Why Buy Art?

Solitude

David Lorenz Winston

Today I'll show you the three pieces of art I promised. This first is a print of a photograph by David Lorenz Winston. The perspective of the fence and the quiet landscape called to me. Winston is best known for his landscape and tree photography especially this poster called Solitude taken of a zigzag fence and tree after a fresh snowfall. I just learned Winston has a blog, it's a blogging world, isn't it.

Matilija Poppies

Bernice Huber

1915 - 1994

I probably got this watercolor of Matilija Poppies by Bernice Huber in Carmel when visiting there years ago. I've always loved a good watercolor especially of flowers. Huber has captured the papery quality of the poppy petals. The faded green and yellow background colors give the painting an aged look. Now I've talked myself out of donating this painting since I discovered Bernice Huber is a listed artist in Ask Art and other places and her work continues to increase in value. You never know. I had this and the print above hanging in our guest bedroom in California, but not at our home here in Florida

Spiral Stairs

Linda Butler

This photograph graces the book cover, Inner Light: The Shaker Legacy by Linda Butler. I purchased this photographic print at a second hand store in California because the spiral staircase evoked an emotion. We had the photograph hanging in our bedroom here and in California. A good reason to purchase art is because you love it not because it's collectible or popular but because it calls to you. Although this print and the one by Winston have been popularized I think both are examples of good photography. Each has a sensuality and evokes an emotion from the viewer.

So why buy art? I bought these three pieces of art because I liked them. At the time of purchase I knew nothing of the artists. I didn't know if they were popular artists or valuable pieces of art nor did I care. I bought them simply because I loved them and they called to me and because they make me look closer when viewing them. Now that I've written about them I have a renewed interest and have decided to keep all three a little longer. Hopefully we can fit a few more items in our treasure bus. More about the treasure bus later. We did donate almost a truck full of items to Habitat for Humanity today, boxes and boxes of things we no longer use and miscellaneous pieces of furniture.

I've been thinking about art lately, about the development of my style. The simplicity of these three pieces of art had me thinking these thoughts. I see comparisons in what I like and what I make. A contrast between angles and curves; the fence and the tree, the stair treads and the banister, not so much on the poppies but there is the sensuality of the flowers and a bit of mystery with the background treatment. I read a great quote by Garth Clark on Acacia Azevedo's blog about Craft and Art which has me thinking further. While I'm packing I have time to think. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.