Wrightson & the Studio collection of Henry Hui 0

[cmaeditor]

I first met Henry when I was working at Phoenix Comic's Gessner store in the 90s. He only came in once a month, His diner only closed on the last Sunday of the month, but picked up everything we pulled for him. I didn't know he was an art collector until we both went to a local comic convention that coincided with his diner closing for that Sunday. He was getting a commission from Paul Ryan while I was flipping through Paul's art on The Flash. Henry said I should buy a page as it was a better investment than comics. I am paraphrasing him, but he said something  like this:

"Why buy one copy of a Million copies out there as expect it to have any value. You buy this page of art and you are the only one who owns it. There are no other copies out there."

I bought my first page of art that day.

Eventually we became friends and he invited me over to check out his collection one day. I walked in and there was art covering all the walls from top to bottom. He had entire rooms of flat files for art that he couldn't hang on the walls. I saw Artemis and Apollo hanging over his living room couch. He has the prelim for Jeffrey Jone's Blind Narcissus hanging behind his front door. He really like the Studio guys, but also had a large collection of Mad Magazine art as well. the last time I saw Henry he was putting the final touches on his house he had build in Katy.

On April 1st 2014 I woke up to an email that said Henry had died. I will forever miss him and his wisdom.

[grapeape]

14 hours ago, jjonahjameson11 said:

It belongs in a museum for all to appreciate.  Better than any Frazetta, IMHO

Rob Pistella is the caretaker now. That man has an incredible appreciation for great art. I visit his CAF all the time and always stop by to absorb Age of Innocence. It simply is one of the finest paintings I’ve experienced in my 52 years (mostly wasted).

A masterpiece.

 

[vodou]

11 hours ago, grapeape said:

Rob Pistella is the caretaker now.

Last I heard -several years ago- it was going to Europe for $250k, but on a payment plan, so probably still in Rob's home?

FWIW I don't ascribe to the curator/caretaker view, it's property.

[grapeape]

39 minutes ago, vodou said:

Last I heard -several years ago- it was going to Europe for $250k, but on a payment plan, so probably still in Rob's home?

FWIW I don't ascribe to the curator/caretaker view, it's property.

Yes it is property. 
Still I am on a mission to remind people to handle art with care. To share it. Preserve it. 

You can physically or legally possess property. But collectors can never truly “own” what they didn’t create. It passes through their hands eventually. IMO

[Bronty]

On 9/5/2020 at 12:40 PM, grapeape said:

Yes it is property. 
Still I am on a mission to remind people to handle art with care. To share it. Preserve it. 

You can physically or legally possess property. But collectors can never truly “own” what they didn’t create. It passes through their hands eventually. IMO

And how different is that than real estate?   We don’t get to create that or bury it with us either.  
 

I understand the sentiment but also the counterpoint 

Edited September 6, 2020 by Bronty

[grapeape]

On 9/6/2020 at 11:00 AM, Bronty said:

And how different is that than real estate?   We don’t get to create that or bury it with us either.  
 

I understand the sentiment but also the counterpoint 

Yes I’m conflicted but ok with it.

Vodou is right. I own each page of art I have paid for.

The sentiment: I have been doing this just long enough to know that the artists put their heart and soul into the work. Yes even the “hacks.” Many fed their families this way or paid a mortgage.

I can’t separate the two. This art was never meant to be worth these ridiculous sums. I’m glad they are. I think the money lends legitimacy for those who can’t see art for art sake. Gee whiz many gleefully point out most of this isn’t “art.”

Its art.

I met the greats. Shook hands. Became friends with some. It makes it harder to detach myself from their contributions. I always feel in some way the art still belongs  to them (artists).

When I buy a piece this is where my brain goes. 
1) Where did I first see the image?  (Nostalgia) 

2) How does the work move me spiritually and in the nervous system.

3) Ultimately my mind goes to the year the page was created

 4) Finally I envision the artist, in the bullpen, or at his or her drawing table (Kirby) working on the very page I’m going after. Or that I “own.” That is the same, for me every time.

This is art. 
Not the finished product (I don’t care)

Its not art ( The hell it isn’t)

The artist a hack (not to everyone)

Im not a caretaker of art I’m an owner of property ( fine live in that world I prefer mine.) 

I was looking at these 3 pics. Yes Grapeape “owns” work from each of them. But I can never own what these artists had inside them to create those works.

Still I concede the point of property.

Nah....not exactly.

pics top to bottom grape to the left on each....

Harry Lampert 

Gene Colan

John Romita Sr.

Edited November 9, 2020 by grapeape

[First Upgrade]

Once upon a time, among the collection of Henry H. Huie...

[First Upgrade]

...(continued)

[Timely]

I guess this is as good as anyplace to ask this question.

 

Why did Wrightson leave Swamp Thing after 10 issues? Boredom, in-fighting, pay raise denied, demanding work load, new promising project? Anybody know for sure?

It doesn't seem like Wrightson stayed on anything for too long!

[Bronty]

Ha that’s so true.    Issue here, issue there.   
 

I don’t know the answer to your question. 

[Bird]

someone more knowledgeable will chime in but I thought it was that the work was just too demanding and he was spending too much time on detail

I once had an artist show me how Berni worked and the artist dipped his brush in the ink, tested it on the edge of the page or some scrap paper, got the consistency he needed and got 3 strokes out of it. Repeat. That could be more for the plates than ST, but I got the idea.

Edited March 19, 2021 by Bird