What’s in a Name

What's in a Name?

One of the most challenging aspects of this crazy art journey is naming a piece once it's completed. I keep names in notebooks, in my phone, on scraps of clay covered tablets in my studio.  They are everywhere.  I also keep a list of names I've already used so I don't repeat them.  

Why am I putting this into a newsletter?  Because, I too am an art collector.  I have been slowly replacing all our prints that don't have a sentimental attachment, with original artwork by some of my favorite artists.  In December I received a call from a gallery about a new oil painting that was dropped off by an artist who I am actively collecting.  She agreed to hold it until I could get in. During the purchase the gallery staff said, oh I just love what she named this piece, and proceeded to tell me the name.  I had an immediate visceral response. Its name is associated with a local body of water that frightens me.  I began regretting my decision even before my payment went through.  I have been lamenting this for a number of weeks, loving the piece, than not loving the piece because of it's name, and then deciding that I need to LOVE this piece because it was $$$.  

So this experience has made me look at my own body of work and wonder if names influence your decision when looking to purchase a piece.  I would love to hear from you.  This may sound a bit trivial, but trust me it's not.  All artwork needs to be identified, thus the naming.  But does the name matter?  Let me know please!!