This Issue's Opinion Crime and Art Crime and Art - two of my favorite subjects. cowboyartshow.com receives quite a few letters every day from people concerned about the value of their art. All I an do is some basic research, and post their request on the pages found at http://cowboyartshow.com/inforequests.htm. One of the (possible) problems people may run into is supposedly original works which are nothing more than good fakes. The problem of fakes is widespread. For example: Vladimir Petrov, the 19th-century Russian art specialist at the publicly-owned Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, has broken his silence on the subject of faking in the Russian art market. In an exclusive interview with The Art Newspaper, Dr Petrov revealed that he is convinced that corruption and criminality in the Russian art market has reached alarming levels. “From May to September 2005, I uncovered 120 fake ‘Russian’ works of art on the market, and it really made me sick,’’ he says. “Information and knowledge are crucial if we are to uncover these types of forgeries.’’ (From Art Market: “Criminality in the Russian art market has reached alarming levels”, Tretyakov curator speaks out and admits being taken in by forgers,Posted 20 April 2006, By John Varol) Even art purchased with a "Certificate of Authenticity" attached may not be the real thing. So before getting caught up in impulse buying - spending big money on that art work "you just have to have", spend a little time checking out the piece. Most works won't have that problem,, but if is purported to be the work of a Master, then double check, at least. Which all leads me to remind everyone that the art pieces you own have value of all kinds. One way to protect your work is buying security hardening your home or office - wherever the works are kept. Prevent smash and grab, or break-ins through windows, by coating the glass areas with security film. This is something I strongly recommend, since the best films or very high-ply, and reduce UV destruction; not eliminated, but deterioration due to ultra violet ray contact will take much longer. Don't forget, any painting, even those in a vault, will tend to go through a deterioration process. So if anyone knows of a way to prevent that from occurring, please let me know. Joe Chernicoff, CPA Exec. Director Online Art Competition The 2nd cowboyartshow.com online art competition has begun, and we have already had a nice response to the project from our visitors. By June 15, the competition will be narrowed to five (5) finalists, at which time we will ask our visitors to make their choice from that group. Judging is done offline as well as online, and the final result is based upon the scoring from both voting segments, so out visitors' vote is important. Aside from the prestige of being chosen the best of the competitors, the winning artist will receive a certificate and a check in the amount of $50, all in appreciation for his or her work Finalists work will be on display online for the next year, or until the next competition begins.

What's New and Continuing Continuing Cholla the Artist: April 1, 2006, at the Reno Barnes a& Nobles book store, Renee Chambers signs copies of "Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul II", in which her story on Cholla, the horse artist, was told. Leigh Walker: The folk and contemporary artist's original paintings, collages, clay sculptures, and limited edition gicleé prints and sculpture reproductions are now on exhibit. Sculpture thumbnail preview links point to exhibit and sales pages. Her work has also been seen in a show in southern Florida. New Cowboy Photographers and Artists International (CPAI) member Juliet Harrison has a new blog online: "Le Cheval The Horse - Fine Equine Photography". This is another interesting and different site for you to visit her current posting is of llamas. CPAI member Erik Weber had several of his great cowboy photos accepted for the Western Art Gallery at the Calgary Stampede. He will also be showing his work at the Silver Buckle Rodeo in Taylorsville, CA New CPAI member Jeanne Nations will have her work shown in the May/June issue of "Wildlife Art Magazine". The magazine is doing an article on Jeanne her wild horse photography. For general art interest, AbsoluteArts.com is a good source of information about artists, galleries, and exhibits. Your News in important to us! Send your local cowboy art news, rodeo schedules, personalities facts - all information we may be able to use here. Use this form.