Love Art Fair: How To Buy Your First Piece of Art

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Love Art Fair is on full-force and we can’t get enough! We’ve seen dozens of breathtaking pieces from a variety of different artists. With all this excitement, it’s hard not to look back on our very first art purchases.

We know that buying art can be an intimidating process if you’re not sure what you’re doing or what you’re looking for. So before you pull out your hair trying to choose something, we’ve rounded up some very helpful tips for first time buyers…

 

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1)    Slow Down – Finding the perfect piece of art is not something that should be rushed. Wear comfortable shoes and take your time checking out each and every gallery.

2)   Be Prepared – If you’re looking to fill a certain space in your home, know what you’re looking for i.e. what size, which colours, what kind of lighting, etc.

3)   Grab a Guide – Upon arrival, pick up a fair guide and take notes on the galleries as you see something you like.

4)   Speak Up – If you see something you love, don’t be afraid to ask the artist about it! If it happens to fall outside of your budget, ask if any payment arrangements can be made.

5)   Not Speed Dating – After having a look around, take a break to mull over your choices. If you need more time to think about it, Love Art Fair offers free re-entry on another day of the event.

6)   Trust Your Instincts – Buying art is about the connection and reaction to a specific piece. Trust your taste and go for the pieces you can’t get enough of!

7)   Have Fun! – The best piece of advice is to just have fun! Art is exciting – get involved, chat with artists, or join a workshop.

Love Art Fair Hits Toronto!

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We are so excited for the opening of Love Art Fair this week! Launching in Toronto on May 7-11 at the Direct Energy Centre, this is the first showcase of its kind in Canada offering a simple yet inspiring environment for high-quality contemporary art. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned vet, you’re sure to find the piece you’ve been searching for…

Starting in London, England back in 1999, Love Art began as an opportunity to make art more accessible to the general public (not just for millionaires and art experts). With art from over 50 local, national, and international galleries, the four-day event offers a variety of original contemporary pieces including fascinating workshops, discussions and of course, cocktails and gourmet bites! Love Art Fair celebrates the idea that art is for everyone. All under one roof, visitors can view thousands of paintings, photographs, prints and sculptures with pricing ranging from $100-$10,000 (with over half of the prices under $5,000).

NKPR wants to share in the excitement by giving you exclusive access to the private viewing this Wednesday May 6th at 6:00p.m. How to get access: Tweet us at @natashankpr telling us your favourite artist using the hashtag #NKLoveArt.

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2014 Met Gala – Our Top Picks!

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The office is buzzing with talk of the stunning outfits seen at last night’s “Oscars of fashion”, the 2014 Met Gala!

This year, the themed gala honoured the great American couturier, Charles James, whose classically glamourous designs were popular from the ‘30s into the ‘70s. His show-stopping ball gowns were famous for their detailed draping and intricate structuring, seen on many fashion icons of the time.

Needless to say, the celebs did not disappoint! From detailed beading (all hail Queen Bey) to old-fashioned glamour (can we talk Leighton Meester?!) we’ve rounded up some of our favourite looks from last night’s red carpet…

Ashley Olsen in Chanel – no explanation needed. – Rebecca Kogon

"Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Costume Institute Gala - Arrivals

Leighton Meester in Emilio Pucci. I love how she played up the metallic trend while also keeping it classy and refined. The deep necklace and high leg slit is so elegant! I love it!!! – Marni Zaretsky

Leighton Meester: glowing, golden 70s goddess! – Adrien Reynolds

Leighton Meester in Emilio Pucci – sophisticated and sexy, and had a delicate art deco texture – all which were a perfect blend for Charles James Met Gala subject of ‘Sensual distinction’. – Alison Petrie

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Rihanna because I love the danger of underboob slippage and this: See Buzz Feed. Girl knows how to have fun!! – Bunmi Adeoye

Rihanna looked so fierce yet so glamourous! Love the edge. – Ashton Marcus

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Emma Stone – because I love her! – Kristin Newbigging 

Emma Stone

Kendall Jenner – It looks great on her, she looks elegant and mature. I also love the necklace that she paired with it – Tessa O’Donoghue

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Queen B. And well, because its Beyonce and she can do no wrong! – Martyna Macerollo

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Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival: Photos of the Week

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One of our favourite cultural events in Toronto is the internationally acclaimed Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. Every year it is incredibly inspiring to see all of the amazing art and photography displayed at more than 175 venues throughout the city! During the month of May, an extensive range of exhibitions, public installations, films, lectures, and workshops are presented to more than one million people.

To celebrate this year’s theme, “Identity”, we are counting down our top five photos every week!

