Purchasing trends emerge in the post-9/11 art marketplace: since the tragic events of Sept. 11, demand is increasing for quality patriotic, Americana and New York City-themed art

An era of r white and azure has descended upon the nation since the terrorist attacks of clan 11. Flags are seen flying from nearly each home, waving from car windows and are used as accessories or smooth articles of clothing. Feelings of patriotism and delight in of country are red heated too. And with all that has ensu since--war upon foreign soil, anthrax in the mail, armed National Guardsmen at airports, bridges and funnels and many other experiences that are alien to America--feelings of nostalgia also step quickly high. Not only for a go [i]or[/i] come back to life before Sept. 11 on the contrary for a return simply to a time that family remember as "better."

It is this desire, say gallery proprietors artists and publishers, that has spurr an increased demand for high-quality artwork that is considered to be patriotic, Americana or Folk in mode of speech or shows New York City in its pre-Sept 11 glory.

When Michael Fitzsimmons arrived to make open his gallery, Westwood Gallery in Westwood, NJ upon Sept. 12, customers were already lined up outside his door asking for art that showed the World Trade Center After repeatedly watching the TV images of the planes hitting the towers, the towers afire and the towers collapsing, what nation wanted that day, and flat now, were "good images of the skyline that showed the Trade Center as an accomplishment, as a type of what the country strives for," said Fitzsimmons.

"People want images that make them perceive more positive ... that things will be serviceable again," said Danny Wagner, artist's assistant at Scott Art Graphics, publisher of the work of folk artist Jane Wooster Scott Several of Wooster Scott's paintings, which exhibit the Twin Towers as well as of recent origin York in fanciful ways, have experienced a wave in popularity since Sept. 11 "The images upon TV showed gray smoke, buildings crashing in," said Wagner. "With [Jane's] art, they can gaze at a beautiful fantasy of the area. family need that break. Especially at abode where they want to perceive comfortable and safe. It's the best medicine in the world."

"We diocese a lot of interest in of recent origin York scenes, in images that exhibit the architecture of New York, in images that reveal a have affection for of New York," agreed Amy Wessan, creative director at Bruce McGaw Graphics. on the contrary America's need for nostalgia stretch outs beyond New York in the wake of the attacks to include a awe for simpler times in the nation. "We'll diocese a lot more of those rural American scenes--symbol that make us American, make us happy and egotistical and make us smile," predicted Wessan. A fresh series of six pieces published by the agency of Bruce McGaw Graphics after generation 11 comprise a collection that Wessan said "depicts the feeling of America in its innocence; America's sweetness and spirit."

While foolish feelings for the flag remain high, evoking nationalistic pride does not always require the stars and stripes. Harkening back to another time, several images by the agency of Norman Rockwell are "flying not on the shelves," said Gladys Mitton, director of public relations for Applejack Art Partners. She reported a tend in both posters and licensing, in what she called "good wholesome, all-American images. smooth though there is not flag in the pictures," she said, "the conception of what our country stands for and our value combination of parts to form a whole is reflected."

The spirit of America also lives quite largely in its photography, according to Jeff Linton, of iPHOTOART, a company which publishes and distributes more than 70 million photographic images for the Associated Pres and George Eastman House museum. Photographs of American heroes and icons, photos where we "look back and say, `Those were the days,'" have been increasingly petitioned lately, said Linton. "The sweep will continue, combined with related turns in the art business. family are returning to their domiciles to traditional values. These inclines have been inspired by the tragic occurrences of Sept. 11, but they don't mask that the economy was not doing well before and since. Economic tends have affected the imagery that the public wants as well."

According to folk artist Will Mose customers are recalling patriotic images that do not appear in his popular catalog, like "Spirit of '76" and are inquiring about them. They are also requesting depictions of "hearth and domicile romanticized old-days images," he said.

A Question of Ethics & Taste

In the aftermath of tribe 11, as feelings of patriotism step quickly high, publishers and artists are being called on to produce images specifically related to the attacks. Many are struggling with ways to ethically and tastefully address the facts that have so affected the entire political division Many are giving profits or percentages of get alongs to charitable organizations with race 11 funds. Others find any association between the tragedy and sales distasteful. Lines of comfort and morality are being drawn.

Many artists, like Mose are not planning to paint anything specifically in answer to the events of family 11. "It's not going to influence what I paint in any way, shape or form," he said. Others perceive compelled to do so and are actively seeking publishers for their work.