Contemporary Collector Archives

A blog series for the contemporary collector focusing on tips for collecting, showcasing your art, commissioning art, the importance of the collector throughout history, etc.

Pippin Contemporary – Group Exhibition September 2018: In Living Color

A Sensory Experience of Color and Mood, Abstract Fine Art, Abstract Paintings, Contemporary Collector, Painters, Paintings, Shop Canyon Road

Our mission at Pippin Contemporary is to cultivate a “sensory experience of color and mood” for our visitors and collectors. Represented artists are chosen with this value in mind; our painters and sculptors thrive on creative processes that are tuned to the emotional effects of color. Whether it’s abstraction, representation, painting, sculpture or mixed media, the varied styles and mediums of our artists rely on color as a signature form of expression. Our September group exhibition features five artists whose wide-ranging aesthetics are connected through color. Liz Barber, Elizabeth Hahn, Suzanne Wallace Mears and Gina Rossi are featured for “In Living Color,” a dynamic visual display that conveys the powerful emotional impact of color through art.

“In Living Color” features an eclectic array of artwork that ranges from contemporary landscapes to ethereal abstracts, from luminous glass sculptures to whimsical portraits. Color is central to the artists’ process, however, uniting them in an otherwise diversified exhibition. Below is a sample of each artist’s work paired with personal insights on the importance of color in their work, inspiration or process.

Liz Barber

The backbone of my painting process is an intuitive emotional response to color. As I am painting I am thinking about color relationships and am responding to the colors being placed on the canvas in a very emotional way.

My paintings for “In Living Color” are inspired by the coming of spring. It is such a dramatic shift to go from barren trees to bursts of green and vivid colors. The shapes in my work reflect flower petals and foliage bursting with color all around me during springtime here in Atlanta.

Elizabeth Hahn

Color, pattern and relationships are the basis of my work. My exposure to generations of female relatives’ vibrant and brightly colored patterned quilts is an early impression that eventually found its way into my art. I initially took up sewing, quilting, and embroidery, but it was too tame of a creative endeavor. However the colors and patterns remain in my artwork.

Very Easy Rider by Elizabeth Hahn

Gina Rossi

The first thing I notice about a landscape is usually the light. I am challenged and enthralled by light and how to interpret it. Color is next, but really cannot be separated from light because when I am painting, I am using color to express light, glow, atmosphere, etc. And then it is the solitude, which comes from the vastness of the landscape. There is serenity to it even in the middle of a storm. It stops me in my tracks and I really want to express that feeling.

Santa Fe’s color seems magical and almost unworldly. I will be driving in late afternoon and often have to pull my car over to stare at the sunsets and cloud formations. I don’t take photographs and I don’t rush to my studio to paint it. I wait until it settles in my mind’s eye and at some point it shows up in the work.

Driveby 17 by Gina Rossi

Suzanne Wallace Mears

I use color and texture to create energetic, luminous, and joyous works with glass. Bright and bold reds, blues, and oranges reflect my travels in color-saturated countries such as Tibet, Nepal, China and Mexico.

At random I use solid color fields as a challenge to my driving love of vibrant color. My favorite themes are inspired by nature and antiquity. The message I want to convey is a joyous, energetic rendezvous with positive directions.

Old Mill Valley by Suzanne Wallace Mears

September 26, 2018/by Aleta Pippin

Aleta Pippin – Solo Exhibition, July 4, 2018: Here We Go Round in Circles

A Sensory Experience of Color and Mood, Abstract Fine Art, Abstract Paintings, Aleta Pippin, Canyon Road Art, Contemporary Collector, Painters, Paintings, Pippin Pics

Aleta Pippin is constantly evolving her creative practice. Over the course of her career the Santa Fe artist has poured, brushed and scraped; she’s worked with oil, acrylic and mixed media as well as canvas, aluminum and panel surfaces. Pippin is even known to incorporate digital and new media components into her paintings. “I continue to experiment which is key for my creative muse,” she says. “New ideas are continually born, some finding their way into new work.” Unchanging in Pippin’s process, however, is her commitment to color and the emotional effect it can have on the human psyche. “Color is my driving force,” she states.

