supporting the grammar, dialectic, and rehetoric stages of Classical education
Fine Art Galleries Introduction
Original artworks by Diane Shields Spears
or click on the links to the left.
Images in the following categories represent
only a small portion of the body of artwork
completed by D. S. Spears over a span of nearly 50 years.
Several artworks have won cash awards, acceptance into
juried exhibitions, and publication in various venues.
(see About and Complete Vita for details).
artist's statement
abstract / non-representational
drawing
landscapes
life
still life
note cards
Current representation: The Ridge, Harper, TX
WHY BUY ORIGINAL ART?
When An Artwork "Speaks" To You...
There are many purposes for purchasing original artworks.
1. There is only ONE original. When you buy an original work of art, you can be certain that no one else in the world owns something just like it. Even if an artwork is part of a series, each item will be different from the others in that series.
2. Original art "dresses" your environment as no other item can. Original artworks increase your quality of life by generating pleasant emotional responses each time you look at it. Viewing as well as producing artworks also reduces stress. An artwork can exist alone and does not need to "match" your decor to be a blessing. If matching your furnishings is important to you, keep looking for that artwork that "speaks" to you that will fit with what other items or heirlooms you must keep. Eclectic is still popular.
3. Original artwork can be a conversation starter with family and friends. An artwork can stimulate an emotional response that gives expression to our non-verbal thoughts and our own unique preferences. It can continue to stimulate even after many years of viewing it. Good original artworks do not "go out of style" like clothing or wall colors.
4. Purchasing original artworks supports artists instead of enriching imported and/or mass-production products of lesser quality. You will be enabling a market to continue that contributes to the enrichment of our society. Mass produced items often need repair or continued maintenance. Original artworks require only common sense care.
5. Longevity. Original artwork, created with sound understanding of the materials used, will last more than a lifetime and can be handed down to heirs with increased value.
6. A good investment. Many people purchase original artworks solely for investment. Good artwork, well executed, only appreciates in value over time, but the increase in value does depend somewhat on the artist's recognition by collectors. Even a small increase in value is better than the original price. If the artist is not yet well known, and you love the artwork realizing its value, you are blessed to be able to purchase it at a smaller price.
7. Teaching your children the value of original art will stimulate their development in many areas. Art connects cultures, social status, and geography. Brain research has proved that art instruction and talking about art stimulates greater intellectual processes, such as analysis, which is one of the higher order thinking skills. Art instruction is gradually being eliminated by the public school system for financial reasons, and private schools sometimes also find the extra expense of art instruction is beyond their ability to provide. Parents may now become the main or only source of art instruction and inspiration for creative thinking. This is loss of valuable opportunities to think critically about artworks, strengthening their decision-making based on sound intellectual and emotional processes. Studies also show that exposure to and instruction in the fine arts (all of them), develop thinking processes in the academic areas also. (see Art is Good for My Brain? and to encourage you to try art for yourself: Can You Answer?)
8. Art is a universal language. When you live with original art in your home or place of business, you will begin to understand the artist's vision and the "story" that motivated its creation. It is a discovery that brings joy when you can share the artist's passion that "speaks" to us.
HOW TO PURCHASE ART FROM THIS WEB SITE
Art can be a major purchase that many people have questions about. If your question is not covered in the list below, you are more than welcome to contact us before purchasing any artwork from this web site.
1. How do I make a purchase through your web site?
All purchases are completed through the PayPal easy and completely safe process. For directions to complete the PayPal process, just contact us and give us
a. your full name
b. the title and medium of the artwork you are interested in purchasing, and
c. your USA zip code or international postal code.
You will be notified (before your commitment to purchase) of the shipping and handling rate and sales tax that will be added to the purchase price.
2. What do I do if I don't have a PayPal account?
No problem. Setting up a PayPal secure system account is easy and safe. They have proved themselves completely trustworthy since their establishment.
3. Why are there no Pay Pal "Buy Now" buttons with the artworks?
a. Shipping charges are not a flat rate and must be determined by the size and weight of the item and the distance to your shipping address from Spears Art Studio. Therefore, it is necessary when you contact us with your choice of artwork(s) to supply this information for the S&H assessment. S&H charges do not apply to artwork picked up in person.
b. The artworks currently represented by galleries are not available for purchase from the web site for the duration of their contract. Final sales are handled by those entities that have their own specific payment and shipping procedures. Therefore, the gallery staff will answer any questions you have.
c. Artworks currently represented by other outlets (not galleries) may or may not be available for purchase through the web site, depending upon the agreements made with them. Most of them charge a commission just like galleries, and are reluctant to allow sales from the web site during the display time allotted. Some of these entities usually have other major income sources and do not offer artwork images on their web sites. Artworks at these locations most likely must be viewed and purchased in person. Most of them require Spears Art Studio to do the S&H. Please contact us to determine the availability and specifics of your chosen artwork.
4. I cannot see the artwork in person, so how do I know what the painting really looks like?
Because the images on the web site are digitally produced, the difference in individual computer monitors and digital cameras can cause slight variation from actual images. We have been told that the artwork is much more beautiful in person than what is seen on the web site. Keep in mind, however, that even when you see a painting in person in a gallery, lighting conditions may be different from your home lighting, so even a painting viewed in person can look slightly different in your home or office.
5. Do you set up payment plans?
Yes, manageable, monthly amounts can be set up as customized payment plans for artworks over $500.00. Contact us for the necessary arrangements, and a binding contract will be agreed upon establishing the specific details. The artwork will be shipped after full payment is made.
6. Do you offer discounts?
Yes, multiple purchases will receive 10% off all artwork purchases (not including greeting cards). Let us know, the artworks that you want, and we will adjust the price accordingly. The discount does not apply to artwork with our representing agents, in shows/exhibitions, nor to shipping and handling.
7. Satisfaction guarantee.
We want you to be satisfied with your artwork purchase from Spears Art Studio Inc online gallery. If, within 30 days of receipt of the artwork, you find that this is not so, then contact us and we will receive return shipment at the purchaser's expense. When the painting is returned in its ORIGINAL, SALE-ABLE CONDITION, then we will issue a refund not including return charges. Galleries have their own guarantees of satisfaction.
