I just finished listening to a New Yorker article about the legendary art dealer Larry Gagosian, and my head is spinning.
The NUMBERS, Gentle Readers. The NUMBERS. We already knew that some art is stratospherically expensive — costing tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars — but hearing the amounts one after the other, again and again…whew. Art as investment, art as commodity.
Luckily, you and I don’t have to worry about art as investment! Generally speaking, it’s a bad idea. You should buy art you love, wherever you find it.
Which brings me to this blog post. I just got back to DC from Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where I was tickled to find some TERRIFIC, affordable art in 3 unexpected places. This is part 1 of 3.
First unexpected place I found art: A restaurant!
Ok, so not unexpected for me, since I’ve been going to Out Of the Fire in Easton, Maryland for 20-plus years, since it opened.
It’s one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. The food is fantastic and local, the atmosphere is convivial (especially in its new location), and there’s always art for sale.
Because we ate late and were closing the place down, I didn’t get the names of all of the artists. I’m sorry. Please don’t let that stop you, though; if you want to buy any of these pieces, please call Amy, the restaurant’s owner, at 410-770-4777, and she’ll hook you up.
The next time you go out for dinner, keep your eyes peeled and you might come home with more than a doggie bag.
Tomorrow, installment 2 of 3. Where, oh where, will I find art for sale next?
Annie Elliott Design is based in Washington, D.C., but we travel for fun projects. We’re experts in creating gorgeous, color- and pattern-filled homes and telling people what to do in the nicest way possible.