BLOG Archives - Allanisart

BLOG · January 3, 2021

How to find a builder for your self build home

How to find a good builder for your self build home

Your plans have been approved, your dream house or renovation is about to become a reality so how do you find and choose a great builder? You want to choose a building company who work to a high standard, will be easy to work with and reliable so your dream house doesn’t become a nightmare! Here are my 16 tips on choosing a builder and not a cowboy!

1. Ask around

There’s nothing better than a recommendation from a friend or family member who’s had building work done. It’s a fact that we are more likely to purchase or engage a companies service on the back of a personal recommendation than on the claims of the company itself. If in doubt, ask about!

2. Find a builder working on local projects

One of the best ways to find a builder who’s currently active near you is to find local building work that’s going on. You don’t have to march on to the building site and strike up a conversation but they should have a board up with their details or signage on a van. You also don’t necessarily need to like the style of work they are currently carrying out – a builder can only produce what’s on the plans in front of them.

3. Ask your architect

Depending on your relationship with your architect, they may be able to help you find a good builder.

Even if your architect is offering no more than a fixed price design service, they remain one of your few early contacts who will have experience of the local building scene and they should be happy to recommend someone or at least give you a few names.

4. Find a Builder other Tradesmen recommend

Tap into the local tradesman community and you’ll quickly be able to find a builder whose name commands local respect (and the ones with a less than golden reputation). Most tradesmen get used to seeing the same familiar names around the sites they are working on and often have preferences for who they like to work with — and who they see as a good source of work. If you can engage with one of them, you can open up a whole network of local, reliable names.

5. Check the Federation of Master Builders

Find a builder on the Federation of Master Builders website. Members are checked and inspected at the point of joining, and can offer you a warranty on your work.

6. Prepare a brief

This is your project so make sure you get exactly what you want. Produce a written brief, including detailed drawings where possible, and give a copy to each builder who quotes.

It’s important to know exactly what you want, your builder is not psychic so the chances of them knowing what you want if you don’t know yourself, are slim to none. Do yourself a favour and nail down the details before engaging a builder. This will prevent difficult conversations later on.

7. Get quotes in

Ask at least 3 builders to quote on your job and don’t just go with the cheapest. Going with the cheapest quote is likely to be a false economy. Look at the breakdown of costs, if some seem a lot cheaper than others ask how they will achieve it for the price without cutting corners.

8. Check what’s included in the price

Read the quotes carefully and check that they include everything you would like done including the removal of rubbish, site waste and the specification of any fixtures and fittings. Make sure the quote matches your budget! Read more about how to plan and stick to your budget.

9. Get references

Go and visit some of the builders’ previous jobs. Most reputable traders will be more than happy to show off their previous work and while you’re there you can get a personal reference from a satisfied customer.

10. Ask their previous clients questions about their service

Did they turn up on time?
Were they polite?
Did you have regular meetings with the site manager/boss?
What were their labourers and trades like?
Did they clear up after themselves and keep the site tidy?
Was the project was brought in on budget and on time?
Were there any extras or hidden costs?

11. Don’t be fooled by the badge

There have been a substantial number of cases of bogus builders fraudulently claiming membership of trade associations, so call and make sure they are a genuine member .

12. Check they are VAT registered.

Avoid a ‘VAT-free’ deal. You will not have a valid contract if there is no proof of payment.

13. Be straight about money

Agree payment terms clearly in writing with your builder and this way you will have it in black and white in case of any disputes because these can be stressful and very costly to your self build.

14. Avoid paying upfront or a cash deposit

It should not be needed unless you request specialist building materials or the job is likely to take a long time to complete.

15. Get a guarantee

Does the builder offer a guarantee on a large scale job? If it is a new build property you will need a guarantee on your property.

16. Insurance

Is the builder insured? They should have cover to protect themselves against property damage and personal and public liability to protect you and the general public in the event of an accident or injury. Don’t take their word for it, ask to see the paperwork.