Dreamland III by Aleta Pippin

While impressions from Pippin’s early life would become a key inspiration for her artistic career, she didn’t begin painting until 1992 upon moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Influenced by Santa Fe’s creative culture, she began taking classes and experimenting with various media and painting styles until honing in on acrylic and oils. In 2003 Pippin fully committed herself to her art, which she considered to be her third career after building a business and raising a family. “My passion for painting became realized when it bloomed into a full-time career,” Pippin explains. “I improved my technique and found my voice – becoming an abstract painter.”

Trip Through the Cosmos by Aleta Pippin

Pippin’s July exhibition, “Here We Go Round in Circles,” is indicative of her commitment to creative exploration as well as her early and ongoing passion for painting in oils – the medium she always returns to even when continuously exploring other avenues. Her love of color, as always, is consistent throughout the exhibition. Her spontaneous nature and personal life impressions also remain constant across this body of work. “I do not plan the images,” she explains. “They are intuitive interactions created by life experience, accessing my broader knowledge. The impressions of my childhood environment express themselves in my paintings. They show up as color, freedom and energetic movement.”

Aglow I by Aleta Pippin

Pippin’s return to oil – her original inspiration for pursuing a career as an artist – is represented in pieces like “Joy Spreads,” “Carried by the Wind” and “Summertime, Sunrise.” Circular paintings such as “Trip Through the Cosmos” illustrate Pippin’s current explorations painting in the round. For these pieces, Pippin uses a variety of tools including her hands or a spinner to move paint across the panel. The panels are painted with colored resin, which incorporates acrylic or oil paint, and are often embellished with copper leaf or gold leaf details. “Resin is an interesting medium,” says the artist and gallery owner. “It accentuates the surface yet is a visual block to the viewer. In a way it says come closer, but not too close.”

Here We Go Round in Circles I by Aleta Pippin

Other mixed media pieces in the show are created using this process including “Fracture II” and “Through the Portal.” Here We Go Round in Circles opens with an artist reception on Friday, July 6^th from 5-7pm. Click here to preview Pippin’s work in the online exhibition catalog.

July 4, 2018/by Aleta Pippin

Aleta Pippin: For the Love of Color

Abstract Fine Art, Abstract Paintings, Aleta Pippin, Contemporary Collector, Paintings, Special Events

This October, an explosion of color will enliven the gallery with Aleta Pippin’s exhibition For the Love of Color. The show will run from October 12th through October 26th, with an opening reception on Friday, October 14th, kicking off the weekend of the Canyon Road Paint & Sculpt Out.

For this exhibition, Pippin is exploring new imagery within abstraction using both acrylics and oils. Vivid color continues to be central to her artistic expression with painting palettes that vary from soft mingling hues to strong contrasting colors. Swirling movement and flames of soft color rise up the canvas in Radiance, a 60×36” oil painting, while energizing motion and layers of striking hues vibrate against each other in Color Burst, a 36×36” oil on canvas.

Pippin’s intuitive painting style allows her to freely express her personal visions through abstract art. “My goal with every painting is to impart an internal expression that flows freely through me,” says Pippin. “It’s basically a narrative inspired by the paint.”

Color Burst by Aleta Pippin

Pippin is also revisiting pouring the paint, a technique she explored many years ago in her career. Feeling drawn to the free flowing movement of the paint and the ambiguity of the outcome, Pippin is now approaching the process with a broader skill set and renewed vision. New poured pieces will be on display for the exhibition including Magenta Pour, 48 x 48”, oil. Pippin says of this piece:

“In 2003 through 2005 I used the process of pouring the color. I liked the large splashes and serendipitous events occurring through the use of this process. All of those paintings were done using acrylics; I’d never tried it with oils. So in revisiting the technique, I decided to do some of the paintings using oils. I loved what happened. The color melded together differently than acrylics. I plan on continuing to fine-tune this process.”

Magenta Pour by Aleta Pippin

Read Aleta Pippin: For the Love of Color full press release and browse the exhibition catalog. You can also view new inventory on Pippin’s artist page. We look forward to seeing you at the opening reception on October 14th, 5-7pm.

September 29, 2016/by Aleta Pippin

Q&A with Gallery Owner and Artist Aleta Pippin

Abstract Fine Art, Abstract Paintings, Contemporary Collector, Paintings, Special Events

This weekend is the highly anticipated Grand Opening of our new location and Fifth Anniversary Celebration at Pippin Contemporary. We moved into our new gallery space at 409 Canyon Road back in March after weeks of preparations (see the work in progress here), and now we’re gearing up for the season in the heart of Santa Fe’s historic art district. This permanent space is the culmination of a dream that started when Aleta Pippin opened her namesake gallery on Lincoln Avenue back in 2011. Since the original opening of Pippin Contemporary, the business has moved twice and now rests permanently at 409 Canyon Road in a space that is more than double the size of any previous location.

