| Collectors Guide | The Beginning Collector | Tips for Collectors |  
       | Your Collection | Collector Advantages |

Collecting a work of art is a decision that you’ll live with for a long time. Therefore please do take a moment to read the information provided in the Collector’s Section to help you make an informed decision before you start or expand your art collection.

It is an exciting time to be alive. The world of art is in an explosive growth period – both new and experienced collectors are showing their passion for collecting art as seen by an unprecedented percentage of art sales coming from new collectors.

People these days are looking for more out of life than simply the accumulations of possessions and statistics show that art collectors are now buying art for more than solely decorative reasons. Art that is more fulfilling and establishes meaning in their lives is being paid more and more attention to. Owning an original work of art is a uniquely exciting privilege, one of the great experiences and pleasures in life. An original work of art is a one-of-a-kind possession with an unmatched value on an emotional level and is a significant financial investment for yourself and your heirs.

We invite you to take this opportunity to own an original masterwork from the studio of Marcelle La Cour, an artist who creates timeless works of art.

The Beginning Collector
What kind of art do you like? Do you know what you like? The things that make you feel good: inspire or calm, motivate or dispel stress–these are emotional choices. Then there is a more intellectual approach for others and those who like the more decorative aspect of visual art. Landscapes, figures, surreal, fantasy, still lifes, abstract, portraiture are some of the names that apply to fine art.

Start to go out and look around to see what catches your eye and heart. If with a partner, shop around together. You’ll find differences and similarities between what you and your partner likes and it can be enormous fun, if you keep it a game. You may discover a piece you both desire. If you find that you like completely different styles and mediums, strike a bargain: when one finds a work of art that one likes, the next time the other selects the piece.

Where Do You Find It?
Now that you have an idea what you like, there are many resources and ways to secure art:

1. Directly from artists: you can go online and do a search for a particular artist or the type of art you are looking for.

2. Galleries: whether in your own region or while you are on vacation, this can be a great way to purchase art. Knowing the type of art you are drawn to (realistic, abstract, etc.) can immediately help you select which galleries you’ll visit. The Yellow Pages have gallery listings and your local papers have calendar or art sections giving descriptions on what each offers.

3. Art Fairs and Local Art Shows: these are also listed in your local papers.

4. Registries

5. Estate sales

6. Auction houses

7. Art Agents

And don’t forget to ask your friends and colleagues for recommendations.

Your “Collection”
The first piece of art you purchase will begin your “collection.” Start at levels you can afford. Fine art doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive to be good or valuable. And emerging artists’ work will gain in exposure and value as time goes on. Art should be something you can enjoy for itself, and according to your own tastes. As you gain experience and more confidence, expanding your collection will become even more enjoyable and rewarding.

One nice aspect to your collection is that you can move it around. Don’t think you have to keep it in the same positions all the time. Just as museums move their art around, so can you! Just as you periodically move furniture around, moving your art will maximize your investment and freshen up your home/office’s look.

Collector Advantages
Our collectors are important to us. You become a collector when you purchase or commission a La Cour Original oil painting or Limited Edition Print. Collectors enjoy:

• Exclusive first rights to purchase Marcelle’s latest works. All collectors of La Cour Originals receive first notice of available works as they are completed with an invitation to see them and first purchase rights, before they go to the larger market.
  
• The exclusive right to participate in private on-location showings, help in selecting frames and ensure that the painting will be hung in a suitable location that will protect it; environmental factors and care are important, please don’t hesitate to ask, these are valuable works and they will last a thousand years or more in the right conditions.
  
• The purchase of a valuable work of original art or a limited edition from a fine artist enhances the standing of all involved; taking that step to place into your life and the lives of others works that enhance an uplift the state of our society is no small thing – your state of mind is raised as well as the state of our civilization and the future of our culture. This is no little event. The purchase of fine art is a celebration and recognition of our achievement and our humanity and forwards the directions our culture takes.

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