A Tribute to Small Walls by Jane Tolbert

The Collector in Us All. . .

Mosaics by Margaret Ross Tolbert, Gainesville, Fla.

Visit an art museum, and few of us can escape without thinking, “If only I could have that piece.” With the going prices at some auctions, ranging from thousands to millions, where does this leave the amateur collector who would like something more than reproductions or posters?



Munro Leaf's drawing of me.



Amateur collectors have options, the flexibility to experiment and discover. They can patronize new artists, those unknown talents--students in a university fine arts program or an 90-year old woman who has found the muse. They don’t have to follow mainstream collectors who focus on art for investment or attend auctions at Christie’s or Sothby’s. And although it may seem inherently prestigious to buy art on the Left Bank in Paris, good art can be found locally.

Many of our great Impressionist artists began careers in porcelain factories or even decorated restaurant menus in exchange for a meal. Today, rising artists will paint storefront windows with holiday greetings, have a show in a local restaurant or participate in a downtown art festival. They will work with a designer who insists the red vermilion in the oil painting needs to match the credenza planned for the corporate lobby. They may experience that momentary elation at a group show in Soho, only to have the gallery director return their canvases cut from stretcher frames to save shipping costs.

While the rest of us get “day jobs” with benefits packages (health and retirement), artists support themselves, and they take risks. They are involved in forms of self expression that may reap reproach or reward. But they are called upon to support philanthropic efforts—fundraisers for museums, radio stations, hospitals or theatres—by donating their works.


I had a slight edge to starting my own small walls art collection. My first portrait consisted of a small pencil drawing Munro Leaf, creator of Ferdinand the Bull, gave me as a child. From there my sister introduced me to the world of talented student artists who dedicated many all-nighters to preparing for annual critiques. Through these connections, I have developed a “small wall” that includes an ethereal-quality photograph by Anna Tomczak, a fantasy seascape engraving by Lyda Toy, a charcoal drawing of a plump frog by Swedish artist Anna Löwdin, as well as lithographs, oil paintings and drawings by my sister, Margaret Ross Tolbert.





Anna Tomczak, Lake Helen, Fla.



Lyda Toy, Pensacola, Fla.

Many of these artists who started 20 years ago—the time when I visited their studios--are now internationally known. I’ve watched their work evolve, and I have to travel farther to see their shows, but I continue to cherish these earlier pieces displayed on my small walls. After I fill my small walls, the next step is a commission.

Claire-Lyne Xylena Apotheloz, Cross Creek, Fla.

Although I could never afford something like a Park Güel (Barcelona) designed by Gaudi, I could come pretty close with some of the work by Claire-Lyne Xylena Apotheloz as well as other new artists. Of course, I need to update my small walls with newer pieces by my favorites. And then, I must find space for the larger paintings and sculptures that I hope to add.


Margaret Ross Tolbert at a show of her work in Miami

Enjoy a visit to the websites of these talented artists!

www.annatomczak.com/
http://www.annalowdin.se/
www.margaretrosstolbert.com
www.xylena.com/

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