Art collectors are like music fans
Last weekend I hosted my annual Open Studios exhibit. It’s a fantastic opportunity to share my art directly with my community. Art lovers from all over Silicon Valley come out to visit the artist in their working studio, ask questions and learn more about the creation of the work. I find it fascinating that year after year, there is a core group of “fans” that come back to see what I’ve been up to… and that got me thinking about my own fanaticism in regards to music.
I’m a long time music fan, and have followed bands across the country and to foreign countries just to hear their concerts. Last night in the afterglow of Open Studios I made the connection. Art collectors are like music fans.
Over the weekend, I watched (with pleasure) familiar face after familiar face stream through the door. Sure, there were a few newbies (as we call first timers in our music circle) who visited, but the majority of people were what I might call “fans”. Some may have skipped a year here or there, but somehow, they find their way back to check in on my progress.
In terms of actively collecting art, these same people are likely to collect multiple pieces from one particular artist. They have their favorite artist, just like I have my favorite bands. They tend to follow an artist career and collect from their different periods of work. It’s so similar to how music fans collect recordings, wanting to have the entire breadth of the musicians work to listen to.
Art collectors love watching the development of an artist work, witnessing the growth and changes an artist goes through. It’s no different from a music fans passion for exploring unknown bands and watching them go from the bar room to the main stage at a popular venue – they are there to cheer them on, to dance and to listen to each note played. Art collectors do the same, they continue to cheer the artist on – to push forward with the work, to move in new directions – and they provide the eyes and heart to appreciate the work. Art collectors ARE like music fans, and artists and musicians are ever grateful for their dedication. Cheers to all you fans out there!
What kind of fan are you? Leave your comments here.
Tags: Music, Open Studios
May 12th, 2008 at 11:38 am
im a fan of lyn bishop!
Gizzard- Lyn Art Collector since 2001 and counting!!~
May 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Lyn, I always enjoy your Collector’s Parties just before Open Studios Weekend. As we talked on Friday, it was clear how the stories behind each piece adds such depth…in addition to the art, itself, the intimate stories make the art even more valuable. Thank you for sharing your stories with us!