When thinking about tropical destinations, many people can relate to the scenery shown in those popular Corona beer commercials--clear water, white sand beaches, a delightful breeze, sunshine, blue skies and crashing waves. Although some people take home a bottle of sand or some seashells in remembrance of their trips to paradise, art lovers seek something more. They want a painting that brings back those same sensory memories.
"People are looking for art that means something to them, and tropical art offers something to collectors," says Anne Wood, director of Tabora Gallery, a Hawaii-based gallery featuring more than 20 artists including its namesake, Roy Tabora. "Plus, people don't want gloomy art; they want fun, bright, colorful images, which tropical art offers to them."
The affordability and accessibility of tropical art makes it a consistent seller in the art world, particularly in popular tourist destinations such as Hawaii, Southern California or coastal Florida. Prominent and up-and-coming artists are responding to the demand with imagery mostly inspired from personal experiences; some are even using unconventional techniques and mediums to attract new business. The result: Art buyers have more options than ever.
"Tropical art still sells in a recession because people have that connection to it that reminds them of a particular vacation," says Steve Quartly, a still-life impressionistic artist who resides in Orange County, Calif., just a short drive from the Pacific Ocean. "You have to have paintings that capture people's emotions."
The future for tropical art, experts say, remains as bright as the imagery frequently depicted in the paintings.
"Tropical art is going to be more popular as we get busier in this world," says Steve Barton, a San Diego-based artist who invented the "Wavy Frame" concept to create a sense of movement in his tropical paintings. "We want to be able to escape more often, especially to warm climates. As time goes on, it is going to be easier and easier to travel to Bali and other remote, beautiful locations."
Here, we explore the latest trends and sales techniques in tropical art, as well as additional insights by prominent artists and gallery owners.
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TREND WATCH
The following four tropical-art trends have moved to the forefront with buyers:
1. EMBRACING BRIGHT COLORS: "There's enough darkness and strife in the world, and so when people buy art, they want it to say something positive and uplifting," says Scott Westmoreland, a southern California-based artist known for his colorful paintings depicting woody cars, surfing and other tropical imagery.
2. THINKING BEYOND CANVAS: Today's artists are embracing various substrates like glass and bamboo for their tropical paintings. For instance, artist Walfrido paints on Hawaiian Koa wood in an attempt to blend traditional oil paintings with the warmth of wood.
"If you have something unique in materials or presentation, you're going to stand out," he says.
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Artist Ashton Howard explains further: "I've seen a lot of diverse materials being used lately--paintings on salvaged wood, distressed metal and other interesting surfaces beyond the traditional canvas. I've been paintings on wood and experimenting with different ways to mount each painting. We will see more exploration in the use of different materials that inspire the root of our ideas and continue to develop the basis of our subjects."
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[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
3. BEING NOSTALGIC: Many artists are harkening back to the old days by painting vintage signage and portraying popular tropical locations before development dotted the once-unspoiled landscape.
4. PROMOTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL ANGLE: Some artists say that today's heightened environmental awareness in society is playing a role in the ongoing interest in tropical art. Others are using eco-friendly products and practices with their artwork. Howard says he is exploring the use of different materials and recycled products. "And my printer in California, Marco Fine Arts, produces our prints with 100 percent water-based inks and coatings," he says.
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MAKING THE SALES
It's one thing to have eye-catching artwork; it's another thing to make sales. Here, artists and gallery owners share their advice on selling tropical art.
1. REFLECT YOUR SURROUNDINGS: Make sure the tropical art is reflective of the community. "Paint what you know. For instance, area artists, and those of South Florida, know tropical vegetation," says Clare Pearson Zipperly, co-owner of Fifth Avenue Art Gallery in Melbourne, Fla., just 40 miles south of Cape Canaveral near the Atlantic Ocean. "Most people who live in our area want their artwork to reflect their environment, and since tropical plants are in our environment, the artwork of choice for homes in this environment reflects the tropical flora."
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2. AFFORDABILITY IS KEY: "If you're not offering financing at your gallery, you're missing the boat," Wood says. "Financing should be a major payment option for galleries to offer to their customers. We're located in a tourist destination, and for a customer who has already spent lots of money on their vacation, they probably don't have the money right away to buy a piece of art. Wood adds, "People rather spend money on one expensive piece instead of small, less expensive items. People are spending money with more thought nowadays."
