Dogs + design forever

SO MANY THANKS to Jennifer Herrera, the ingenius founder of shopdogshopcat for featuring us during her Interiors week! Says Jennifer, "It's tempting to love LA-based design duo Lily Spindle simply because they're dog lovers.  Even if you don't hear about them through the rescue community (like we did) - it doesn't take much research to notice their penchant for the four legged kind. BUT - to love them simply because they love dogs is to entirely miss all the other things that make them special."

Click the link to read the rest of her kind words and check out some of our past projects, one of which features a pretty adorable little custom A-frame dog house and mid-century modern slat fence we created for a client and their blind chihuahua Annie last year.

Why do we go to such great lengths to make life for our furry friends so seamlessly and stylishly merged with our own and, in turn, for our clients? Because they are, without question, family. They make our lives better. Happier. Richer. Fuller. Sweeter. As Andrew Tuck writes in The Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes (a gorgeous and excellent book, btw), "Dogs make a house a home; make it cosy. They add vitality. They add humour, kindness, comedy, and mischief. And they can be budding geniuses, too." 

Miss Bella the rescue pup being beautiful in "her" (um, her parents') newly Lily Spindled bedroom. 

SHAPERS / / DAME MAGAZINE FOUNDER, JENNIFER REITMAN

Jennifer Reitman's a fellow Scorpio, which means that when we met several years ago while walking our dogs (of course), we immediately became friends. She's one of those people who's instantly kind of awesome - opinionated, smart, wonderfully caustic, tirelessly driven, and a fighter on behalf of the rights of others, both two-legged and four. She founded her incredible magazine, DAME, in 2008, but "put it on ice" until 2012. The voice of DAME is fearless, loud, brilliant, discerning, sardonic, and, oh, did I mention fearless? What was originally launched as a "women's version of Esquire" is now being retweeted by the likes of Joy Reid, Molly Ringwald, Missy Elliot, Yoko Ono, Martha Plimpton, and was included in the teaching syllabus of the late great David Carr. Not too shabby for a tiny operation run out of Los Angeles, with massively talented writers all over the country penning pieces on religion, race issues, sexual assault, the current administration, and the long, winding, often ugly road of politics. 

We're beyond thrilled that Jennifer took some time out of her bonkers busy schedule to answer our SHAPERS queries and talk about the Women's March, wolf dogs, HRC, and wisdom for all women everywhere. 
 

Enjoy!
xx - Rebecca

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Can you tell us a bit about DAME Magazine's irreverent and extremely insightful tone? It's razor-sharp smart, so I reckon it rankles a few readers while gaining a hugely devoted following. It also feels incredibly crucial and necessary these days...

DAME was built for the current political and policy climate.  There has never been another time in recent history where covering the litany of issues affecting women, people of color, the LGBTQ, the environment, children, civil rights and the like have been more important.  While we’ve always had a critical lens on these issues, today we’ve got a klieg light shining behind that lens. 

The flow of headlines and news is un-relenting; we’re just as exhausted by the news as everyone else.  But with that, we know we have incredible responsibility to help women (and men) parse the onslaught of information so they can be better informed about what is happening.

And so, when it comes to our readers, our tone, take, and coverage are particularly resonant and paramount in this moment.  We’ve always been a bit provocative, and this doesn't rankle them, it reflects them.  Our readers are incredibly insightful and erudite.  And so when it comes to our voice, we want our features to feel like a conversation you’d have with your friends: sharp, informed, clever.  And this only happens because of the incredible wealth of journalistic acumen and instinct of our writers. They are just so terrifically talented, it’s awe-inspiring – and I know DAME would be nothing without them.

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The Women's March - we gotta talk about the march, right? This was a massive, monumental, indelible, impassioned movement unlike anything we've ever seen before. What are your thoughts on it? How do you perceive the current climate for women, globally and domestically, and what is the ultimate glass ceiling? 

When I was a young girl, my mother took me to the March on DC for the Equal Rights Amendment. I remember the women spilling from busses, dressed in Suffragette white, all of us with our sashes and signs.

Some 40 years later, there I was marching with my mother in Los Angeles – but this time wearing pink pussy hats.  I was overwhelmed by the crush of people - of humanity really – standing up for our beloved country and all of its denizens.  I can’t think of anything that’s ever been as impactful and inspiring. 

