For many artists, meeting the public and talking about their work is akin to an acrophobe being invited to walk the high wire. For those artists and the collectors who seek their artwork, professional art galleries are the answer. There are times however, when a close encounter with the creative person is exactly right . . If the artist isn't currently represented by a gallery who could make the introduction, a direct call to the studio may be appropriate. In this section of The Collector's Guide , as well as on other pages throughout the Guide, phone numbers for many individual artists are listed.
Great rewards can accrue from such an encounter.
The sense of discovery, meeting the artist, learning more about the creative process and seeing the atmosphere in which the artist works can add immeasurably to the enjoyment of artwork you take home. And, there are the intangible but very real rewards stemming from the bond between artist and collector. Before visiting an artist, you may want to ask if the artist's work is being shown elsewhere. The artist may refer you to a gallery or other exhibition space where a larger body of his or her work is showing. Don't. . . . . .