From selling her own work in a parking lot in downtown Santa Fe to owning a gallery space on Canyon Road that exhibits the work of 19 painters and sculptors, Aleta Pippin shares her journey as an artist and gallery owner in a city known as one of the top art markets in the country.

Q&A: Aleta Pippin

What was your first impression of the Santa Fe gallery scene and how did you break into it?

I started painting in 1992, landscapes and portraiture. It seemed that most art in SF was Native American or Western. As I progressed in my ability I moved toward abstraction. It wasn’t until 2004 that I committed to painting as a career (third) and proceeded to sell my work. I juried into the Santa Fe Society of Artists and began showing my work every weekend from the end of April through mid-October. The shows, though challenging to be out at 5:30 a.m. Saturday mornings to set up the tent, display panels, etc. were fun and a real learning experience. The first painting I sold was $4000. That couple bought two more paintings over the next few months and I still stay in touch with them. That painting signified a life-changing time for this couple and they remember it fondly as a celebration.

I met many artists, including Barbara Meikle and Guilloume, whose sculpture we show. Barbara eventually became my business partner and in 2006 we opened Pippin Meikle Fine Art. I’m thrilled to say that this is the 10th year celebration for Barbara’s gallery, Barbara Meikle Fine Art, which she continued after we decided to move forward on our own.

You’ve moved the gallery three times in the past five years. How did Pippin Contemporary evolve into what it is today?

In 2011, I asked Barbara whether she’d be interested in opening a gallery downtown. When she wanted to focus on her work and the Delgado location, I decided to go ahead and form Pippin Contemporary and sublet space on Lincoln Avenue. It was fun and we did fairly well, however the space was small and the location didn’t have near the foot traffic as what I’d experienced on Delgado, just off Canyon Road. Gallery space came available on the corner of Canyon Road and Paseo de Peralta in 2013. I decided to lease it and move back to Canyon Road. It actually ended up being a fortuitous move as there was room for outdoor sculpture and I ended up showing the work of a few amazing sculptors.

I have a habit of following my intuition in business. I believe I have an advantage that most people don’t have in that I’ve always been entrepreneurial, starting my business in 1984 in Houston during a terrible recession. I sold that business in 2008, not because I was looking to sell, but because I was given the opportunity by a large company who was buying. Since I no longer lived in Houston and wasn’t as directly involved in the business, it seemed that the timing was right.

Since I’d been focused on art and making a career in it, owning my gallery was a no-brainer. Shortly after Barbara and I opened our gallery on Delgado, we purchased the building, which Barbara bought out in 2013.

Did you ever dream you would own your own building on Canyon Road? How does it feel?

No, I didn’t anticipate owning a building on Canyon Road. However, as a result of some events that occurred during my lease, owning my building seemed like a practical option. It had to be the right building though as most buildings on Canyon Road don’t have large space for sculpture. Then the building at 409 Canyon Road came on the market and it seemed like the perfect fit.

I think the building is wonderful. It’s beautiful, the location is outstanding, and it’s one of the largest gallery spaces on Canyon Road.

A Bright Future by Aleta Pippin at Pippin Contemporary

A Bright Future, Aleta Pippin, 30×30″ acrylic on acrylic panel/resin

What do you envision for the future of Pippin Contemporary?

My vision is that we grow the current business via those collectors who come to Santa Fe. My broader view is that we move beyond to focus on the corporate and public art markets. Most of the artists represented by Pippin Contemporary could easily provide artwork for corporate clients, as well as site-specific work. Developing that client base will take time and effort. I realize it won’t happen overnight. There is so much happening right now with technology and the changes it has caused in how retail business is accomplished. We embrace the opportunities that technology provides and as it becomes more refined, we will continue to adapt our business style to it.

I believe just as one step led to another with my art career, that one step will lead to another growing the gallery.

May 25, 2016/by Aleta Pippin

Photo Recap: Canyon Road Spring Arts Festival

Abstract Fine Art, Abstract Paintings, Contemporary Collector, Paintings, Special Events

Last weekend, more than sixty artists took to the streets for the Canyon Road Spring Arts Festival. Painters, sculptors, glass makers and more created original works of art outside the galleries on Saturday; their pieces were sold either by silent auction during the day or at the live auction event that evening.

