Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Holidays from ATFA Appraisals


Thank you so much for being a customer of ATFA Appraisals this past year.  We want you to know we appreciate the business you have given us, and we hope to continue serving you in the coming year.

If you haven't done so already, consider buying the ArtQuake print portfolio or select print(s) to help artists in Haiti impacted by the 2010 earthquake.  ArtQuake is produced in an edition of 25 and sells for $ 1,500 (plus shipping & handling); select prints are $150.  A catalogue with essay written by artist and writer, Andre Juste, accompanies the portfolio.  ArtQuake contains contemporary prints produced by ten internationally known artists.

Thank you again and we wish you a happy holiday and a prosperous new year!

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Thursday, October 24, 2013

A Smart Guide for the Collector at all levels of Connoiseurship

Here's a terrifically smart guide for fine art collectors from the Appraisers Association of America (New York City): The Experts Guide to Collecting.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

ATFA Appraisals sponsors reception, Save A Museum -- Musee d'Art Haitien

ATFA Appraisals is pleased to help sponsor the 4-day exhibition of works by Haitian modern and contemporary artists held at Kenkeleba Gallery in New York, NY September 17 - 21, 2013 where sales aid repairs for the Musee d'Art Haitiedu Collège St. Pierre in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Discover the artwork of 78 Haitian artists and help the Musée d’Art Haitien du Collège St Pierre in Port-au-Prince Haiti.  It was severely damaged during the January 2010 earthquake and is still closed to the public more than 3 years later.  78 artists and 7 collectors donated 88 original paintings and 3 lithographies to raise funds for its repair.

The Save A Museum catalog contains an essay by esteemed Haitian art historian, Dr. Michel Philippe Lerebours, with reminiscences from the nieces of the museum's founder, Bishop Al Voegeli, Phyllis Voegeli and Mary Voegeli de Pinho.  This full-color, 52-page catalog is available for sale on the website of the Toussaint Louverture Foundation.  You do not have to attend the reception to purchase artwork.  Contact Toussaint Louverture Foundation: (917) 499-3638, ToussaintLouvertureFoundation@gmail.com.


The artists:
Allen, Jonas
Allen, Ralph
Antoine, Philippe
Antoine, Fritzvelt [Wouwous]
Arcelin, Evens
Blanchard, Smith
Booz, Ludovic
Bresilla, Colette [Kokko]
Brintle, Patricia
Cadet, Marie-Lucie [Malou]
Cadet, Vonette
Charles, Etzer
Charlier, Vladimir Cybil
Demosthene, Florine
Denis, Raphael
Dessalines, Harold
Desvarieux, Edouard
Dodard, Philippe
Domond, Joseph Ernst
Domond, Jean-Ricardo
Dorsainvil, Gary
Dupoux, Marie-Thérèse [Marithou]
Durandisse, Jean
Durocher, Gontrand
Duval-Carrie, Edouard
Engels
Exil, Levoy
Felix, Denise
Felix, Lafortune
Franketienne
Frantz, Jean-Baptiste
Fungcap, Essud
Gaetan, Eddy
Ganthier, Patrick [Killy]
Garoute, Michele Claude [Klode]
Gaspard, George Patrick
Girault, Eric
Gousse-Allen, Marie Claude
Gracia, François R. 
Gregoire, Alexandre
Hall, Myrtha
Jean, Elie
Jourdain, Philippe
Juste, Andre
Lahens-Esper, Genevieve [Iris]
Laplanche, Tiffany
Latortue, Odile
Laurent, Maccene
Laurent, Renold
Legrand, Yolene
Lerosier, Kepler
Lesperance, Guetty
Leveque, Gabriel
Louis, Jean-Elie
Louissaint, Franck
Marcelin, Michele Voltaire
Merisier, Emmanuel
Mezilas, Frenal
Nadal-Gardere, Marie-Jose
Nicolas, Christian [Kristo]
Paret, Robert
Paul, Lionel [Onel]
Phipps-Kettlewell, Marilene
Piard, Patrice
Piquion, Elisabeth Moscoso
Placide, Joseph M. E. [Milo]
Rocher, Camy
Saint Jean, St Juste
Smith, Abnet [Zag]
Sufal, Edner
Syllien, Guy
Télémaque, Hervé
Tintin, Eddy
Tintin, Jean René
Volcy, Jean Dominique
Vorbe, Gregory
Wah, Patrick Gerald
Woolley, Frantz
The collectors who donated artwork:
A. Paul Corbanese
Denise Felix
Harold Laplanche
Jacqueline Pompilus
Charles Vabre
Mary Voegeli de Pinho
Phyllis Voegeli