Lily Spindle WOMEN'S MARCH signs

But I worry every day that we are normalizing, as there doesn’t seem to be the same fervor.  I worry our outrage is giving way to resistance fatigue.  I’m concerned by low turn outs in special elections and what it may forebode for 2018 midterms – and frankly, apathy around civics and government is what got us here in the first place.   

It probably comes as no surprise that I’m not particularly bullish on what I see as the current climate for women and women’s rights.   I think little by little our rights are being eroded, and whatever strides we’ve made, whether that be in reproductive rights or equal pay or health care, are being dragged back into the dark ages.  And when we can’t claim a moral high ground or set the example on the world stage – what does this say to countries that need to be held accountable for atrocities against women?

That said –I’ve also seen an incredible dialogue around feminism and women’s rights emerge as a result of the election.  And this is what it takes to equalize women’s rights – bringing all issues to bear – from domestic violence, to equal pay, to reproductive rights and everything in between. Surfacing the challenges means we can identify the solutions. That’s part of the conversation that DAME wants to propel forward.

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Goliath + Laska. BFFs forever. 

Here at Lily Spindle, we lovingly call you "the mother of wolves," as you have two wolf-content dogs - Goliath and Laska. Both rescues. Both gorgeous. How are these types of dogs different from your average wonderfully mixed mutt? What's life like as the mother of two wolf dogs?

Well, first I have very very low content wolfdogs – meaning, the percentage of “wolf” in my animals is very little.  For all intents and purposes, they are dogs. I call them "Dog Plus." I thinkthis is important to call out because one of the issues in the wolfdog world is misrepresentation – animals like malamutes or huskies being called wolfdogs, this has caused many animals to lose their lives.  But even with them being low content, the differences are distinct, can be significant and represent some unique challenges.  One of the things that is striking is their independence.  Wolfdogs don’t have the same need to please their human as a pure domestic dog.  This has to do with the way dogs have been domesticated and how they mature.  Dogs are in a perpetual “puppy state”, they never fully mature mentally over a certain age (which is actually the mental state of a 30 day old pure wolf, if you can imagine). So when it comes to wolfdogs, as well as my two animals, even with their diluted bit of wolf content, they are fiercely independent.  They just aren’t driven by getting my approval.   I refer to them as my 100 lb cats.  It’s very much the same “on their own terms” that you see in the way cats co-exist with humans

The second thing that is striking is the intensity. Everything is at 11 on the dial with them. Whether that be meeting a new person, or smelling things – it’s exaggerated when compared to a doggie dog.

Finally, intelligence – they work things out in a way that keeps you on your toes constantly. From thieving things you don’t want them to destroy, or figuring out a way to get out of the yard – they have an incredible ability to problem solve.  To the extent that I installed 12 ft chain link fencing on my property to make sure my pups can’t escape.

Let’s just say – they aren’t for everyone, particularly ones with a lot of wolf content. And if someone thinks they want one – they must do their research and be willing to give up a lot.  I’d caution anyone who is considering one to go spend time at a wolfdog rescue and learn as much as they can before hand. It would save a lot of animals from ending up in rescue, as most people aren’t prepared at all for what it takes.

Goliath and the teeny little Donut. 

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You're involved with animal rescue, particularly shepherd and wolf-hybrid rescue, not just in Southern California, but all over the country. What are some of your most respected rescues in the U.S.?

Well, I’m not involved right now. I had to take a step back to focus on business.  But hopefully someday soon, I’ll jump back in.  There are so many wonderful wolfdog rescues across the country, and the ones I’ve worked with have my utmost respect.  Out here in California I really love Apex Protection Project and Wolf Connection.   In North Carolina, Full Moon Farm. In Florida, In Harmony With Nature and in Texas, Texas Wolfdog Rescue.  They all do amazing work, with literally no money.  The biggest challenge with wolfdog rescue is that there are so few of them, but the need to place animals is huge.  A wolfdog is not a Labrador – you can’t just pull from the shelter and plop into a foster.   There are so many animals, yet so little space. Couple that with a shortage of qualified homes, and you can imagine the challenges.

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If you could have lunch with one famous person, living or dead, who would it be? And where would you dine?

