Lester Brown has asked that question now for years?

His Book Plan B 4.0 is an outline of the problems we face in a near future, a future sure to arrive.

Down load the PDF version of  Lester Browns book for FREE Plan B 4.0 

The solution that Lester Brown advocates for won’t be easy. In fact his solutions will change the world as we know it?

The change will come with or without our consent.

Where do we go from Here?

Today as protesters Occupy Wall Street the questions being asked are, “Why, What Do They Want?” 

Simply Stated, they want a more Democratic Solution to the problems we face as a Nation and as a Global Society?

What are those problems? 

A list would be nice as many of our Presidential hopefuls and other Political Leaders have said. The message from our political leaders and the mainstream media suggests there is no message, no list of grievances and no solutions to be pondered. This is just not true.

Occupy Wall Street isn’t about changing one or two things on a list. It is about a Global Economic System based on continuous growth and expansion that is unsustainable and unfair to the majority of living creäture on Planet Earth. Deep in all of our hearts we all know the truth. The Truth is that we cannot go on as a Global Society or a Nation the way we have lived for the last hundred years.

OWS is not about people who just want Jobs or as many would have you believe another unemployment check! It is about a more balanced, more Democratic solutions to the problems we face as people. People with educations and skills. People whose labor has been co opted by a system of economic theories that is based on the false premise that growth and resources are never-ending in the natural cycles of a planet with limits on both resources and space.

OWS represents millions of people who mortgaged their futures based on system of economic prosperity built on a foundation of DEBT. Debts they can no longer pay. 

Yes the America of today was built on unsustainable DEBT. During the last decade we built houses like there was no tomorrow and yet we did not solve our housing problems. We mortgaged and refinanced our way to prosperity. Debts we can no longer pay to sustain the promised prosperity that were to believe was the bargain!

Millions lost while a few did pretty good?

We educated our children and ourselves through DEBT. Debt with the false promise that we would be better off, we would prosper if we made the agreement with our lenders. Now we do not have the ability to pay. Our Lenders still want our future without remorse or forgiveness.

We conquered Global Food Production. Still Millions are starving while the rest of us are being slowly poisoned by what we eat.

Food is an investment a Global Commodity. A commodity that’s value is based on trading volume, not the cost of production. Food is also one of  greatest sources of pollution and risks to human health. Pesticides that contaminate our water and soil. Pesticides that stay in food we eat. Genetically Modified Foods that we eat or are fed to the animals we eat. Antibiotics given to the animals we eat are not only transferred to us when we eat meat they are passed on to us when we drink milk, eat cheese, eat eggs. These antibiotics also make it into our water supplies through waste disposal of human and animal waste into the water we drink.

Today many of these wonder drugs no longer work to fight off deadly bacteria that threaten human health. GOOGLE IT!

How much has the very food we eat increased the cost of Healthcare in America?

Energy, Oil the life blood of modern society is ending as we know it!

The Global Economy Runs on OIL. Aside from the known hazards of oil the benefits to modern human beings that oil created may well be our demise.

Oil has made the modern world, the global economy possible. Without oil we wouldn’t have electricity. Yes some electricity is produced with oil, but not all. However the infrastructure that produces and transmits electricity to your house is built and maintained with oil as the dominate fuel of choice to power everything that moves or is manufactured.

We all know this is going to change! But then what? What comes next?

We are being told if we just allow unregulated pollution we will somehow have all of this precious black gold we need to sustain our Global way of life. We all know this is not true and we fear the future because we know we are not ready.

WAR

After a decade of war we are weary. We ask Why?

Military spending in enormous. Spending for Homeland Security is equal to direct military spending. We are told we need to spend these vast sums of money to protect our nation from its enemies. Who are our enemies? This is the question that is simply answered with a word. A word with a very broad meaning. Terrorists! A word that still strikes fear in our hearts and minds. Fear that confuses us.

We are being told by many of our leaders we need not to only keep up our Military and Homeland Security spending, but we need to increase it. In fact one popular or not so popular Presidential Candidate, Mitt Romney says we need to increase spending levels to 20% of GDP. That’s 20 % of everything we earn as a Nation. Imagine that!

Twenty Percent of our Gross National Product. Twenty Percent of our combined incomes, labor and production as a Nation.

