Bromley Mountain Jan 16, 2014

Bromley Mountain rises against the backdrop of a deep blue winter sky.

Known as “Vermont’s Sun Mountain”, the warm light sparkles on the snow and casts cool shadows across the slopes.

Bromley is located in Peru, a short drive and a tough bike climb up the mountain from Manchester.

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Watermedia on Panel

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Dear Peter…

Here is an interesting subscriber question to think about.

Although this question comes from another artist, the subject has implications for the art collector as well.

“I did a painting a while ago with a red barn. The original was a gift for a family member. Another family member wanted an original in a different size, but the same so I did that as well. I have also painted a slightly different version of the same scene. I do offer prints of the original red barn.

I had a customer who came to an event and did not want a print but wanted yet another original of it. I moved things around a bit for her, but essentially it’s another similar painting… Do you think that’s an issue? I would appreciate any thoughts!”

Well, I’ll have to put on my thinking cap with an extra strong cup of coffee this weekend for this one… and offer some thoughts on Monday.

Comments Add Yours

  • David Churchill says:

    I don’t think it is an issue. Everyone got an original painting that is one-of-akind. Your paintings are always great and personal.

  • Pat says:

    Re: “Dear Peter” question from another artist: An artist cannot duplicate brushstroke, lighting, composition, etc. so exacting that each subsequent painting is an exact “replica” of the original. Therefore, although the subsequent painting(s) may be similar to, they are in and of themselves “originals.” I suppose a professional art forger can duplicate an original so that to the eye, it is an “original.” But even they trip up on details. For the artist who is simply painting the same scene for different people, I say that each is, in fact, an original. The artist will always see something a bit different and incorporate it into his/her work. As long as the person wants a particular scene, even though it has previously been done, each work is new and fresh and an original. That’s my take on it anyway.

  • DeWitt Peterson says:

    All are originals. Even the forged copy original except it swiped the idea, view, composition, and even technique from the original original.

  • Michelle H says:

    I’d refer folks to Robert Burridge’s website (great colorist)…He’ll do lots of multiples of the same subject (circus entertainers, coffee mugs, tulips, hearts) and yet each painting stands on its own. As long as one works from one’s own drawings, photos,etc., he/she produces an original…IMHO…

  • Rick Savage says:

    I often paint a “series” of a subject. Some of which are never offered for public viewing. I consider all of them original. Some better than others, in my opinion. However I have had paintings I considered a lesser rendering be more appealing to other people.

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