I’m so excited to see a new documentary film that’s currently playing in NYC and is being screened across the U.S. over the summer.  “Herb & Dorothy” tells the story of a blue-collar couple who have shared the passion of collecting modern art since the 1960s.  Not only were they visionaries, collecting works by the likes of Sol LeWitt, Robert Mangold, Chuck Close and Christo before they were recognized names in the art world, they truly care for the artists themselves and became friends and supporters of many of today’s top-selling artists.  They’ve amassed over two thousand pieces in the past forty to fifty years, completely filling their one bedroom Manhattan apartment, and have never sold a single piece even though they clearly could have made a killing in the market and upgraded their lifestyles considerably.  Their collection was just donated to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.– and they’ve started afresh filling up their apartment again with new artwork.

Check out the movie’s website here for information about the screening schedule, the awards it has won so far, reviews, etc.

Amazing!  If only my grandma collected art instead of Precious Moments figurines.

As an amateur art collector who has been acquiring anything that strikes my fancy (and within my budget) for the last three years, I’ve recently come to the decision that I need to start focusing my collection on a few themes.  It’s like a right of passage for art collectors and it’s really tough!  For example, one theme is that I’ve been consistently drawn to is contemporary photography that makes it difficult for the viewer to determine whether or not the image is “real” or not.  Very vague, I know, but I’m working on it.

So in order to focus on some of these themes in development, I’ve been tip-toeing into the world of auction consignment– mostly inexpensive pieces that I just picked up on a whim because I was attracted to them at some point or another that I’ve since decided will probably not be a focus of my collection.  One example, Christian retablo art (see above).  I think they’re beautiful and great, but I don’t see them fitting into one of my themes right now.  And selling some artwork gives me funds to buy new, fitting pieces.

So, I’m shamelessly self-promoting the spring 2009 sale of Aspire Auctions, based in Cleveland, Ohio (near my hometown).  I’ve bought from and consigned to them before and have had good experiences.  And because the bidding is all online over about a week’s time, it’s fun to track all the pieces as they gradually increase in price from one day to the next.  So, even if you aren’t in the market for Christian retablos, check it out– this sale includes a wide variety of art and non-art pieces.  Click here for Aspire Auctions’ website.

Also, I’d be thrilled to hear from collectors about their transition from collecting everything in sight to a particular medium, genre, type, etc. of work.