Abstract Sold, Why Abstracts are Selling Fast Understanding Abstract Paintings

Abstracts are selling fast, not because of the price or size but because people are understanding and loving colors and the fantasy, hidden meanings, symbolism in abstracts. While a bold red abstract takes a prominent place on a huge white wall in the corporate meeting room, only this is sufficient for the decor and energy of the whole room.
Focus by interior designers on more of contemporary style themes , paintings are an important part of any decor. While people used to buy landscapes , always on the top selling paintings list, with importance on feng shui and simple life style, abstracts are coming up as fast selling works.
Color laying, color brushing, and different techniques using color paints brings out a magical result laid on canvasses. Understanding abstracts was quite a fill and people,  art lovers would shy away from abstracts as lay people would just say it is painted like a child or simple color and it becomes difficult to command higher prices for an abstract painting.

The Red Dot Symbolic Abstract Oil on Oil Sketch paper, US$699 in galleries, Year 2003

Freedom , year 2000 Oil on Canvas Framed

Destiny Geometric Cubism Abstract Painting Oil on Oil Sketch Paper Year 2005,  Price US $ 1000

Cubism Abstract First Abstracts Set of Five Year 2000 on Linen

Abstract Symbolic Still Life SOLD

Spiritual abstracts , symbolic abstracts look good and bring about feelings of peace and the colors used are chosen judiciously to make an art statement. With energy colors red, orange and stability colors like brown and cream, blue being a spiritual color purple a rich color representing royalty,  my favorite colors golden the ultimate color my symbolic spiritual works lay lots of importance on color symbolism.

Abstract Painting SOLD, Year 2005Why abstracts are selling fast

When art lovers and art buyers love to buy abstract paintings , usually the choice of paintings is done by the color combinations in the artwork. When I have spoken to people,  their choice while buying abstract art, is on physical colors and of course the main concept and emotions behind the making of an artwork.
An abstract artist has a tough time sometimes in explaining the processes and thoughts behind the making  of an  artwork, especially with color field painting technique,  where the paintings at a glance look like total red or orange or strands stripes of colors. While people and art lovers are now opening up on buying abstract art more and more interior designers are opting for abstracts as they blend into any themed  decor. Contemporary style  designs and lifestyle furniture along with modern abstract art  are the in thing and hence more and more abstracts are selling fast.
Symbolic abstracts have also found a way into hotels and as these paintings lay more emphasis  on colors and textures they can go along with any decor and walls.
Abstract paintings give the viewer a pleasant trip to another level of realm. The fantasy aspect in an abstract work is the greatest USP of any abstract. Each viewer views the abstract painting differently and we can get many many explanations of the same painting by different viewers.
While each individual views and experiences  symbolic spiritual abstracts differently this is also affected by their upbringing and the environment, socio economic strata they come from. It feels great when art lovers view the paintings and see the many images and pictures which were  not put there intentionally by the abstract artist. The best part comes when an abstract art piece becomes a point of conversation and discussion, with every person putting their point forward.
An abstract artist paints using various techniques in painting, with brush, spray, scratching technique,  end tip of brush, cloth, sponge, combs, geometrical instruments, paint knives, and even fingers!direct contact with skin, paint flows  almost like second skin and makes  beautiful fantasy forms on the canvas.
While on this spiritual journey of The Red Pilgrim, as I continue to paint healing art... I wish to make simple colorful understandable art, art that heals.
You may view some more of my art here, Take Care and God Bless!
Absolute Arts
Saatchi Online

How to do Commissioned Work Tips for commissioned work Latest paintings and Mixed Emotions Alexandrine Parakeet

