I've loved art for years, especially after my now fiancee introduced me to her full walls of art. From canvas to prints, all art is beautiful in its own way. I was afraid to go to an art auction at first because of all the rumors; it's so expensive and everyone is so serious. But my experience was so much different than a typical art auction.
For starters, it was on a cruise ship! Park West Gallery is on over 100 cruise ships and runs auctions nearly every day, just like on the Royal Carribean cruise I was on. The auctioneer, art director, and rest of the team was so nice and extremely helpful. They represent more artists than I could have ever imagined. A few of my favorite art pieces range from animation to photo-realistic work, and they have everything in between.
Auction time! You register and walk right into the gallery. Easels as far as the eye can see, and they're all for sale! Works from Peter Max, Andrew Bone, and Autumn De Forest were just a few. Some art pieces range upwards of $50,000. Now, that number might seem scary but other artworks start at just $40. That's much more my speed.
After walking around the gallery for a half an hour or so, it's nearly time to start. You walk to the auction floor and take a seat in a huge comfy chair. Then we are on our way! The auctioneer cracks some jokes and explains how it all works.
The first piece on the auction block is a beautiful one of a kind by Peter Max himself. The starting bid is $42,000. That is entirely too rich for my blood, and just about everyone else's in the auction. Next up is a print of three adorable foxes. Bright eyed and bushy tailed, the bid starts at $40. This is my chance. I raise my bid card along with many others. The bid gets all the way to $150!
Here is where Park West Gallery sets itself apart in my opinion. The auctioneer halts the bidding and gives every bidder the fox print for just $60 as they had more than one! I was ecstatic! $60 for an adorable print of foxes is a steal! You can count me in for that every day of the week!
The auction goes on for a little over two and a half hours. You might think that seems like a long time, but if you truly love art that time just seems to fly by. Over that span, I bid on a few more pieces, all that I completely fell in love with. Peter max pieces, Andrew Bone pieces, and so many more. Park West Gallery truly has something for everyone.
After attending the auction they make it a breeze to pay and get your artwork shipped right to your doorstep! How neat is that! I couldn't be happier with all of my purchases. And when I say purchases I mean purchases. I may have gone just a tad overboard at my first art auction but I walked out with a smile on my face nonetheless. If you love art and have always dreamed of attending an art auction, just go! You will not regret it.
