Featured Art Collection > Mike and Liz Delesia live in a sun-filled house in suburban Long Island. “Our art collection is modest,” Mike explains, “but it does give us a certain feeling of accomplishment. It truly warms our home and enriches our family life.”
Mike says that his parents lacked the resources to expose their family to any art forms, so it was not until 2008 that he and Liz made their first serious acquisition at a benefit auction — a print by Clifford Bailey titled “The Hornets.” Since then, the couple have assembled a collection that includes works by Michael Carson, Nova Czarnecki, Dana Hawk, Andrea Kowch, Shana Levenson, Adam Miller, Yana Movchan, Kadir Nelson, Kevin Sartin, Margo Selski, Armando Valero, and Pamela Wilson.
Most of these purchases have been made from RJD Gallery in Bridgehampton, which is located 65 miles east of the Delesias’ home. Meeting the gallery’s principal, Richard Demato, marked a key “turning point” in their collecting adventure, Mike says, though a few works have been acquired directly from the artists. The Delesias now consider Andrea Kowch a friend and they correspond regularly with Shana Levenson. Mike notes, “I cherish every opportunity we have to meet the artists represented in our collection.”
He continues, “In the very short time I have been collecting, I am concerned to observe ‘a rush to produce.’ Talent and meticulousness are important to me; in some cases, it appears that artists are expediting their works through the process, for one reason or another.” Though this does not pertain to the works hanging at the Delesias’ home, it is nonetheless a situation that everyone involved should be concerned about.
On a brighter note, Mike adds: “I still find myself staring at the artworks with all of the wonder I felt when we first hung them on the walls.” Surely no artist could ask for more.
> Visit EricRhoads.com to learn about more opportunities for artists and art collectors, including retreats, international art trips, art conventions, and more.
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