November 13, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

An Art Collector’s Perspective

By Libby Lancaster

 

Longtime Santa Monica resident and photographer Michael Grecco knows a bit about art collecting. Being a photographer, Grecco said he focuses on photographic works because he knows that area of the market well. “I also collect paintings and sculpture that I have followed for a longtime so that I can understand the pricing. His collection includes two large Ed Moses, a large Retna and several Man Ray pieces.

Grecco frequents auctions several times a year. “My ex-wife and I started collecting together and we have left the collection intact in trust for our three kids. We think it’s a beautiful thing a family can eventually leave their children,” he explained.

Grecco started attending the Santa Monica Auction events at Bergamot Station 15 years ago and has his eye on several works in this weekend’s scheduled sale.

“I purchase things I love that I also believe will appreciate in value. If I get a good offer from an auction house in NY or a collector, I might sell something at a profit and then buy new work,” Grecco said.

Santa Monica’s Auction’s fall event takes place Saturday, Nov. 18 and features the work of many Latino artists who fall under the umbrella of the Getty Museum’s initiative Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA which explores Latin American and Latino art in dialogue with Los Angeles.

Several works by well-known Latino artist Carlos Almaraz with be up for auction, including the famed Hawaiian Nocturne, which is currently on view at LACMA. Additional artists whose works available for bidding include: Andy Warhol, Ed Kienholz, Peter Alexander, Patrick Nagel, Llyn Foulkes, Keith Haring and more.

Grecco stressed the importance of research prior to attending the auction and prior to re-selling the art work. He bases his decision to bid on an item while considering two factors, first he must love the artwork, next he must purchase it below retail.

As a successful commercial photographer Grecco has developed many relationships with possible buyers, which has helped him, but he insists with the proper research anyone can do the same. He said that people should trust their gut…Use your eye and love of art, then buy low and sell high!!”

You may bump into Grecco at the Santa Monica Auctions event this week. All types of media will be available: paintings, photography, sculpture, drawing, prints multiples and more.

Works for the auction are on view now at the Santa Monica Auctions Gallery (A-7) or The Robert Berman Gallery at B-7 through Friday Nov.17 until 8 p.m. Staff are onsite to answer any questions. All of the works are on display now and ready to view with new consignments being added daily. The continually updated online catalogue may be viewed at smauctions.com.

The Fall auction will take place Saturday, Nov. 18, 6 p.m. and Sunday Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. at the B7 gallery space at Bergamot Station Arts Center, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica 90404. For additional info call 310.315.1937, www.smauctions.com

Andy Warhol; Flowers, 1970; Silkscreen’ From the numbered edition of 250; Signed in ballpoint pen on verso, stamped on verso; Sheet: 36 x 36 inches; Framed: 36.5 x 36.5 inches; Provenance: Acquired from Ronnie Greenburg Gallery by Frank Jacobs ca. 1975
Estimate: $20,000/$25,000
– Carlos Almaraz (NOW on view at LACMA); Hawaiian Nocturne, 1983; Pastel on paper; Signed and dated on recto; 18.75 x 24.5 inches; Provenance: Acquired directly from the Artist by present owner; Currently on view/on exhibit at LACMA’s Playing with Fire; Illustrated: Playing with Fire, Paintings by Carlos Almaraz, p. 37; Estimate: $25,000/$30,000

For more on Grecco go to: michaelgrecco.com.

 

<>Related Posts

SM.a.r.t Column: Moving Ahead to the Future

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

As we write this, the election results are still trickling in. We’ll leave the deep analysis to others, but the...

Opinion: Fact Check: Why Vote Yes on Measure QS

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

Despite living in a famously progressive region, Santa Monicans are not immune from the same political misinformation and disinformation that...

SM.a.r.t Column: Lack of Oversight and No Accountability

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

S.M.a.r.t. periodically invites guest columnists to write opinion articles on topics of particular interests to our readers. Below is an...

SM.a.r.t Column: “Help! I’ve Fallen, and I …!!”, Cries Santa Monica!

October 25, 2024

October 25, 2024

Maybe fallen, but slipping for sure from being a desirable beachfront community that served all equally, the local residents who...

SM.a.r.t. Column: Vote

October 13, 2024

October 13, 2024

In a polarized country or City every vote counts. Regardless of which side of any issue or candidate you support,...

SM.a.r.t Column: Fact-Checking Election-Season Windbaggery

October 6, 2024

October 6, 2024

Claim: The state is requiring Santa Monica to build 9,000 apartments.Answer: Partially true, partially false. Santa Monica has a pretty...

SM.a.r.t. Column: Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Can Help Save Lives and Revitalize Santa Monica’s Economy

September 29, 2024

September 29, 2024

We wholeheartedly endorse the candidates below for Santa Monica City Council. Their leading campaign platform is for increased safety in...

SM.a.r.t Column: Crime in Santa Monica: A Growing Concern and the Need for Prioritizing Public Safety

September 22, 2024

September 22, 2024

By Michael Jolly Over the past six months, Santa Monica has experienced a concerning rise in crime, sparking heated discussions...

SM.a.r.t Column: Ten New Commandments

September 15, 2024

September 15, 2024

Starting last week,  the elementary school students of Louisiana will all face mandatory postings of the biblical Ten Commandments in...

SM.a.r.t Column: Santa Monica’s Next City Council

September 8, 2024

September 8, 2024

In the next general election, this November 5th, Santa Monica residents will be asked to vote their choices among an...

SM.a.r.t Column: Part II: The Affordability Crisis: Unmasking California’s RHNA Process and Its Role in Gentrification

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

Affordability: An Income and Available Asset Gap Issue, Not a Supply Issue (Last week’s article revealed how state mandates became...

SM.a.r.t Column: Part 1: The Affordability Crisis: Unmasking California’s RHNA Process and Its Role in Gentrification

August 26, 2024

August 26, 2024

In the world of economic policy, good intentions often pave the way to unintended consequences. Nowhere is this more evident...

SM.a.r.t Column: They Want to Build a Wall

August 18, 2024

August 18, 2024

Every once in a while, a topic arises that we had previously written about but doesn’t seem to go away....

SM.a.r.t Column: Sharks vs. Batteries – Part 5 of 5

August 11, 2024

August 11, 2024

This is the last SMart article in an expanding  5 part series about our City’s power, water, and food prospects....

SM.a.r.t Column: Your Home’s First Battery Is in Your Car

August 4, 2024

August 4, 2024

This is the fourth in a series of SM.a.r.t articles about food, water, and energy issues in Santa Monica. You...