Many people believe that collecting art is about simply buying what you love—but what if you don’t actually know what you love yet? The truth is, your eyes need training. Just like a great chef refines their palate over time, a great collector sharpens their ability to see, appreciate, and recognize extraordinary work through exposure and education.

The best collectors don’t just stumble upon masterpieces—they develop an instinct for quality by immersing themselves in art. They visit galleries, follow emerging artists, and study different styles, movements, and materials. The more art you experience, the better you’ll understand what resonates with you on a deeper level. I can’t stress how important it is to define what you don’t like. That is the difference between art hung on walls and an authentic art collection. Anybody can buy art (actually, this isn’t true but we’ll discuss that in another newsletter), but creating a collection that is a reflection of you, that my dear, takes time and attention.

So where do you start? Slow down. Be intentional. Ask questions. Pay attention to the small details – details that matter to you. Don’t simply follow the trends! God bless the wealthy person with bad taste. But rather continuously ask yourself, “Why do I like this?” Snap a photo and jot your reflections down in a journal and then compare your notes. Let your taste evolve naturally, and you’ll begin to recognize patterns in what draws you in. Over time, you’ll collect with both passion and knowledge, ensuring your collection isn’t just personal, but also meaningful and valuable. Like the beautiful abstract work, “Construction Side,” by Randy Sandlin featured above is the perfect work for those entering our home, it speaks to our complexity and depth but most importantly our connection to beauty and light. Like I said, there’s art hung on walls and then there is a world class art collection, darling.

This week, I’m spotlighting an artist whose work is both thought-provoking and collectable—someone who might just help you refine your eye. After you…

Have you considered?

Full disclosure, I have not always been a fan of prints. I considered myself to be strictly into paintings and sculptures. And yes, as a photographer myself I do love photography, however great fine art photography in my extremely humble opinion is hard to come by at an affordable price. What excites me is being able to experience the artist’s hand. Quite simply, did the artist touch this work? Is it embodied with their creative spirit? Because I hadn’t really educated myself on the various types of print methods, I didn’t explore prints early on in my collecting.

Well, that has changed. From a collecting standpoint, prints often offer affordable access to a major artist you might want to add to your collection. As for my desire to feel the artist’s hand, I am now partial to screen prints and block printing methods. Let me see the layers! So, I was smitten with a work by the artist George Rogers (1930-2002) when I stumbled into the lovely Lusenhop Fine Art gallery in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Fulfilling my need to see the artist’s hand, Rogers created this work, known as a “sculpturegraph” by manipulating the blocks (not quite sure that is the accurate term) into various shapes so that each “sculpturegraph” while using the same blocks results in unique editions. I thought that was cool. And the print has great depth and color. Personally, I love it when I can see something different every time I walk by a work in my collection. Yes, this was happily acquired for our collection and I am quietly on a hunt for more. Can you keep that a secret?

George Rogers (1930–2002)
George Rogers was a pioneering African-American sculptor, printmaker, and clay modeler whose innovative works significantly influenced modern art. His unique "sculpturegraphs," a fusion of sculpture and printmaking, showcase his ability to blend form and texture, offering collectors a distinctive addition to their collections.

Biography:
Born in Alabama, Rogers pursued art education at institutions like the Columbus School of Art, the Cleveland Institute of Art, and the Cranbrook Academy of Art. He became the first Black clay modeler for the Ford Motor Company, contributing to iconic designs such as the Mustang II. Beyond his industrial work, Rogers co-founded Gallery 7 in Detroit, a space dedicated to Black abstract artists, and had numerous sculptures installed throughout the Detroit area. 

Why You Should Consider:
Investing in George Rogers' art means acquiring pieces that are not only visually compelling but also rich in cultural and historical significance. His pioneering techniques and contributions to the art community make his currently accessible works valuable additions to any discerning collector's portfolio.

Citations:

• Biography & Career: R.W. Norton Art Gallery, Instagram Post on George Rogers (Instagram)

• Sculpturegraphs & Innovation: Swann Galleries, Catalogue Entry on George Rogers (Swann Galleries)

Do Consider

• The spring edition of the Affordable Art Fair NYC opens March 19 - 23. I highly recommend it for emerging collectors as it has a welcoming vibe and no pretense. The gallerists will actually talk to you and it is…affordable!

• Immerse yourself in a world of prints at at the IFPDA Print Fair March 27-30 in NYC at the Park Avenue Armory. Here you will find the best prints and it is extremely educational. Seriously, click on their programming tab and for the price of a ticket have access to some of the best practitioners in the print business.

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