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Harvison
Residence
Fort Worth
Dining Room
Max Jones painting ever.
Residence
Hotel ZaZa
Residence
Photo Shoot
Dallas
Residence
Plano, TX
Residence
Dallas
Longview, TX
media room
Dublin Sofa at Jones Walker
Jones Walker
Forward
Jones Walker
Jones Walker
Sofa @ Jones Walker. This
painting was named level three
because I finished it as a level
three hurricane was about to
come ashore near new orleans.
It was not Katrina
Powerhouse (r)
over the Plaza Sofa in the
Jones Walker Showroom
Dallas Voice
April 20, 2006
click to enlarge
Want to start a serious art collection but don't know where to begin? Max Jones has some tips for searching out investment decor By
Ryan Short Contributing Writer
For centuries, art has been the icing to every house's cake. From cave wall drawings to the framed works of famed artists in the
Renaissance, collections of art can really define a home's emotional feel.
In the modern era, with eBay, mass-market art-in-a-box retail clones and hundreds of art galleries at your fingertips, finding the right
work to display may seem like a labor - and not one of love.
But finding the perfect painting for your pad shouldn't be as difficult as breaking the Da Vinci code. Purchasing a personal collection can
and should be a joy, and lead to impressive and exciting results. And a few pointers to help get your first foot forward toward
decorating your apartment or house with excellent art can be a boon.
"The jumping off questions is, what speaks to me?" says Max Jones, who co-owns Jones Walker Furniture on McKinney Avenue
with his partner, Tony Walker. He is also a noted painter in his own right.
Art is very personal and yet very visible in your home. Your collection represents who you are and what you are all about."
North Texas has a fantastic art scene from which to draw inspiration. Deep Ellum, Uptown and the Bishop Arts District house many
chic hot-spots brimming with talented artists. The Dallas Museum of Art always impresses, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort
Worth and the Kimbell Art Museum are only a Trinity Rail ride away. And, of course, there is the most impressive asset of all: the
Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas' premier collection of world-class work.
So with all these resources at your fingertips, educating yourself about art should be a cinch. Before taking the plunge, though, get
down to basics.
Think about your own personality and lifestyle before you lay down a chunk of change, Jones recommends. Some men wear
Dickies: others wear Dolce & Gabbana. Know which one you are. A breathtaking landscape from early 19th century Americana
may appear bold on the white walls of a gallery, but such a classic piece might not suit an ultra modern downtown loft dweller. Or
maybe it would. Only each individual personality can speak to individual taste in art.
There are trickier more detailed dilemmas that the neophyte art enthusiast may encounter. Should you start by featuring work by a
single artist, or diversify your showcased talent? What sort of color palette would work best? How large or small should a work be for a
room?
"People collect work in a variety of ways." says Jones. "I've seen people that like the work of an artist and start a collection of pieces
by that artist. I've also seen clients that collect pieces by genre or content." The possibilities for purchasing strategies are endless.
Jones suggests taking each step on its own. Moods and tastes may shift once your awareness of available art changes. Jones
advises only buying one piece at a time, at least for new collectors. Art is an investment as much as a piece of decor - don't tie up too
much money before deciding what you really like.
With that in mind, Jones says to always listen to the little voice in your head and act on what speaks to you. Friends and family will
admire your choices, your wallet will thank you and you will enjoy your home that much more.
In terms of home decor, art exists not just as its own beautiful artifact but as a design element for your house or apartment. Like
furniture, a framed work can shrink or enrich a room's spatial feel and accessibility. But Jones notes that art can free us from the
forgone conclusions of home arrangement.
"In designing a space, art is where we can break some of the rules," he says. "I usually don't recommend selecting a piece because
it matches the window treatment. Art should be more about the mood or message than just the color."
A great way to start to discover your inner aesthete is throw yourself into the scene. That doesn't necessarily mean sipping red wine
and waxing poetic with a crew of artsy connoisseurs - just see what your neighborhood has to offer. In the Uptown area, every first
Friday of the month is Uptown Off the Wall, a casual event in which local artists and businesses open their doors while potential clients
enjoy hors d'oeuvres and drinks and stroll from gallery to gallery.
"In one evening of Uptown Off the Wall, a starting collector can experience everything from brand new work by relatively unknown
artists to internationally recognized pieces from around the globe," says Jones, whose Jones Walker participates in the monthly stroll.
"These events are great ways to experience what is available and get a collection started."
Jones Walker features five artists, including Max Jones (whose work is largely abstract) and the very popular Jennifer Morgan
(whose colorful and fantastical figures have attracted a substantial following). Spending time with a collection of art can help you narrow
your choices.
Jones also suggests visiting charity auctions as a way of discovering and acquiring fabulous new art. Annual extravaganzas such as
the Black Tie Dinner or events like the Guys and Dolls Art Auction may offer a grand variety of donated work for usually a lower price
than what you might discover at a gallery.
But sometimes, the best plan for finding a perfect piece is to take a friend when you shop. You can't always be your own best critic, so
bring along a trusted confidant to bounce off ideas and get reactions. Bring along a sidekick with similar taste and open mind, and
leave the stubborn know-it-all comrade at home. You will want to browse the works with someone willing to see your vision as its fit for
you.
At the end of the day, remember it's your home, your purchase and your decision. "The art around you is not solely aesthetic," says
Jones. "It serves as an opportunity to tell a story about who lives here."
Follow your instincts and your tastes, and you will find your own personal collection in no time.
For more information about Max Jones, visit joneswalkerfurniture.com and maxjones.net. For information about Uptown Off the
Wall and participating galleries, visit uptowndallas.net.
May/June 2006
"Around Town"
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