Above: Cornish artist John Dyer painting en plein air on the Cornish coast

When you buy a painting directly from the John Dyer Gallery, you’re not only acquiring an original work of art, you’re becoming part of a living creative story. Every painting is signed and certified as a genuine original by the artist — never a copy or attribution — and is supplied with an official invoice providing lifelong provenance. Each work is delivered directly from our family of artists: John Dyer, Joanne Short, and Ted Dyer.

In recent years, older paintings by our artists have started appearing at auction. While that reflects the strength of our collector base and the longevity of our work, it also raises an important question:

What’s the real difference between buying paintings directly from the artist and buying at auction?

• Art Gallery Quality
• Free Global Delivery
• Authenticity Guaranteed
• No hidden costs for cleaning, repair or restoration
• The joy of a brand new painting
• Supports the Artists

Why Provenance Matters When Buying Paintings

Provenance — the documented history of a painting — is one of the most important factors in establishing authenticity and value.

When you buy directly from the artist, the provenance begins with you. You know precisely when, where, and by whom the painting was created.

By contrast, auction listings often lack complete records or may show works that have been reframed, stored without care, or sold without proper certificates.

In Cornwall, some auction houses now handle several hundred paintings and lots each month. While this keeps the resale market active, artworks sold at auction are often older, have surface wear, or may hide damage not visible in photographs. When provenance is incomplete or presentation is poor, the true quality of a painting can be lost. Buying directly from the John Dyer Gallery gives collectors complete confidence — every painting is authenticated, carefully prepared, and fully documented, ensuring it retains its beauty, integrity, and long-term value.

When You Buy Direct from the John Dyer Gallery

• Your painting is recorded in our secure gallery archive.
• You receive a signed Certificate of Authenticity and an official invoice confirming provenance.
• You know the complete story of the artwork — from the artist’s studio to your wall.

The True Value of Buying Paintings Direct

At auction, hammer prices can seem low, but they rarely tell the full story. Paintings sold through auction houses are often from estates or private clearances and may have damaged frames or surface issues. They typically lack the presentation, care, and personal connection that buying direct from the John Dyer Gallery provides.

When you buy paintings from the John Dyer Gallery, you’re investing in current, professionally curated work, presented in gallery condition and shipped globally with care. Each purchase directly supports our artists, helping them to create new paintings that continue Cornwall’s artistic story.

Understanding the Secondary Market for Paintings

The appearance of John Dyer, Joanne Short, and Ted Dyer paintings at auction reflects ongoing collector interest, but auction prices can sometimes distort perceptions of value, particularly for older or misattributed works.

We are often contacted by collectors who have bought paintings at auction and would like to confirm whether they are genuine. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any authentication or verification service. Without physically examining a painting in person, it is impossible to confirm its authenticity or condition.

Tip: If you have purchased a painting described as by John Dyer, Joanne Short, or Ted Dyer at auction, please proceed with caution. Only works bought directly from the John Dyer Gallery are guaranteed to be genuine, fully certified, and permanently recorded in our provenance archive.

Fakes, Copies and Misattributed Works

As our artists’ reputations have grown, imitation and misattributed paintings have increasingly appeared at regional and online auctions. Some Cornish auction houses have mistakenly listed paintings as being by our artists when they are not genuine. These errors mislead buyers and can undermine confidence in the market.

Common examples include paintings signed “Jodyer” and“J. Dyer” instead of “John Dyer”, or works painted in a similar style but lacking the distinctive energy, composition, and colour of the artist’s hand. Others are direct copies of known paintings or fabrications with forged signatures. Such works are not genuine and are not recognised by the John Dyer Gallery.

The art market is largely unregulated, so buyers should take care before purchasing from unverified sources.

How We Protect Collectors

• Every genuine John Dyer, Joanne Short, and Ted Dyer painting is recorded in our private archive and issued with an official receipt providing full provenance for all time.
• We guarantee the authenticity of every painting sold through the John Dyer Gallery.
• We cooperate fully with authorities should any stolen or forged works be identified.

If you are uncertain about a painting’s authenticity or see one advertised under our artists’ names, please proceed with caution. Only paintings purchased directly from the John Dyer Gallery are guaranteed to be genuine and supported by full provenance.

Pros and Cons: Buying from the Gallery vs Buying at Auction

Aspect	Buying Direct from the John Dyer Gallery	Buying at Auction
Authenticity	Guaranteed, signed and certified by the artist.	Not always verified; risk of misattribution or fakes.
Condition	Gallery checked, framed, and ready to hang.	May have hidden damage, fading, or restoration needs.
Provenance	Full documentation and inclusion in our archive.	Often incomplete or unknown ownership history.
Support to Artists	Directly funds new projects, exhibitions, and creative work.	Provides no support to the artist or their future work.
Pricing Transparency	Fair and consistent, set by the artist and gallery.	Unpredictable; depends on bids and clearance stock.
Aftercare	Advice on conservation, reframing, and provenance checks.	Usually none; buyer assumes all responsibility.
Emotional Connection	Direct link to the artist’s creative process and story.	No connection; transaction through a third party.

Investing in Paintings That Carry a Living Connection

Above: Contemporary artists John Dyer (left) and Joanne Short (right) with a selection of their new original paintings at The John Dyer Gallery. Purchasing directly from the gallery ensures the artists are supported and their work continues to flourish. Buying at auction does not benefit living artists, so purchasing direct helps to sustain their creative careers.

When you buy paintings directly from a living artist or their estate, you’re not only investing in art — you’re helping to sustain the creative process that makes future paintings possible.

Every sale helps fund our exhibitions, environmental projects, and Last Chance to Paint expeditions, which inspire children globally and record the world’s endangered cultures and ecosystems.

By buying directly, you become part of that ongoing story and gain access to exclusive collector benefits:

A Living Investment

• Access to new painting collections before release
• Invitations to exhibitions and artist talks
• Ongoing valuation and provenance support
• Connection to Cornwall’s artistic heritage

Condition, Conservation and Care for Paintings

Above: Recently sold original paintings from JohnDyerGallery.com, professionally prepared and wrapped ready for dispatch. Every artwork is shipped with care, and free global delivery is included with every purchase.

All paintings from the John Dyer Gallery are checked, photographed, and packed under controlled conditions. We use professional materials to ensure your artwork arrives ready to hang and enjoy.

Paintings purchased directly from the gallery arrive professionally presented and ready to enjoy, ensuring they remain in the condition intended by the artist. Auction pieces, by comparison, can show signs of wear, fading, or unseen damage, often requiring costly restoration.

When You Buy a Painting It Is Entered into Our Registered Collector Archive

Above: A redacted image from our collector archive, where we carefully record every original painting sale. This secure database preserves each artwork’s provenance and allows us, on request, to trace and confirm the history of a piece for our collectors.

Our Collector Archive gives buyers who purchase paintings directly from the gallery the assurance of lasting provenance and exclusive benefits:

• Recorded date of purchase, price, address, and original owner
• Early access to new paintings and exhibitions through our invitation catalogues

This service protects your collection’s value and connects you to the continuing story of our artists’ work.

The Heart of Collecting Paintings

Above: Cornish artist Joanne Short at work in her Falmouth studio

Buying paintings directly from the artist is about connection, authenticity, and trust. You know who painted it, where it was created, and why. Each painting you buy from the John Dyer Gallery carries a personal link to our family of artists and to Cornwall’s landscape, light, and spirit.

An auction purchase may sometimes offer a lower price, but buying direct gives you something far greater — a piece of the artist’s world, with full provenance, a personal connection, and lasting value. Each purchase helps to sustain the next chapter of Cornwall’s artistic story.