As seen in ART BUSINESS NEWS AUGUST 2009 ISSUE
FLOWER POWER
Floral Art Boasts True
Staying Power
BY DANIEL MULLEN – ABN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
"Floral art is a strongly
favored genre," says Helen Tu, director of global sales for Collectors
Editions. "People find great enjoyment in nature's powerful simplicity,
embodied in the gorgeous undulations of flower petals. And by extension, the
lovers and admirers of specific flowers enjoy adorning their homes with floral
art; it is a natural and artistic expression of life and its beauty."
Tu says collectors of floral art
range from general admirers to people who specifically collect certain species
and varieties of flowers. She adds that while some people might be quick to
generalize or assume that floral art serves a predominantly female demographic,
many important painting commissions by Collectors Editions' floral artist Brian
Davis have been initiated by male art patrons.
"Although roses are a
perennial favorite, we have found that most floral paintings, regardless of the
type of flower, appeal to a wide spectrum of the population," Tu says.
"The appeal of floral paintings is timeless and universal, and we continue
to find that they remain successful in nearly all markets. Not only do floral
works cross all demographic groups, but they also appeal to people in all age
groups. The wide range of forms showcased in the genre, from simple and bold to
complex and delicate, ensure a remarkable diversity in floral paintings. We
feel strongly that floral art will continue to flourish."
Collectors Editions has enjoyed
success in floral art sales because the genre projects boundless diversity of
color, form and character and continues to bring the light and exuberance of
nature indoors. From a practical perspective, the genre is easily incorporated
into a range of interior-design concepts because it enhances homes and offices
with a sense of life and natural serenity.
Distinct Interpretations
BRIAN DAVIS:
SKILLED PRECISION
Brian Davis' striking floral renderings are both
contemporary and timeless. The depth in Davis'
highly collected art is derived from his careful attention to the subtle shifts
in value--relative dark and light.
"The light is the real
subject of my work," Davis
says. "The flower is the stage, and the light is the dancer."
Davis' patrons often ask whether there is a light box behind the canvas that is
creating the light in the painting, or they assume it is the gallery lighting
that illuminates it. However, when the work is taken off the wall and removed
from any type of artificial light source, collectors marvel at the natural
light Davis has
so expertly captured in his paintings.
Davis spends extensive time researching and
scouting for flowers or scenes that catch his eye. He carries a camera
everywhere so he can shoot a subject at any moment. Because flowers will so
quickly, and if can take him weeks to complete a painting, Davis has found a way to create a floral
image from a series of different shots of each flower. He purposely paints in a
larger-than-life-size format for the sheer visceral impact it gives his works.
“Brilliant Red
Solo Rose” Giclée on Canvas by Brian Davis
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