Picture perfect

Nov 16 2006

By Francesca Craggs, The Journal

You don't have to be rich to own a piece of original artwork. Francesca Craggs discovers how art is more accessible than ever before and how it can speak volumes for your home. Few can claim to own a masterpiece, yet original artwork for your home is less expensive and more available than you might imagine. With homeowners turning ever more experimental in decorating their properties, artwork is fast becoming an integral feature of interior design. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT According to Victoria Anderson of online gallery Art Evolution, the perception of art has changed dramatically in recent years. She says: "Art is becoming part of everyday society, whether that be in our homes or through the fantastic public art that has swept the region over the past decade. "The ethos of Art Evolution is to provide affordable artwork from some of the best North-East artists to our customers. We remove the strain of visiting a gallery that many find intimating, and bring original art to homes at prices comparable to mass-produced prints that are widely available in our high street stores." As well as making a statement, artwork brings an essence of homeliness and can add character to any space, according to Victoria. This is one of the reasons she has joined forces with two local interior designers to launch Staging by Art Evolution - an unique house-staging service using artwork by North-East artists. Victoria, Rachel Poad of Creative Interior Design and Roz Gaskell of RozG Interiors have pooled their creative skills to ensure property for sale or rent is presented in the best light with maximum `wow factor' for any potential buyer or tenant. Victoria says: "The interior appearance of a property is what really clinches that top-level sale for the vender. Artwork is an essential part of that interior. "We believe that to successfully market a property, it must portray that feeling of being a home so the buyer begins to see the emotional attachment they will experience when they make the purchase. "This is the very reason we have developed the new house-staging service and offer a full consultancy for sellers to ensure a smooth and speedy selling process. We are not interested in making radical, costly changes; just simple touches that will help secure that property sale." Art Evolution's online gallery boasts over 1500 pieces, ranging in price from £25 to £3,000. For a three-month rental period, sellers can choose from its huge selection of contemporary artwork, ranging from original paintings, photographs, and sculptures, as part of their home-staging package. "Art Evolution is a simple and unique concept. We help artists market their work widely and easily, allowing them do what they love - create new art. Buyers, novice or experienced, couldn't find it simpler. "The gallery is on line 24 hours a day allowing them to browse, compare and consider carefully their buying whenever and wherever they want. "Of course, we don't leave customers just to decide on the basis of what they see and read online. We offer a personal service that starts with detailed consideration of the property, the people and the price. "If a customer can't find a piece they're interested in from the 1,500 pieces available, we will arrange a bespoke commission that fits their needs at no extra cost than the rest of the work available from artists." And it's not just specialist websites like Art Evolution which are offering original artwork at affordable prices. The high street is also making art more widely available, adding hand-painted pieces to its homeware collections. Victoria says: "Anything which raises customers' awareness to the concept of owning design features is an incredible step in the right direction. The perception of purchasing artwork can seem intimidating to many people. "Purchasing work from familiar surroundings, such as a high street store, is often more comfortable for the buyer. If outlets provide a route for people to venture into original pieces of art, this will aid their decision to become more adventurous in the future." Visit Art Evolution's online gallery at http://www.artevolution.co.uk/  or e-mail info@artevolution.co.uk  for more information.

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