Mary Sibande, I Have Not, I Have, 2010, Courtesy of the artist and Gallery MOMO
Mary Sibande, I Have Not, I Have, 2010, Courtesy of the artist and Gallery MOMO
Meryl McMaster, Wind Play, 2012, courtesy of Katzman Contemporary
Meryl McMaster, Wind Play, 2012, courtesy of Katzman Contemporary
Shelley Niro, The 500 Year Itch, 1992, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. © Shelley Niro. Photo © NGC
Shelley Niro, The 500 Year Itch, 1992, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. © Shelley Niro. Photo © NGC
Zanele Muholi, Zanele Muholi, Vredehoek, Cape Town, 2011, © Zanele Muholi and Stevenson Cape Town/Johannesburg
Zanele Muholi, Zanele Muholi, Vredehoek, Cape Town, 2011, © Zanele Muholi and Stevenson Cape Town/Johannesburg
Holly Bynoe, Imperial , 2010
Holly Bynoe, Imperial , 2010

Tweet us your favourite photo at @natashankpr!

Special Gifts for Mom

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MothersDay copy

NKPR ♥ LOVE ART FAIR: ARIANNE DiNARDO

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NKPR hearts Love Art! We’re so excited for the launch of Love Art Fair in Canada. Coming to Toronto this May 8– 11, Love Art Fair will be hosting 50+ galleries showcasing affordable, contemporary art including original paintings, artist-made prints, sculptures and photographs…all under one roof! As lovers of contemporary art ourselves (take one look at the office and you’ll see what we mean), we’re thrilled to celebrate with the Toronto art scene and get to know our local galleries.

As the Love Art Fair approaches, Love Art has been featuring weekly blog posts showcasing the various galleries participating in the fair, giving us an inside look at what’s to come during this amazing 4 day event. We thought we’d share some of our favourite highlights, continuing with Arianne DiNardo, the Recent Graduates Curator at Love Art Fair!

 ADUntitled, from “Fantasia” series, 2013

Tell me what you enjoy most when working with recent graduates?
AD: Their sense of enthusiasm and excitement; the freshness of their ideas. Most of all, I love the hope they carry with them, a hope that is transferred to their creative output. There are no big egos, no sense of disillusionment and boredom. It’s really refreshing to work with ambitious young artists that don’t take their opportunities for granted.

Can we have a sneak peak of any of the works that will be showcased in the Recent Grads Exhibition?
AD: Ah! I hate to do this… but here is one of my favourites by Arianna Perricone!

What is your favorite work of art?
AD: Of all time? I could never answer that! My taste has always been pretty consistent but my favorite works change. My favorite artists however: Robert Heinecken, Christian Boltanski, David Hockney, Ana Mendieta, Sophie Calle, Duane Michals, Bas Jan Ader, Alighiero Boetti, and John Stezaker.

Talia Chetrit is a young artist whose work I find really exciting, along with Brad Phillips, Corin Sworn, Hanna Liden, Hannah Whitaker, and Jon Rafman.

Read the full interview with Arianne DiNardo and purchase tickets for Love Art at www.loveartfair.com.

Tweet us at @natashankpr and @LoveArtTO to let us know if you’ll be attending Love Art Fair!

NKPR ♥ Love Art Fair: Spence Gallery

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NKPR hearts Love Art! We’re so excited for the launch of Love Art Fair in Canada. Coming to Toronto this May 8– 11, Love Art Fair will be hosting 50+ galleries showcasing affordable, contemporary art including original paintings, artist-made prints, sculptures and photographs…all under one roof! As lovers of contemporary art ourselves (take one look at the office and you’ll see what we mean), we’re thrilled to celebrate with the Toronto art scene and get to know our local galleries.

As the Love Art Fair approaches, Love Art has been featuring weekly blog posts showcasing the various galleries participating in the fair, giving us an inside look at what’s to come during this amazing 4 day event. We thought we’d share some of our favourite highlights, continuing with gallery director, Joan Spence from Spence Galleries here in Toronto!

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What is the most challenging aspect of having a gallery?
JS: Getting clients and making sales. Unfortunately I am not located in an art district, therefore I don’t have the advantage galleries have in such districts.

What is your favourite thing about your job?
JS: One thing is when I sell someone their first piece of art. Also, selling art to young people really makes me happy.

What advice would you give someone who wants to buy art for the first time?
JS: I would tell them to go to galleries a lot and look at a lot of art. The more you see art, the more you know what you really like. And also, it allows you to see the range of things.

Read the full interview with Joan Spence and purchase tickets for Love Art at www.loveartfair.com.

Tweet us at @natashankpr and @LoveArtTO to let us know if you’ll be attending Love Art Fair!

