Dean Hoffman

Columbus, OH — As I write this, I’m looking at an oil painting that I purchased many years ago at the Harness Tracks of America Art Auction.

I have no idea now exactly how much I paid for the painting; I do know, however, that it’s given me pleasure every time I’ve looked at it. And that surely must be thousands of times.

It’s a piece of art that speaks to me; it may not speak to you. That’s one of the beauties, so to speak of art: different brushstrokes for different folks. What I like probably doesn’t appeal to some people, and vice versa.

I’m reminded of this as I browse through the online catalog for the HTA Art Auction on October 6 in Lexington. There are certain pieces that just fascinate me and I can’t wait to see them up close and personal. Then there are other pieces that simply don’t appeal to me at all. But I bet they will appeal to someone in the audience.

Of course, I’ve always found it difficult to appreciate the art by viewing it online or in the catalog. To me, you simply have to be there. You have to be there to appreciate the intricacy of many pieces and you have to be there to appreciate the dimensions of the artwork. The catalog treats them democratically; they’re all the same size. But that’s certainly not the case when you see the artwork in Lexington.

There will be some huge works by Zenon Aniszewski and then some lovely little impressionistic pieces by Jo Hodos. It makes no difference. You don’t buy art by the square inch.

You also don’t buy it for investment purposes. Oh, sure, that might happen at Sotheby’s or Christie’s, but you purchase art in Lexington because it speaks to your heart and lifts your spirits. You buy art because you like it.

I have no idea what my painting would be worth today. Another person might look at it and think that only the frame might be useful. It doesn’t really matter. First, I’m not selling it and, secondly, I’ve enjoyed that painting for so many years that it’s paid for itself several times over.

Take a look at the catalog online at the HTA. You’ll see art you like, art you don’t like, and maybe some art you simply don’t understand. You’ll find art that evokes memories and art that evokes laughter.

Sometimes you’ll simply marvel at the talents of the artists. I can’t think of too many subjects more challenging than depicting a trotter or pacer at full speed with all its equipment. I have difficulty drawing a stick horse and these artists convey motion, speed, and grace with their work. Amazing.

Then you’ll find art where you ask, “I wonder why the artist did that?” I’ve looked at this year’s catalog and I see art that I like except for a seemingly minor detail. It might escape the notice of others, but I fear that if I owned that art I would focus only on what I see as a flaw. That’s not a piece I want to own.

I’m always interested in the works contributed by my longtime friend Dave Pavlak. I particularly like those with old homes because few artists capture the architectural details of these buildings better than Pavlak.

Sometimes even I fail to appreciate Dave’s talents until I realize how difficult it is to convincingly capture sunlight in a scene as Dave does or to depict the texture and depth of clouds. My artistic abilities begin and end at paint-by-numbers sets.

We all have our favorite pieces of art, and they are best appreciated in person. That’s why I know I’ll be at the HTA Art Auction in Lexington on Saturday morning, October 6.