Let me first say that recently I have been straddling between two worlds, my previous one and the current one. I wanted to deal with old dusty issues I left behind. I should have left them behind!
And here, I finally decided to keep my company and my business. I know I announced big changes, creative solutions, and thought I was the best problem solver on earth.
Nope! So, I'm open for business with one caveat: I only accept nice and open minded people. How do I know? I just know. And I also learned to say no!
Coming to the excitement announced in the title, this is what I'm talking about. Since the first time I landed here I fell in love with Native American art. That was actually what brought me here in the first place.I was totally virgin about it. I learned everything by talking to old timers art connoisseurs and established dealers who were still going on the rez to find stuff! I then met artists who have been very good to me and patient with me. Even when I had my gallery in London, I have never been a big buyer that artists would even try to schmooze. Not at all. But I made friendships.
Over the years I followed these artists, saw them bloom and become well known. And when possible I bought something. Before to sell, then only for myself!
Every year when I came here in the summer, I couldn't wait to see my friends, and what I could spot that I could afford. The excitement of the chase! The first thing I would always do, still jet-lagged, was to drive up to Ranchos de Taos where I had a marvelous friend who had a marvelous gallery and with whom I spent summer after summer with whenever it was possible. And then winters too!
Some wonderful years I was part of the shows with another friend who was a serious oriental art dealer. Oh, those years....
I have "done", meaning walked from north to south and west to east, the Santa Fe Indian Market since 1990! It was like going to school: I was looking, asking questions, comparing, and then start all over again!
Now that I feel I've done almost everything possible here, although I know there are many things I have on my wish list, I started becoming a bit anxious about the excitement of the "search". So this year, today, I did a test. I told myself: you take yourself to Native Treasures and see. Will I think "oh, same old" or "the usual" or will I feel that itch...you know what I'm talking about, right?
It's been fantastic! Met old friends, talked to new emerging artists, heard about the ins and outs of many, spent some time to know better someone I just discovered. I felt so excited when I stopped to have a short conversation with a now very established artist that I think is quite phenomenal and different from all the others. I bought his first piece back then! Now I would not afford his most recent ones.
I discovered over the time that I have a good eye, a natural instinct for spotting promising artists, although not enough experience.
I also realized that I really felt at home there. When at the end I stopped to look at some jewelry that somehow I never bought, and the person who was helping asked me my name and then was able to tell my last name adding "I know I know you", my heart exploded. I definitely am part of all this. In my own Italian way.
In future shows will this young girl have become a famous weaver from her humble current role of carding?
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