Collector Profile: Alison Ford

Arrowhead Sunset, Chris., 2010

Hi Wet Paint Fans!

We are going to be publishing periodic collector profiles from our brave and willing supporters.  First up is Alison Ford, our top collector!  Check out what Alison has to say, and hopefully soon we will upload a slideshow of her current collection. 

Name:           Alison Ford

Current City:   Manchester, NH

Occupation:     Staffing Specialist

Total HCA/Wet Paint pieces in current collection:

17!

Why do you collect art?  

I have always loved art, I love art galleries, museums etc.  I’m intrigued by the creativity of artists.  I gravitate to the more abstract pieces but I love the detailed pieces as well… when an artist has the talent to truly capture its subject on paper or canvas.  I love vibrant colors as well as more bland bleakly colored works as well.  I feel the same way about images captured in photography.  Art and photography move me; they’re powerful in their messages.  The images can uplift or bring me to a deep emotional and sometimes sad place.  Even if I’m not uplifted by a piece, I still have a great love for art that moves me emotionally.  What a gift it is to move someone so emotionally by something he or she has created… exquisite! 

I started truly collecting art recently after I moved in a loft style home where I now have large areas of wall space for a collection.  It’s been wonderful filling up the space with many pieces by artists Chris. and Kristen Hotham Carroll.  Their work is unique, diverse, sometimes colorful, sometimes stark, some is detailed, some abstract – always outstanding, creative and simply wonderful.

Why were you moved to purchase the pieces you did? 

Mostly, I bought the pieces I did because I love the uniqueness and look of them.  There is one piece in particular that I bought that I think I can call my favorite.  It’s called Arrowhead sunset (pictured above).  First and foremost, the image captured in the painting is a familiar place to me… a place where I have a lot of fond memories so it’s a personal piece but aside from that, it’s simply beautiful.  I love the color scheme of the background, the ease of the transition from one color to the next, looking seamless yet each color distinct.  The trees are all done in black highlighting that it’s early evening.  The details of the trees are more prominent because of the lack of color, in my opinion.  I am not just looking at trees in all their colorful grandeur, rather seeing the details of the shapes, the leaves, the branches… the structure of them… as you would see if you were looking at them at dusk.  It’s an exquisite piece at which I literally couldn’t take my eyes of it for virtually the 1st month it was on my wall.  I still admire it often along with all the other pieces in my house.

Why should people buy art in a challenging economy? 

No matter what is going on with the economy, it’s important to do things for oneself that makes you feel good.  Art is something that can make a person feel good.  It’s beautiful and it’s timeless.  A vacation will come and go but art will last forever.  The art at that comes from the Wet Paint Gallery will always appreciate in value since they only paint originals, no prints ever.  The artists there are world class artists whose works can be found in galleries in many cities in the US and internationally.  Their work is truly an investment.

How does the art in your collection make you feel? 

I love my collection!  I admire the pieces every single day.  Guests in my house admire it as well!  I can’t wait to continue collecting and filling up the wall space in my house with more beautiful works.

Any other comments? 

I own many pieces of Chris. and Kristen Hotham Carroll but hope to soon own a piece by Bonnie Carter whose work is also featured in the Wet Paint Gallery.  Her style is abstract and her work is wonderful!  Vibrant colors, imaginative shapes, free flowing style… and all beautiful.  I look forward to my 1st purchase of her work.

Wet Paint Gallery would like to thank Alison for taking the time to answer our first ever collector profile, and THANK YOU, ALISON, for your amazing support.  People like you help us make our dreams come true...and we hope we do a little of that for you too....  :)