Friday, August 9, 2013

Henri Robert Bresil (Haitian, 1952-1999)

Over the last five years, the artwork of Henri Robert Bresil (Haitian, 1952-1999) has received low estimates starting at $200 and high estimates of $ 2,500 for realized sales at auction.  The highest sales price occurred at the May 22, 2011 20th Century Art and Design sale at Treadway Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Lot 716, "Harvest Landscape" sold for $3,000.  Dated circa 1980, the oil on canvas on board depicts people at work on land and water.


Bresil was born in Gonaives, in the northwestern region of Haiti in September of 1952. Although he started to paint at a rather young age, his career really began only after he settled in Port-au-Prince in 1973.

He is known for his great landscapes; jungle scenes, with a mass of stylized trees that invade the canvas without leaving room for the sky. The whiteness of a waterfall, the red of one or more birds or the yellow of some fruits often enlightens the green that dominates his canvases. The composition is always repetitive and elaborate, creating a very decorative and popular effect.

Bresil has received glowing reviews in art and decoration magazines. Art critics particularly appreciate his work for his perfectionist techniques and the meticulous execution of his compositions.

He won the Ispan-Unesco prize of honor at the Museum of Haitian Art. He has had shows in the United States as well as in Europe. He exhibits in many galleries in Haiti and abroad. He is very popular in Japan, where they are fond of his delicate and refined jungles.
Bresil died in the first week of April 1999.

Source: MedaliaArt, August 2013


"Harvest Landscape," c. 1980, oil on canvas on board, 48" x 70"

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

ATFA Appraisals Supports Musée d’Art Haitien du Collège St Pierre in Port-au-Prince Haiti

ATFA Appraisals is pleased to announce that we have taken advertisement in an important project to support the Musee d'Art Haitien du College St. Pierre in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  Save A Museum is the title of the 52-page catalog featuring 78 artworks by Haitian artists of the modern and contemporary period.
Click here to buy the catalog.
The collection of works are for sale with net proceeds used to pay for repairs in the Musee d'Art Haitien which was damaged in the 2010 earthquake.  The Musee d'Art Haitien is closed today due to those required repairs.

Get a free estimate!
ATFA Appraisals advertised in the catalog.  ATFA Appraisals specializes in fine art appraisals of paintings, photographs, and prints for insurance coverage, charitable donation, equitable distribution, estate taxes, and purchases and sales.  One of our areas of concentration is Haitian Art.  We are a member of the Haitian Art Society, and serve as a volunteer sales coordinator for a unique contemporary print portfolio, A/Q ArtQuake, designed to support artists in Haiti.

For a free estimate of your Haitian, or other contemporary and modern artwork(s), contact ATFA Appraisals.  We provide objective, Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)-compliant appraisal reports and consultancies (written and verbal), and adhere to the code of ethics of the American Society of Appraisers.


Donna Thompson Ray Serves Third Year as ASA Northern New Jersey Chapter 73 Secretary

We are pleased to announce that Donna Thompson Ray, Chief Appraiser, ATFA Appraisals, is serving a third year as secretary of the ASA Northern New Jersey Chapter 73.  American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is the nation's oldest appraisal association.  An international organization of appraisal professionals, ASA is a multi-disciplinary association, with members practicing in six areas of appraisal specialities, and active chapters across the country.


