Art Prints Matter to Collectors and Creators. A Timeless Testimony in Ink and Texture.
Art Prints: Building a Legacy for Future Generations
The notion that beauty, once it is created, need not be kept or concealed but rather shared - has a subdued power. I knew of the “digital print trend” since school days, really from my Art class. I never really liked the idea of a "print of the original" especially if it's sold as "an original print of the original artwork" - to me, in my small and authentically, original art mind was still a "copy" irrespective.
See some of my latest artwork here (original and prints): Available Art
Times are changing in all spheres and even more so in the art world. We have to adjust to tastes, narratives, "soul-touching" moments for a newer, younger generation. Art prints has become one of these metamorphosis of art transformation - an original print, signed and numbered by the artist, of the original art, carries quite the amount of interest and weight, and as an artist and a guardian of cultural memory, legacy, and access, I have wholeheartedly decided to embrace it.
I wanted my work to be seen by more people than just those who could afford
unique originals when I first started producing under the auspices of The Houseof Caelthorne (my official seat as The Most Honorable Marquess of Caelthorne, also overseeing Caelthorne Art). In my mind, art was a river rather than a reservoir; it was
expansive, flowing, and touched lives that it might not otherwise be able to. I
therefore focused on the meticulous, respectful process of creating art prints
in addition to creating and focusing on just the original artworks. Prints are too frequently written off as inferior. A widespread
misunderstanding around the world still exists - I mean, I was one of these sceptics!
There are still those that see anything that isn't the original canvas is a soulless
replica. However, I've discovered via experience and practice that reproduction
doesn't take away from a work's soul. It multiplies the message and narrative, if anything. this is also evident in my own art process.
A photocopy is not the same as a fine art print, however is a translation, a
distillation, a method of distilling a composition's essence and presenting it
in a different format that is both timeless and approachable. Actually, making
a print can frequently be just as meticulous and personal as making the original.
Every element, including color correction and paper selection, must respect the
essence of the original.
Our art prints are regarded as meaningful artifacts at Caelthorne Art. Each one is created with archival materials of museum quality, and whenever feasible, certified or signed. We take this seriously because we know that when someone buys a print, they're bringing a narrative, a memory, or an emotion into their home, that touched their soul in one way or another, rather than just buying "wall art" for the sake of it.
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| Caelthorne in artistic photos with his latest artwork: "I forgot I had a Name" from his recent art series: "I am in this world, but I am not from this world" |
Most of our collectors are about aesthetics, meaning, and instant gratification. The nuance of a "Pinterest board" type of art wall has surpassed the notion of "trend". It's becoming a timeless statement on most walls - telling a story. From the millennials to the new Gen Z art collectors range from being dreamers, activists, more life "savvy", young families and young professionals buying their first piece of art. Owning a piece, even if it's just a print, is a profound experience for both. It turns into a relationship. A quiet conversation. A pledge.
This is particularly crucial to the work that The Lady Isabel Foundation does. Offering limited edition prints of artwork produced by communities impacted by trauma, marginalization, or displacement is a major component of our outreach and fundraising efforts. These prints are more than just a wall decoration... They are testimonials rather than sources of revenue. They make it possible for the stories that are woven throughout the original pieces to travel from Cape Town townships to London townhouses and New York homes.
There are some beautiful Contemporary African Art just released by The Foundation - have a look at The Lady Isabel Art Collection.
We've seen how a print in a person's house can provoke conversation. It can
serve as a gateway—an invitation to talk about the meaning of the image, its
origins, and its creation. Art becomes a legacy in this way. It spreads into
people's daily lives rather than being confined to a single place. Art prints, in my opinion, also democratize collecting. They provide access to
a realm that has always seemed unapproachable. Something changes when a young
person receives their first signed print.
They start to regard themselves as art patrons. They gain confidence in their taste. They discover how to surround themselves with work that resonates with them, which in turn influences their worldview. Particularly for African and diasporic communities, who have frequently been excluded from the mainstream art world, this type of access is essential. We break down barriers by providing art prints. We extend the circle. We assert that this beauty is not exclusive to the wealthy. Anyone who recognizes themselves in it, can collect and own it.
I personally choose carefully which pieces to offer as prints. Not all paintings are appropriate. Some pieces must stay singular and speak in whispers. Others, however, feel a sense of community. They insist on being shared. They convey messages that are too urgent to be contained. I decide to release those and every time I do, I'm struck by the thought that someone is sitting with the art prints somewhere, maybe in a bright apartment in Atlanta or a peaceful house in Birmingham. adjusting to it. allowing it to move them. Allowing it to teach them something I might never be able to express in words.
Additionally, I find comfort in the forward-thinking nature of art prints. Originals may be damaged, lost, or stolen. However, well-maintained prints last. They keep memories intact. They are passed down from one generation to the next. They become emotional heirlooms in this way.
When a client buys a Caelthorne Art print, they are spending money on more than just a beautiful moment. They are becoming a part of a greater narrative about justice, hope, legacy, and access. They are advancing the idea of a society in which art honors, unites, and heals.
Prints often remind me of seeds. You never know what they'll develop into or where they'll end up. However, as an artist I have faith that they possess the essence of something sacred. Something that is valuable to multiply. Something timeless.
Therefore, if you've ever questioned if purchasing a print "counts,"
this is my testimony: Yes, it does! It matters in ways you might not realize. The work
we do is made possible by it. It gives the artist confidence. It nourishes the
spirit. Additionally, it guarantees that the tales we tell will continue and become part of history, where the funds raised from the purchase goes toward building a lifelong legacy.