Is there any other answer than Hillary Rodham Clinton?  I’d actually want to host her in my home for a caterered lunch so I could sob uncontrollably into her shoulders for the first 15 minutes without embarrassing myself.  And then I’d ask her every question under the sun, she’d try to answer, I’d start crying again, we’d hug goodbye and she’d wonder how she got wrangled into such craziness with me.

Wolf Momma. 

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Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Morning.  To a fault. Like a 4am fault.  I wake up before my dogs do. In fact, I'm pretty sure I keep toddler's hours.

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Laksa in the "wild" (aka the west side.of LA)

What's currently on your bedside table?

Water, my glasses, spare leashes in case of an earthquake, my phone and a stack of magazines I never have a chance to read.

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As a progressive, independent, powerful 21st century woman, what's your key piece of advice to other women?

Believe in yourself. Because if you don’t, no one else will.  You’re going to get knocked down. A lot.  Take the bruise, and get back up and do it all again.  It will never not be hard, but it always be worth it

“
*Lily Spindle’s SHAPERS profiles the people whom we consider to be remarkable movers and shakers, doers and dreamers, trailblazers and big thinkers, the people who are doing things a little bit differently and unconventionally, with immense heart, passion, and authenticity in what they do. Artists, designers, writers, philanthropists, iconoclasts, artisans, heroines, voyagers, and all kinds of extraordinary extraordinaires will be interviewed in our SHAPERS series.

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SHAPERS / / MEG CRANSTON

Strolling through the massive Art Los Angeles Contemporary show earlier this year, we spotted (and Instagrammed) one of Meg Cranston's incredible dog portraits and we immediately knew we had to feature her in SHAPERS. Currently the chair of the Fine Arts Department at Otis College of Art and Design, her sculpture, paintings, and video/performance work have earned her international accolades and she's exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Neuer Aachener Kunstverein, The Getty Museum of Art, The Hammer Museum, Museum Abteiberg, Mönchengladbach, The Carnegie Museum, K21 Museum, Dusseldorf, and the ICA, London, to name just a few.

Also, she has a super cute pooch named Jenkins and began a shelter dog photography project back in the mid-2000s, which ultimately helped to increase the number of dog adoptions, and we are always and forever 100% fans of that kind of altruism and creativity! 

Many,  many thanks to Meg for so intelligently and thoughtfully tackling this SHAPERS q+a! Enjoy!  

Can you tell us about your project photographing shelter dogs back in 2008? What was the experience like, what inspired the project, what was the endgame artistically or otherwise and how did it affect you/your work?

I was looking to get a dog and spending some time on the shelter websites. I decided to try to photograph all the dogs in LA shelters over a one month period. I tried to photograph them myself but quickly realized it isn't that easy to photograph a dog. So I partnered with the various shelters to get their photographs. That was a bit tricky because it involved working with the Chief of animal control. He was suspicious at first because he had to make sure I wasn't creating an expose on the shelters but then was happy to help. The most interesting thing was the quality of the photographs from different shelters varied a lot. At one shelter, the worker taking the photographs was careful to "art direct" the images. He posed the dogs in green settings even with some fake flowers arranged. He had the dogs standing in action poses so they looked lively and happy.

Compared to other shelters ,were the dogs were photographed in cages or on leashes, those animals looked highly adoptable. That shelter in fact did have higher rates of adoptions.

Because people primarily look at shelter dogs on websites, being photogenic is a life or death issue. 

The paintings I did of the shelter dogs takes that a bit further. Historically there are many dogs in paintings though typically they are high status dogs - hunting dogs or pets of wealthy people. The paintings of George Stubbs would be an example. I decided to do rather monumental portraits of ordinary dogs - shelter dogs who would not typically be painted.

Meg Cranston, "Corgi," 2014. 

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Meg + Jenkins. 

What's your favorite thing about living in California?
I like the attitude of people in California. Theyhave a relaxed confidence that's easy to be around. The artists in Los Angeles aren't freighted with a lot of rules. They do whatever they want. Europeans especially admire that. 

How does teaching art influence your own artwork?
Besides paying the bills? I love teaching because in my courses, I have to write lectures about new topics all the time. If I didn't teach I doubt I would read as much or stay as current. Also there is a part of me that's a performer. Giving lectures is a kind of performance. It's fun. Of course the students are all fantastic. I have said many times, I have never had a bad student.

Art students are the best and most interesting students one can teach.

