2. Glass is necessary to protect paper artwork. The real purpose of matwork is to create a space so that the glass does not rest directly on the art. And the entire framing package (see illustration) must be larger than the artwork to allow for the expansion and contraction.

Experienced framers know that matwork should be much wider than the frame. Creating the appropriate balance in measurements and in coloration is essential if the artwork is to look its best.

We often recommend three mats used in conjunction with one another:

The top mat should be a pale, neutral-colored rag board. A second mat showing 1/4 inch in an accent tone can further enhance the image. A third mat showing 1/4? to 1/2? of white or off-white rag or a mat identical to the top mat is used directly touching the art.

If art is signed (and/or numbered) in the image, the matwork should fit just inside the image area. If it is signed (and/or numbered) in the margin, the framer should keep an unmatted border of 1/2? or more around the image.

3. Gallery One recommends specialty glass products that reduce glare, promote clarity and diminish the effects of ultra-violet light.

4. The frame must be selected with care. Metal frames should be reserved for posters and contemporary images. Most art looks best framed with wood-toned or silver leaf mouldings, one and one-half inches or more in width. Bright gold mouldings can be overpowering and should be used with care. Frames are best if they do not make an artistic statement of their own.

The collector need not memorize or even understand framing design and procedures. In the hands of a Certified Picture Framer, the collector can relax knowing that the finished product will be appropriately framed relative to design and conservation.

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Being able to capture the likeness of a human being on canvas, using paint, is certainly a sought after accomplishment for many new painters. It can also be somewhat challenging. This article will cover some of the more basic portrait painting tips & techniques and help lessen some of the confusion many beginners face. With practice, you will soon be painting portraits like the masters.

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Being able to capture the likeness of a human being on canvas, using paint, is certainly a sought after accomplishment for many new painters. It can also be somewhat challenging. This article will cover some of the more basic portrait painting tips & techniques and help lessen some of the confusion many beginners face. With practice, you will soon be painting portraits like the masters.

If at all possible, I highly recommend you paint your portraits using a live model as opposed to a photograph. There is simply no substitution for painting from life.

Painting a successful portrait is all about how you observe the subject. You want to study the subject as a whole. Study the bone structure and try to see shapes and planes. Do not try and paint every little detail exactly as you see it.

For beginners, it is probably best to start out with a lighting effect where light and shadow are in high contrast. This will make for a much easier painting.

Focus on one section at a time. Finish each section before moving on to the next.

Keep the darks of your portrait at a thin consistency while your lights should be painted on thickly.

Many beginners struggle with mixing flesh tones. I know I did when I first started painting. Remember that skin comes in a variety of colors & textures, so there is no specific formula for mixing flesh tones in portrait painting. You will have to experiment and practice, until you find the right color mixtures for any particular subject. Never purchase any pre-mixed flesh colors. When mixing your colors be careful not to over mix, which can deaden a color.

Try and repeat the colors and values in your painting to create balance.

When painting hair, don’t try and paint every individual strand of hair. Look at the hair as one object and then paint the lights and darks. Paint the hair in the direction of the shape of the head.

The muzzle area of the face (the space between the nose and mouth) is generally the same color as the flesh but cooler.

When painting backgrounds, don’t make them too detailed or busy. If you do, you will draw focus away from your portrait.

Add bits of color where the shadow meets the light in your portraits.

Fleshier parts of the face are generally warm and bonier parts of the face, like the chin for instance, are generally cool in color.

The white in the eye is not white. To get an accurate color for the white in the eye you can take the subjects basic flesh color and then lighten it with a gray made from black and white.

I hope these portrait painting tips & techniques have helped. Portrait painting can be difficult, possibly even frustrating in the beginning. Never give up and keep practicing. You will get the hang of it.

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Tips and tricks on how to find the right frame for your original painting, art print or photography image.

Keywords:
art, buy art, artwork, paintings, sculptures, oil painting, art gallery, buy art online, buy artwork,

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Purchasing framed art to many can even affect the decision they make in purchasing the artwork itself. However art is fairly simple to frame and is relatively inexpensive. Many of the art frames can be purchased to match your d?cor and/or other artwork adjacent. There are endless amounts of choices when it comes to finding the right frame online or offline.

