My wife Carolyn and I did not set out intentionally to have an art collection. In our early days of marriage we decorated with $2.00 Posters purchased from university bookstores. In 1986 that changed.
Our friend had seen a painting in the window of an interior designer and guessed that we would like it. We took a look and discovered that Paul Kuhn was the painter. We went to the Paul Kuhn Gallery and with our introduction to Paul we gained entrance to the wonderful world of Canadian Contemporary Art. Our first purchase was Paul’s Winter Drift which was the painting in the window.
To that point we had always been afraid to spend time in galleries and we had certainly not figured out what we liked. We were, like many people, afraid to commit to a piece because we might make a mistake. However, with Paul as a mentor, we began to visit galleries and develop a personal sense of what we liked. In addition to the artists of his own gallery Paul encouraged us to visit other galleries and we did. And, over time, we started to learn what resonated for us.
Our choices have always been personal. Our first thought when we look at a painting, print or drawing is whether we like it. We have to like it and we have to believe we will still like it years from now before we will consider buying it. In the beginning this was the only criterion but as time went and our walls became full we decided that we would restrict our purchases to art that was done by artists who are career artists. As a result most of our collection is post war art from Canadians who have committed their lives to the craft.
The art in our collection has been assembled with love over 27 years. In the process we have spent hundreds of hours in galleries in Canada, the United States, Mexico and Europe. We have met and had lovely conversations with many of the artists. The paintings, sculptures, prints and art glass were all chosen because they spoke to us. We have fond memories of buying each one.
I once heard someone say that one of the wonderful things about art is that it has no utility; it exists to celebrate how beautiful the world can be. I have decided to create this digital gallery because I want to share this work with you. It speaks to who I am. The Poole Lawyer offices are filled with amazing images created by exceptionally talented artists. Many of these images have been with me for more than twenty years and I have never tired of them. Carolyn and I hope that you will enjoy them. If you didn’t know it already Canada has a lively and vibrant art world: Welcome!
Jeff Poole
July 2013