Your Monday Muse #5
“Rousing the Night” by Miriam Davis (2001)
The thrill of buying art is addictive and exhilarating! It brings you into the present moment and makes you feel alive. Since many don’t consider art a necessity, it feels both luxurious and indulgent. Investing in art defies logic, yet can be meticulously rationalized when desired. Supporting an artist and their creative pursuit triggers a philanthropic high. Personally, I love the feeling of finding and connecting with something greater than myself, a glimpse of our universal truth as depicted by an individual artist.
My first time (buying art) was many years ago during Crocker Art Museum’s “Big Names Small Art” auction when it was held at Cal Expo (before the museum expansion; before I had a Masters degree in Art). I was the Community Arts Liaison for the alt weekly newspaper Sacramento News & Review, and Crocker was our advertising client. Free media access to events was my favorite job perk. I went to enjoy the wine and appetizers, with no intention of buying art. Investing in art was something the proverbial “they” did, not me.
After touring the silent auction tables, an elder gentleman asked me which piece I liked best. I directed his attention to a tiny frame with an even smaller work of art inside. It was an abstract painting. I didn’t recognize the artist’s name but loved the depth of shadow and contrast achieved on such a small scale (less than four inches). He encouraged me to write in a bid. I was hesitant, but his confidence was contagious, so I did! By simply writing my name on that paper, I suddenly felt the same rush of anticipation as if I’d entered a high-stakes lottery. I was invested. I hovered to see if anyone out-bid me and crowded access to the bidsheet when last-call was announced. I won! All the winners from the same table were celebrating in unison. In that moment, the proverbial “they” became “we” — accessible, relatable and tangible. I was in. Maybe not yet an art collector, but I was now the proud owner of a beautiful original. I still feel that same exhilarating rush every time I view it on my livingroom wall and smile.