Meg Cranston, "Poodle Mix," Installation view, Michael Janssen, Berlin, 2014

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Which decade resonates most poignantly with you - 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s? I admire art of the 1960's for its clarity and optimism, art of the 1970's for its intellectual rigor, art of the 1980's for its focus on recasting artistic values as political. 
 

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Meg Cranston's "California" and "Fireplace 12" at the Hammer Museum for Made in L.A., 2012.

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The scariest thing you've ever done?
I do stand up comedy. That's pretty scary especially for the audience.

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Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I am a night owl who has to get up at 6am. It's a dilemma.

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Name three of your favorite sculptors/3-dimensional artists and use a single word to describe each.

Alberto Giacometti  -  armature
Brancusi  -   base
Franz West  -  scale

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What books are currently on your bedside table?
Grand Hotel Abyss: The Lives of the Frankfurt School

“*Lily Spindle’s SHAPERS profiles the people whom we consider to be remarkable movers and shakers, doers and dreamers, trailblazers and big thinkers, the people who are doing things a little bit differently and unconventionally, with immense heart, passion, and authenticity in what they do. Artists, designers, writers, philanthropists, iconoclasts, artisans, heroines, voyagers, and all kinds of extraordinary extraordinaires will be interviewed in our SHAPERS series.”

SHAPERS / / MONTANA EYES

Over on swanky Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, there's a darling and intimate, sexy and wonderful eyeglass shop that's been in existence for just shy of a quarter of a century, holding strong throughout the street's many retail vicissitudes since 1994. That darling, sexy shop is none other than Montana Eyes, owned by Marla Cohn and managed full-time by her daughter, Rebecca Cohn. The vibe is generous and sweet and they have seriously INCREDIBLE frames for sunglasses or spectacles, crafted by designers all over the goddamn world. I can think of at least a handful of devoted clients (me and my husband included) who will go to no one else to find beautiful frames that actually complement your face and are a refreshing and resplendent departure from uninspired, fairly ubiquitous eyewear. Also, Montana Eyes is mega dog-friendly - they have an enormous terrier named Mia, who rules the Montana Eyes roost. 

We're obviously stoked they were willing to tackle our SHAPERS Q+A! Thank you, Rebecca + Marla! We adore you! xx - Rebecca

Rebecca + Marla - a dynamic duo like no other! 

1 - How long have you been in the designer eyewear industry? 

I suppose you could say I was born into the industry. I’ve never remembered a time in my life there weren’t glasses all over the house. My mother Marla, the owner of Montana Eyes, has been in the optical industry since she was 18 years old. She opened the store twenty-three years ago, and though it’s gone through several changes; remodeling, new brands, and new neighbors, it has always been my second home.

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You guys are one of the most dog-friendly spots in town, with glass jars of dog treats on the main table and oftentimes terrier Mia is in attendance. How did your rescue terrier find her way to you?

Well I think dogs and glasses have simply always made sense to us. My mom grew up with dogs, and we always had dogs. Mia finding her way into our family is sort of kismet. We had a dachshund for eighteen years named Elroy. Losing him was really tough, and it took my Mom several years to be ready for a new dog. My Mom had been in contact with a boutique/rescue up the street on Montana Avenue called Two Wag For, and they called us and said they had a puppy we should come meet. I went up the street and there I saw Mia - a small, awkwardly adorable black and white scruffy puppy. I called my mother and said something like, “You have to come see this angel”. The next day my Mom and I came to see Mia, and I kid you not when my mother picked Mia up, they hugged each other. I could cry talking about it, because it was kind of one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. I wholeheartedly believe they are soul mates.

Oh, Mia. 

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As one of the absolute BEST spots to get bitchin' glasses and shades, you have a fair amount of celebrities who frequent your shop and are wholly devoted to Montana Eyes. Can you share a few names or a fun anecdote about one of your fave famous clients?

I think one of the best parts about Montana Eyes is that we’ve created a safe environment for everyone to feel at home. My mother and I have never been name droppers and very often we have to hide how star struck we are. We treat all customers the same way, even when they are some of the most famous celebrities worldwide.

Party down at Montana Eyes! 

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What is your favorite room in the house and what surprises would we find there?

My living room is very much my happy place. The space is eclectic with colorful desert tones. I have a very healthy cactus in a rust colored pot named Montana (clearly after the Avenue the store is located on), a record player and cabinet with an assortment of vinyl I’ve been collecting for years, vintage speakers and throw pillows I’ve picked up in Joshua Tree over several visits.

