Mary Colby’s Gallery Opening

I went to my dear friend Mary Colby’s  Gallery Opening on Friday October 17th.  The featured work was her own latest pieces and pieces by

Don Leicht.

Don is a painter and sculptor and visual artist – he is showing his Space Invaders – I love them they would look great in a game room or family room!

 Mary has been a long time collaborator of mine – to subsidize her personal painting work she is also an amazing Faux Painter and we have worked on

many successful projects together.  However she is now primarily concentrating on her own work.

Her work blew me away – it’s so incredibly beautiful – It has wonderful depth and I can get lost in thought  looking at her pieces.  I wanted them all!!

There are not many pieces of art that I feel that way about – as a friend who is an artist said “There are ocean’s of art”  Ahh – so true – but so much of it

is awful or mediocre at best.

At the opening party many artists came up to me wanting to introduce me to their work and try to get their pieces placed in the homes I decorate.  This has been on going

over the years — So many talented artists, so many client’s who want art but are afraid to purchase or cannot understand the value of having art in their lives or

if they do –  they purchase commercial art, giclee’s (just prints) or bad art.  I usually try to stay out of the art purchasing arena for clients and many client’s have

their own art dealers – many of whom are so wonderful to work with.  Personally – I collect art and always have. I’ve had more art than furniture – funny me saying that but

it’s true!

I went home and could not fall asleep – I kept pondering – is there a way to bridge this gap?  Is there a way to make client’s comfortable with purchasing art – how to make them

understand that these truly talented artists spend much of their free time working, learning, looking to see things differently and their art is worth looking at and purchasing.

While some of us are watching TV these artists are working – problem solving to complete their work in whatever medium they have chosen.  The creative cycle cannot be silenced

it takes coming back to again and again whether or not you achieve any recognition. It has value!

To demystify the experience I have decided to offer a new service in addition to my interior design services – After carefully curating different artist’s and their work I will select

pieces for your home, review them with you in your environment, select frames and get the pieces hung up – where you can enjoy them and bring some Art home and enjoy

living with it.  If you are looking for more of an art investment situation I have several dealers to recommend, this is more of the ability to buy beautiful pieces and enjoy the process.

Look for upcoming events I will host to get “Art on your Walls”.

As Marc and I were getting to leave the gallery Mary rushed over and said “Wait – this is for you – I painted it and it was you – I said – it’s Cami!”.  I was so touched and looked at the

delicate painting and was as completely charmed as ever by Mary and her amazing warmth and talent — It’s truly a wonderful treasure from a much loved friend!

For more information on the paintings you can contact either me or Mary Colby directly.  To visit the Gallery – It’s Open on Saturdays  –  276 City Island Avenue – Bronx, NY