28 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM then became friends with the artist. Getting together with Day and his family has become part of their summer sojourns. John also highlights California painter Roland Petersen’s boldly colorful San Francisco Rooftops, which has pride of place in the room. He has a special affinity for the artist’s signature brilliant cobalt blue paint and reminisces fondly about visiting the artist’s studio. “He is a character and a really good guy.” While they have purchased art from galleries—Paul Thiebaud and Haines galleries in San Francisco, Crown Point Press and Pamela Walsh Gallery in Palo Alto, to name a few—the couple have never utilized the services of an art consultant and love to work directly with artists when they can. There are several whose work they have collected in some depth. Like Wayne Thiebaud, who was the subject of a recent solo exhibition at the Legion of Honor Museum. They own numerous prints by the artist as well as one of his signature food paintings, Six Cakes. “If I could, I would buy a Thiebaud every day,” declares John. They also have a great affinity for the work of Roy de Forest, of their very personal art collection. “That is the nice thing about specific pieces of art,” says Sue. “It reminds you of people, of places you have been and experiences you have had.” Without knowing it, the couple has followed the age-old advice for art collecting: start small, buy what you love and educate your eye by visiting galleries and museums. Art of every media fills the cozy living room and, as they describe the various pieces, another fact comes to light—the importance of relationships with artists whose work they collect. Take two bronze sculptures by English artist Paul Day. On a vacation to Burgundy, France, they happened upon Day’s work in a gallery, bought several pieces, {punchline}
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