NKPR ♥ Love Art Fair: Alex D’Arcy

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NKPR hearts Love Art Fair! We’re so excited for the launch of Love Art Fair in Canada. Coming to Toronto this May 8– 11, Love Art Fair will be hosting 50+ galleries showcasing affordable, contemporary art including original paintings, artist-made prints, sculptures and photographs…all under one roof! As lovers of contemporary art ourselves (take one look at the office and you’ll see what we mean), we’re thrilled to celebrate with the Toronto art scene and get to know our local galleries.

As the Love Art Fair approaches, Love Art has been featuring weekly blog posts showcasing the various galleries participating in the fair, giving us an inside look at what’s to come during this amazing 4 day event. We thought we’d share some of our favourite highlights, continuing with Canadian artist Alex D’Arcy from Mayberry Fine Art at Walnut Studios here in Toronto!

Alex D'arcy

When did you consider yourself an artist?
AD: When people ask, I call myself a painter, rather than an artist. It took a long time. I realized one day that I have been painting everyday for some years, and that I was organizing all of my life around the work.

What is the best art advice you ever received? And from whom?
AD: It all depends on the time you receive the advice. The best words come at the right time.
Some of the best advice has come from colleagues. Keep working, keep sketchbooks, be brave, tolerate uncertainty…and keep a loose grip on the bat.

What’s your favourite work of art at the moment?
AD: My favourite piece is always the next piece.

Read the full interview with Alex D’Arcy and purchase tickets for Love Art at www.loveartfair.com.

Tweet us at @natashankpr and let us know if you’ll be attending Love Art Fair!

NKPR ♥ Love Art Fair: Alex D'Arcy

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NKPR hearts Love Art Fair! We’re so excited for the launch of Love Art Fair in Canada. Coming to Toronto this May 8– 11, Love Art Fair will be hosting 50+ galleries showcasing affordable, contemporary art including original paintings, artist-made prints, sculptures and photographs…all under one roof! As lovers of contemporary art ourselves (take one look at the office and you’ll see what we mean), we’re thrilled to celebrate with the Toronto art scene and get to know our local galleries.

As the Love Art Fair approaches, Love Art has been featuring weekly blog posts showcasing the various galleries participating in the fair, giving us an inside look at what’s to come during this amazing 4 day event. We thought we’d share some of our favourite highlights, continuing with Canadian artist Alex D’Arcy from Mayberry Fine Art at Walnut Studios here in Toronto!

Alex D'arcy

When did you consider yourself an artist?
AD: When people ask, I call myself a painter, rather than an artist. It took a long time. I realized one day that I have been painting everyday for some years, and that I was organizing all of my life around the work.

What is the best art advice you ever received? And from whom?
AD: It all depends on the time you receive the advice. The best words come at the right time.
Some of the best advice has come from colleagues. Keep working, keep sketchbooks, be brave, tolerate uncertainty…and keep a loose grip on the bat.

What’s your favourite work of art at the moment?
AD: My favourite piece is always the next piece.

Read the full interview with Alex D’Arcy and purchase tickets for Love Art at www.loveartfair.com.

Tweet us at @natashankpr and let us know if you’ll be attending Love Art Fair!

NKPR ♥ Love Art Fair: Laurie De Camillis

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We’re so excited for the launch of Love Art Fair in Canada! Coming to Toronto this May 8 – 11, Love Art Fair will be hosting 50+ galleries showcasing affordable, contemporary art including original paintings, artist-made prints, sculptures and photographs…all under one roof! As lovers of contemporary art ourselves (take one look at the office and you’ll see what we mean), we’re thrilled to celebrate with the Toronto art scene and get to know our local galleries.

As the Love Art Fair approaches, Love Art has been featuring weekly blog posts showcasing the various galleries participating in the fair, giving us an inside look at what’s to come during this amazing 4 day event. We thought we’d share some of our favourite highlights, starting with Canadian artist Laurie De Camillis, founding member of the Canadian Art Collective in Toronto!

Who/what inspires you?
LD: Canadian painters such as David Milne, and on a more contemporary side, Charles Meanwell. I like painters whose work is simple and direct. And I look for those who use contradictions and paradoxes in their work.

Is painting something you do mainly for yourself? Or your viewers?
LD: It’s a mix. It is mostly for myself. I have to satisfy myself. Sometimes I go in directions that aren’t pretty

What is the best art tip you have ever received? And by whom?
LD: Ted Lindberg, curator at the Vancouver Art Gallery who said to me “don’t worry about your career; just do your painting and look after yourself.”

LaurieDeCamillis2

Read the full interview with Laurie De Camillis and purchase tickets for Love Art at www.loveartfair.com.

Tweet us at @natashankpr and @LoveArtTO to let us know if you’ll be attending Love Art Toronto!