Art Appraisal

It is sometimes a burden and sometimes a gift to be the one on the receiving end of a web site "contact us" form. Throughout the two years playing that role on the Southern Arts Federation's adjudicated, online, artist registry SouthernArtistry.org, the most frequently asked question I get, other than how to join the site (it's juried through state arts agencies) always involves the appraisal of artwork.

You'd be surprised at the helplessness that people feel when looking at a piece of art that they have acquired and that they know absolutely nothing about. Typically, the original artist has scrawled an illegible signature on the piece, which is worse than trying to read a doctor's 'prescription' handwriting. In the absence of the signature, the art owner tries to remember details about the piece - usually it involves the place where the piece was purchased or where the artist lived in edition to diclosing why they are trying to get rid of the work, sometimes heart-breaking (divorce, unexpected inheritance) and sometimes funny (re-gifting.)

In response to these request, I took to Google and found a VERY helpful site for researching artists by their style and location, as well as, connecting with dealers and auctioneers for appraisals. Some services are fee-based, but some are free. Check out www.AskArt.com.