As a member of the international arts community for twenty-five years,  Donna is thrilled to be serving the membership of northern New Jersey ASA appraisers.  Some of the highlights of her responsibilities include serving as editor of the chapter newsletter, and assisting with programming for the monthly meetings.  During 2012-2013, the chapter held upwards of six content-rich meetings on topics such as sports memorabilia, U.S. currency and its history, collecting at the Montclair Art Museum, and the new tax laws and their impact on your bottom line.

Donna formed ATFA Appraisals nearly seven years ago in response to her families' growing interest in antiques and collectibles.  Based in Westfield, New Jersey, ATFA Appraisals helps clients with the appraisal of personal property for charitable donation, insurance, estate taxes, equitable distribution, and purchases and sales.  ATFA Appraisals also offers educational services such as gallery talks, topical lectures, seminars, and group tours, an outgrowth of Donna's esteemed professional experience as a history educator, a published writer, and a PhD candidate in American history.

ATFA Appraisals works in Contemporary and Modern art appraisals of paintings, photographs, and prints.  American/African-American Art, Haitian Art, Latin American Art, and traditional African sculpture are included in areas of concentration.

To get a free estimate, please send us your contact information.  To subscribe to the ATFA Appraisals quarterly newsletter, click here.


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

What's It Worth?

An informative consumer-friendly video from the American Society of Appraisers helps perspective clients understand the who, what, why, when, and how of the appraisal practice.


Sunday, May 26, 2013

ATFA Appraisals in Conversation with Artist, Laura James

A few weeks ago I sat down with artist, Laura James, and discussed her work, the new children's book she illustrated, and The Sassier Project where she will produce the 14 Stations of the Cross for churches in Sassier, Haiti.  The project is a collaboration with the Queens, NY-based group, From Here to Haiti, and is still accepting donations to help realize its goals.

Here's the video produced from our conversation.  Laura is one of the few artists' works that I never tire of seeing.  I hope you feel same.  Enjoy.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The Stations for Sassier Project

This is an excellent program to support the St. Jean Baptiste Parish in Sassier, Haiti.  There are 30 days left to support the program and get a great perk!  Do not hesitate. Donate today


Friday, April 12, 2013

A preview of Sotheby's Contemporary Art | DOHA sale, April 22nd.

Monday, February 25, 2013

The Amaya Collection, Sotheby's Auction

This video gives a brief summary of the Amaya Collection of Modern and Contemporary Indian Art scheduled for auction at Sotheby's, March 19, 2013.



Monday, January 28, 2013

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Clementine Hunter's Life as Chamber Opera

The New York Times reports on a celebrated folk artist whose life story is set in a new chamber opera performed at Montclair State University -- Zinnias: The Life of Clementine Hunter.


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Sotheby's Contemporary Art, London features Basquiat Artworks

Here's a short video on the artworks of Basquiat featured in the February 12 sale of Contemporary Art in London.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Art Insurers Speak of Record Claims for Hurricane Sandy Damages

Art Insurers Speak of Record Claims for Hurricane Sandy Damages

Recent reports have surfaced on the record loss of damaged galleries and art warehouses under Hurricane Sandy last fall.  The Claims Journal (December 28, 2012) reports on record claims to art insurers that could result in pay-outs totaling near half a billion dollars.

If you are facing an art insurance claim and would like an appraisal that follows USPAP guidelines (governed by U.S. Congress), contact ATFA Appraisals for a free consultation, including a no-cost estimate of services.  We will address your particular needs and get you an appraisal that is readily accepted by insurance companies.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

New Year 2013

Wishing you a glorious Happy New Year 2013.  Thank you for reading our blog and supporting our work.  We look forward to posting more news on art collecting, appraisals, and sales throughout the year.

All the best,
Donna