We celebrated the start of the season with a Local Artist’s Reception on Friday and enjoyed a fun evening with artists, collectors, and friends. On Saturday, Gina Rossi, Rebecca Haines, and Cody Hooper painted in front of the gallery and discussed their work with visitors. All three artists sold the piece they were working on. Enjoy our photos from the event and mark your calendars for next year’s festival, May 11th and 12th, 2017.

Artists and friends enjoying our Friday evening reception:

Saturday Slow Draw with Gina Rossi, Cody Hooper, and Rebecca Haines:

A lucky collector!

May 12, 2016/by Aleta Pippin

Meeting in the Middle: Aleta Pippin & Greg Reiche Collaborate

Abstract Fine Art, Abstract Paintings, Contemporary Collector, Glass, Paintings, Sculpture

Meeting in the Middle. This is the title of Aleta Pippin and Greg Reiche’s first collaborative piece, which now hangs in a corporate office building in Houston, Texas. Spanning over 12 feet long and reaching over 3 feet high, this monumental work merges Aleta’s acrylic and resin abstract panels with Greg’s kinetic glass and steel grids. Aleta and Greg have been showing their work alongside each other at Pippin Contemporary for three years, but the idea to create a piece together didn’t transpire until about six months ago.

A group of attorney’s in Houston, who have collected 26 of Aleta’s paintings so far, contacted Aleta last November to request a very large piece for their conference room.

“I wanted to give them something extraordinary,” said Aleta. “I felt that individual panels was the way to go, but it seemed that making three or five individual painted panels simply wasn’t as dramatic as it could be.”

Then something clicked, and that’s where Greg came in.

“I have to admit, I was surprised when Aleta asked if I would like to collaborate on this piece,” explains Greg. “I have great admiration for her work and was quite flattered by the request, but was also a bit skeptical at first as to whether it would work well.”

They decided early on that Aleta would create the painting first, and Greg would respond. Aleta painted five panels with acrylic paint and a resin surface. The piece then went to Greg’s studio, where he worked from her color palette. The piece was completed within two months…and the results were nothing short of spectacular.

Golds, blues, purples and subtle reds in Aleta’s panels blend together among interesting textures, and the resin finish adds a luminosity to the piece that lends itself well to the effects of Greg’s iridized glass tiles. The tiles perfectly pick up the gold and purple hues, and the three dimensionality of the steel grid adds a dynamic contrast to the surface of the piece. Just as in his own sculptures, Greg uses brass wire to attach each glass tile to the steel, adding another texture and glint of gold to the overall composition.

Meeting in the Middle, Pippin Reiche Collaboration

Although unsure at first, Greg was amazed at the outcome.

“In the end, I think it worked beautifully,” says Greg. “The combination of her luminous, organic paintings with the linear grid structure and iridized surfaces of my glass work, worked surprisingly well. I love the way the diverse mediums play so well off each other and the incredible depth of color and luminosity of the entire piece.”

Aleta concedes. “I’m thrilled that Greg agreed to do this. Personally, I’m so excited about how beautifully it turned out and it is such a unique piece that I can see it becoming an important part of Greg’s and my work. It gives each of us the opportunity to reach a market that we weren’t as able to access on our own.”

Soliloquy, Pippin-Reiche Collaboration, 54 x 47 x 3″, $13,500

The artists were so enthusiastic that they immediately started a second collaborative piece, Soliloquy, to hang in the gallery. This work is a bit smaller in size, 54 x 47”, but creates a similar impact with glass and steel grids moving along both sides of a vertical acrylic/resin panel, which glows with purple hues and tangible texture.

“All in all, I would say it was a fantastic match and I can see the potential for some amazing collaborations in the future as we work together to push the boundaries even further.” (Greg Reiche)

Are you interested in a collaborative piece by Aleta and Greg for your home or office? Call the gallery at 505-795-7476 or email pippincontemporary@gmail.com to discuss and personalize a dynamic piece of original art.