My personal preference is to purchase my artwork of choice without the frame if given a choice. As beautiful as the painting might be, the artist and myself might have opposing tastes when it comes to framing. If you can find the artwork with a frame you enjoy then that is a bonus. If you are purchasing an unframed work directly from the artist it never hurts to ask if they have a connection to get you a good priced frame. Artists that sell a lot will not purchase frames at a premium price. They usually have a friend or a good business connection that deals with frames, so talk to him or her and see if you can get you a discount. It never hurts to ask.

If you prefer to look for yourself then I?m sure you will agree that there are several professional framers in your area. As with any service or profession some are good and some are not so good. Shop around for the best service, best price, and look for value as you would for any other product or service.

If you know your frames you will not hesitate to purchase an ugly painting as long as the frame is worth the asking price. This is more on the lines of bargain hunting. So for most of us we will not be buying a frame to resell it for a higher value, we are simply purchasing it to enjoy the painting.

Below are just a few tips to help you choose your frame.

Size ? Making any sized frame “work” with a piece one must ultimately control the proportions with matting. A wide frame requires more matting than a narrow frame.

Style ? by looking at your artwork you will see how the coloring, theme and medium will most often direct you toward an appropriate selection of frames. Generally the frame should go with the theme, medium and style of the artwork. If you are still having a hard time with choosing your frame you can also use the d?cor of your room in which the piece will hang as your guide.

Type of wood frames will look good on almost any piece of art. We use walnut, cherry, oak, ash, basswood, poplar, and pine – all domestic woods – in our frames. Stained wood can be plain, carved, simple or ornate. And, many wood frames are available in lacquer finishes, faux finishes, and gold or sliver leaf. Metal frames, which work well with certain d?cor, or with modern pieces and posters is often a good choice

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The frame gives a more finished look to the oil painting and helps define the boundaries of the artwork. The marriage of a frame with an oil painting may be harmonious or discordant, enhancing or distracting – a poorly chosen frame can ruin the appearance of the oil painting, while an appropriate one can make it shine.

There are many different styles, colors and price ranges of frames with cheap ones made in moulded plastic and more expensive ones carved in wood. An oil pa…

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Oil painting, art, framing

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The frame gives a more finished look to the oil painting and helps define the boundaries of the artwork. The marriage of a frame with an oil painting may be harmonious or discordant, enhancing or distracting – a poorly chosen frame can ruin the appearance of the oil painting, while an appropriate one can make it shine.

There are many different styles, colors and price ranges of frames with cheap ones made in moulded plastic and more expensive ones carved in wood. An oil painting may be seen in different frames either by the use of computer-generated montages on the internet, or by physically standing the oil painting in successive frames in a framer?s shop. The final choice of the frame depends on the owner’s personal taste, the proposed location of the oil painting, the harmony between oil painting and frame, and the relationship of the frame to the room where it will hang.

With modern art, you may choose to hang your oil painting without a frame. Providing that the stretcher is solid and reasonably thick, then the oil painting can be wired to hang without a frame. This unframed approach to exhibiting modern oil paintings means that the viewer focuses entirely on the artwork itself.

How to Hang an Oil Painting

Materials:

2 eye screws
Woven picture wire.

Procedure:

1) Mark 2 points on the inside of the two side stretcher bars about 25% down from the top of the canvas.

2) Screw the eyes into the stretcher being careful not to apply pressure to the stretched area of the canvas.

3) Measure a piece of wire the width of the canvas plus 6-8 inches.

4) Thread the wire through the first screw twice then neatly wrap the remaining wire around itself.

5) Pull the wire across the back of the painting so it is not quite taut then repeat the threading process on the second side.

6) To hang the oil painting, use an appropriately strong hook, i.e. one that can support double the weight of the painting. The painting should hang as flush to the wall as possible.

