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Collectors and Makers
I got a phone call the other day from a person who was sleuthing. She was trying to track down the artist of a watercolor she had purchased at a flea market market many years ago. She was very much hoping I was the creator so she could add to her collection. We had a great conversation, and while I shared the moniker of the artist of her work I wasn't the maker. This woman was truly touched by the art she had. She had a soul connection to the work, what Martin Buber might describe as an, "I-Thou" relationship. This connection really got me thinking about those who collect artists works and artists who make these works.
There are so many truly wonderful and excellent artists in the world. And often, great work is found everywhere. Even at flea markets and even in the trash. (Think of the painting one woman found in the streets of NYC and it turned out to be worth a minor fortune!) Often the artist doesn't know where a work ends up after leaving the studio or gallery. We hope it stays in the family of the collector, but who knows.......The work ends up with a life of it's own travelling roads both intended and unintended often finding a new home. And we, as the artist, have no idea that the work they created is a gem to another newer collector because the new collector rarely take the time to track down the artist. Does this new collector wonder who is behind the signature? I know I've bought paintings at the flea market that are amazing. Part of the allure of the work is fantasizing about the person who painted the scene. What was their life like? Who are they? Are they from my area of the country? Are they still making art? Are they still alive or has the painting lived on past its creator? Regardless, the work has found a new person who loves it and if the artist knew how much the piece was still loved s/he would be completely delighted.
And this brings me to the point of this story. While we tend to be driven to make art no matter what, a piece of ourself is imbedded in the work like DNA. The artist may not know the importance of their work to its owner, but we should understand that everytime a piece of art is bought or given as a gift, traded for something else, or finds a new home, a part of the artist's soul is transported with it creating a partnership that we may not have realized we were beginning when we first made it. A part of our passion is passed on to the viewer, bringing them the joy we had in creating it. It isn't until the piece has a home that the relationship of artist and collector is complete. So to all of you collectors out there who wonder who is behind the signature and the art, we, who care so much about what we do, thank you. You are very much appreciated.
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