The gentleman does not give away his thinking easily. Though he is purposeful, confident, even swaggering, and seems to be going places. Still he is hard to read. Staring intently into the space ahead of him, arms swinging as if to launch himself, he is strangely rooted, though he has 4 legs. A bit ghostly, though solidly in command in his world.
Despite, or perhaps because of, his unforthcoming attitude, personal contradictions and mysterious sense of purpose, I fell in love with him at first sight, and took him home that day. I was at the Summer Art Market, in a small city of white tents in the streets in front of the Art Students League of Denver, and in my own tent I’d had a good show, and was looking to buy art. I like to pay it forward when I sell, and support other artists
I’ve always collected art. I think a lot of artists do. It’s not surprising, I’m around it all the time, and the output of my own studio efforts even at best, doesn’t really provide the variety I’m looking for in my home. For one thing, I never make sculpture. I’m getting more interested in ceramics and fabric, too. Most of my 2D collection does comprise printmaking, however. Others’ expressions are inspiring to me, and it’s often quite affordable, especially when you can arrange a trade.
A good time to collect new art is at group art shows, where there’s a great selection, and I often have fresh cash. The Summer Art Market, on Grant Street, is one of my favorite places to shop. Hot tip: Another is the Black Ink Fundraiser for Month of Printmaking, every two years in March. $10 linoleum block prints from some of Denver’s best printmakers, and good beer to go with! And watching the fashionistas line up for their art fix while the sound system pumps out punk music is half the fun, and it’s free!
Other favorite places to acquire art are Open Portfolio, also a part of MoPrint, at the Botanic Gardens. The ‘backroom’ gallery walls at local co-op galleries have always been a source for me, as for many seasoned collectors. In the last couple of years, I’ve acquired art and unique housewares by Mark Friday, John Hamilton, Colin Parsons, and Emily Moyer.
I also bought a portfolio of prints by past Open Press printmakers from Open Press Master Printer Mark Lunning, including prints by Dale Chisman, Homare Ikeda and many others. They’re all the same size, meaning I can buy one or two frames, and rotate various artworks in and out for different years, kind of a plus when you have a small home like mine. Portfolios are a nice way to broaden your collection.
I’ve traded art for decades. It is traditional to trade among artists at various events, such as Open Portfolio, where I’ve acquired work by Holly White, Greg Santos, Dennis Pendleton and Margaret Dekoven. This year in another moment of instant affinity, I traded for a wonderful silkscreen by Eun Mi Lam.
They are slowly getting framed and rotated onto my limited wall space. I definitely have too much art to show at once, but this just means there is always something fresh and new to hang. I’m not a curator, but I play one in the privacy of my home. As for frames, I often recycle somewhat worn frames from my own shows to hang other artists work in my home. But it’s not hard to buy decent quality pre-made frames, if you avoid the big box stores. Meininger, Guiry’s and Michaels are places I’ve found acceptable frames. One can also buy frame sections to assemble. I’ve acquired some framing skills from my own work, and this is useful for my personal collection. I keep my frames simple in my practice, as well as in my home- I like the spotlight on the art, and of course, they’re easier and less expensive to hang that way. Those interested in framing their own art can acquire frames at craft stores and skills on You Tube.
The reward is a very unique and welcoming personal space. I mix in pop culture items such as antique posters from art shows, comics and concerts. A few pieces have been rotated out, never to return. But most work definitely grows on you over the years, and has become a part of my home, and my life.
#artshows #artcollection #homeimprovement #denverartists #asldprintmakers #artstudentsleaguedenver #summerartmarket #moprint
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