A client of mine the other day told me about a piece of art she recently acquired. She and her husband had been saving for a long time for a painting by this one particular artist. I’ve seen the art, and it didn’t do anything for me personally, but that just goes to show how subjective art is. When the picked up the piece at the gallery in Florida, my client immediately burst into tears. She had arranged her whole living room around where this one painting would go, and now it was finally hers. She said she couldn’t stop crying, it was such a great moment for her. The gallery owner even started crying, and tracked down the artist, who came the next day, and resigned and dated the painting on the back for the excited couple. I was so moved by her story, and I thought, this is exactly what art should do. It should bring a response from the viewer that is pure, and involuntary. It should be treasured and saved for, and it should open up new spaces. I was even teary listening to my client talk about her experience, and how she now looks forward to seeing the painting every morning when she wakes up. It has made her life richer, and her home more loved.

Not long ago, I saw a documentary called Herb and Dorothy, about a couple in New York City who have devoted their lives, and every penny they’ve earned, to the art that they love.

Watch the movie. It’ll make you look at art in a new way.