Why?

You need to read Lester Browns Book. Plan B 4.0. It is a free download. Then you will know why?

I will give you the short answer in my opinion.

Today the world produces about 80 million barrels of Oil a day. That is a number that has remained consistent now for a decade. The world’s oil producers don’t seem able to produce more than that number. Oh they would like too, but just can’t, given the availability and resources that exist. GOOGLE IT?

China

Yes China that growing, emerging economy. The country that is destined to be all it can be. Will by 2030 or 2035 need every drop of oil produced on mother earth to sustain it’s projected grow based on todays numbers. That is right China alone will need 80 million barrels of oil everyday to sustain its economic growth. What will the rest of us use?

That is right! We will use our Military Power to project our national interest and  influence over the resources we need to sustain our system economic growth and consumption.

You know this is true on our present path. It is a truth hidden in the Dream of an America returned to its former greatness of the past decade. We don’t need a way forward based on our past, we need a new way forward that offers a future. A more Democratic future that shares the rewards for labor in a sustainable system based on the equity of our labor. A system of enough! A system that addresses the basic needs of a world full of people.

So in my opinion Occupy Wall Street is about a failed system that we all know is unsustainable in its present design. A system that must change if we are to survive and build a sustainable future for ourselves, our children and grand children.

So where do we go from here America?

More really bad news for an education in the Arts or Lessons in Greed by Chris Kirkham

It seems that Wall Street Giants invested in and own many for profit Schools?

Like the Arts Institutes of America. Seems they Pray on  disadvantaged students for profit. Leaving most of those students with the bill for an education that isn’t what was promised. The crushing debt which many of these hopeful Artists are burdened with will surely derail their dreams of a career in the Arts. For many it may derail their financial future for a life time.

Still students are in line to sign up. Hoping they will be the exception. Hoping they will be the next great (Fill in the Blank)? But most will not be anything more than slave to the debt they incur trying to pursue the dream.

This is the suffering of Artists today. 

Oh and it isn’t just the parasites at the For Profit Schools that are looking for the next victim. Just ask almost anybody that graduated from almost any Art School; How’d it work out?

My Point is Simple

I want to save you from the hurt and pain of crushing debt while you endure the pain and suffering of being an Artist. Yes being an Artist is painful enough without the DEBT of student loans.

Oh sure there are occupations in the arts that you can study that do have better odds at landing a job or career. Most of these jobs are in Arts Management or Support related occupations. This is true for the visual or performing arts. For every Actor on the Big Screen there are hundreds of people behind the scenes working to bring that oscar winning performance to a theater near you. Including the guy selling popcorn.

The same is true in the visual arts. Learning to be a Picture Framer may offer far better odds at making a living than painting the picture.

The New big area of Art is Computer Graphics. The World of War Craft. Yes many young talented minds are hoping for a shot at becoming a Digital Jedi. The Art Institute’s of America is counting on your Dreams to make their dreams a reality. They dream about Your Money!

If you are MIT bound that is a different discussion. MIT, RIT and AIA or IT Tech are very different schools? Oh and you could go to MIT for about the same price. If you have real talent maybe even for less money? Google it Jedi.

Ok so you get it. Now What?

Put that creative brain of yours to work. Yep, if you want to be an artist of any kind think your way through the process. Remember a required skill you will need to be a successful artist is the ability to continuously learn. Another skill you will need to develop is personal discipline. Once you have mastered these two skills you can do anything your creative mind can think up. That’s it, that is the formula for success in case you wanted to know.

How does that work?

First I would urge you to develop a good knowledge of history in any field of art you are interested in pursuing? This is a knowledge of where those who came before have been, what they did, what ideas they had and what events shaped their success or failure. Yes failure is a big part of succeeding in the arts or anything else. If you want to be a leader in any field you have to be willing to fail. We learn our most important lessons through our failures. Trust me.

Second learn the technical skills you need to turn or ideas into reality. Want to be a painter, learn painting techniques. Want to be a computer graphic designer, learn to use computer graphic programs. Want to be an Actor, learn acting.

But don’t I have to go to school to learn these things?

Maybe? Not necessarily or at least not in the traditional sense. You can learn these things on your own if you have the discipline and the desire. Don’t get me wrong school is good, just not all schools. If you decide to go to school do your research your homework and pick a good school. One question you will have to answers is, Do I need a Degree to work in the field I am interested in?

