Adventures of Hoogrrl!: Pink Panel review

Minna explains the size of the smallest sculpture in her collection.

The Pink Line Project hosted the final collectors panel last Saturday at Artomatic entitled, "Collecting 101: Passion and Inspiration." I felt pretty smart for having assembled such an impressive and passionate group of inspirational collectors. They were:

Minna Nathanson, a sculptor and a collector for 47 years who with her husband has assembled a collection in diverse media such as resin, wire, and cardboard.
Veronica Jackson, an architect by training who recently joined the board of the Washington Project for the Arts.
Juanita & Mel Hardy, longtime collectors who met each other at an art opening and later founded the Millennium Art Salon.
Andrea Evers and Brian Aitken, whose art collecting addiction began through a friendship with artist Lane Twitchell.

Frankly, I'm a wee concerned about these art collectors. There appears to be a serious addiction problem among them. I've heard reports of sweats and palpitations when they weren't able to purchase art they lusted for. Tread carefully into this territory or you too will fall victim to this incurable disease.

Giddy from talking about art!

Some interesting thoughts from the panel discussion:

Brian quoted a David Hickey book of essays on art and life: "Bad taste is real taste. Good taste is the residue of someone else's privilege." That ought to give you emerging collectors some confidence in your aptitude for picking art! Brian also noted that Hickey makes a distinction between observers and participants in life. Collecting and experiencing art can be an effective means to participating in life; observers are merely hangers on.

Hickey also notes the role of the market in deciding what we value as a culture. When you buy something, you're casting your vote, even when you spend a little. You become part of a greater conversation between artists, collectors, dealers, academics, writers and many more throughout history and cultures. The DC art world is accessible enough so that you don't have to be an investment banker to be a participant.

Mel said (1) art builds community, (2) collecting art has a transcendent purpose, (3) collecting art can be a political act, (4) art can incite action, (5) art can nurture, (6) art feeds our planet and we need it to live.

You better listen to this woman.

Veronica said (1) art gives form to life, (2) art is a visual language that is another form of communication, (3) art keeps humans sane, (4) collect art to ensure artists are always able to produce it, (5) collecting DC artists helps ensure DC becomes a place that is known for its visual arts.

Art collecting often begins intuitively and then evolves into developing your own aesthetic. You will make mistakes along the way often because beginner collectors buy art voraciously. At some point, it's helpful to step back and take your time. However, keep in mind that I rarely hear a collector say she regrets buying a piece of art. Usually collectors regret what they didn't buy something.

How do art couples resolve differences when making decisions about buying art? Mel typically views art intellectually and empirically. Juanita is more emotional. But they often arrive at the same decision regardless of their different styles. When they cannot agree, Juanita says they just buy it anyway! They respect and appreciate the differences in each other's viewpoints.

Some tips:

Budget should not be the limiting factor starting an art collection. You can start an art collection for very little money. Juanita said her first art purchase cost $20.
Ask for a collector's discount.
Ask to pay on time if that will help you make an art purchase.
Look at a lot of art. The internet is good for this.
Carry a notebook for taking notes.
Make lists of artists you want to collect and stick close to it, but be open to other potential artists.
Don't buy art as an investment.
Useful to study large collections to understand emerging themes in the art world.