Latest Paintings Confident Strokes Symbolic Abstract Oil paintings

 As the feelings of sadness, heaviness in heart, left him free to fly since three days no sound, hope he is fine. While was busy with commissioned work , small paintings, symbolic abstracts , nature was at work. As the new alexandrine who was found nearly a month back looked healthy and could fly well, experimented with letting him fly in the sky, once found, this time as have left him there is no sound am worried, hope he comes back soon.
Commissioned work is a part of every artists life and as we all love to have work at hand this is also the most difficult part in our profession.
Tips for taking Commissioned Work Paintings-
1) Decide upon the budget for commissioned work. Usually the client  has a fixed approximate budget for the art works they require, number of paintings, medium of paintings and size of paintings commissioned. Discuss this clearly with the client, corporate or private art collectors, buyers of art.
2) Communicate with the  client what style they want the paintings- abstract, nature, still life, portraits, usually clients have specific demands for the paintings they want to be made. This again is clear when the client chooses to give commission to  an artist, only after reviewing their past work of art.
3)Colors they love and would like to be incorporated in their customized artwork also can be discussed.  As  I do lots of symbolic abstracts and lay utmost importance on feng shui colors , and effects of colors on mind, color psychology, color therapy, it would be better to understand whether the client loves energy colors , earth colors or spiritual colors.
4) Time when they commissioned works are required. This is very important from both sides, the client as well as the artist. They may have a certain function, occasion when they wish to present, gift, the commissioned pieces of paintings, or unfold some special paintings on certain special occasions coinciding with their profession.
5) For the artist the time taken too make paintings, number of artworks and the time taken for drying well, all must be considered before committing, deciding on the date for any commissioned art.  The artist can well in advance let people know how long before they need to get the order and the time they take to deliver the paintings.
6) Only take those orders who you can do justice to, by time and by work, sometimes due to time crunch the artist loaded with responsibility and pressure to complete a certain number of paintings within a fixed time suddenly get an artists block. They are not able to do justice to the commissioned artwork and this is reflected in their paintings  and by choice of colors.
7)  Relax, free your mind and then begin commissioned work, this helps. Take a break before, nature  walk also help, take time sharpening your skills, prepare to paint , spend more time preparing for teh ideas, colors, thoughts,  , and then go for it. The flow comes out naturally.
8) All commissioned order of paintings must be finished on time. Keep in mind the loyalty , and responsibility you as an artist have to submit the work on time. Reputation and work habits , style or working , professionalism always helps, even for artists.
9) While working on commissioned work, some artists  prefer to  keep showing drafts, or how the work is progressing to the client, the thought that they can make changes while working on a painting  instead of showing the complete painting for approval of the client. This will save time and also help to give the required result artwork   that satisfies the buyers.  Sometimes this becomes quite a  pain as usually lay people , clients who do not have any knowledge of colors or styles, and they may get confused as well as confuse the artist, so your individual choice in this term.
10) Finish the paintings on time, pack them well, commissioned art is not just about paintings but also sending the package on time. Commissioned paintings involve the whole process of painting, packing well and your work reaching the destination at the earliest or on time scheduled by the client, is a great way to invite more attractive commissioned works later.
All the Best!

Friendly Alexandrine Parakeet male

Confident strokes, Untitled, abstract painting on oil sketch paper

My Best Friend Alexandrine Parakeet

Loving to Chew possessive about his perch

As he would sit on a natural perch, wooden branch, and live on the window sill, he had become very possessive about his territory.
I am not aware of what lessons in compassion nature universe is teaching me, the loss   just become unbearable, first to care, love and then to leave, as about the female Alexandrine  parakeet who had lived with us free for two and half years.
As this one had come in distress, and I was given by the next building people, the time flew by caring , feeding, him but as he looked confident, I had to let go, the most difficult part, hoping he would come back, think some one has caught him,a s he would answer my whistles with his every time.

The Heart of Love Reiki symbolic healing painting with our new love Alexandrine parakeet, Blood Donation Camp

new friend alexandrine bird from paradise

With Alexandrine bird from paradise, the one we had has been caught since past eight months , still no news from her, this one had been stranded on a top floor of a house , people who did not wish to keep him, so here he is, learning to fly, eat healthy, bathe, and of course scream!!!he loves to be pampered!

borrowed cage for the new arrival till he is trained out

enjoying the view from the window sitting on a wooden perch

 The bestest feeling ever, when he flew the top of our buildings and took six to eight rounds and landed, he even answered my calls with whistles,

chameli creeper in full swing, fragrant flowers

 another very heavenly fragrant plant, chameli, jasmine , white flowers in full swung this year, fully loaded with fragrance in the rains! I did not pluck any, as  I do not apply any hair floral decorations, and also flowers live better on plants and for longer time.,
After reading a piece,  Buddha had mentioned that he saw the plant bleed  after plucking a flower, so just do not pluck when there is no need

chameli jasmine flowering plant healthy blooms

enjoying fresh vegetables

white fragrant flowers on the chameli bel

Blood donation Camp on 15th August 2013

doing my very very little bit, first time attended a blood donation camp, feels great!

