Broken Cottonwoods — Taos, by Clark Hulings

People, Paintings & Provenance

“Long story short, I am now the very proud owner (caretaker is perhaps a better way to think of it) of your Dad’s Broken Cottonwoods — Taos!”

Collectors are invaluable in the visual art world, as they are the stewards and caretakers of tradition. Where a painting hangs and who enjoys it, as well as the stories of how it came to be displayed in its current location, are part of its heritage and provenance. Often in families the work is enjoyed over several generations, appreciating in both sentimental and market value.

Broken Cottonwoods — Taos

We have been keeping you up to date with news of Hulings’ work, so as we look back over the successes of the past year, there’s a story about a painting we thought might inspire you. Clark Hulings’ Broken Cottonwoods — Taos was up at auction this fall. This is a beautiful piece painted in 1980, with a rich yellow color palette for the dry grass, an inviting lane, and then the wildness of spiked trees reaching into the sky like lightning and as jagged as the barbed wire fence. Although the slightly overcast sky is almost purple, there’s a tiny reprieve in the patch of bright blue if you look carefully on the right.

“I noticed a link featuring three of your Dad’s paintings and clicked on it just to take a look…”

Here’s the story of how Broken Cottonwoods—Taos came home with a “Freshly Revealed” reader:

“A couple of weeks ago, I was catching up on some emails and came to your November 3rd email from the the Hulings Estate. I noticed a link at the bottom to an auction featuring three of your Dad’s paintings and clicked on it just to take a look. […] I handed the iPad to my wife (who didn’t even know your Dad’s painting was on the screen) and asked what she thought. She said she loved it. Long story short, I am now the very proud owner (caretaker is perhaps a better way to think of it) of your Dad’s Broken Cottonwoods — Taos!

To be honest, I never thought I’d be fortunate enough to have one of his paintings […]. I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me when I see it on the wall — not only because it is a wonderful piece of art but more particularly because it reminds me of what a kind, thoughtful and wonderful man your Father was and how lovely and generous he was to my Father and my Family.” — George Holloway

Home with the Holloways

Knowing that the Holloways are now the proud custodians of this painting is a wonderful way to wrap up 2017. If you ever have questions about the work you see in one of our newsletters, just let us know — you never know what could happen!

Have a very happy New Year’s celebration and see you in 2018!

Do You Know About the Clark Hulings Foundation?

A portion of net proceeds of the Clark Hulings Estate are donated to CHF, to enable working artists like Clark to build self-sustaining businesses.

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