IN CONVERSATION WITH ART COLLECTOR DR VALERIE GILLESPIE
Meet Pencil on Paper Gallery owner, Dr Valerie Gillespie and learn about her art journey from a daughter eagerly watching her mother design clothes, to earning her doctorate degree from NYU, to opening her own prestigious three-story gallery in Dallas, Texas. Also check out her tips for aspiring art collectors!
Dr. Valerie Gillespie, owner at Pencil on Paper Gallery with “Will You Let Me Get Some Sleep Tonight I” by Abi Salami
Tell us about yourself.
I am Dr. Valerie Gillespie, owner of Pencil on Paper Gallery. I was raised in Dallas, Texas, and I was fortunate to grow up in an artistic home. My mother would design and make my clothing when I were growing up. I used to watch her sketch images of women on scratch paper and my love of art grew from witnessing her creativity. Art had always been my favorite subject in school. I learned at an early age that I had talents in painting and drawing, and I was fortunate for the support of my art teacher, Mrs. Gruben, who fostered my love of art throughout my middle and high school years. I went to school for art and art history during my undergraduate years and continued to pursue an art degree throughout my graduate studies. I started collecting art during my residency in Venice, Italy about 13 years ago. I studied under artist Maurizio Pellegrin and absolutely fell in love with the art and architecture in Venice! One of my first acquisitions was from one of my artist studio mates in our program, Terri Frohman. My time at New York University also solidified my passion for art and collecting. Since then, I have enjoyed collecting work from artists within my Dallas/Fort Worth and New York communities. In my living room, I enjoy viewing works from Abi Salami, Evita Tezeno, Vicki Meek, Christopher Blay, Riley Holloway, Frank Frazier, and Jessica Vollrath to name a few. Abi Salami is perhaps the only artist that I have collected over the years since 2019 the most. I first met Abi many years ago in New York, at the Harlem Fine Arts Show. I saw her work from afar and I haven’t been able to forget her artistry since. She is and continues to be an artist that I have enjoyed getting to know and look forward to seeing what she does next!
Which Abi Salami original work(s) do you own and what made you choose the piece(s)?
I have a few! The one that is nearest to my heart is Salami's 2019 portrait. It's a 10x10 image of the artist lying down, her arm delicately bent over her head holding a cracked egg. The gaze is offset, purple, pink, and blue hues cloud the pigment of the skin in what feels endless with depth in appearance. I could stare at this work for hours. It continues to bring me a joy and pain that is indescribable. I feel a deep connection to this work. I remember acquiring it and feeling an immense amount of happiness for it to be in my possession. This one was my first Abi Salami work. There was an instant feeling of belonging, acceptance, and understanding when I first saw it, and I knew that I would regret it if I didn't acquire it.
What tips do you have for new art or emerging art collectors?
For me, collecting and the heart go hand in hand. When starting out, it is imperative to trust your gut and acquire works that speak to you on a personal level. I would be remiss if I didn't talk about the financial aspects of collecting. Early on, and still, in many instances today, I find myself longing for art that I simply can't afford. There are a few tricks out there though! Building relationships with artists and galleries can help in the acquisition process. Sometimes, galleries will offer payment plan options. There are companies like Art Money that offer easy financing options for art. And, sometimes it may be beneficial to start out with limited edition prints before scoring your first original. Also, if you are an artist yourself, oftentimes trades can be made. I use to trade my own art for art with other artists when I was first starting my collecting journey.
Collecting is very much a dance. When you find yourself looking at that one work of art at an exhibition for an extended amount of time, or when you find yourself thinking about that same work of art at night... it's the one. I find myself now, collecting work that will be an investment for my daughters later. I'm at a stage in my collecting where I want to build a legacy for my family. I am interested in collecting stories that matter to me. I still enjoy collecting work that feeds my soul, but since becoming a mother, my intentions with my collection are ever evolving.
Connectivity with the art that will grace your walls for many years is so very important when it comes to collecting. It should be fun! It should be personal. It should be intentional. I feel that a collection says so much about an individual...be sure to tell a beautiful story!