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Use these easy art shopping tips to find amazing ancient art replicas at affordable prices…

Keywords:
ancient art replicas,christian art, buddhist art, buy buddhist art, foodogs, greek art, buy greek art

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If you have a love for ancient artwork and statues, you’ll find it much more affordable to buy ancient art replicas instead of original works. But how and where do you find ancient art replicas? Use these shopping tips to find great replicas easily and at affordable prices.

Before you shop for art replicas, know what you’re looking for and why you need a specific type of art. Do you want a replica of an ancient painting or statue? Do you want art from a specific theme such as ancient Christian art, Greek art, or Buddhist art? How will you use the replica – to decorate, to make a statement, or to place in a religious establishment? Knowing what you want and why you want it is crucial to finding the right ancient art replica at the right price.

*Tip: Buy art replicas for enjoyment, not merely investment. You’ll feel better about your purchase and you can admire the work of art for years to come.

Anyone Can Buy Art Replicas

Many people assume you must be an art expert or a frequent art buyer to buy ancient art replicas. This is not true. Anyone can buy art replicas once they know how to shop, what to look for, and where to shop. But keep in mind that doing a little research in advance can save you a great amount of time and trouble. If you know what type of art replicas you’re seeking, and if you know a little bit about replica quality, then you’re ready to shop.

Compare Sources

Don’t buy the first ancient art replica you see. Shop around at a variety of sources to see what each has to offer. Compare quality and pricing as well as rarity of the items. Some art replicas are sold by the thousands to the public while others are limited in the number sold. If you’re looking for art replicas as an investment, find out how many will be sold of that item.

You can shop around in your local area or nearby cities at art galleries, statue outlets, and local art fairs to see what’s available. You might also come across ancient art replicas at garage sales or thrift shops, though this can be very time consuming unless you are lucky.

An easy way to shop around is by using the Internet. There are websites that specialize in ancient art replicas including paintings and statues. Art replicas can be purchased online and shipped to your door with little effort. But be careful not to be taken by websites that use the words “copies” and “replicas” interchangeably. Copies are not always the same as replicas, though they can be similar. If you want a true ancient art replica, look for hints of authenticity such as “created from a mold or cast” or “hand-painted to closely match the original.” Wall plaques may state “made from a casting stone” or something similar. These indicate that the artwork was re-created, not merely copied on a printer or in a factory.

Online Search Tips for Ancient Art Replicas

When searching for ancient art replicas online, be very specific in your searches. For example, if you want a Christian art wall plaque of the Archangel Gabriel, type this specifically in your search. If you need to buy Greek art replicas such as an Aphrodite Statue or a Greek Classic wall plate, use these specific terms for better search results. Or you might use more general terms if you’re not sure what to look for, such as “buy Greek art,” “buy Buddhist art,” or “buy Christian art.”

While searching online, look for websites that specialize in ancient art replicas. You’re more likely to find what you’re looking for without having to sift through hundreds of other products. Specialty sites might also offer higher quality replicas because they’re able to spend more time and effort on quality and customer service. Whether you’re buying a Greek Sphinx replica or a statue of FooDogs, you’re likely to find more personalized service from a specialist.

If you’re not sure about the quality of a replica or how it was created, be sure to ask questions before buying. Ask if the replica is merely a copy or if it was re-created by hand to closely match the original. Also, ask for clarifications when you see the word “reproduction.” This could mean the product is a handcrafted replica or a copy, depending on the website or dealer.

Whether you’re shopping for Greek art, Christian art, Buddhist art, or other items, these few steps can help you find what you’re looking for at the right price. Start adding ancient art replicas to your collection or decor today!

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Figure drawing is challenging. The act of rendering the human form accurately on paper can be intimidating and frustrating if you try to tackle everything all at once. It is for this reason that you should take things one-step at a time and most importantly, practice! The following article will provide you with some of the basics for understanding how to approach your next figure drawing project.

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Figure drawing is challenging. The act of rendering the human form accurately on paper can be intimidating and frustrating if you try to tackle everything all at once. It is for this reason that you should take things one-step at a time and most importantly, practice! The following article will provide you with some of the basics for understanding how to approach your next figure drawing project.