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What is your go-to album (or albums) to listen to while road tripping?

Lately I have fallen in love with a newer indie-rock band called Whitney. Their album "Light Upon the Lake" is sweet, peppy, and extremely easy to drive to. Perfect "drive-up-the-coast" music. 

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Tortoise, plaid, or ombre?

Tortoise, always. Tortoise reminds me of my childhood and the retro styles I grew up seeing.

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Name three of your favorite eyewear designers and use a single word to describe each.

Jacques Marie Mage- Strong
Theo- Architectural
Cutler and Gross- Nostalgic

Soft focus glamour and gorgeousness. 

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What’s your favorite spot in California to daydream and reset your soul?

I love the newer Getty. I could spend an entire afternoon out there in the garden with my journal and Polaroid camera. It’s a quiet bubble above what feels like the world.

TIME IS TALLER THAN SPACE IS WIDE

Clear your Saturday evening, people. Get a sitter, make it an art date night with reservations at your favorite Culver City bistro, and before you eat by candlelight, GO SEE DAVID LLOYD'S EXHIBITION AT KLOWDEN MANN! We may seemingly be biased, as David is Deb's wildly talented spouse, but that doesn't have a smidge of influence in our discernment of amazing art.  

The show was just hung yesterday and looks incredible. We'll refrain from sneak peeks here, as we think it's best experienced live and in-person. ;) Opening is this Saturday, January 28th, from 6-8 PM. See you there! 

Tonight, we're off to the opening of Art Contemporary Los Angeles to scope out the work of contemporary artists all over the globe.  Lots of art happening this week!

WIth love, 
xx Rebecca

Saving the Magical Unicorns

Magical unicorns exist. They're often overlooked because they're imperfect - they've got a broken leg or a skin condition, they're over (or under) weight, they're older, maybe their vision is a bit impaired, their mobility limited. They're the dogs at the animal shelters most people might walk past. But Los Angeles-based rescue A Purposeful Rescue sees them and passionately advocates for these charming and adorable cherubim of all shapes and sizes, pulling them from the shelter system and giving them a second (or third or fourth) chance at a happy life overbrimming with love and care in forever homes. 

Between us, Deb and I have over half a dozen rescue dogs (and we're eternally grateful to our husbands for being such massive animal lovers - shout out to David and Ned - we love you guys!). One of my own is an APR magical unicorn and he's everything magical and wonderful that dogs are and he makes me laugh every goddamn day. This month, Puka is My Homie's (that's Puka in the pic above!) momma, Christine, launched a fundraiser for APR -- you can help the magical unicorns by contributing a small donation directly or sending a gift from @APurposefulRescue’s Amazon Wish List AND IN RETURN you will automatically be entered in a raffle to win some awesome prizes for you and your own magical unicorn! 

We donated a pair of our super pretty limited edition African cloth pillows, custom-made here in Los Angeles (measuring 20x20 and with a faux down insert) and the other prizes are mega awesome, too...alpaca blanket from Allkupets, paw hoodie from Crazy Rebels, custom pet mug from Hadley Clay Studio, cotton rope leash from Lasso Dogs, silicone mold set to make homemade dog treats from MyLeDogue, custom pet portrait from Run Love Dog, a bandana, bow tie collar, and toy for your pup from The Max Bone, and a GPS for your pup's collar from the TrackR! 

The fundraiser ends on February 9th and is happening right NOW, so you can start saving the magical unicorns once you've finished reading this post. ;) 

with love and magical unicorn pixie dust,
Rebecca xx

 

OUR HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP IN VENICE, CALIFORNIA

First of all, Thank you SO MUCH for your support this holiday season and always! You likely already know that, from the inception of our burgeoning business, Deb and I have endeavored to support the work of independent makers and creators, brilliant, forward-thinkers who use both their heads and their hearts to navigate throughout the world. We hold community, generosity, and kindness in great regard and reverence.

