The True Value of Art

5/15/2010

“Think of art as a beautiful thing.” What words could be any more inspiring coming from a true artist? Kermit Frazier, long-time metal worker and artist, has a vision for the direction of the artwork that he does and the potential market for his work.

Frazier realizes the value of his work and what it has to offer potential buyers. He has been metal working for decades and he put that talent to use as an artist completing an exceptional full-scale, dimensional sculpture of a winged human skeleton. And it’s the quality of the workmanship, the quality of the materials and the vision for a top quality product based on months of planning that makes his work superior to that of other shops he’s seen that churn out high volumes of metal sculptures that fall apart within years of being sold.

Frazier knows what he’s got. A few years ago he mounted the winged sculpture to his truck and has been driving it down the California coast and visiting local art markets along the way to share with others. The sculpture has so much interest that he had to put me on hold for a few minutes to speak with an interested party.

What started as an experiment for Frazier has become a path to new business. People passing on the highway will frequently slow down to take a picture. Frazier has taken the next step to add his website name and information to the side of his truck. The artwork is becoming the advertisement itself. As Frazier says, “I’d rather go for the free publicity where people do it through enthusiasm.”

What better way to showcase one’s own work than to showcase it for everyone to see. Part of Frazier’s strategy is to educate interested parties on what he’s got. There are those who collect art for art’s sake and others who are just looking for an ornament. The newness of a simple ornament wears off in due time but Frazier understands the true value of a piece designed and built to be enjoyed as a piece of art and he tries to instill this value in those he speaks with.

“Let people look and make up their own mind,” Frazier says. And he’s confident that the work he has produced, when developed from a true artistic vision, is something that someone is going to want.

Frazier’s keystone piece is worth a look. With a wingspan of 12 feet and height of 10 feet it’s no wonder that folks stop and look at every turn. One of the greatest exposure opportunities that the piece has enjoyed has been a year long stint as part of the Downtown Saturday Night art walk in Tucson, AZ. But beyond external opportunities for exposure Frazier is always out looking for commissions. His strategy is to show his work, talk to people and ask for leads and ideas. He has a dozen ideas or more himself but is looking for the right commission to be able to realize those visions.

Frazier’s take on today’s market is that new money has gone away in many places in the United States. But the local Los Angeles art market is still good compared to what he’s seen elsewhere.

Frazier sees a new direction for the art market, though. And he builds his strategy for promotion and the intrinsic value of his artwork on the same idea. “The art market needs to reinvent itself,” Frazier says. “I’ve been using this as a way to find like-minded people who are interested in reinventing the art market. Don’t just buy art as an investment, think of art as something that will always go up in value if you support the artist.”

Frazier’s successful promotion of his sculpture has resulted in incredible exposure. He hopes that his continued efforts will ensure a long and fruitful art career in Los Angeles.

You can view the artwork of Kermit Frazier at his website http://kermitfrazier.com/.

Andrew Ferraro
Staff Writer