THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY

Collecting Art is a funny thing. As an artist myself, I always feel like I don't need to buy other people's art. I barely have enough walls to hang and frame my own works. I always admire big, bright and bold works of others, but finding one I love is pretty rare.

The Ipanema Art fair happens once a week in Rio, and we arrived on that very day. After dropping off our bags with the concierge, we hailed a cab and hastened to check out the art in the park. It was our first hour of our entire trip, and I didn't know what to expect. Surprisingly, I loved everything.

I tend to cautiously make purchases to make sure I don't just buy the first thing I see. I used to be more impulsive, and now have closets full of things that don't have a place to live in my smallish home. I walked around, chatted, and thought that the entire stay would be full of incredible art. This was the first (and rare) time that not buying did not serve me well.

Sometimes, the first thing you see is the best thing you'll ever see. If it had been the last day, I would have gone home with several easels under my arms.

The Art fair was the highlight of the Rio stay and I do wish I had purchased a few of the pieces. The colors were incredible, the textures were rich and the artists themselves chatted about their works. The quiet girl who painted the bold sunsets talked about her inspiration The cool guy who painted the florescent favelas with thick strokes talked about his upbringing. The suave graphic designer/art director who painted the sultry pin up girls spoke while puffing a cigar. I loves his style and his expressive painterly gestures. The Pin Up Girls spoke to me the most, which is unusual as I usually like more abstract pieces. It was the attitude and the color that made them so alluring. Definitely wanted to bring one home with me.

But, who knows? Rio, when I'm back this will be our first stop again.