Every year with the rains I would paint like  wild, this year am focussing the energy, as  thoughts take round and round somersaults in my mind, with sufism and healing, along with happiness maybe some artwork in line.  do not know what and when as the canvas lies still., my hands are full with caring for birds!

Pink hearts of Love painting displayed in contemporary rose gold decor

This painting with the color of love, pink, a soothing healing color of love and compassion, pink paintings rule the heart and somehow make the environment more friendly , open and comfortable.
While I had painted strokes as waves , love waves in pink first, the image of heart, symbolic of love and compassion was  enough, but the symbols used, Chinese symbols, simple,  give another meaning to the artwork, it is better to understand the energy of the painting and also symbols itself guide and direct the brain to produce positive energy, and as each viewer views the artwork, they themselves are the creators of their positive energy , 
Soul mates with true love, a connection with the universal life force, not just romantic love but universal love for nature and the universe. I have always understood that love is a more wider, much deeper and of different level emotion. Never limit this to physical body or romantic love. Here we lay a lot of important on compassion, self love, you cannot give love unless you are joyful from within. Most of the worldly emotional relationship turmoil's come from deeper causes which are never handled. Most people die without actually experiencing true pure love emotions. 

A very good feng shui painting for attracting positive energy in love and marital life as well as  family relationships and to attract the right partner, display in the bedroom south west wall  for best healing  results.  Pink color symbolism is since ages a representation of love and compassion.
Spiritual love, romantic love,  and the love for universe,
"spread positivity and love around", sit for a while, think, focus energy of love and send this gift to the people around, the people you care for, the people you love, the plants, the pets, the universe, try it, it works! be then , prepared for the showering of gifts from the universe, many many folds.
All the Best! Best of Luck, Take Care and God Bless from Rizwana!

Happy Winged Heart art for joy! 

Dedicated professional Reiki Healing artists India, since year 2000.Brand name The Red Pilgrim  Razarts.com

Shipping of an artwork meaning techniques and Practical Tips for packing paintings

Shipping and handling charges is a common term which we see on art sites. Whenever you buy a painting do consider  the shipping costs which will be added with the total cost of paintings. Shipping costs are the costs incurred by the artist for packing and sending paintings to the art buyers destination. Usually the charges come for using packing materials and sending services, courier or postal delivery charges. Many times we see all inclusive prices and I also have on my professional art website one single price that includes packing and shipping courier charges. 

The white tube for holding the canvas in place 

soft muslin cloth for canvas painting shipping

Bubble wrap big roll

final rolling bubble wrap for shipping canvas unframed art

acid free card board and paper to protect art while shipping 

paper painting packed bubble wrap

plastic coating for shipping paper artworks

read framed artwork order packing

small framed paintings order commissioned abstract art

Every art website mentions additional shipping charges added to the total value  of the painting. This depends upon the destination the artwork is going to be shipped which is usually less within the country and more when sending to other countries to art collectors and art lovers. Courier charges vary from country to country and local cities we easily ship within few days but the international painting orders do require higher shipping charges and even take more days to send the parcel the mentioned destinations. I have noticed that international shipping charges are exorbitant and the art price most times is of lesser value than the shipping costs!

Packing of a painting is very important  as the buyer receives the artwork in good condition is very important. The paintings made of canvas or paper are packed differently. Framed paper work have glass which is very fragile and need great care while packing. As also canvas paintings need the care as they may get scratched or torn while transporting. The artwork most times travels from across the globe to reach the art buyer, most of my art buyers are from foreign countries, US, Singapore, Dubai, international sales. 

