One and only

LITTLE ROCK — Bobby Tucker might be considered an accidental collector. Although he had purchased some art earlier in his life, an unexpected event steered him onto the path to Sotheby’s and his successful bid for The Red Haw Tree by Carroll Cloar in 1999.

“A few years earlier, some friends came over for dinner and they happened to be great friends with Cloar,” he states. “Later they sent a thank-you note saying they loved dinner but really loved the Carroll Cloar painting in our living room. I decided right then we had to find the original painting because we could not have our friends thinking the print hanging on the wall was a real painting.”

The print, a gift from the Arkansas born artist to Tucker’s aunt and later passed on to him, had sentimental value but it left a mark about the importance of owning original art. Tucker’s love and collection of Cloar’s paintings,especially those of Arkansas scenes, continues today.

When asked what advice he would give new collectors he says: “Rule number one: Buy what you like.”

This theme runs through the veins of most art collectors, including Marilyn Porter.

She bought her first piece about 35 years ago. It was a Charles Fogle from the Arkansas Arts Center’s Art Rental Purchase Gallery, a lease-to purchase plan that is no longer offered.

“People have finer collections than we do but I have learned that everyone’s collection is unique,” Porter says.

“Art is very private and really a selfish hobby. We received a lot of good advice from The Collectors Group at the Arkansas Arts Center and they are why we became interested in filling our home with art we love. The group still exists today.”