April 12, 2016/by Aleta Pippin

Periscope and the art world

Abstract Fine Art, Contemporary Collector, Special Events

Explore the world through someone else’s eyes. This is the tag line for Periscope, a popular new app launched by Twitter that allows users to connect through live stream videos. Think of it as Skype or FaceTime, except you can broadcast to viewers all over the world and tune in to just about anything you can think of; sneak into a closed sporting event, watch a political riot unfold, or go backstage with your favorite television actors. Periscope is a new and exciting way to share experiences and connect to the bigger picture. And for the art world, its possibilities are endless.

Museums and galleries have embraced Periscope as a way to bring their collections even closer to the public eye and broaden the impact of exhibitions. The British Museum was one of the first museums to take advantage of the app this past May with an after-hours guided tour of the acclaimed exhibition Defining Beauty: The Body in Ancient Greek Art. The broadcast provided an intimate view of Greek masterpieces, and viewers were able to send in questions and comments as they watched. Watch the broadcast here.

Soon the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Rubin Museum, and the Grand Palais in Paris followed suit with live broadcasts from curators and tours of exhibitions. The trend has now grown to include MOMA, The Guggenheim, The Andy Warhol Museum, and more, who have broadcasted events, historic video footage of famed artists, and museum tours to unlimited audiences. If you follow these institutions on Twitter, keep an eye on their feed to be notified of their next broadcast. Each video is available for streaming 24 hours after it’s posted, unless the broadcaster saves the video and uploads to YouTube.

Galleries and auction houses also started reaping the benefits of Periscope by using it as another outlet to sell. Videos of new acquisitions give collectors a closer look, and live streams of opening receptions and auctions attract wider audiences. Talk with an artist about a particular painting, visit a sculptor’s studio, watch an exhibition installment, or even witness a three million dollar sale at Christie’s.

You guessed it; Pippin Contemporary is now on Periscope! Follow us and tour the gallery, meet new artists, see exhibitions going up, and more. Make sure to stay connected with us on Facebook and Twitter to be notified of live broadcasts.

: Our first Periscope broadcast was of a tour group led by Santa Fe Art Tours. Follow us for more live gallery tours.

November 17, 2015/by Aleta Pippin

Art Adds Sizzle to Your Decor

Abstract Fine Art, Abstract Paintings, Contemporary Collector, Paintings

Aleta Pippin painting in collectors home

Aleta Pippin’s The Ripple Effect in a collector’s home.

(By Aleta Pippin) You’ve just looked around your home and realize there’s something missing, something that has the power to make your décor pop. We’re talking about art. The right pieces will literally move your décor from “okay” to fantastic. So, how do you begin? Where do you look for the “right” pieces? And just exactly what are the “right” pieces anyway?

If you’re like many people, purchasing art can prove a bit overwhelming. Here are some tips to guide you, as you search out that perfect piece(s) of art, the one that will give your home that “drop dead” gorgeous look.

First, there are a few myths that need to be debunked.

Cody Hooper’s Summer Song hanging in a collector’s home in Texas.

Myth 1: Art should match your sofa.

Great art looks good anywhere. It doesn’t have to match your sofa. Of course if you’re getting ready to purchase a piece to be placed in a certain area, you may want to consider the color and find a piece that enhances it. However, don’t make your purchasing decision based solely on such strict criteria. Remember, if you do purchase an original piece of art, it will stay with you long after the sofa has changed, the walls have been repainted, and you’ve even relocated two or three times.

Myth 2: Original art is a good investment.

It seems to be a common line in many galleries, to tell potential buyers that purchasing an original piece from an up and coming artist is a great investment. They’ll tell you that the artist’s prices have risen steadily over the years or that the artist is just on the brink of making it big. All of that may be true. However, unless you know people who are interested in purchasing art, you will not be able to resell your investment piece and make a profit. The only people who really make a killing in the art market are those who purchased Picasso 50 years ago.

The best reason to purchase an original piece is because you love it. I have several original pieces from other artists in my home, which were purchased because I loved them. (And yes, they are up and coming artists whose prices have risen steadily over time.)

To say that you should love a piece is not an understatement. Art should evoke an emotional response. That response may be from the color, composition, or even something intangible like reminding you of a poignant happening in your life.

Cody Hooper’s Distant Drums in a collector’s dining room.

Myth 3: My child could have painted that abstract piece.