If you plan to be an Artist I would say the answer is NO! If you plan to be and Art Teacher I would say Yes!

Over the years I have developed a skeptical opinion about how Art or the Arts are taught in colleges today. We developed the MFA a Masters of Fine Arts as a terminal degree. Terminal in many senses of the word. In short a teaching degree. Why because degree’d Artists couldn’t find work. So with the MFA they could teach. You see really you don’t need an MFA to be an Artist. Most of the technical skills you need can be learned in a 2 year degree program, not four six or seven. Fact is many community colleges offer 2 year programs that offer you all the foundation courses you will need to pursue your career as an artist.

They also offer you fully equipped facilities.

Want to be a Potter, Painter, Actor, Filmmaker or a Computer Graphics Jedi? You are going to need equipment and in some cases lots of equipment, very expensive equipment.  Price the cost of a professional digital video camera or a fully equipped Potters Studio. In fact you should be looking at the cost of setting up your studio your work space before you even start school.

Why?

Because you are going to be going it alone if you are going to be an independent artist of any kind. Equipment and work space are expensive. If you are in debt up to your eye balls you won’t be able to give yourself with the equipment you need to work. So why not invest in the equipment you need instead of another 2,3,4,5,6 years of college? Get the foundation knowledge you need and get to work.

GOOGLE IT!!!

Everything you need to know from ancient history to the most advanced skill and graphic arts programs are available somewhere on the internet.

Adobe offers free or nearly free training on all of their programs. Buy the ADOBE Creative Suite and then sign up with Lynda (http://www.lynda.com/). Adobe give you as a perk free access to thousands of online training videos with certificates of completion after you have completed the course. You can continue on your own even after your free access expires for small dollars a month. The Premium subscription is $37.50 a month! They offer state of the art how to use the newest software on the market education. Of course the Adobe Creative Suite costs 2500 bucks. But you are going have to buy it sooner or later anyway. I’ll even bet that if you research the school you are going to attend. You will find out they don’t train you on the latest software.

If you learn Creative Suite you will be able to get a job.

Lynda is just one education service ADOBE offers. You can also attend seminars, workshops presented in your city or cities close to you. You can attend online also.

Microsoft also offers free or nearly free training on their software platforms too! Ever heard of Microsoft Engineer. Well ask an IT Guy. Microsoft offers online training and certification.

Fact is you can find anything on-line from Acting to software design classes and workshops. Where you can get advanced state of the art information and training in the field of your dreams. From experts in almost any field of interest.

Fact is you can learn more in 1, 2 or 3 weeks by taking short intensive workshops than you can learn in a semester at most schools. And you can learn for a lot less money.

So maybe that’s not the idea of your education, you have?

To far off the “Beaten Path” for you. Well Ok. I just want to urge you to think outside the box. Think outside the traditional methods of education if you don’t have the money! You can still get where you want to go if you take a different road is all i am trying to say. Get Creative.

Remember This

Two of the most successful and creative minds of the last century where college dropouts

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates

So Stay Foolish and Stay Hungry

And Stay out of Debt!!!

So you want to be Visual Artist, The Real Truth About a Life In the Arts After Graduation

The Isolated Studio is the Studio Blog of David Eubank

Many architectural concepts found in science-fiction have nothing to do with science or fiction, instead they suggest a new kind of monumentality which has much in common with the aims of some of today’s artists. I am thinking in particular of Donald Judd, Robert Morris, Sol Le Witt, Dan Flavin, and of certain artists in the “Park Place Group.” The artists who build structured canvases and “wall-size” paintings, such as Will Insley, Peter Hutchinson and Frank Stella are more indirectly related. The chrome and plastic fabricators such as Paul Thek, Craig Kauffman, and Larry Bell are also relevant. The works of many of these artists celebrate what Flavin calls “inactive history” or what the physicist calls “entropy” or “energy-drain.” They bring to mind the Ice Age rather than the Golden Age, and would most likely confirm Vladimir Nabokov’s observation that, “The future is but the obsolete in reverse.” In a rather round-about way, many of the artists have provided a visible analog for the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which extrapolates the range of entropy by telling us energy is more easily lost than obtained, and that in the ultimate future the whole universe will burn out and be transformed into an all-encompassing sameness. The “blackout” that covered the Northeastern states recently, may be seen as a preview of such a future. Far from creating a mood of dread, the power failure created a mood of euphoria. An almost cosmic joy swept over all the darkened cities. Why people felt that way may never be answered. ROBERT SMITHSON…  ENTROPY AND THE NEW MONUMENTS written in 1966

Yesterday August 4th, 2011 Wall Street Stumbled. In fact during the past week Global Markets shed Trillions of Dollars, Euros and Yens.