Conclusion

This list is by no means exhaustive and feel free to add a comment if you feel there is anything I have missed out that ought to have been included.

There are few financial investments that are as significant as building your home so make sure you get it right. A huge chunk of your budget is going to go to your builder so ask the questions and do the checks.

It’s better to get it right at the very beginning than to wish you had when you’re half way through the project. Follow our guide for a headache and heartache free building project!

BLOG · November 18, 2020

5 Artworks Made Of Recycled Materials

Have you ever looked at something that you discard each day and think, wow there must be another use for this? I do and below are 5 pieces of recycled art I created, so in other words, art made of trash but they are anything but trash when finished. In fact, they are quite spectacular, especially when the light catches that shiny aluminum.

I call them recycled art sculptures or sculptural paintings. Each piece is made from upcycled aluminum drinks cans which are then processed and sculpted into works of art. We have tons of recycled art for sale for you to choose from and also take art commissions.

BLOG · November 18, 2020

6 Tips On Buying Your First Piece Of Art

1. Figure out what you like. The better education you have, the better collection you’ll have. Before buying your first piece of art I’d suggest going to museums and art galleries and trying to familiarize yourself with different periods and styles. If your not into all of that then why not jump onto Instagram or even Pinterest and search hashtags # that match what you are looking for such as #abstractart etc or if you don’t know what you’re looking for then just search #art #artwork #artforsale # artists etc. There are also lots of sites which sell art that you can go on but be aware that they charge the artist for the sale and so most artist would rather you bought direct.

2. Determine what you’re buying: Are you buying something that you love and you want purely because you think it’s great? Or are you buying something that you love but you secretly want to be an investment? There are different types of purchases in the art world.If you’re buying it because you love it, it’s much easier. All you have to do is figure out if you can afford it, and if the price is something that you think is worth the passion you have for it. If you’re buying with an eye toward investment and you want it to actually have long-term value in the future, it’s a little bit more tricky. It’s very important for a first-time collector to know that there are various factors that affect the price of the work, for example, a work on canvas is generally more valuable than a work on paper by the same artist; or if it’s an edition versus a one-of-a-kind piece.

3. Set a budget. In your mind you really need to set a budget in terms of what you can afford, and I would say you have to be prepared to spend a little bit more. The things that I regret in purchasing are not any works that I purchased, at least so far, but the works that I didn’t purchase. They were things just a little outside my price range but, man, I loved it and I didn’t buy it. And then I lost the opportunity. If you really love it, trust your instincts. As my grandmother used to say, true love is forever. Set a budget and be prepared to spend a little more, A, because there’s shipping and insurance and things like that; but, B, because if it’s the something you really love and it’s a little bit over your price range, I would say “stretch”. Life is short and you want to be inspired.

4. Do your research. The art world really can be overwhelming, so you should talk to people. I suggesting talking to other collectors, or appraisers, consultants, or other gallerists (but be aware that gallerists are trying to sell you something). When you learn a few things about the art world, you’ll learn that the listing price is always the sale price. Galleries will sometime give discounts to collectors because sometimes they’re rewarding a collector who’s been loyal or sometimes they’re trying to build [a relationship] with a new collector. So do your research.

5. Understand that size does matter. You want to be sure that this [work] fits in your apartment or home. I can’t say how many times people I know—especially early collectors—fall in love with a piece, buy the piece, and then they bring it home and it doesn’t fit over their mantle. You must have a pretty good idea that you have the right wall space for an artwork before you buy it.

6. Track your purchase. There should be a clear, traceable path from artist to owner, and it should be documented: save emails, invoices, and receipts. If you eventually want to valuate or sell a work, it’s important to have this documentation.

If you’d like to enquire about a one of a kind piece of art by allanisart that is made using unique techniques and materials then please contact me today to start our discussion 🙂

BLOG, Uncategorized · November 18, 2020

How to commission art?