Yes, children paint wonderful pieces, but to suggest that a child can produce some of the beautiful abstract work that is in the market is dismissing artists’ creativity too quickly. Actually, most abstract artists learn to draw and to paint representational work before they evolved to abstract work. All good art conforms to guidelines of line, shape, form, atmosphere, design, and rhythm. Each artist finds their voice, much the same as a writer, and that voice may express in paint, sculpture, stained glass and on and on. And in each of those categories, there is a myriad of expressions limited only by the artist’s imagination.

You’re Ready to Purchase

Before you go shopping, stop and consider a couple of things – Do you want to purchase an original piece of art or a retail piece and how much money are you willing to spend?

Originals vs. Reproductions

There is one thing that drives many artists crazy…reproductions made to look like originals. There are plenty out there. They’re those “paintings” you find in department stores, flea markets, even retail outlets in the malls. Of course, these paintings are fairly inexpensive in the $75-$400 price range. Just don’t mistake them for original pieces. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to see the “hand of the artist” in an original piece.

Giclees have been extremely popular. A giclee is a computerized reproduction of an original piece that is usually “printed” on canvas. Some artists, or their employees, paint into this reproduction, giving it the texture and look of an original piece. Usually these pieces are numbered in the lower corner, like any reproduction, so there’s no question in the buyer’s mind.

Giclees are good buys if you’d like to have a piece that looks like an original, at a lower cost. It’s also a way of collecting the work of an artist you like, but an original is out of your chosen price range. (Not all artists agree with mass production and will not produce giclees.)

However, nothing matches the beauty of an original piece of art. If you’ve decided to go that route and have designated the amount of money you’re willing to invest, you can probably find a piece. It may take a little doing but it will be worth it. Visit the Internet. Check out the local galleries. Talk to friends who have artwork you admire.

Aleta Pippin’s Momentum (right) hanging with a Rick Stevens painting in a Houston collector’s home.

Blue Arc by Greg Reiche, commission steel and glass sculpture Blue Arc in a local New Mexico home.

What to look for in art?

Are you looking for a certain color, a certain pattern or even a certain size? If you’re purchasing an original, you should love it. If you’re purchasing art purely to finish the décor in your home, then you’ll want to find pieces that enhance the décor. There are several retail outlets that sell reproductions and prints, many already framed – Target, Hobby Lobby, Overstock.com just to name a few.

Why not spend a day looking at the various options. Check out local galleries, as well as the retail outlets. You may decide to purchase an original after you see all of the wonderful art that is available. And don’t forget the outdoor Art Festivals; these are a wonderful way to connect with an artist and to purchase an original piece.

If you choose to purchase an original, do a background check. Ask about the artist’s career, sales history, and make an intuitive assessment of the integrity of the person trying to sell the piece to you. Personally, I think original work truly adds to the quality of any environment.

Have fun with this. Take your time. The right piece will show itself. And it’s worth finding it, because art will add sizzle to your décor.

July 28, 2015/by Aleta Pippin

The Art of Abstraction

Abstract Fine Art, Abstract Paintings, Contemporary Collector

Non-figurative. Stripped of allusion. Painting in its purest form. Art lacking subject. Non-representational. Non-objective. Departure from reality. The true essence of art.

How do we define abstract art? How do we appreciate it, understand it? Critics, art historians, gallery owners, and artists have come up with copious explanations of abstraction, but the real beauty of abstract art is that it’s true definition and interpretation lies within the viewer. While some artists may have deeper intentions for meaning and message, abstract art is largely a style that provides freedom of interpretation. When you see an abstract painting hanging in a gallery or museum, the dialogue between artist and canvas has long been completed. It’s now your turn as the viewer to finish the story, or start your own conversation.

“Art is an experience, not an object.” – Robert Motherwell

While abstract art leaves room for open interpretation, it is also helpful to gain an understanding of the movement in order to fully appreciate the artist’s talent and intention. Impressionists in 19^th century Paris were the first to break from realism in art, incorporating the effects of light and perspective on a subject to depict an “impressionistic” view rather than a realistic one. From here, expressionist artists of the 20^th century continued to dive deeper into the art of abstraction, infusing mood and emotion into their work with painterly style and intense color. Abstract Expressionism followed as a dramatic movement that is most often associated with the birth of abstract art. Artists of this period, such as Jackson Pollock, used the paint itself as a subject as well as the their relationship with the material. Art became a reflection of the spiritual mind, subconscious ideas, and the artist’s (often very complex) emotions, all communicated through abstract compositions of expressive line and color.