Not being an Economist only an Artist my gut told me that Robert Smithson’s ideas about Entropy, are present in the nature of Global Economy. I wondered what Smithson would think about the events of the past several years. A big downturn in energy in the Global Markets in 2008. A slow restart of the economic engine that powers the world economy. An engine that has been running out of time. An engine in desperate need of a tune up.

So I thought about Smithson’s idea that all systems run down, it is the natural cycle of everything, even the Universe. To put this in perspective that we can all understand. You buy a new car. It smells and runs like a new car. Soon though you get the first ding, a rock chip to the paint or a bump from a grocery cart. After that it’s all down hill until you are driving a late model used car or just a junker. Oh sure you try to keep up with the deterioration, but at some point you realize it is a hopeless battle against the ever present Entropy of Nature. All Systems Run Down.

The powers of the world created a new global economy. That economic engine took off like no other economic experiment in the history of the world. It ran at full speed now for several decades. And everybody embraced it’s power, it’s performance. The idea of a global economy is present today in the everyday thinking of everyone. Sure their are those of who question the idea of a global economy but we don’t question it’s power and existence.

Now it seems this giant almost inconceivable human idea, the engine that could sputtered again. Perhaps in a waring that the engine itself is not only in need of a major overhaul but perhaps we need a new engine. An engine that will run like new until the nature of Entropy takes it’s power away making room for a new idea still yet to come. Another idea that will be obsolete as fast as it can be conceived.

Read Smithson’s essay written in 1966 ENTROPY AND THE NEW MONUMENTS more people should.

The Bray is one of my favorite places on earth. A visit to the Archie Bray is never dull or disappointing. If you get to Montana schedule some time to visit the Archie Bray.

http://davideubank.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/an-art-adventure-visiting-the-archie-bray-helena-montana/

http://davideubank.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/frances-senska-a-montana-treasure-dies-at-age-95/

Did you every have that painting that just fell apart in the process. Yep three quarters of it you love the rest just won’t come together? It, the painting just nags at you to resolve it’s apparent flaws. The more you look the less you see solutions. But, that nasty nagging voice inside you says, Keep Going don’t give up?

So what do you do? Toss and turn all night haunted by the problem. Write a blog post in frustration. I guess so, but maybe the answer is just turn up the music and get back in the studio and work? Or as I did get the second complete series of Twin Peaks out and search for the answer. Creamed Corn?

The Log Lady asks what is the relevance of Creamed Corn to the universe? I wonder Where did Creamed Corn come from and why?

Who discovered Creamed Corn, where did they get the Big Idea that shook the world. Where would we be if the mysterious inventor had just boiled the corn as always?

Creamed Corn even has a Wikipedia page, but it’s invention is a mystery. The movement may have started in the American midwest but no one really knows. It is often found in cans and homemade versions can be quite experimental.

I’ve wonder for many years if and when these things happen. If it’s not growing outside of ones self? Is it that our internal universe is expanding? Expanding so much so that it has to break free of us?

We all like predictable outcomes. None of us like to be confronted with unpredictable change. Yet if we don’t; if we don’t open that can of mysterious Creamed Corn we will never move forward. Perhaps it is our indecisiveness about what we should serve with Creamed Corn? What best complements it’s soupy consistency and sweet aroma?

Is it the threat of failure that holds us back when we should be embracing the challenge.

Should we serve Pork, Beef or Fried Chicken? What does the universe think? Is it the universe inside us like the Log Lady says or the external universe of stars that really matter? When the end of our days come will Cream Corn remain an artifact of our existence.  Will those unopened cans be exhibited in a museum along side King Tuts treasures? How can we know these answers?