The very first thing you will need obviously is your drawing supplies. Drawing does not have to be a very expensive art form. You can get started with a pencil and paper if you so desire, but there are certain supplies that will produce better results. It is quite difficult to recommend the perfect materials as every artist is different and therefore will have different preferences. Only time and experience will tell you what materials work best for your particular style. Your choice of materials will also depend on the chosen subject matter.

The best advice would be to get a variety of different pencils and papers and simply experiment. You will eventually come to like certain materials over others. Get your self a pad of newsprint paper. Newsprint paper is fairly inexpensive and excellent for practice drawings, although you should not expect these drawing to last very long. They will more than likely yellow over time. For your permanent drawings, a good quality paper is recommended. Strathmore is a good brand to look into. You may want to start with a medium textured paper as it has enough “tooth” to hold a fair amount of medium, but smooth enough to allow for detailed work. You will also need a good size drawing board that is smooth and flat for your drawing surface.

Before you even lift a pencil, you should have a basic understanding of human anatomy. When you study anatomy, you will learn more about the construction of the human body and its proportions. You will also have a basic understanding of the muscles and tendons and how they direct and control the body. There is no need to get carried away and memorize every muscle, bone, and tendon in the human body; just a fundamental understanding should suffice.

Getting the proportions correct in your figure drawing is one of the biggest challenges you will face as a beginner. It is for this reason that a unit of measurement was established using the models head. This is the distance from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin. 7 ? to 8 heads is the standard measurement that has been developed for the height of an erect figure. This measurement can vary depending on the subject so you may have to make adjustments to your figure drawing. You should realize that the measurement of 7 ? heads corresponds to the figure when it is standing erect. If the pose of your figure changes, adjustments will obviously have to be made.

Artists will often use a pencil to take the head measurement. Stand a reasonable distance from your subject. Grab your pencil from the bottom as if you were holding a hammer and extend your arm out fully in front of you toward the subject. Try and keep your head as still as possible. Make certain that you are standing in the same spot each time you take measurements. Now closing one eye match the tip of the pencil with the top of the subjects head. Place your thumb on the pencil and slide it down until it matches with the bottom of the subjects chin. You now have taken the “head” measurement of your subject, which will now serve as a reference for measuring the rest of your subject.

When deciding on the type of pose for your figure drawing make sure you choose one that looks natural. Your model will be holding his or her pose for a long period of time and should be comfortable and relaxed. Give your model adequate time to move around and get settled. The more relaxed and natural the pose, the more believable the final drawing or painting will be. If your model looks uncomfortable or awkward, your painting or drawing will reflect that as well.

There are number of different lighting situations that you can create for your figure drawing or painting. Will you be working indoors or outdoors? If indoors, will you be working in a room that has natural sunlight or will you be using artificial light? What direction will the light source come from? Will there be multiple light sources? If you are a beginner, you may want to create a lighting effect that strikes your model from only one direction and illuminates your figure only partially, thereby creating more shadow. This will make for a much easier figure drawing. As you gain more experience, you can then move on to more complex lighting effects.

When you begin your drawing, you should not be overly concerned with getting every detail correct in your figure or other objects that make up your drawing. Many beginners fall into this trap and ultimately wind up with a drawing that is out of proportion or that just looks wrong. Study your subject, squint your eyes and try to locate the basic shapes that make up your subject.

Figure drawing and painting is a vast subject and this article only touches on some of the basics. You should definitely take classes or workshops and practice your figure drawing with live models. Purchase a few good books on figure drawing and anatomy. Join discussion groups and ask questions. Most importantly though, keep practicing and never give up.

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Compare donating art to adopting art: both require planning.

? Locate a qualifying institution to accept the item.
? Pass the related use test.
? Arrange for an appraisal not more than 60 days ahead of the date of gift.
? Obtain a letter of acceptance dated prior to December 31 of the year you plan to take the deduction.
? Deliver the property to the institution.

Want to make sure what you are about to read is correct? Get the IRS publications 1) 526 Charitabl…

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Compare donating art to adopting art: both require planning.

