I mean to be better about writing the blog on a consistent (and more often) basis, but time gets away from me. I honestly can hardly keep up with everything. Right now, I have long-term pop-up shows at Smith Bros. Hardware Bldg., the Galleria Bar & Bistro at the Hilton Columbus Downtown, G Michaels and The Table. Then I have about 10 lease locations, where I lease art to high-end homes for sale or businesses, such as Cutler Real Estate in German Village and Timeless Skin Repair in New Albany. And, as many of you know, I also have a gallery space in the Short North.
Just last week, I had to rehang Smith Bros. and pull pieces for a new lease project I have coming up, and to prepare for a pop-up show at the UA Concourse Gallery for December. BTW, that show will be large-scale abstracts by David Senecal. I love his new work, and want to keep the pieces out there in the world (plus I really don’t want to store them!).
I’m pretty sure I’ll have a few shows next year at the Hilton Columbus Downtown (front corridor) as well, and am planning on showing new work by Randall LaGro in the Spring at that location.
All that said, I’m exhausted . . . and here you thought I had just fallen off the face of the planet. Nope, just haven’t had time to blog or post or send out e-mails. And, big reveal, I’ll be 62 this year, so kinda kidding around that I’m going to retire. Not. I do really want to spend more time in New Mexico at our property there, and we are planning some personal changes, but I’m always going to do this business and collect art and support the artists. So, not going anywhere for the short term, at least.
I did just have a great opening for Sol Halabi (who was here from Argentina) at (Not) Sheep Gallery, showcasing her new work. There are some amazingly beautiful pieces in this collection, and a couple old ones that I’ve spent time reconsidering, to the point I’m considering buying one of them. It was great fun seeing Sol again (it’s been 10 years since she was here for her opening at the Grandview gallery). Crazy how time flies by. And what’s even crazier is to think I’m fortunate enough to have represented her for almost 15 years. Her and many of my artists have been with me for so long. I had a long-time customer ask me today if I have a “favorite” artist. After thinking about it for a minute, I said it changes constantly, with each new show almost; and that there’s something in almost every show I mount that I personally want to own. I think the most exciting thing about this business is seeing the constant evolution and development of these artists.
Which leads me to one of my pet peeves. Galleries who push artists to do the same thing over and over again (maybe because it’s sellable or popular) and/or artists who don’t push themselves far out of their comfort zones. As a gallerist, it is definitely hard to promote an artist’s work when they change constantly, but for me, it’s even harder staying excited about the work if it’s the same thing over and over again. I like the progression, the change, the evolution. Sol’s work is a perfect example. She started painted in a very classical style, which was beautiful, and although she still visits that style often, she’s using bolder colors, more abstracted imagery in the background, creating stories on canvas that are a bit more contemporary. Beautiful, just beautiful. The painting below is one example. All Roads Lead to the Ocean, an oil on canvas, has all the classical elements Sol is known for in the face, with great contemporary composition incorporating black borders and an implied road through the ocean. It’s a stunning piece.
All Roads Lead to the Ocean, oil on canvas, 71”x47”
Anywayyyyyyyy, short answer is that all the artists are my favorites at different points in time. Some I outgrow, some outgrow me and/or my gallery. Such is life in the art world. And I wouldn’t want it any other way. As customers, you should understand that you wouldn’t want it any other way, either. When artists outgrow this gallery, that means they’ve moved on to even bigger and better things — perhaps a moment in time where their work is beyond the means of normal folk. And if I’ve moved on, it means that I continue to grow and develop too, even into my 60’s.
I have children graduating college, moving on with their lives, changing and rearranging; grandchildren (who are adorable); a body and memory that is failing me more and more each day; and yet, I am full and grateful for the life art has given me. I remember the important stuff, the important people, and let go of the small details. I eat less and earlier, go to bed earlier, sleep less, dress more comfortably, and am downsizing and trying to clear out extraneous stuff. That stuff does not mean art. To the contrary, my husband went around the house last month and said if something happened to me, he’d sell . . . hardly anything. This piece or that piece meant “something” in my life, his life, the kids’ lives. I found his response sweet and humorous and touching. I hope that collecting art from me has brought the same passion into your lives. Collecting art is not like buying sofas or shoes, it lasts a lifetime and tells a story, sometimes a story of your life. When I die, the art will tell the story of my life. Here are some personal insights and photos of work I’ve collected over the years. I’m sure you’ll recognize many of the names and artists:
I own almost 300 pieces of art, most of which I don’t have great photos of, but I thought it’s fun to share some images with you.
Stop by any of my various pop-up locations. If you’d like me to meet you, give me a call. We could grab coffee afterwards (or not) and look at art. Can’t wait to see you!!