Is Art today a convenient language that binds us up in the safety of rules? Will we starve if we choose to break free from those rules and never again enjoy the sweet taste Creamed Corn and Pork chops?

Can we serve Creamed Corn as a Main Dish?

Tttthat's All Folks!

U.S. House votes to Cut NPR Funding 228-192

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2011/03/us-house-votes-to-cut-npr-funding.html

Imagine No NPR reporting for the 2012 election cycle. Will you be able to find an objective voice among the wagging tongues or talking heads?

Conservatives hope you don’t. The vote today is an Attack on Progressives in America. Liberal’s in America may soon be an endangered species if Conservative have their way.

NPR is not the first attack on the moving Frontline’s of this battle. We have seen Organized attacks, battles waged against Organized Labor, Farmer Cooperatives, Voters Rights and a plethora of social programs that conservatives have long tried to destroy. Planned Parenthood, Women’s, Infants and Children’s program (WIC) Education the EPA, the Clean Air Act, State Departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and just about every regulation that would protect you the consumer from Wall Street to your Water Supply and everything in between that would give Corporations the power to do anything they want to do.

Look at the your State Legislatures and see for yourself. Are these attacks are occurring in your State? Anywhere their is a Conservative Strong Hold it is a massive rout for programs and laws that were put in place to protect you, your health and your rights! All of this is of course being done in the name of balanced budgets.

Budgets that have been systematically Defunded through Unfunded Tax Cuts for not just the singular wealthy but for wealthy Corporations. Do you realize that of the Worlds 100 largest economies, 51 are multinational Corporations and 49 are countries.

http://www.corporations.org/system/top100.html

Those 51 Corporations also now have the rights of an individual. It means also that Foreign Corporation’s can and do have a voice in American Politics and Elections. All they have to do is create an American Based Corporation.

Did you ever Ask? Who Owns the NEWS? How about News Corporation or News Corp? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_Corporation

It isn’t just about who owns News Corp it’s about who News Corp Owns. This one media giant controls some of the most powerful, influential news sources on the Planet.

Think Fair and Balanced! Who can you really trust?

Consider your choices for important news, for important stories about those who would be your next leader.

Get out that check book if you want a choice, right now!

The vote in the house is a clear attack on Progressive, Liberal Ideology, not a budget balancing measure.

Stand Up and Fight!

Right Now before it is to late!

Because if you think you are not next in line you better take a close look at history!

Zahi Hawass Resigns! What does this mean for Egyptian Antiquities? Many questions remain unanswered today as Egypt’s most famous Egyptologist Resigns his post?

The Following interview was published on the March 6, 2011, on the Zahi Hawass Website.

Why DR Hawass Resigned

Q: Dr. Hawass, for many years you have been the image of modern Egyptology. Why are you leaving now?

A: “I am leaving because of a variety of important reasons. The first reason is that, during the Revolution of January 25th, the Egyptian Army protected our heritage sites and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. However, in the last 10 days the army has left these posts because it has other tasks to do. The group now in charge of the protection of these sites is the Tourist Police, but there are no Tourist Police to do this either. Therefore, what happens? Egyptian criminals, thieves (you know, in every revolution bad people always appear…), have begun to destroy tombs. They damaged the tomb of Hetep-ka at Saqqara, the tomb of Petah-Shepses at Abu Sir and the tomb of a person called Em-pi at Giza. They attacked a storage magazine at Saqqara and we do not yet know how many artifacts are missing; they opened two storage magazines at Giza; one tomb dated to the 19th Dynasty, the only one in the Delta in fact, was damaged at Ismaïlia; and a store at El-Qantara East has been broken into and looted for antiquities. People have begun to build houses and to excavate at night, everywhere, putting heritage sites all over the country at risk. I had to write a report and I sent it to the Director of UNESCO. That is why at the meeting of the Egyptian cabinet yesterday I had my speech prepared already and I said: “I cannot stay in Egypt and see antiquities being stolen when I cannot do anything to stop it!” This situation is not for me! I have always fought to return stolen artifacts to Egypt. I did fight Ahmed Ezz as well, the man in the Parliament, who was the most powerful man, because he wanted to allow antiquities to be sold in Egypt again. Read the Full Interview…

Reading the rest of Dr. Hawass’s interview one has to wonder if Egypt will go the way of Iraq and loose irreplaceable Artifacts? It is a sad day for Egyptian History!