? Locate a qualifying institution to accept the item.
? Pass the related use test.
? Arrange for an appraisal not more than 60 days ahead of the date of gift.
? Obtain a letter of acceptance dated prior to December 31 of the year you plan to take the deduction.
? Deliver the property to the institution.

Want to make sure what you are about to read is correct? Get the IRS publications 1) 526 Charitable Contributions and 2) 561 Determining the Value of Donated Property. You can get these publications on the Internet at www.irs.ustreas.gov or you can call 800-TAX-FORMS (800 829-3676) to order them.

Publication 526 specifies that ?a charitable contribution is a donation or gift to, or for the use of, a qualified organization.? A qualified organization is a ?nonprofit group that is religious, charitable, educational, scientific or literary in purpose or that work to prevent cruelty to children or animals.? The amount is generally limited to 50% of your adjusted gross income, but in some cases 20% and 30% limits may apply. The detailing of which of these limits applies is on page 9 and 10 of Publication 526. You can carryover unused deductions for a maximum of 5 years.

Form 8283

You must complete Form 8283 and have it accompany your donation. This form identifies who receives the gift, its condition, how, and when you acquired the gift, and its fair market value as of the date of gift. If you received the item as a gift from an artist, you can only deduct the artist?s basis, which is the cost of materials needed to create the art work.

Related-Use Test

Related use is a concept that was instituted roughly 10 years ago to prevent citizens from donating items to organizations that were inconsistent with their collection direction. For example, if you gift a Civil War sword to a clock museum, a 19th century doll to a contemporary art museum, an Art Deco sculpture to a science museum, this pairing will not pass the related-use test. Flunking the related-use test mandates a deduction that is limited to your cost or basis.

The first question in Tax Court is: ?On what day did the appraiser view the property?? Your appraiser must personally inspect the property. If you jump ahead and send the piece across the country to a qualified organization that fits the related use test, you will also need to ship your appraiser to inspect it or find one who can visit the piece in person. The following people cannot perform the appraisal: anyone associated with the qualified organization receiving the gift, the dealer who sold it to you, anyone who a reasonable person could imagine would have a bias in producing a value. The appraiser must be someone who holds themselves out to be a professional appraiser.

The report can be prepared after the date of gift, but not more than 60 days before the date of donation. Another time sensitive element is the date of the qualifying organization?s acceptance letter. A representative of the qualifying organization using that organization?s stationery must write the donor an acceptance letter dated no later than December 31 of the year you plan to take the deduction. If giving a fractional interest, a new appraisal must be prepared for each year a percentage of the item is given.

Timing is a key issue with respect to accession meetings. These generally take place once a month and often a quorum of Trustees or committee members must be present. Contact the organization on December 20 and you may be told they held their last meeting for the year on December 11.

Word of caution, a gift means ?it is not yours anymore?. Most organizations will not allow you to specify how and when it is to be exhibited. Deliver the item to the organization and mentally separate from it. Do consider closely if you want to be cited as the donor or if you would prefer to have the citation read ?anonymous donor?.

Tax forms frighten everyone, but thankfully, the 8283 Form is quite simple to complete. Specify your name and social security number and then fill in different parts, depending on the fair market value of the property given. Section A Part I is to be filled in if the deduction is $5,000 or less. There you give the name and address of the organization receiving the gift as well as a description of the property. Then specify the date of the contribution, the date acquired, how it was acquired and the your cost or basis, its fair market value and the method used to determine fair market value. Section B Part I is for property that is worth more than $5,000, where you are asked the same information. If the fair market value is greater than $5,000, the qualifying organization has to complete Part IV of Section B. Part III is completed by the appraiser.

If you are donating property with a fair market value of $500 or more, you must complete Form 8283. You may be asked for an appraisal if the value is greater than $5,000. You must attach an appraisal to your IRS filing, if the value is $20,000 or greater. It is generally understood that donated property valued at $20,000 or greater will be reviewed by the Art Advisory Panel.

