Collecting, creating and the joy of owning original art.

When did you first begin collecting? What was it?
I first began collecting penguin figurines around 1985. I found these animals to be so full of fun, life and playfulness, not to mention they looked very stylish in their “tuxedos”. Right now I only own about 10 beautifully carved penguins (from wood, glass or stone) and about a half dozen penguin artifacts (cookie jar, martini shaker, candle holders).

What was the first piece of art you collected?
I love ceramics (pots and vases). I purchased my first serious ceramic vase and ceramic wall hanging while traveling in Japan in 1999. I met the artist, who has a studio in Iwakuni, Japan, on the island of Chugoku. He gave me a tour of his studio and store and also signed a cloth paper hanging in Japanese for me as a gift.
Soon after that trip, I met David Brady in Santa Monica, and have been a collector of his paintings, prints and assemblages now for 7 years.

Has owning original artwork changed your life in any way?
Yes it has. I have a greater appreciation and understanding of art from reading about artists and their techniques, watching artists create and frequenting museums. It has also brought out some of my own creativity as I have dabbled in watercolor painting and am learning to draw.

What is the most interesting thing about having art in your home?
I feel that it brings more life into my home. When I have guests over, they always ask about the artwork. It creates a dialogue that otherwise would not have existed and it gets people thinking about their likes and dislikes about art, or which museum they just visited. It also adds more richness and culture into my décor.

Tell us about your collection
I currently own several of David Brady’s art. I’ve known David for seven years now and have over 20 works, from prints to paintings to collages to assemblages. His collage pieces remind me of the artist Kurt Schwitters, with his use of found objects and rather raw objects at that.

David’s use of mixed media and color are remarkable, as are his more simple drawings using pencils or ball point pens. Much of his work symbolizes his devotion to indigenous cultures and through his travels to Mexico, Cuba, Japan and to many of the desert regions in the U.S. once owned and inhabited by Native American Indians, you can see the history and culture of these people in his pieces.

What I like most about David’s work is that they’re always honest and unique.
I also own several ceramic pieces by the artist Linda Mechanic. I’ve known Linda for almost ten years and have been collecting her pottery for the past 5-6 years as well. Her use of coins, branches and twine on some of her pieces add great texture and design. I own about a dozen or more of Linda’s pieces and will continue to collect her work.

  PAGE 2