I’m going to assume that you have never commissioned an artwork before and that you are looking for some questions answered? Great, let’s get started.

How does commissioning art work?

Commissioning art is the process by which an artist creates a work of art on a client’s invitation. This invitation comes in many shapes and forms. Maybe you have seen an artist work on social media, at one of their exhibitions or hanging in a local restaurant or gallery and wanted to reach out and have your very own piece of work made for you by that artist.

Often the commissioned work will be of something that holds meaning and value to you such as a portrait of a much loved animal or other family member or maybe it’s of a favourite place you have visited. Maybe you just want a really cool piece of artwork in your home and love that artists style and materials.

How much does it cost to commission art?

After you make contact with the artist you would like to commission art from the artist will talk everything through with you. They will ask what ideas you have, the size you would like, is there a time frame in which you need the work completed. If it’s a sculpture then a site visit may be required or photos of your ideas, even a video or phone call to talk the ideas through in more depth might be best. The artist when then be able to offer you a costing of the work to be made. Some artists will ask for deposits and others will not but if the piece you are commissioning is a large amount of money a deposit will be most certainly required. This works well for both parties to show trust and confidence and commitment on both sides.

An artwork commission is a personalized experience that is different for everyone and will be different depending on which artist you are talking to. At Allanisart I love to chat with new open-minded potential clients about potential new commissions for your home or business. Let’s get started today!

BLOG · August 25, 2020

How To Choose A Piece Of Art For Your Home

It is sometimes difficult to know where to start when choosing an original artwork or painting for your home but I suggest going room by room in order not to feel overwhelmed. People are often put off because they think prices will be prohibitive but you don’t have to spend a fortune to furnish your walls with wonderful originals paintings.

Good news, it isn’t impossible to find original contemporary art for sale online that is affordable and beautiful. People fear making a mistake, wasting money or getting ripped off but the truth is that if you research art for sale and find an artist whos work that you love and whos art is affordable, the whole experience from buying to hanging will be so exciting.

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing original wall art or paintings for your home.

1. Think about scale

It is always interesting to walk into a room where some of the elements within it are bigger or smaller than you expect them to be as it creates drama within a room. Below is a very small original artwork that could be placed within a large room for dramatic effect. Colour from the artwork in a plain room can lift the room and colours within the painting can be used for accents around the room.

2. Eye up your space

You do not have to fill every space in a room and in fact empty space is as important as the painting or sculpture. I think of it like a play where the pauses are as telling as the words and actions.

3. Be brave

Don’t be afraid of making a mistake. If you have the right artwork it will work anywhere and you can experiment. The key is good framing, lighting and placement. Art doesn’t always have to be flat. See the image to the left for something a bit different with tin foil sweet wrappers used on shelves. This kind of installation makes an impact from far way and close up and it is great when the art in your home create a talking point.

4. Framing

Framing or re-framing a work of art can completely transform the work of art and this takes some bravery on behalf of my clients when I take their loved artworks or photographs away and transform them.

When you can use non reflective glass as this will enable you to view the works at all times of the day with none or hardly any reflection.

Think about keeping the frame simple but using a colour that is already in the painting for the frame colour. For example go dark for the frame with a colour rather than keeping the frame white.

5. Hanging a work of art

It is important not to hang a work too high on a wall. This is a very common mistake. As a rule of thumb the centre of the work should be at eye height if there is no furniture in front of the work. If there is furniture in front of the work don’t feel you have to hang it to the centre of the wall from floor to ceiling as with high walls this will mean you will not be able to view the works very easily. Since you spend a lot of time in a living room , dining room and bedroom sitting or lying down, you need to be able to view and enjoy works of art from these angles as well.

6. Create a feature wall

It is fun to have a feature wall somewhere in your home and whether it’s the same artist or a number of different artists it doesn’t really matter what matters is that you love it. Here are some feature wall examples and the great thing about a feature wall is that you can start with just one work and buy them over a period of time if budget is an issue.