Jackson Pollock at work in Long Island, New York, 1950. Photograph: David Lefranc/Kipa/Corbis via The Guardian

Just like when it was first introduced in the 20^th century, reactions to abstract art today are dramatically different from one person to the next. Abstract artists are given the challenge to connect with the viewer through pure movement and color, rather then realistically portraying a familiar scene that calls for familiar emotions. Standing in front of the same painting or sculpture, one person may be disturbed while another is intrigued. Neither viewer is wrong in their interpretation; abstract art encourages our most abstract thinking and gut feelings.

So, how do we define the abstract? Defining abstract art is nearly as open as interpreting it, but who better to ask than the artists themselves? We talked to our painters and sculptors at Pippin Contemporary to find out why they choose to work in abstract and how they would define the style. Here are some of their responses:

Join us at Pippin Contemporary this summer as we celebrate abstraction with contemporary art exhibitions of oil, acrylic and mixed-media painting, as well as bronze, stone, steel and glass sculpture. We encourage you to share your own interpretations with us as you view art in the gallery.

May 6, 2015/by Aleta Pippin

History is Written by the Collector

Contemporary Collector

Peggy Guggenheim and Jackson Pollock in front of Mural, 1943, first floor entrance hall, 155 East 61st Street, New York, c. 1946 (Photo: George Karger © 2013 Pollock-Krasner Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York)

“The collector is an artist in his own way, by the way he puts things together. You can read a person’s soul from their collection.”
-Ayers Tarantino, Art and Antiques

Why collect? Collecting art is more than just buying pretty objects. As an art collector, you are an arts supporter, a part of art history, and are able to tell a story through unique acquisitions that reflect your tastes, ideas, and experiences. Whether you follow a single artist’s career, a specific genre, or have an eclectic range of work, art collecting is not something seasoned buyers of the art world take lightly. The pieces you acquire reflect your personality and distinguish your style. Collecting art becomes more than a hobby of buying beautiful things – it becomes a treasure hunt, a philosophical pursuit, an unyielding passion.

“I collect these objects to learn from them. In some moment these things are going to teach me something. For me, this is like a library. These are my books.”
-Joes Bedia in ARTNews

As an art collector, not only are you culturally fulfilling your own world, you are making a difference in the life of an artist by becoming an instrumental part of their career. Throughout history, collectors have shaped the art world in subtle and overt ways. Modern art collector Peggy Guggenheim was influential in the career of early American expressionists Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Robert Motherwell as the first to publicly exhibit their work in her gallery. Gertrude Stein’s early support of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse through passionate acquisition and advocacy led them to become household names and arguably the most famous artists of the 20^th century. Van Gogh, with no one to appreciate his swirling brushstrokes and vivid color, lived a life unknown; it wasn’t until the last year of his life and after his death that his work received the fame it deserved after finding it’s way into public and private collections.

“You can either buy clothes, or buy pictures.”
Gertrude Stein

Today, collecting art is seen by some as a luxury, others as a necessity. During times of economic downturn, the art market saw an all-time low, however, 2014 topped the charts as the highest year in history for art sales (read the article here). This is in part due to new trends in the art world such as fairs, as well as Internet sales through sites such as Artsy and Artnet, that are broadening public engagement and attracting younger buyers. The top three art markets in the country remain as New York, Los Angeles, and our home city of Santa Fe. With 200 galleries in two square miles, Santa Fe is the most concentrated market – and the most historic. At over 400 years old, Canyon Road boasts over 100 galleries in its half-mile stretch. At Pippin Contemporary, we welcome tourists, art collectors, and art enthusiasts at the base of this iconic street.

“Santa Fe’s unique art scene can be compared to the cultural experience of an art fair, but with year-round accessibility. The density of diverse and high quality art in Santa Fe is unlike any other in the country, maybe even the world.”
-Aleta Pippin, Gallery Owner

Collectors continue to be highly influential in the always-changing art world. In Santa Fe, you as the collector keep galleries in business and contribute to the family-like feel of our close-knit art community. You give artists the opportunity to thrive through a creative career as they share their inner emotions and expressions through their work, and in turn create a portal where you see your own spiritual sentiments reflected.

“We collectors know that art communicates with us on different levels. Language and culture are no barriers.”
-Barbara Trapp, Art and Antiques

This blog is part of our new Contemporary Collector Series. See it featured on the Santa Fe Gallery Association website.

April 8, 2015/by Aleta Pippin