Collector viewpoints
Commissioning artwork
Creating custom artwork requires a partnership between the artist and the collector. So, we’d be remiss if we didn’t share some perspectives from a couple of long-time art lovers and collectors who have commissioned artwork of their own. Maxine Coleman and Frank Racioppo share their experiences with commissioning custom artwork.
Maxine and Roland Coleman with artist Robin Damore just after the big reveal.
Frank Racioppo poses with a painting gifted to him by several friends at the Celebration of Fine Art.
And what has happened after that with the recognition that we’ve gotten has just been unbelievable. Now, it’s hanging in the spot that Robin helped pick between our dining and living areas. You can’t miss it. When people come in, that’s exactly where they’re drawn. We’re just very happy. "I knew it would be a good portrait, but I wasn't prepared for what I saw." ~ Maxine Coleman
maxine coleman
frank racioppo
Robin [Damore] was so helpful in making sure we were in the right place and had on the right clothing. Everything was just perfect. And I knew that it would be a good portrait, but I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. I was overwhelmed. And not only by what I saw but by all of the other people who were around [during the unveiling] who said, “We have been watching this for months and we’ve been waiting for you to come down here to see your reaction to this.” This was from some of the artists as well as other people who were walking around the show and had to stop because they saw a crowd forming. One of the ladies who stopped said it brought tears to her eyes. I just was overwhelmed and absolutely thrilled.
After we had purchased several pieces of art for our new home and had fulfilled our needs, we started to get a little deeper into art. My wife and I tried to fit art into our space, but also into our family history and that’s what the big motivator was. I had a picture from 1915 of my grandfather standing in front of his barber shop with his assistants. We were able to get an artist who was willing and able to do the commission. From that picture, he produced an outstanding painting, which I was able to share with four 90-year-old ladies––my father’s sisters who were still alive. So, that started us on a trek of family heritage and how we could accumulate art that represented our family through the years. >>
Issue 3 | Winter 2023
Page 13
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