Tips for packing paper paintings-

Make sure  the paintings  are well dried before shipping. Otherwise the covering packing material will stick to the artwork and when removing the packing the painting may get damaged. Cover the  painting with clean paper on both sides. Use  thick  water proof paper  for  protecting the painting done on paper. In case of thick paint or  mixed media works consider the layer added to protect the artwork from getting abrased  or damaged. Acid free paper covering the artwork prevents any damage to the costly art. I use thick card board to give the parcel shape and prevent the artwork from bending or folding. There are thick bubble wrap that is the final covering to protect from damage and water proof the parcel. Always use water proof bag for shipping artworks. Personally I also put a lot of cello tape to covers the bag because we never know what the parcel might get exposed to till it reaches the air plane, sunlight, rains, water etc.

Packing of  canvas paintings-

Canvas painting that are unframed are shipped as roll in tubes. I prefer the plastic thick tubes since these are water proof. The procedure is we cover the artwork with soft white muslin cloth to protect original painting from any damage. roll it firmly over a wooden or plastic round stick. There are also other options for packing canvas paintings that are not framed. Tubular packing are available  for packing rolled canvasses. While rolling a canvas painting cover the painting with a layer of soft cloth , if required cover with bubble wrap to protect the layer of paint on the painting. Then the roll is put in hollow tube and sealed from both sides making it water proof and covered from every side. 

For framed canvas paintings the procedure is different. Boxes made of wood are required to pack wooden framed paintings. Consider finding a good carpenter to get customized boxes for packing as this has to be sturdy , big sized paintings framed in wood do weigh a lot ! so shipping charges are also high for international sales. I much prefer unframed artworks because the buyers can choose frame according to their choices and home decor. 

Many new  art buyers and  art lovers do like  to buy paintings ready to hang as some art buyers do not have the resources to contact frame maker  and also the time  required for this. and it is also a fact  as  we artist know that making a single  frame costs much more and you get concession of you frame many paintings at a time. It is also important that you choose the right frame to bring out the best in the artwork.  The color of mountings chosen and the size of the mounting  all affect the appearance of your artwork.

When ordering or  buying paintings from any artist do inquire the price with or without frames. As  usually  the mentioned prices are without frames.  

When the painting has to be shipped in your own country the same care will be needed for packing. While sending paintings over seas to different countries to art lovers it is important to protect and care for the artworks so that they reach the art lover collector  in good condition.  The artist has to make sure  about the right correct address of the art lover and always have contact number and destination address clear. It is advisable  to keep tract of the artwork once it is sent to make sure it  reaches the destination safely.

Thanks to my precious art buyers who share the photos of my art displayed in their homes and offices. sharing few photos of my sold painting hanging in my art buyers homes. 

few of my sold paintings

some of my sold artworks

art hanging in buyers space

paintings in my art buyers space

art hanging in buyers home

paintings hanging in buyers home

art displayed in buyers home

painting in buyers home

painting displayed in buyers home

evil eye painting in buyers home

painting in buyers home

How  the art lover buyer receives the painting will surely have an effect on your later sales! I always make it a point to add a hand written thank you note with wishes and also add my professional business artists website visiting card so that he art buyers can remember the next time they need to buy my art. 

On the personal front..Alhamdullilah , a painting is going to be shipped, by the grace of God, ...

Thank You to my art buyers. I surely  do not know whether I have to be happy or sad, both, one of my precious babies has found a home, a carer..hope this artwork titled "Untitled" reaches safely  by grace of God, and brings  loads of good luck and prosperity to the art lover.

The Red Pilgrim -my professional business artist card

While on this spiritual journey of The Red Pilgrim, as I continue to paint healing art...I wish to make simple colorful understandable art, art that heals.

All the Best from Rizwana!

a professional healing artist since year 2000 making spiritual symbol art to spread Reiki energy for personal power activation, self  empowerment, soul healing, family blessings  and Joy with world through my Reiki symbol healing paintings! Razarts

Breath taking Landscape Paintings on Canvas and paper Why I don't paint landscapes

Beautiful Kerala Water Tourist Destination

Breathtaking landscapes, I have painted a few landscape paintings in year 2000 and some few as  the landscapes move from fantasy to reality   There are places which I may have seen photographs but never visited. I have not painted these  landscapes from any photo reference and these are original imaginations of my mind, though you may find similar places in case  you have visited these places

Serenity A landscape fantasy painting on canvas

Serenity and Planet of peace   happened in year 2000 when the thoughts floated towards fantasy  , a place of serene environment, peace , harmony, a place of "Utopia" i had named  this painting  Utopia, a  moment.

