Monday, September 12, 2011

Mull it Over Monday: How Selling Antiques on Ebay Helped Me Appreciate Art

So pretty! old dresser pulls and lamp parts,
I sold 100's of these in sets and mixed lots
I've always enjoyed being an artist in one form or another, but there was a few years I did something else.  I sold antique door hardware and lighting on Ebay.  My days were filled with acquiring and listing wonderful old objects.  I learned so much and had great fun.

Japanese Bronze Cloisonne Lamps
Paid $60, sold for nearly $270.  Sweet!
 Something unexpected happened during those years:  There was a loosening in my critical thinking that allowed me to respond to art on an entirely new and fun level. I started enjoying art for art's sake.    I began looking at it-- not as an artist, but as a collector and home decorator. 

"The Favorite Cat" a Currier and Ives print
that looks like my favorite cat, Layla.  (:
Art I had never seriously considered became notable and in some cases quite desirable.  Collecting all kinds of art became a favorite activity!   Since I went back to painting fulltime, sadly some of that "loosening" reverted back to "snarky."  We went to a few art fairs over the summer and I couldn't stop comparing all the art I saw to what *I* do, I wasn't seeing it at all, really. 

Four of twelve Arts & Crafts
wood tiles, I wish I would have kept these! 

Artists have a tendency to forget:  Most folks (who do not make, think and obsess about their art 24/7) have a kinder, more personal approach to art appreciation.  Sentimental purchases are perfectly OK.   

Every Picture Tells a Story
 Art that reflects and communicates  lifestyle, hobbies and special interests is valuable!  --Technical proficiency isn't a top requirement...  Many art collectors just want to find something that compliments their decor.   Whenever I start to get uppity about other's art (and especially my own) I try to remember what collecting art was like when I sold antiques on Ebay.    

8 comments:

  1. that's a valuable point about remembering to really "see" art for what it is, without comparisons.

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  2. You keep yourself quite busy, Diane. I see a lot of wonderful pieces here...and yes, its all a form of art.

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  3. diane this is great. i can relate -- it's very freeing to "de-snarkify" yourself isn't it? it opens you up and your own work benefits. these "mull it over mondays" are really great -- i hope you keep posting them!

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  4. wow, some of these would make amazing paintings! wonderful post!

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  5. Wonderfully written, Diane. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

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  6. Fun post. Love the photo of Layla! She doesn't look too happy about having her picture taken, though.

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  7. Painterchum, yes exactly and it's hard NOT to compare! Roxanne, thank you. Rebecca, I hope to continue the MiOMs and "freeing" is exactly what I was trying to get across, de-snarkifying is a good thing! Suzanne, I have more than once wanted to paint door knobs and pretty dresser pulls! Oh and the old pot metal and stained glass lamps, those too. Thanks for commenting all!!

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