On Collecting Art: Q&A with Adam Milliron
During the global pandemic of 2020 many of us were forced to stay and work from home. We at Associated Artists of Pittsburgh found that our community began to really take in the experience of living and working around the artwork in their homes. Whether it be just one painting purchased at a coffee shop a few years ago, or a collection amassed over many years, the joy of living with original artwork began to manifest for many. At AAP, we want to focus on the many benefits of collecting artwork and supporting local artists. This is the fourth iteration of our online store: Living with Art: IV
For the fourth iteration of the store, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh worked photographer and collector, Adam Milliron, to curate an online store featuring the works of our members. Adam is a Pittsburgh based commercial food photographer and ceramics collector. His work has been seen in Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, ELLE Décor, and TABLE Magazine with commercial clients ranging from Primanti Bros., Sheetz, Brusters Ice Cream to Amazon and local restaurants.
Our Content and Creations Coordinator, Jamie Earnest, spoke briefly with Adam about his experience with art collecting, supporting local artists, and advice Adam might have beginner collectors. Read the Q&A below.
Jamie: You’ve been a collector and a supporter of artists for many years. What got you into the idea of collecting artwork?
Adam: My high school photography teacher took me to many art shows when I was young and always told me to collect art and support artists. When I got older, I realized the amazing work I saw at shows I could actually own. Then my interest grew around the artists and visiting their studios.
Of course from there, like a cookie, you never have just one!
Jamie: Do you see any crossover between your career as a professional photographer and an avid art collector?
Adam: In some form. I think my career makes me appreciate technique, surfaces, and emotion in art.
As my work has become more commercial, I think about viewing art, in a gallery, studio or art fair - as ways for me to find inspiration.
Maybe in the design, colors, use of those two or creating interest. Artists want the viewer to get lost in their work as much as I want my clients or consumers to want to stare at my work.
Jamie: How do you go about choosing what artwork to collect? What do you look for in a piece of artwork for your collection?
Adam: For me it’s a gut emotion. I can be scrolling through social media and spot a piece in a show or artists studio that then makes me want to learn more about that artist.
During the pandemic, I used the #artistssupportpledge to find interesting artists all over the world I would have never known about. Maybe starting with a $200 piece then exploring their body of work more.
I do know that I false advertise/romance myself about how a piece may one day live in my home or collection, sometimes I think about how a piece might live with other work I have, a visual connection or a complete juxtaposition.
Jamie: What benefits do you see in specifically supporting and collecting the artwork of local Pittsburgh artists?
Adam: I love seeing artists I’ve collected - maybe for a long time - coming up in the city. Spotting their work around, or at the Carnegie as they grow. If they are alive, I value being able to meet and talk about their practice or ideas for the future of their work. If they are not still around, I love exploring and learning about their bodies of work from the past, maybe finding a piece at a vintage store or estate sale.
Jamie: Finally, what advice would you give to first time collectors or aspiring collectors?
Adam: Hmmm… Look around and keep your eyes wide. Go to all the shows you can, visit studios, watch for patterns and what catches your eye, your heart will tell you!
The art world is giant and reaches far! Buy pieces you want to move with you through your life, be a caretaker to. Now that I don’t exactly have wall space left, I will mentally sit on a piece and see if I wake up thinking about it or think about it through the day.
I will sometimes ask an artist to hold two pieces for me and let me know if somebody shows interest. I don’t like to suggest this because artists have Bills to pay, so be sure you are serious but I think all parties want the right pieces to live with the right guardians!