Hills of Kashmir oil painting on canvas

Enchanting Kerala Backwaters water color painting on paper

Untitled Mountain Landscape by Mrs Rizwana A.Mundewadi

with a few miniature landscapes of matheran, mahableshwar and kashmir, in year 2000, we had not visited these places then and as of now  I know how much similar the places seem when they were painted on paper.

"Dream" Shikara in Kashmir small  oil painting on canvas

Hidden Treasures Oil painting on paper Year 2009

Landscapes have immense potential, paintings can be done over and over with the same place in mind or plen air painting also is of great value as  the artist brings captures to moment onto the canvas.
As  for my personal opinion I feel it is very difficult to copy nature, you just can't replace the original, but landscape paintings are a good way to bring outdoors inside your home.  But however much I try to avoid landscapes they have this habit of coming up at one time or other and I end up painting on impulse an landscape painting.

Enchanting Europe oil painting year 2013

Enchanting Europe happened on impulse and at one sitting just like the other landscapes. Maybe there is an influence of the Mountains of Himalayas which we visited last year. The flowers in the landscape are those on my wish list for my terrace garden, as we have a few lillies, roses, and one orchid and a few rare flowering plants. Lillies of different colors, now at present we have red and white, and soon trying to catch hold of more colors, the problem is we  do not get rare exotic plants easily, will have to search for them.
The paint has been laid thick, this again create new problems as my paintings do not dry fast due to the thick layers of paints and usually as I do paintings in one sitting it sure takes quite  a few days to dry off. Maybe will learn some new tricks for drying paintings fast in later years.
You can relive the memories and emotions when you view the place in the landscape, hence from ages and till date landscape paintings are the most hot selling among all genres of paintings world wide.
While on this spiritual journey of The Red Pilgrim,  as I continue to paint healing art...I wish to make simple, colorful, understandable art, art that heals.
Rizwana Mundewadi's Healing Art

Pink Light Shower Reiki Symbolic Healing Painting Year 2001

Pink Light Shower a Symbolic Reiki Healing painting water color and wax crayons Year 2001 by Mrs Rizwana A.Mundewadi

Pink light the divine light of the universe, which is absolutely out of this world feeling, divine blessings are always represented by the color pink. This symbolic reiki healing painting is done using a over lapping technique.  As I was  in the process of trying out techniques to find my style of painting, this is what took me back to teacher training class. The journal of techniques in painting I had done on pencil, charcoal, painting, crayons, water color, sago painting, bottle top painting, spray painting, thread painting   and many more.
Kindergarten , We were then fascinated with colors. simple Crayons played a major role in putting color to our scribblings and drawings. Using crayons made  of wax and water color for this technique I have made many paintings on paper where I have used crayons for drawing and covered them with water color wash. Using dark black color in water color almost makes the paintings glow, loved this, maybe will try out in some later years this technique , who knows.This painting is in water color with a  layer of wax turning it into a more spiritual fantasy work.
Usually I do not make figurative art as spirituality divine is much getting over the physical body, and focussing more on the soul. The body being just a home, a temple, a   boat, a place for the soul to exist and which is going to perish, and the soul, the shy soul,  lies behind the cover and emerges gradually ....
Earth energy , the roots that help us to get the mother earth energy and keeps us grounded and well balanced. The divine energy, pink shower of light from divine sources, a blessing, a purification a  shower of divine light, divine love.

The length of head hair, I love long hair, a symbol of femininity and female form,  a symbolic representation of the dedication and tapasya , towards the path of enlightenment, a symbolic representation of being away from worldly pleasures and desires.
The pink shower is a painting done on paper  in water color and then covered  with a layer of wax crayons. The figurative painting is one of a  sort as I hardly have tried this genre, post to 'selling happiness' and 'music flowing' and the latest one an symbolic figurative abstract 'my Green Tara".
While on this spiritual journey of The Red Pilgrim, as I continue to paint healing art....I wish to make simple, colorful,  understandable art, art that heals.
razarts@yahoo.co.in
For viewing and buying more of my works do visit
www.razarts.com

Camel Ride Rajasthan Wax Crayon Painting

This place I have still not visited... usually the paintings come long before the actual....
Take care,  All the Best!