Our Hodge-Podge Art Collection
On Saturday we were invited to a friend’s home for dinner. I had never been there before but my husband had and was raving about their home, particularly their art collection. Art plays a major role in their lives, because Leslie Sandbulte is a very talented, renown artist. Here are a few of her paintings.
When we arrived, Leslie took me on a “tour” of their art collection. Each and every piece had a special meaning or place in her heart. She shared her memories of acquisition or an art class that she had taken from that very artist. Included were some of her own paintings. It was truly a wonderful experience for me, especially as a novice artist.
Leslie’s passion got me thinking. The very next day, I assessed what we have hanging on our walls and realized how little I know about our pieces, or the artists. I am from the camp that if I like it, I hang it.
Art doesn’t have to be expensive or be an original by a famous artist. Much of our art holds memories of a vacation, an experience we shared, or a gift from a friend. Whether the medium is oil, acrylic, watercolor or a print, art is what speaks to you.
My husband and I have completely different tastes in art. Initially, it was challenging when we blended our belongings as I love old oils with thick gold frames and he likes contemporary, abstract art in modern frames.
Here is an example of my taste. The artist, Edmund Coates (1816-1872), a Hudson River school painter, is known for his landscapes with old master sensibility and Italianate elements.
And this is my husband’s preference. Eyvind Earle (1916-2000) was an American artist, author and illustrator , noted for his contribution to the background illustration and styling of Disney animated films in the 1950s. Think Snow White and the scary forest scene.
But over time, we have purchased pieces together and like mixing it up. This very large oil painting was done by Hector Armendariz Martinez from Mexico. It dominates the only full wall we have in the breakfast room.
This painting was a souvenir from a trip to Santa Fe with friends. Patrizia Atti, is an Italian artist who is known for her roses. She lives and paints between Bologna and Santa Fe.
We have been fortunate to visit Italy a few times and both of these paintings stir memories of those trips. Janice Howell, a Dallas artist, did this one with acrylics. The bright colors are so uplifting.
Cecilia Rosslee is an artist on Etsy and I have bought a few of her paintings. This reminds me of all the dinners we had on the streets of Rome. Cecilia has a wide selection of affordable art and she does commissions too. If you sign up, she will send you an email each time she releases a painting.
Here is another painting done by Cecilia of peonies (my favorite).
When we restored Bella Terra, we had to remove many of the damaged windows. We donated all of them to a local artist, Steven Hofberger who at that time, painted on glass. His thank you gift to us was this piece of art, done on an original windows from the master bedroom.
On a family trip to the Baltic Sea in 2010, we picked this up from a street artist in Estonia. I just loved the colors and it was exciting for our family to watch him paint this……and then take it home as a souvenir.
After my parents died, I was fortunate to secure two paintings by my mother’s high school art teacher, Charlotte Fuller Eastman (1878-1965). Charlotte taught art during the school year and spent her summers in Europe studying art. My mother used to tell stories of how Mrs. Eastman was her favorite teacher and how much she loved taking art classes.
When your piece of art has significant meaning to you, it is priceless. My daughter, Julianna, painted this for me as a gift. It is one of my favorite water views in Stonington Borough, Connecticut. She took a photo of the jetty and then painted it, when she was only 13 years old.
Lastly, Virginia Cook, a local artist, painted portraits of each of our children when they were between 2 and 3 years old. Each painting captures something they loved at the time. All three paintings hang over the living room fireplace.
I was so inspired by Leslie (and her husband, Webb) and their collection. In this busy world, how often do we stop and really look at the art that hangs on our walls? I am motivated to learn about the lives of the artists. I hope to remove the meaningless art and replace it with something that fills my soul.
What is hanging on your walls?
For those of you who live in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, please visit Leslie’s art studio at 7077 E Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ. 85251. It is often open to the public. Please contact Leslie ahead of time for hours and to schedule an appointment at lesliesandbulte@mac.com. Leslie’s works are also available at:
Jones – Terwilliger Gallery
Carmel, CA
831-626-9100
jtgalleries@aol.com