I would also note that this is an underreported story so far?

The status of Egyptian antiquities today, 6 March 2011

worms, digital-montage by david eubank 2008

Art Daily reports that Sotheby’s posted its best earnings in 267 years in 2010.

2010 brought the best financial results for Sotheby’s in its 267-year history, apart from 2007. Consolidated Sales* were $2.0 billion in the fourth quarter and $4.8 billion in the year, an increase of 57% and 74%, respectively. Reports artdaily.org

So is the Art Market Right for YOU and Your Money?

Answer: Maybe, Maybe Not!

You see it all depends on what you can afford to buy? It also depends on what you can afford to lock up into a long term investment? Because when you buy Art you just might have to wait to make a profit. Some art works are as liquid a commodity as gold, maybe even better. The process of selling art does involve a little more theater than selling gold, if you trade through art auctions. It is far more elegant way to trade commodities.

I use the word commodity to describe art sold on the high end market today because that is exactly what those great works of art have become. This is not to imply that these select specimen’s of art are not great artworks, they are. The elite art market has transformed these great art treasures into a collectable commodity that really only the wealthiest among us can actively collect.

As an artist if your work makes it into this category then you are a collectible commodity. Buying and selling art is really a different business than art for its own sake. But then, money is the first material all great artists need to continue working. The trade off is successful trading in the art commodities market. Once an artists work reaches a point of sustained production and sales it begins to make the transition. Many works today hold their value because the artists are quite dead and are no longer adding to their production. It is a simple supply and demand economics.

However for artists like myself I am not ready to commit suicide to improve sales just yet! It would seem many others aren’t to eager to take that road either and their work is selling pretty well.

Check out Contemporary Evening Art Sales Results February 15, 2011, at

http://www.sothebys.com/

What does all this mean to you the Art Collector?

First let me assume you are a New or Emerging Collector. I assume this because you are reading this post? If not and you are a Mature art Collector you still might find this information helpful. Let me also say that I approach collecting from a very particle point of view. As an Artist and former Art Museum Director/Curator I only personally collect art that I love or is made by artists that I love. Most of the time those two criteria work in concert and I have a collection that is first personal, one I enjoy living with, rather than one centered on investment. If I could buy more expensive works by more famous artists I would still use this criteria as my guide. For me art improves my quality of life and if I were more wealthy that would be my first goal. Improve my quality of life. Living with original art really does improve ones life experience.

UCMSnakes in that pit?

I do and so should you! Don’t let the passion of the moment cloud your judgement when considering to buy a work of art. That is exactly what happens at Art Auctions. Don’t drink the Champaign until after the sale. Before you attend an Auction set your buying limits and stick too them. Know what you intend to buy and know what your buying. Do your research before the auction?

Pawn Stars verses Antique’s Road Show

That’s right pilgrim, educate yourself. If you watch the Antiques Road Show and dream big dreams of protecting or finding wealth change the channel and watch Pawn Stars. Rick Harrison Pawn Broker and Pawn Star has some sound collecting advice for you. I love the show because in every episode someone brings in a collectible treasure, treasures of all kinds from rare historic antiques to fine art. Rick is quick to teach, all that glitters is not gold? Rick also teaches that the experts know a lot more than well the experts. You see it depends on the expert and who that expert is representing. Rick is an expert buyer and collector but he knows when he needs a specific expert an objective expert opinion. Rick knows about pit snakes and how to avoid them. So should you. Information is your only weapon in defense of your money.

Never forget the sellers probably know more than you do about what your buying, well unless you collect at Garage Sales. Rick is a shrewd seller as well as a skilled buyer. He is very upfront with any seller, he is in business to make money. He knows what it will take for him to sell your verified treasure and so do the art auctioneer’s. That is why art is not always a liquid asset. It is also why art prices fluctuate. Supply and Demand!

So how can you get into this Art Investment Trading Game?

First do a lot of research. Learn about the art market, learn about where you fit or better said what you can afford?

