Art Collectors
of Durham
Betty Ann & Bill
Welcome to the second in this series of articles about Art Collectors in Durham. In this series we meet art collectors in Durham and learn what is the motivation and reward for this unique form of self expression. For this article I would like to introduce you to another husband and wife team of art collectors. Betty Ann and Bill Campbell have been collecting paintings from local artists - mostly from the Ajax Creative Arts Club semi-annual shows, for about eight years now. They also add to their collection from local galleries, and from friends who paint. Betty Ann is an artist herself and works in acrylics, watercolours and oil paints.
When asked what draws them to particular paintings, Betty Ann said "we both love paintings of scenery, particularly water and sunsets, flowers (sunflowers above all) and birds. We choose a painting because it appeals to us, whether it is a reminder of some past memory, a calming effect, a spiritual meaning not expressible in words, or sometimes it is just the look of the painting." Betty Ann feels that their art collection enhances their home by making the surrounding warmer and giving them an observable sense of beauty and certain types of art helps them to relax.
Betty Ann's most treasured painting is a gift from an artist who never exhibited or sold his work. It is a painting (done on wood) by the father of a dear friend. Betty Ann sent him a Christmas card one year, and the father of her friend then copied the image from the card onto wood and sent it back to Betty Ann in time for Christmas. The painting shows the Christ child in Mary's arms and really captures the love of a mother for her child. It is the feeling of love and friendship that makes the painting so special to Betty Ann.
Betty Ann and Bill do not worry about matching frames from one work of art to the next when it comes to exhibiting their collection in their home. Although Bill will sometimes re-organize the paintings on the wall and not mention it to Betty Ann to see how long it takes her to notice.
They also don't worry about the monetary value of their collection, they are just interested in the joy and pleasure they derive from the artwork itself. Although Bill did say that hypothetically... if one day he bought a painting for a couple of hundred bucks that turned out to be worth thousands, he would be pretty happy about it.
What a delight and honour it was for me to be invited to visit Betty Ann and Bill and see their lovely pictures. Many Thanks to them for sharing. If you have an art collection and would like to be featured in one of these articles, you can contact Judith at: 905-839-7816. A small, modest collection is just as interesting as a larger one. This series of articles focuses on collections of original works of visual art in any medium. Many thanks for reading, Warmest Regards, Judith
©
Copyright 2007 Judith A. Jewer // Telephone: (905) 839-7816
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