Several years ago I was at a dinner in a home in the “old money” section of Nashville. The home was beautiful and the walls were adorned with “named” artists of the area. I asked the homeowner about one of the paintings, hoping to engage in conversation. The response was on the order of “I don’t know, my decorator picked it out.” Really? Sadly there are buyers, even collectors out there that only purchase what someone else has told them to buy, or “who” someone else has told them to invest in. I call this buying with ears rather than eyes.
Within the week a friend told me that my art was all warm tones with too much red and orange and wouldn’t fit in her home. Now I know this woman’s decor and I knew that there were several pieces in my inventory at that time that would suit her style and palette beautifully. She was however stuck in the mindset that art needed to perfectly match what she narrowly defined as her “style”. We in the art world call this matching the sofa. Buying by sight, yes, but…
Shortly after these two occasions a customer came into the studio, took the time to study several pieces, engaged in a conversation with me about the stories behind the work that spoke to her heart. She selected the one that she “had to have”, purchased it, and went home delighted with her new acquisition. She represents those customers who appreciate art for its story, for its emotional value, for the workmanship and personal touch of the artist. These are people who engage with the art as well as the artist. This woman bought through the eyes of her heart. Bingo!
All bring cash to the table.
All help pay the bills.
All are buyers and even collectors.
But art should engage the buyer and subsequently the owner as they view it on their wall. It is created to be enjoyed not ignored. Those who are touched by what I have labored to create open themselves up to the transcendent power and mystery within the painting. It is my heart on that canvas. Deep calls to deep; the song of my heart is heard and received when my work is purchased by one who engages with it.
That’s my heart’s desire.
That’s my art’s desire.
Want to know more about my art? Click here to sign up for my email newsletter.
Click here to shop my original art.
If you like this post, please share it with your friends.