California Artist Marques Vickers specializes in Figurative Contemporary Abstract Paintings, Mixed Media Full Bodied Figures, life size Iconic Totem and Neo-Archetype sculptures incorporating steel, wood and colorfully sealed surfaces. His work is inspired by Henry Moore, Jean Arp, Alberto Giacometti, Robert Arneson, Manuel Neri, Nathan Oliveira, George Segal, Concha Benedito and Constantin Brancusi for international art collectors, corporate facility managers, the hospitality industry and municipal public art sites.

ARTICLES:

"California Artist Relocates Studio and Lifestyle to South of France" (November)
Allworth Press Releases “Marketing and Buying Fine Art Online” (November)

California Artist Relocates Studio and Lifestyle to South of France

Northern California born and raised artist Marques Vickers followed his dream. He and wife Claudia, sold their four-bedroom Vallejo house, left their secure careers and relocated to the wine growing village of Fabrezan, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France in June of 2005.

“Our decision was by no means impulsive,” notes Vickers, “we’d discussed the idea for a few years but economics was always our barrier. When the northern California real estate market went ballistic, we cashed out without hesitation. We choose Fabrezan for its close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and historic Roman cities of Narbonne and Carcassone.”

The couple were not motivated exclusively by the allure of an alternative lifestyle, but also an appreciating southern French real estate market. The market for refurbishing ancient stone houses within France is currently dominated by Northern Europeans (English, Dutch, German, Danish, Swedish and Flemish) buyers seeking inexpensive second homes and summer residences.

“The Languedoc section and particularly the Aude region where we live offer incredible value and the opportunity to own centuries old houses of character,” observes Vickers. “The housing market is presently cooling amongst foreign buyers, but pricing is still significantly reduced in comparison to neighboring Provence and the French Riviera.”

“What differentiates the Languedoc is the authenticity and quality lifestyle seemingly absent from the rest of Southern France, due to increased congestion, urbanization and industrial development. The idealized pastoral Provence disappeared a decade ago, but it remains in the Languedoc, for now.”

Vickers shipped the bulk of his paintings and art supplies upon his relocation and has found a receptive audience for his work. He paints in both his home studio and in front of a local 12th century tower, currently serving as a wine production facility.

“I contracted two Spring 2006 shows this week,” said Vickers, “and have several exhibitions pending. The Languedoc is a less developed art market than the San Francisco Bay area, but has a centuries old tradition towards the arts. There is a vibrant following attached to the arts even in small villages and a pride of continuity very contagious.”