7. Plan ahead

Mock up images of how the works will look before hanging them
This is a good way to see how all the art will look together in a space. It always helps to visualise things before the hammer and picture hooks come out.

8. Try mixing different mediums

Art completely changes a space and how you interact with it. Mix it up a bit and don’t stick to one medium. When filling your home with art it’s good to think about having at least one original work of art, a few limited edition prints, photography, sculpture and something totally different. For example this ceramic wall sculpture by Emma Bell below has ceramic pots set on shelves creating drama and interest. Original art can be affordable art.

BLOG · August 25, 2020

What Is Abstract Art & How To Understand It

yellow,red,blue and green painting on abstract canvas painting — Have you ever stood in front of a painting, taken by its visual power and yet absolutely bewildered by its meaning? Is it a giant snowy mountain shining brightly under the sunlight, or is it an intimidating volcano bursting through the sky? Is it even supposed to be anything? If questions like these have ever crossed your mind while viewing a work, you’re in the right place.

What is **Abstract Art?** Here, we discuss how to understand it and comprehend the artist’s intention. By appreciating the art form for the freedom it inspires in making individual visual connections, we’re attempting to navigate every step toward understanding abstraction.

**Let’s Begin…**
Understanding abstract art is fairly easy – all you need is an open mind and a wandering imagination. The first step is to prepare yourself to look beyond the things you already know or recognize.

“Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes… Abstract art enables the artist to perceive beyond the tangible, to extract the infinite out of the finite. It is the emancipation of the mind. It is an exploration into unknown areas.”
– Arshile Gorky

Abstraction finds its roots in ‘intuition’ (of the artist) and ‘freedom’ (for the artist as well as for the viewer). It is the capability of the artist to use their imagination to look beyond what we can physically see and translate intangible emotions onto the canvas. It is also the ability of the audience to then try to connect to the artist’s intention and free their own mind of visual restrictions. Abstraction gives the artist the freedom to trust their intuition to create art that is equally worthy of an audience.

**There is No Code to Crack when it comes to contemporary modern art**

The most important thing to understand about abstract art is that it does NOT have to have a meaning, narrative, or even a singular explanation.

The main purpose of abstraction is not to tell a story, but to encourage involvement and imagination. This art form is mostly about providing its viewers with an intangible and emotional experience – more often than not, the experience is completely different for every individual depending on their personality and state of mind.

Therefore, it is really up to the viewer to decide whether the painting in front of them has any meaning or provokes any emotion. As we mentioned, abstract art is all about freedom.

**How to Look at Abstract Art**
So, how do you actually look at it and understand it? Do you stand in front of it and try to find familiar figures or do you just glance at it in passing?

Realizing that there are different ways to approach and criticize art is important when attempting to understand abstraction. It is easy to appreciate a Van Gogh or a Rembrandt, as the mastery of technique is visible. However, in order to appreciate abstraction, our focus should not be on how realistically the artist has painted something or someone but rather on how successful a piece is in evoking emotion.
Abstract paintings can also be appreciated in terms of the individual elements of art: color, shape, line, texture, space, value, etc. An abstract artist’s skills lie in his or her ability to use colors and textures to their best visual strength and to create a sound composition from these elements.

**Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind:**
**Don’t look at the clock.** There is no need to stand in front of an abstract work for hours to really understand it. Look at it for as long as you want, and for as long as it pulls you in.
**Don’t talk about your five-year-old.** We all know art is subjective, and sometimes there are pieces that we just can’t connect to, especially when it comes to abstract art. Nonetheless, your five-year-old can still not do that. Being naturally expressive and free with paint is actually beaten out of most of us as we are told to stay in the lines and dont make a mess, everything naturally we are told is bad when really it’s the opposite. Try painting some abstract art, it’s not as easy as you’d think.
**Don’t insult the artist’s imagination**. Instead, if you really can’t seem to like work, think about what it is that makes you feel that way.
**Don’t mind the title**. More often than not, abstract paintings will have an extremely vague title, like Number 4 or the likes but don’t let that bother you. Most artists purposely don’t use giveaway titles because they want you to interact with the art and eventually find your own meaning. On the other hand, you don’t have to completely ignore the title; sometimes, they can be very helpful in guiding your imagination.