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Decorating your home should never be something that you take lightly or do with ease. Instead, decorating the special space that you call home should be a process that calls for care and attention to detail. One of my biggest pet peeves is seeing people be careless about planning and creating the atmospheres of their homes. One of the easiest ways that you can upgrade the environment of your home is to go for framed art rather than unframed art.

The thing about your home, …

Keywords:
framed art

Article Body:
Decorating your home should never be something that you take lightly or do with ease. Instead, decorating the special space that you call home should be a process that calls for care and attention to detail. One of my biggest pet peeves is seeing people be careless about planning and creating the atmospheres of their homes. One of the easiest ways that you can upgrade the environment of your home is to go for framed art rather than unframed art.

The thing about your home, no matter what it looks like, is that it absolutely reflects who you are. I do not believe people that say, “well, this is just my home, but it doesn’t really reflect who I am or my personality.” I fully disagree. I believe that the environment you choose to live in says volumes about who you are about the way you are choosing to live your life. Choosing framed art can be one small but significant decision among many that will increase the quality of your living and of your dwelling place.

Framed art is amazing because it is beautiful and stylish. There is nothing worse than seeing a great piece of artwork of any kind left without a frame. Framed art adds a level of style and sophistication that unframed art just doesn’t bring to a home. No one wants their home to feel unpolished or unfinished, but that is exactly what having a home without framed art feels like.

I became passionate about framed art when I took a few college art classes quite a while ago. I had never realized the value that framed art – my professor was a strong advocate of framed art – added to a home. I have learned since these infamous art classes just how much value you should place on the home. After all, in all of the world there is only one small place that you call home. Therefore, you should take utmost care and concern for creating a space that is suitable for your needs and that totally reflects who you are. Life is far too short to spend it in a home that doesn’t bring you satisfaction and joy.

So look for great pieces of framed art if you don’t have any yet. See what they will add to your home and hence to your life. You might just be surprised and go looking for more framed art.

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Ever since I was little I have loved going to different cities and countries to learn from people and places that were different than what I was familiar with. My love for travel and for learning about different cultures only grew as I got older and eventually I went to university to study Urban and International Development. I chose this major simply because it would teach me about two of my favorite things: cities and other countries. I will never forget entering my first u…

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graffiti art

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Ever since I was little I have loved going to different cities and countries to learn from people and places that were different than what I was familiar with. My love for travel and for learning about different cultures only grew as I got older and eventually I went to university to study Urban and International Development. I chose this major simply because it would teach me about two of my favorite things: cities and other countries. I will never forget entering my first urban studies class and looking at the chalk board that said “Don’t Look Past Graffiti Art.” on it.

I rolled my eyes and wondered what kind of crazy situation I had gotten myself into with this class. I was intrigued that any real professor whose expertise is in urban studies would encourage let alone mandate that his students pay attention to the graffiti art that practically ruined the look and feel of many major cities in our country and around the world.

After a brief introduction of himself, the professor of that class began the semester by showing us a slide show of graffiti art from around the world. He played the entire show without saying a word of explanation. When it was finished he simply walked over to the chalk board and wrote another line underneath what he had already written about paying attention to graffiti art. He wrote: “Because it reveals the major issues of that culture’s youth.”

I got out my notebook for the first time that semester and wrote those two phrases onto the top of the first page. I was still hesitant about where the professor could possibly be taking an introduction like this, but I was more intrigued than before after watching the slide show of graffiti art and realizing just how artistic it truly was.

Our first assignment for that urban studies class was to find a photograph of graffiti art that was from a major U.S. city and to write a two page reflection on what we thought the graffiti art revealed about that particular city’s youth. I had no idea when I chose a picture from Chicago and wrote about it just what I was doing to shape the rest of my life.

To make a long story short, that urban studies class and specifically our discussion of graffiti art revolutionized my thinking about the peoples of the world. I learned that a culture is revealed by small things like graffiti art that we usually take as annoying when we visit somewhere. All that to say, the next time you travel don’t discount a city’s graffiti art as something ugly or offensive. Instead, see what you can learn about the youth of that city through the graffiti art because I guarentee there is much to be learned.