I think of Isabella Stewart Gardner in April, when the nasturtiums flow from the courtyard balconies of the villa-museum she created in Boston. She was an inspiring woman, collector and patron of the arts. While at Simmons College, I'd often visit her "Palace" next door, and sit surrounded by art and flowers in the courtyard garden even in winter. Later as a journalist, before the tragic, still unsolved 1990 theft of masterpieces there, I wrote the attached article about the Gardner Museum....
I like collecting both works of nature and (wo)man. I say if you have at least 3 kindred objects, that's a collection…so collections unwittingly appear just by gathering whatever attracts me.
The hunt is a pleasure whether you are 6, collecting rocks, or 60, fine art. I started collecting affordable blown glass by other students while at Rhode Island School of Design. I still go to its alumni sales. And beach combing is free. |