Topic: Worthless? It's enough to put you off art auctions for life...

I love those art auctions - sometimes I'm almost in tears with laughter at the pile of old squawk they try to sell people. What was interesting on Azamara Journey last November was that no-one attended the art auction - we'd gone along (as we often do) to sit and watch, but no-one else came so we wandered off to do something worthwhile.

Well someone has to pay for all that cheap 'bubbly' that I consume at the previews.

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No. he plays those classic instuments :-the digeridoo and the wobble board.

He seems to be more popular overseas than his own country. My mother always called him Ralph Horace.

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I love those art auctions - sometimes I'm almost in tears with laughter at the pile of old squawk they try to sell people. What was interesting on Azamara Journey last November was that no-one attended the art auction - we'd gone along (as we often do) to sit and watch, but no-one else came so we wandered off to do something worthwhile.

Have to agree with you Bosscat. What a load of old doodah people bid to buy. Framed American football and baseball shirts

Trying to move round them when they are displayed in main areas prior to the auctions is almost as bad as getting through the crowds when the formal night photos are put up. Now there's another rip-off that's good for a laugh.;)

Here I go again! I think if you like it, it isn't too expensive and you realise it is not high end art, then why not? I have bought a couple of limited edition prints and one oil original. None of them were pricey and I feel they are a little more interesting than the ones I have seen on the high street. They are not strictly speaking auctions as anything can be bought prior to the event if you particularly want it. I suppose the danger is that people fall for the hype and get carried away and pay over the odds for what is basically just a good print.
I have to admit the last few cruises we haven't gone to the sales as I am now bored with them but on our first cruises we thought they were great! especially the free fizz;) Carol

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Is he still working
Have always enjoyed his concerts , did not know he was an artist as in art.

Yes, he's 80 and still working. He's an accomplished artist and has a varied portfolio.
Probably his series 'Rolf on Art' was not aired in Canada, but I enjoyed it a lot.
Rolf is due to visit our local gallery soon and I hope for an invitation.

Judith

I've read on other forums people criticising cruises where there are no auctions saying they miss them, so there is obviously a market of happy and willing buyers.

It's the same as the shops on board when they have a sale. I'm amazed at how many people flock around the sale tables as the prices are never very reasonable, in my opinion.

I think some people can't manage a sea day without access to a shopping experience.

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I've read on other forums people criticising cruises where there are no auctions saying they miss them, so there is obviously a market of happy and willing buyers.

It's the same as the shops on board when they have a sale. I'm amazed at how many people flock around the sale tables as the prices are never very reasonable, in my opinion.

I think some people can't manage a sea day without access to a shopping experience.

I agree, except for the staggeringly cheap gin (of which we bought several bottles) on our last cruise. As we were being driven home after we disembarked in Athens, we rolled off the ship with large quantities of wine we'd bought in Italy and the aforementioned gin.

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I enjoy looking at the art gallery as it gives me colour ideas for my card making. I find most art/prints are far to big to go into the small houses being built. EDNA

I enjoy looking at art for a similar reason - I design cross stich charts.

We visit our local gallery regularly and have purchased pictures occasionally. Mt husband admired a fairly large abstract sunset for ages and eventually bought it. It had to be delivered as it wouldn't go in the car and we had only one suitable wall space as it would have dominated the livingroom. It actually looks great in the diningroom now it is properly lit, but it could have been a very expensive mistake.

Judith

I've purchased several Kinkade prints via the auctions, but always purchased them in advance. We (my wife and I) have always been fascinated with his work and when the time was right we decided that we would like a series of his prints framed around our home. They were not expensive and we were able to study his work extensively prior to purchasing them. When we returned home the prints arrived about 1 week later. I took them to be framed by a professional picture framer, who commented that he had not seen such good quality prints for a long time, and hoped that his framing would do them justice. To this day they take pride of place at home and are regularly commented on by guests. When in the US we always visit the Kinkade galleries, his work is exceptional.