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.