Now, more than ever, we're certain that bolstering the intrepid doers, dreamers, trailblazers, designers, painters, sculptors, and brethren of small business owners is vital. We're having a holiday pop-up shop on Sunday, December 11th (324 C Sunset, next to Gjusta Bakery and 10 AM - 4 PM) and are offering a motley of one-of-a-kind creations from people all over the country and beyond. We're stoked to be able to bring together this collection of artisan-made gifts - from soaps to jewelry to linen napkins, dog beds to wood coasters to candles and much more - and offer it to our fellow lovers of original design and vision, those of you/us who prefer to shop small and think big, as it were.

Lily Spindle will be making donations to some of our favorite animal rescues this holiday season, as we do throughout the year, but we'll also be including causes and groups that we feel honor our inherent human rights, the inherent rights of our earth, and the equality we've strived for and need to preserve and build upon.

 We can't wait to see you on the 11th! And if you see something on our Facebook or Instagram pages you absolutely MUST have but it is a limited edition item for the pop-up, give us a shout and we'll create a custom listing for you. Easy breezy peasy.  

with love, 
Rebecca + Deb

The Art of Collecting and the Collecting of Art

Ownership is the most intimate relationship one can have to objects. Not that they come alive in him; it is he who comes alive in them.”   -Walter Benjamin

 

Here at Lily Spindle we’ve been thinking about collecting lately. Let me begin by saying that we LOVE collecting, if that’s not already obvious. You only have to look around our respective abodes to find carefully curated collections, from colorful midcentury pitchers to awesomely awkward vintage paintings to the sculptural ceramics of Nancy Wright.  And it’s our belief that if ONE of something is wonderful, then TEN variations are even more amazing! Just witness the eleven rescue dogs and cats that Rebecca and I have between us (but hoarding is whole other blog post!)  So when does this urge to amass start?  Is it there from the very beginning like some dormant genetic code waiting to be awakened?  Clearly we all do it.  Who hasn’t gathered pretty shells on the beach or an assortment of the fanciest marbles, or maybe stamps or coins? Let's face it, collecting is just plain fun or the “American Pickers” TV show wouldn’t be on Season 16! 

Nancy Wright Ceramics at Lilyspindle.com

Collecting does satisfy some basic human needs and has tangible benefits too: appreciation of beauty or eccentricity, the quest for esoteric knowledge,  pride of ownership and relaxation.  Collecting may be inspired by nostalgia (one of my triggers), competitiveness (fun for some), investment or the thrill of the find.

No matter the reason for doing it, a well-honed collection can be the pièce de résistance in any room.  Whether it’s a row of vintage portraits down a long hallway, a grouping of Fat Lava Vases on a credenza or an assemblage of vintage surfboards, we at Lily Spindle believe that a good collection is transcendent and meaningful.  It's a reflection of the collector's passions and conveys personality, connoisseurship, warmth and charm.   And collecting isn't just the privilege reserved for the select few.  The value is in the joy it brings to the collector.

So why not get started on a collection of your own? Trust me - you're going to find it hard to control the ensuing obsession.  But here are some Lily Spindle tips to guide you.

xx-Debra

BE TRUE TO YOUR TASTES

Do you have a favorite genre? Landscapes, seascapes, portraits? Pick a single subject or artistic style and explore the heck out of it.  You won’t believe how many different ways artists see the same thing!  P.S. A salon-style hanging of kindred paintings is an excellent way to make a collection of small pieces work for you in a BIG way.

A Low Brow Art Collection of Paint-by-numbers Dog paintings

Volcano paintings: a collaboration between LA artists Ned Evans + David Lloyd

MIX AND MATCH

Collect objects that have the same function but take many different forms.  Sometimes the differences are subtle but the possibilities are endless!

                        Teapots- short and stout, English, Asian, new and old.

                 Gorgeous toile trays become wall art.

REDISCOVER AND REPURPOSE

There's tremendous beauty to be found in pedestrian objects that have outlived their usefulness.  Imagine new ways to display and highlight the loveliness of ordinary things.

                                 Glass fishing floats become a hanging garden.

                      An ascending installation of vintage wood shoe forms.

SUPPORT CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS

Are you curious about the art of our times but you need help understanding it? Talk to art professionals- gallerists and art consultants can provide guidance including us at Lily Spindle with over 20 years experience in the contemporary art world.  Museums have collector membership groups that explore the local artist community.  Collecting contemporary art is very rewarding and the acquisitions can be a strong complement to modern décor. 

                     Jean-Michel Basquiat and Damien Hirst feature prominently
                                       in this collection of heavy hitters.