COLLECTOR PROFILE Meet Don & Jo

When visiting an all new city or country, one often returns with memories rich in colors, smells, sights, and tastes. More often than not, one also brings back a relic of the place visited, a small keepsake to commemorate the trip. Don and Jo Grayson however have opted to leave the keychains behind and instead bring home works of art.

G rayson Collectors of both Loet Vanderveen and Michael Flohr, the pair has recently

run out of space around their home to continue their proud display. Don was first attracted to art nearly three decade ago, drawn to the life-likeness Vanderveen seemed to instill in his sculpture work.

A cheetah called out to Don no matter how many times he tried to avoid it, and no matter the objections his bank account seemed to raise. “I couldn’t afford anything when I first started collecting. I walked by the cheetah about 15 times before I said I was going to buy it. I had to have it.”

Since then, everywhere Don has been he has sought out Vanderveen’s work.

“These are the only animal sculptures that I have seen that really seem alive,” he said. “They seemed like they could just get up and keep walking. I just really love them. Everywhere we go, I always say I’m not going to buy another, and then I end up buying another.” The Grayson’s collection of sculptures now runs into the mid-twenties, and their collection of Flohr’s work not far behind.

22 OFF THE EASEL MAGAZINE – WINTER 2016