It’s a heavy content day today, but the easy one is our regularly scheduled art post. And this week it is about a talk that Charlotte Hale gave at the local library about being an ‘Art Collector’. I was probably the youngest in the room – or very close. Which was itself an interesting point.

I enjoyed the talk and resisted jumping in with some commentary. Specifically around when people try to discuss things like comparing what you could have bought a Warhol for from him vs at auction now. (The soup cans were under $300 from him.) Also when someone said it seemed ‘unfair’ that something would sell outside the expected price range.

Anyhow, here are my notes;

  • We’re at a transition time as boomers are getting rid of collections and kids don’t want it. So have a plan ahead of time.
  • Our role as current collectors is to foster the art collectors who yet don’t know they art collectors
  • Collections start by seeing something you ‘have to have’ and so you start collecting. ‘Should’ I be buy more pieces? Absolutely not. Are 2 things at the framer, yes.
  • Artists create. They /must/ create. But there has to be a place for it to go. (Like my office.)
  • If it speaks to you, then it’s good
  • Your collection ultimately reflects your personality. (Mine says I swear a lot. Oh. I guess that’s accurate.)
  • Your art will outlast you. Decide what you want done with it and make sure people know. (I really like Trusty | The Estate Binder App for this.)
  • Fun fact: 6 of 7 of the group of 7 are buried at the McMichael. MacDonald isn’t.
  • Art is an investment that you have to be willing to be in for the long term. (But also, most people should not be collection in my opinion as a form of investment. Do I have things that have appreciated? Sure. But remember, they are worth only what people are willing to pay for. And you only get huge valuations at major auctions, and I think I have 4, maybe 5 things that could go through auction. Even then, I’d likely not make enough to make it worth it.)

The Fine Art of Collecting Art presentation slide