all about art

A friend and I were told about this little art shop in Belleview, Fla--really a quaint little place. The kind of place that you would have to know it was there to know it was there. My understanding is that the art in the shop is all locally produced--all local talent. Truly, it is quite a shop. Any type of art-watercolor, oil, ceramic...really a tiny shop that just holds a lot. Your eyes will not stop moving! Lot to see! My eyes wandered to a carved hand-a rather large carved hand. I turned it over and the price was right and expressed disappointment that the artist did not sign the work. I was told that the artist was from out of the area and was rather bashful about signing his work because he did not think it was that special. Disappointing, but OK. Later that evening, at home, decided to Google "wood carved hand" and, gosh almighty! I found the exact same hand--and I was given the correct info-the artist is not from around there--actually, the hand was made in Indonesia! I hate feeling ripped off. In the end tho, I do like the wood hand, the price was right so...all is not lost. And, I really enjoyed my time at the shop. Just know, that not everything in the shop is locally produced. I would normally suggest asking the Staff about a piece--but, I tried that and it did not work so well for me.