Various San Francisco Bay Area Publications

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ARTICLES: "California Artist Relocates Studio and Lifestyle to South of France" (November) Allworth Press Releases “Marketing and Buying Fine Art Online” (November) California Artist Relocates Studio and Lifestyle to South of France Northern California born and raised artist Marques Vickers followed his dream. He and wife Claudia, sold their four-bedroom Vallejo house, left their secure careers and relocated to the wine growing village of Fabrezan, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France in June of 2005. “Our decision was by no means impulsive,” notes Vickers, “we’d discussed the idea for a few years but economics was always our barrier. When the northern California real estate market went ballistic, we cashed out without hesitation. We choose Fabrezan for its close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and historic Roman cities of Narbonne and Carcassone.” The couple were not motivated exclusively by the allure of an alternative lifestyle, but also an appreciating southern French real estate market. The market for refurbishing ancient stone houses within France is currently dominated by Northern Europeans (English, Dutch, German, Danish, Swedish and Flemish) buyers seeking inexpensive second homes and summer residences. “The Languedoc section and particularly the Aude region where we live offer incredible value and the opportunity to own centuries old houses of character,” observes Vickers. “The housing market is presently cooling amongst foreign buyers, but pricing is still significantly reduced in comparison to neighboring Provence and the French Riviera.” “What differentiates the Languedoc is the authenticity and quality lifestyle seemingly absent from the rest of Southern France, due to increased congestion, urbanization and industrial development. The idealized pastoral Provence disappeared a decade ago, but it remains in the Languedoc, for now.” Vickers shipped the bulk of his paintings and art supplies upon his relocation and has found a receptive audience for his work. He paints in both his home studio and in front of a local 12th century tower, currently serving as a wine production facility. “I contracted two Spring 2006 shows this week,” said Vickers, “and have several exhibitions pending. The Languedoc is a less developed art market than the San Francisco Bay area, but has a centuries old tradition towards the arts. There is a vibrant following attached to the arts even in small villages and a pride of continuity very contagious.” Various San Francisco Bay Area Publications
Allworth Press Releases “Marketing and Buying Fine Art Online” The Internet has changed the landscape of how the art world conducts its business. In his new book MARKETING AND BUYING FINE ART ONLINE, professional artist and collector Marques Vickers walks artists, galleries, collectors, art students, and resellers through the process of navigating this new territory and describes the abundant opportunities available. “The two most accessible and immediate assets an artist can and should be cultivating online are a Web site and an expanded selling network,” says Vickers. “This sales network should include Internet auction sites, affiliate partnerships, business and consumer exchanges, barter services, direct mail, licensing outlets, virtual art galleries, and portfolio listings.” According to Vickers, the art world is hurtling headfirst into a new era of artistic free agency, more informed consumer comparative pricing, and expanded resource data. This book is an attempt to demystify the many misconceptions and false assumptions about the art industry and the Internet. “The traditional physical art gallery as the industry has known it is struggling to maintain an existence faced by escalating rents and rising expenses of promotion, staff, logistics, delivery, insurance, and security. The conclusion for both artists and seller seems inevitable. A shift toward online sales, distribution, and promotion is essential to long-termsurvival.” Marketing and Buying Fine Art Online details how to set up and run an effective website geared to attract viewers, promote sales, and establish long-term, credible presence. It is filled with over 1,200 Internet outlet resources to help with the development, designing, hosting, monitoring, registering, domain name listings, chatlines/blogs/message board services, search engines, currency converters, bidding services, media mailing list services, artists reference resources, directory of art fairs and festivals, art workshops, online art and media publications, auction houses and more. It offers easy to follow advice and information for readers not fluent in the rhetoric of the art world on computers. And it elaborates on the winning strategies, marketing tools, and efficient tactics the most popular art and business websites employ to generate links, media exposure and buyers. This valuable volume also details the diverse range of emerging sales trends and opportunities on the Internet for traditional, original, and reproduction artwork. In addition, it presents evolving opportunities for licensed products, greeting card publishing, print on demand Giclees, barter, auction exchanges, motion picture set decor, e-commerce stores, virtual art galleries, affiliate program, and many others. Marketing and Buying Fine Art Online is a roadmap to future trends and selling outlets not traditionally embraced within art world circles. The stereotyped mythology about artists, galleries, and auction services is undergoing a substantial reexamination. Not only are the rules changing, so are the rule makers. Marketing and Buying Fine Art Online: A Guide for Artists and Collectors can be found in better bookstores, or it can be ordered directly from the publisher by calling 1-800-491-2808, or by going online to www.allworth.com where you will find a full description, a table of contents, and reviews. Distributed to the trade by Watson-Guptill Publications: 1-800-451-1741. ###### Praise for Marketing and Buying Fine Art Online “Packed with valuable information and insights—from the basics of Internet marketing to the plethora of opportunities cyberspace offers artists.” -Caroll Michels, Career Coach, Artist-Advocate, and Author of How to Survive & Prosper as an Artist “This advanced guide to the World Wide Web for both buyers and sellers of art has everything you'll need to know to go all the way on the Internet with your art business.”-Constance Smith, Author of Art Marketing 101 “An important resource for marketing and buying art on the Internet. A real treasure trove for artists and collectors.”-Markus Kruse Ph.D, President of World Wide Arts Resources / absolutearts.com “There’s a new game in town and it’s called ‘The Internet for Artists.’ Marques Vickers brilliantly explores the opportunities in this up-to-the-minute guide.Artists better pay attention because it’s the biggest thing since the invention of the paintbrush.”-Robert Genn, www.painterskeys.com Various Art Industry Publications
The Stranger Inside Myself California figurative artist Marques Vickers presents a personal creative overview of 2005 showing 35+ images of paintings and sculpture completed during that year as well as a detailed photo overview of his initial French house rennovation. The 50-page ebook includes poetry and personal observations on the process of creating visual art. The publication serves as a present day creative commentary into one artists insight into his own creative evolution and future direction.