"People are looking for art that means something to them, and tropical art offers something to collectors," says Anne Wood, director of Tabora Gallery, a Hawaii-based gallery featuring more than 20 artists including its namesake, Roy Tabora. "Plus, people don't want gloomy art; they want fun, bright, colorful images, which tropical art offers to them."
The affordability and accessibility of tropical art makes it a consistent seller in the art world, particularly in popular tourist destinations such as Hawaii, Southern California or coastal Florida. Prominent and up-and-coming artists are responding to the demand with imagery mostly inspired from personal experiences; some are even using unconventional techniques and mediums to attract new business. The result: Art buyers have more options than ever.
"Tropical art still sells in a recession because people have that connection to it that reminds them of a particular vacation," says Steve Quartly, a still-life impressionistic artist who resides in Orange County, Calif., just a short drive from the Pacific Ocean. "You have to have paintings that capture people's emotions."
The future for tropical art, experts say, remains as bright as the imagery frequently depicted in the paintings.
"Tropical art is going to be more popular as we get busier in this world," says Steve Barton, a San Diego-based artist who invented the "Wavy Frame" concept to create a sense of movement in his tropical paintings. "We want to be able to escape more often, especially to warm climates. As time goes on, it is going to be easier and easier to travel to Bali and other remote, beautiful locations."
Here, we explore the latest trends and sales techniques in tropical art, as well as additional insights by prominent artists and gallery owners.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
TREND WATCH
The following four tropical-art trends have moved to the forefront with buyers:
1. EMBRACING BRIGHT COLORS: "There's enough darkness and strife in the world, and so when people buy art, they want it to say something positive and uplifting," says Scott Westmoreland, a southern California-based artist known for his colorful paintings depicting woody cars, surfing and other tropical imagery.
2. THINKING BEYOND CANVAS: Today's artists are embracing various substrates like glass and bamboo for their tropical paintings. For instance, artist Walfrido paints on Hawaiian Koa wood in an attempt to blend traditional oil paintings with the warmth of wood.
"If you have something unique in materials or presentation, you're going to stand out," he says.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Artist Ashton Howard explains further: "I've seen a lot of diverse materials being used lately--paintings on salvaged wood, distressed metal and other interesting surfaces beyond the traditional canvas. I've been paintings on wood and experimenting with different ways to mount each painting. We will see more exploration in the use of different materials that inspire the root of our ideas and continue to develop the basis of our subjects."
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
3. BEING NOSTALGIC: Many artists are harkening back to the old days by painting vintage signage and portraying popular tropical locations before development dotted the once-unspoiled landscape.
4. PROMOTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL ANGLE: Some artists say that today's heightened environmental awareness in society is playing a role in the ongoing interest in tropical art. Others are using eco-friendly products and practices with their artwork. Howard says he is exploring the use of different materials and recycled products. "And my printer in California, Marco Fine Arts, produces our prints with 100 percent water-based inks and coatings," he says.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
MAKING THE SALES
It's one thing to have eye-catching artwork; it's another thing to make sales. Here, artists and gallery owners share their advice on selling tropical art.
1. REFLECT YOUR SURROUNDINGS: Make sure the tropical art is reflective of the community. "Paint what you know. For instance, area artists, and those of South Florida, know tropical vegetation," says Clare Pearson Zipperly, co-owner of Fifth Avenue Art Gallery in Melbourne, Fla., just 40 miles south of Cape Canaveral near the Atlantic Ocean. "Most people who live in our area want their artwork to reflect their environment, and since tropical plants are in our environment, the artwork of choice for homes in this environment reflects the tropical flora."
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
2. AFFORDABILITY IS KEY: "If you're not offering financing at your gallery, you're missing the boat," Wood says. "Financing should be a major payment option for galleries to offer to their customers. We're located in a tourist destination, and for a customer who has already spent lots of money on their vacation, they probably don't have the money right away to buy a piece of art. Wood adds, "People rather spend money on one expensive piece instead of small, less expensive items. People are spending money with more thought nowadays."
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