Since today is Valentine's Day, we thought we'd introduce you to someone that is in love with ART. Contrary to popular belief, the "art collector" isn't always a "dark rimmed glasses and tweed jacket wearing man with a black turtle neck "- (not that there's anything wrong with that) but we wanted to show our readers that art collecting and the love of art can afflict everyone and anyone...sometimes when you least expect it! We thought we'd begin with asking our friend Karen to share a few words about how she feels about art. I say friend, because that's honestly what many of our customers become. Art is a beautiful thing.
Is owning original artwork contagious?
Yes, but I figure there are worse addictions to have. I will forgo food and drink to pay out a piece, as art is nourishment in itself.
Art
for me is a visual reflection of what I find appealing and interesting,
whether it be something that makes me smile, reflect or simply get lost
in the atmosphere. Being surrounded by pieces that I feel in some way
are a part of me, makes me feel comfortable and warm in my home. I’ve always danced to the beat of my own drum and hence my tastes
in art are wide, varied and often quirky. This is reflected in the
things I surround myself with.
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| Folk art owls by Basil Doucette and Owl Painting by Melissa Townsend |
Have you met any of the artists who’s work you’ve purchased? Does that affect your relationship with the art piece(s)?
I
have. Most often I have purchased or at least admired a piece and
afterwards met the artist. I’m happy to say that meeting the artists
have added to my enjoyment of the pieces, as they are what I imagine
them to be: contemplative, humble and genuine people. They invest
themselves in their work and leave some of who they are on the canvass
or in the sculpture, so I find generally if the piece of art appeals to
me, the personality of the artist also appeals to me.
In
purchasing local artwork, you’ve had a direct impact on our arts
community, by helping it thrive and build momentum. How does that make
you feel?
There
is so, so much talent right at our doorstep, in the visual arts and the
performing arts, why go further. I love nothing better than to help
support, in a small way, the extremely talented folks living and
creating magic in our region. Life without original art and original
live music is unimaginable to me, so doing my part to ensure these
talented people can continue to make a living, makes me feel great.
Tell us about your favourite piece!
Selecting
a favourite piece is like picking a favourite family member. I could
talk about them all individually and what they mean to me, as each one
tells a story. I never buy for financial investment appreciation sake
but always because I love the piece and how it makes me feel when I walk
by it or stand in front of it in quiet contemplation. Don’t make me
pick one!
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| Folk art sculpture by Barry Colpitts and small painting by Gordon MacDonald |
Has visiting the gallery on a regular basis changed the way you look at artwork / developed, or changed your taste in art?
I
think what appeals to us as the years go by may change – fashion
trends, colour schemes, etc… but I find if I am drawn to a piece of art,
not matter how much time goes by, it doesn’t lose its charm or my
favour. I love it now and I will love it 30 years from now.
I enjoy being exposed to as much art as possible, all styles and
medium, but it just seems to affirm my wide and varied tastes. I can’t
pinpoint all the factors that make up, “the one” that gets to me, but I
know it when I see it.
How has collecting artwork changed the way you look at the world around you?
It’s
a bit of a yin yang situation. My art influences how I see the world,
and seeing the world around me influences what attracts me at any given
time. The world is a visual feast, if you take the time to really look.
You can find it in your back yard, in the quite of a starlit night in
the wilderness or in the bustle of a city of several million. I get as
much enjoyment from laying down in a field looking at the beauty of the
micro worlds of insects, rocks and blades of grass, as much as I do
ambling around the Louvre. Art is everywhere. Beauty and breathlessness
are everywhere. You just have to stop and look.
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| Two works by Trevor Van den Eijnden |