Develop a relationship with a trustworthy galley? Remember not all galleries or art dealers are trustworthy. Read Lawrence B Salander is Going to Jail

This is my most important advice

Identify what you are interested in, that means what kind of art do you like? The market represents every historic period, style and movement in the history of the world? So where and what is your passion. Collect your passion or passions? Collect art you want to live with and enjoy everyday. Collect art you look forward to seeing when you wake up or when you look up from your computer at work. Let your collection be a reflection of you and your interests. That may be an interest in the artist themselves. This is especially true if you collect art work created by artists in your community, artist that you can develop a relationship with. This can also be accomplished through the galleries that represent an artist your interested in? Now I am not talking about becoming best friends with a particular artist, I am talking more about a professional or intellectual relationship. But you just might become friends?

Read: Herbert and Dorothy Vogel are among the most famous of contemporary art collectors in the United States, but not for the usual reasons.

I just love this story and I love Herbert and Dorothy Vogel because they really get it! They collected out of love and in return they built a collection that is second to none. Through their investments, modest investments in living artists, they developed relationships that paid off a hundred fold. Now they are donating their world class contemporary art collection to well everybody. I would also add that the collection is worth a fortune, but for the Vogel’s it is about the love of art not the money. They want to find a good home for their loved ones, their collection. If you can accomplish the same? You will have created real wealth in your life.

Art Auctions or Snake Pits

It is not that I don’t like Art Auctions, I do, well not all, maybe I like some more than others and I am prejudice or perhaps pessimistically skeptical. Yep that’s right I don’t like snakes of any stripe. Some squeeze you, some just bite you and some are just plain deadly! Like all wildlife snake handling requires a keen understanding of snakes as a whole and sharp vigilance as a defense to protect yourself if they strike without warning. Although most snakes exhibit warning signs before they bite or squeeze. Some snakes are hypnotic and can put you in a trance so you don’t even know they are about to eat you. When you wake up in the snakes belly it’s too late.

Art Auctions come in all sizes and shapes, you may have already attended an art auction at your favorite nonprofit art organization. These auctions are designed to raise funds for the organization. They are in most cases on the level. Most of the art is donated to the auction by artists themselves or members wanting to contribute to the organization. These are good entry level auctions for the emerging collector. You get some nice art. You build some relationships with the artists and the organization and you contribute your support. Where these auctions turn into viper pits is when you begin to see artworks placed in the auction by dealers and or galleries. Now I can’t make a blanket statement and say this is always bad but it should raise some awareness that you need to do some further investigation before you bid and buy. If these specific works seem to be priced higher, the reserve prices, than the majority of other artwork in the auction you might get squeezed.

The professional Art Auction. This is where dealers and collectors buy and sell commodities that just happen to be works of Art. Do your research about the auction and the host? Sotheby’s and Christie’s among others are good places to engage this kind of trading. All big auction houses not only sell at the top but sell closer to the bottom of the market too! Many like Sotheby’s offer the buyer exceptional information, they do the research and they stand by their results. For example they authenticate the Artworks so you don’t buy a fake and there are fakes out there. They also authenticate ownership, provenance. That is the history of an Artwork, its origin, ownership and sales history.  After all you don’t want to buy a stolen or misrepresented work of art as an investment. These are important pieces of information at whatever level you collect or invest. They will make your investment less risky. When you sell your buyer will want to know that information.

A good place to start researching is at the big auction houses themselves. Today most have very impressive websites that you can browse and research at your leisure. Look at past catalogues and sales. These are wonderful teaching tools and you can learn a lot about art and art history using these resources. You can research specific artists and the trends in the sale of their artworks. You can also sign up for publications and buy catalogues which are in themselves collectible and wonderful resources that have amazing pictures of pictures or art.  http://www.sothebys.com/

Online Art Auctions

Just say No? I do not advocate bidding on line unless you know the auction house. All the major auction houses have online bidding but you need to be talking too a real person before you engage in bidding wars over the internet. It is hard enough to navigate this very complex investment activity without adding more unknowns to the risk. If you are dealing with a Sotheby’s or another auction house of the same quality then you may do just fine. But know what your buying and be sure of who your buying from. Remember provenance provenance provenance provenance

Above all make your collecting a part of your life you enjoy and make your collection part of your life. You won’t go wrong, well if your careful. Remember the Hypnotic Factor of Snakes!

Sotheby’s One of the world’s most prominent auction houses. They provide art collectors with a wide range of services, including trusts, estates and appraisals, plus presenting major art and antique auctions throughout the world.