**Do read the wall text.** Speaking of guides, always read the wall text. It can give you valuable information on the artist’s background or artistic intention.
**Do let the painting reach out to you**. Free your mind of any other thoughts, give it a little time and simply let the painting convey its intended emotion to you. Observe the colors and textures. What do they make you feel? Jackson Pollock said, “Abstract painting is abstract. It confronts you.” Let the painting ask the questions instead of the other way around.
**Don’t stress about feeling something**. It is not necessary for an abstract painting to have a contextual side to it, and it is not necessary for you to be able to feel each and every emotion it is meant to convey. If it doesn’t do anything for you, so be it.
**Don’t ask all of the questions just yet**. Thinking too much about what the painting means can be disturbing or tiring. Instead, focus on how the painting makes you feel and what kind of emotions it conveys to you. Think about how the artist’s background or situation may have affected his painting. Try to work with the things you know, instead of questioning everything.
**Do remember that abstraction does not have to have a meaning**. While “getting” an artwork brings a momentary feeling of victory, bathing in its mystery brings enjoyment for far longer.
Whether you are looking to buy contemporary modern art for your entire home, complete a room, or add vitality and professional credibility to office space I have lots of original abstract paintings for sale at **www.allanisart.com** **Contact me at talktoallanisart@gmail.com**

BLOG · August 14, 2020

Art Is Not Only For The Rich

That’s right, art isn’t just for the mega-rich. Art can be owned and enjoyed by everyone.

The enjoyment, the appreciation and the commentary of art is not and should not be reserved just for the wealthy. Since the dawn of man, art has been an important medium. Art tells stories it is a form of communication. Art tells us who we are and where we came from.

Since the days cavemen were painting pictures of mammoths and hunters on the walls of caves, man has used art to communicate.

Is art as important now as it was in ancient times? Yes, and here’s why…

Art Is A Social Barometer

Banksy is perhaps one of the most well known artists of our time. An excellent demonstration of the power of art on public perception and feelings about current events. Described by Wikipedia as a “political activist” whenever a Banksy’s work pops up somewhere the whole nation stops and takes notice.

Through his art Banksy has made public statements about his views on the state of conditions of migrants living in the “Jungle” in Calais, the violence in the Gaza Strip and the child abuse scandal within the Catholic Church. Each piece of work a profound and unflinching statement about the state of our society.

Art Can Drive Change

Art can make people stop in their tracks. It can take your breath away with its beauty or the feelings of despair it inspires. Art can inspire people to care where words, previously may not have moved them.

Check out this awesome artist turning garbage into amazing art.

It has been predicted that by the year 2050 there will be more plastic in the sea than fish. Artists are able to bring to our attention things that we would otherwise be ignorant of or able to ignore.

A five minute google search would thrown up at least a dozen examples of different artists across the world working hard to bring to our attention the many environmental challenges we are now facing.

An Historical Record

Without art, it is fair to say that we would not know who we are or where we come from.

Every nation has a rich catalogue of artistic records pertaining to its cultural ancestry. One of the oldest recorded written languages, the Egyptians used pictorial symbols to record their day to day lives and their important cultural and historical events. Fast forward to the Eleventh Century and the Bayeux Tapestry is an artist’s rendering of one of the most important events in British history, the Battle of Hastings.

In conclusion, art is for and about all of us. Art tells us who we are and where we’ve been. Art touches the mind and the soul, it can move us to do great things and make great changes. Art tells amazing stories. If you think art isn’t for you, it may be time to think again.