Art
Artist Akie Nakata Sells Her Stone Art Almost Instantly Through Facebook – Forbes
It takes less than 10 minutes, and sometimes as little as two, for Japanese artist Akie Nakata to sell her hand-painted stones on Facebook. Mere seconds after sharing a photo of her latest creation, a fan will step up to buy it.
Although Nakata sells her work through the Seizan Gallery in Tokyo and Tokyo’s Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store, Facebook has provided a way to expand her audience outside Japan. Her Facebook group currently has nearly 85,000 followers.
Nakata’s pieces are palm-sized river stones featuring detailed images of lifelike animals, which she paints with acrylic gouache paint. Her pieces have sold for between $300 and $1,500.
Letting the Animal Emerge
Her artistic process doesn’t start with an intent to paint a particular animal, rather, the rocks she sees guide her. “I paint the animal that I feel is inside the stone, following the backbone and the body structure that is visible on the stone,” she explains. “I believe it is the stone that decides what is to be painted, rather than me deciding…I color the animals that I feel inside the stones, so as to let them manifest on the surface.”
Self-taught painter Akie Nakata studied art education in college.
Akie Nakata
“What I aspire to draw is something that gets newly born in my hand, through my dialogues with the stones. I want to paint the ‘life’ of the animals that I felt in the stone,” she says. “At the end of my painting process, when I put my brush onto the stone to paint the eyes, there is this moment I feel it is completed, when the eyes look back at me.”
“As a work mode, it’s important for me to never alter the shape of the stone at all – no polishing/sanding, or no application of any undercoat material,” Nakata says.
Her work has included animals ranging from dogs to birds to lions, cats, owls, lambs, fish, elephants, opossum, turtles, koala bears, and polar bears, to name a few. Although she has been painting since 2010, she says she has “encountered only five stones harboring an octopus.”
The animals Akie Nakata paints on the stones she collects from area riverbeds reveal themselves to … [+]
Akie Nakata
Nakata collects her stones on several favorite riverbanks in Saitama, where she goes to look for “good encounters with the stones.” Through those encounters, the animal images emerge to her. “The stones are not canvases to me; they are more collaborative partners that I encounter on riverbanks,” she says. “More often than not, I am blessed with good encounters and take home with me several stones, but on other days I might not be so fortunate,” returning home empty-handed.
A Born Artist
Nakata’s foray into painting stones happened almost by chance, when she was walking on a riverbank during her university days and “encountered a stone that simply looked like a rabbit,” she recalls. “I loved it and took it home, and I painted it as the stone led me.”
“I’ve always loved drawing, natural stones, and animals – all living things,” she says. However, her university training wasn’t strictly in art – it was in art education. “I studied in the department of education, to become a junior high school teacher,” she says, studying “the general range of art curriculum.” However, her painting process is self-taught.
Today she dedicates herself to her craft full-time. This year her goal is to create more than 100 pieces, though she says her workload, or productivity, varies depending on whether she has gallery exhibitions scheduled.
In addition to Facebook, Nakata has an account on Instagram and Twitter, where she posts her work as they become available. She has not used any form of paid advertising and has organically amassed 105,000 followers on Instagram and 15,000 followers on Twitter, on top of her tens of thousands of Facebook fans.
“I always hope that each and every piece of my work reaches someone who values the encounter with the stone, just as I appreciate my encounter with that particular stone,” Nakata says. She suspects that her social media fan base has grown because her audience “feels empathy” for the connection she feels with the animal, the stone, and the earth from which it emerged.
Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.
Alleged Fraud Scheme
Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.
Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.
Massive Seizure of Artworks
In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.
Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.
Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed
In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.
Court Proceedings Ongoing
The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.
Impact on the Local Art Community
The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.
For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.
As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.
While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.
Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.
As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
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