editor's letter
Art is one of the most personal expressions of who we are and how we feel––for both the creator and the collector. The artist, of course, expresses their feelings through their works and we, the collectors, are drawn to a work of art for how it makes us feel or what meaning it has for us. The art we choose to surround us in our homes reflects our feelings and marks moments in time. As collectors, many pieces help tell the story of our lives. The most personal works of art are those we specifically choose an artist to create a custom commission for us. This process can be both exhilarating and intimidating. Inside the pages of this issue of Art Connection, we share stories of the commissioning process as well as some best practices to help navigate it. The artist spotlight is on portrait artist Robin Damore. Her stunning portrait works capture the emotion and spirit of each person she paints. She takes time to get to know her subjects, often setting up the photo shoot with items of significant meaning to them to help tell the story. The cover photo tells the story of long-time Celebration collectors Maxine and Roland Coleman and their special relationship. It is always fun to watch the unveiling of each piece and to see the true connection between artist and collector. They never fail to bring smiles and, sometimes, tears of joy. Discover best practices for commissioning your own works of art in the “6 Tips For Commissioning Art” feature. Many artists at the Celebration of Fine Art have worked with collectors and designers to create custom pieces with great success. Artists Isabelle Posillico, Pete Tillack, Ted Nuttall, Kirk Randle and Judith Dickinson share some of their experiences and recommendations for the best results. Collector Frank Racioppo also takes us through the journey of his custom collection and some tips he’s picked up along the way. It might just inspire you to ask your favorite artist for a custom piece of your own. Last, but certainly not least, magnificent glass and mixed media works are featured in a conversation with Seth Fairweather. Learn how he pushes the boundaries of experimentation to create art that’s never been done before. Seth’s new stacked glass pieces as well as his beautiful cast glass works are a study in design, trial and error and patience. The end results are breathtaking. As we enter into the last weeks of the 2023 Celebration of Fine Art event, we are grateful for each day of art lovers and artists connecting. We are already looking forward to next year’s show. In the meantime, we invite you to visit our website (celebrateart.com) and social platforms to see the latest and to shop year-round for the art and artists who bring you joy.
storytelling through custom art
~Susan and Jake Potje
Issue 3 | Winter 2023
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