Christie’s has offices in 32 countries and sale rooms in major cities around the world.

Phillips de Pury specializes in the sale of Contemporary and American Art, Jewelry, 20-21st Century Design, and Photographs. The firm also focuses on private treaty sales with particular emphasis on Impressionist, Modern & Contemporary art through de Pury & Luxembourg Art in Geneva and the de Pury & Luxembourg Gallery in Zurich. Phillips conducts auctions in New York, Geneva and Zurich.

Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) is the first auction house to specialize in Modern Art, Design and Furniture with an emphasis on works by important 20th century artists, designers, and architects.

Maybe Josh Fox Has a Point?

Gasland the Oscar nominated; Sundance Film Festival Winner is under attack.

Gasland a film by Josh Fox is about the process of natural gas extraction, specifically about the process known as Hydraulic Fracturing, Fracking. Fox’s film takes the position that the process of well Fracking is environmentally unsafe. The Natural Gas Industry Disagrees.  Accusations that filmmaker Josh Fox’s facts have no evidence in science and research are being widely stated and criticism for the films content is questioned.

Questioned by who? Facts about Natural Gas Drilling Research by Who?

The Natural Gas Industry of Course!

America’s Natural Gas Alliance

Regulators question claims in documentary ‘Gasland’

It seems that most scientific research into the effects of Hydraulic Fracturing of Gas wells has been conducted by the Gas Industry or perhaps even worse state regulators that have a clear conflict of interest?

Fracking

Josh Fox attempts to make a case that big corporations like Halliburton are playing a major role in the control of investigative science related to environmental impacts of Fracking. He goes back to Dick Cheney’s influence in the Bush era energy policy that was passed by Congress. The Legislation clearly prevented the EPA from conducting scientific testing to determine the environmental impact of the Halliburton developed process of Hydraulic Fracturing.

Today as Gasland makes its oscar debut State Legislatures throughout the west are attempting to strip their Departments of Environmental Quality, DEQ, of their authority to investigate and enforce environmental law. In Montana where I live our legislature is going beyond our state DEQ to void Federal EPA regulations that pertain to the extraction of Minerals and Natural Resources. Specifically Natural Gas, Oil and Coal extraction. Wyoming is also working on this type of legislation as are the Dakotas, Idaho, Utah and a plethora of other States? What’s your States legislature doing?

I've Got Millions Behind Me

If I were to embrace a Corporate Conspiracy theory I would surmise that the Corporate Energy Sector is conspiring to deregulate their industry. I would also have to embrace the assumption the Elected Legislators are working on behalf of their corporate sponsors and perhaps have a serious conflict of interest when it comes to this industry. I would further have to point to the fact that many of these Legislators come from areas with small populations in the big western states and that they have been strategically positioned to represent the interests of the Energy Industry. Because these elected politicians have a big voice, a majority in Western State Legislatures Today? Of course all of this legislation is veiled under the mask of Job Creation in these high unemployment rural communities. The belief that it is not the availability of natural resources but restrictive regulation is hampering job creation is a fundamental theme here in Montana.

It is true we have abundant natural resources, Natural Gas, Oil and Coal in our State. However the trade off of safe environmental regulation is not a trade off I would advocate for, nor will many Montanan’s

You see we have a long history of deregulated mineral and resource extraction on our state. Today we have several of the largest superfund sites in the world in our state as a result. We also have entire communities that are suffering and dying from the long term environmental consequences of the unregulated behavior of Big Corporate Mining.

One such town is Libby Montana where the entire population has been exposed to Asbestos and are dying of Asbestos related illnesses at alarming rates. The results of unregulated environmental laws and bought off elected officials cannot be illustrated more effectively than the case of Libby Montana. In this small town thousands are sick and have died or are dying. The big question is will the children born; after the actual mining of Asbestos  was stopped; also become ill. Evidence suggests they will. Of course this evidence is based on science that the EPA has generated.

I would urge you to watch Josh Fox’s film Gasland and make up your own mind. Even if you find fault in his films story line you will surely come away with many questions. Important questions that must be answered by neutral and objective scientific research. No one can argue that America needs to find a way forward in energy self-sufficiency but at what cost?

I can say that rolling back the clock ten years from now will be too late!