Art & An�ques with Dr. Lori

ART ANTIQUES & By Dr. Lori

Dr. Lori’s Art & Antiques Buying

Guide

By Dr. Lori Verderame

When embarking on a new phase of life,

Surfer, oil on canvas by Frank Lind, highly collected Pratt Institute art professor and American artist. Photo credit: Staff of www.DrLoriV.com

like a new marriage, a new home, a new job, a big anniversary or re�rement, many people chronicle the experience with the purchase of an important object. When looking for an investment object that is both fun and smart, art and an�que object immediately come to mind. It is that item that you always wanted and you are ready to “treat yourself”.

For the novice collector or even the seasoned art and an�ques lover, jumping into the market can be tricky. This is a great �me to buy so here I will share my insider �ps about star�ng an art collec�on. I’ve compiled an Art & An�ques Buying Guide to help you find, understand, nego�ate and collect the best examples of fine art and an�ques.

Learn from Masters

First, learn as much as you can about art and antiques in places where you are not tempted to buy art or antiques. What does that mean? How do you start a collection without buying? First, visit museums, historical societies, libraries, gallery exhibitions, and other places where fine art and antiques are on display, but are not for sale. You should learn about the various media (e.g., pastels, watercolors, bronzes, oils on canvas, etc.), art movements (e.g., Surrealism, Impressionism, Contemporary Realism, etc.) and subjects (e.g., still lifes, seascapes, portraits, etc.) first so you have a good idea of what sparks your interest. Upon gaining this understanding, you’ll be better equipped to invest in something good that you also like. This method will prevent you from buying something on impulse or just because the opportunity presents itself.

Don’t think about buying a work of art or antique piece until you establish a budget. I know, I know… boring. Boring but necessary. When you have your budget in mind, settle on it, and stick to it. Do not waiver. Don’t convince yourself to overspend because you fell in love with a piece either. No matter what, you will be happy if you stick to your budget. Most of the time, you’ll get a good piece this way because you are not considering too many objects at once which could cause confusion.

Forget life’s distractions when you are considering a major art or antique purchase. This work of art or antique object will become a part of your home life for years to come. Learn to look at the work of art or antique piece for more

Stick to your Budget

Slow Down

than just a few minutes. Don’t let a pushy dealer, encouraging friend, or other “background noise” distract or rush you into a major art or antique purchase. Take a minute and just stand there and quietly look at the work. Think about what you see and try to figure out what you like about it. Consider it, ponder it, and don’t rush it.

Try to consider the basics starting with black and white. Don’t be taken in by an artwork’s color or an antique’s various ornamental details. Some people who sell art or antiques will try to get you to like a particular work based solely on its colors or how it may fit into your color scheme. Remember, a big part of buying something good is learning to recognize quality pieces. The goal is to buy something that you like that is also of high quality.

Buy the work of the trained artists and established craftsmen. Better yet, buy the work of artists who teach other artists like those established professors from prestigious art schools. When it comes to market success, those who can, teach!

Appraisers know that the best quality art and antiques are always the best choice for a collection. Collecting quality art and antiques is always a good investment.

Back to Basics

Buy Training

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By Angela Winding

Nic Roldan: Nic Roldan:

Polo Player, Brand, Realtor and Wellness Fana�c

2022 is already proving that leading American Polo Player Nic Roldan is a man on a mission, clearly developing his brand in a number of exci�ng ways. He has a mul�tude of new partnerships added to his roster and explains how aware he is of having to create original, mutually beneficial partnerships. Roldan is pu�ng the spotlight on wellness, fitness and recovery for riders, he’s secured his real estate license, created a capsule clothing line, launched a gin,(High Goal Gin) and is returning to the U.S. Open Polo Championships, leading an all-pro, all-American team, featuring two up and coming Polo Training Founda�on players making their U.S. Open debut! A true trail blazer in every way.

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Roldan personifies the feel-good factor and is clearly at home in whatever arena he finds himself in. We caught up with him as he was about to fly off to play Snow Polo on a frozen lake in St Moritz, Switzerland. Who knew that was a thing!

As an equestrian publisher it has been hard to avoid Roldan’s name in recent months, as there has been a regular stream of press releases, graced by his name. These come together to form an intriguing mix, which seems far from by accident, but rather me�culously choreographed to be a genuine reflec�on of Nic, his brand and what he stands for.

I‘m par�cularly curious as to his focus on wellness, fitness and recovery. Nic explains how all sport has advanced and how, as polo has got more professional, there is an increasing focus on player prepara�on, maintenance and recovery.

He shares that at the top level of the sport each team (a team is made up of 4 players) will have its own personal trainer and that a 3 or 4 �mes weekly training is no minor op�onal extra, but a key founda�on stone. In polo you will also see the players warm up field side. At 39 Nic is mindful of this aspect and his longevity at the very pinnacle of the sport. To that end, at the closing of 2021 a partnership was announced between Nic and pioneering Italian Gym Equipment brand Technogym. Technogym’s pedigree includes being the official gym equipment supplier to the 2020 Olympics in

Tokyo. Technogym was already ac�ve in the equestrian space, having partnerships with Georgina Bloomberg and Kent Farrington, but the brand has used the partnership with Nic to develop an Equestrian Specific Curriculum. Nic enthuses how blown away he was by the research they did not only into equestrian, but into the science of each specific discipline, allowing them to create bespoke exercises to enhance the riders, performance. For a major sports brand to dedicate this focus on the equestrian space, is testament to their integrity and dedica�on and as such they launched this at Equitana USA in Kentucky last year.

It’s amazing to hear how suddenly we can make our gym work outs specific to our equestrian endeavours and how by toning the correct muscles we can give be�er instruc�ons to our horses.

Nic’s wellbeing vision in all encompassing, including regular ice baths and cryotherapy. The thought alone gives me goose bumps! Becoming mindful of sleep pa�erns using devices such as Whoop to monitor health and of course recovery. Therabody is another great brand that

Nic is a keen supporter of. Having included their percussive therapy into his daily rou�ne, he explains the tremendous importance of recovery, its aid in longevity and how accessible this is to everyone. All this talk on wellness is eye opening, innova�ve and inspira�onal, especially if we look at how so much of the equipment in equestrian has changed very li�le over the centuries!

Moving on I’m fascinated to learn more re Nic’s brand, its affilia�ons and unique nature. Having taken part in Equitana USA last year in itself indicates his forward thinking take on branding. Nic’s passionate about his sport and the horses in it. However, he is equally aware of the bigger picture and the importance of all the equestrian disciplines working together collec�vely. All round the �de is turning with athletes op�ng for more strategic and holis�c partnerships and in that

Nic has taken inspira�on from Formula 1 car racing for example. He explains how together with his COO Natascha they aim to create on going partnerships with brands that Nic is genuinely invested in, that make sense in a bigger picture and who he feels he can help in some way. For the 2022 Wellington High Goal Season Nic’s feature sponsors include: the World Polo League which is the highest level of polo played in the USA now entering it’s 4th season and going from strength to strength, The Royal Poinciana Plaza: a luxury shopping des�na�on in Palm Beach and the fabulous Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach who are Nic’s official Palm Beach Hotel partner and as such can exclusively offer their guests polo experiences with Nic. Nic and his team are very aware that it’s all about the experiences and value added items and it’s heartening to see them approach these partnerships in such a forward thinking and serving manner.

Polo and equestrian aside I knew Nic had a penchant for Real Estate, clearly developed from his parents; his mother being a revered interior designer and his father now re�red from polo and making waves as a painter. Now I learn that he is also developing this arm of his brand having successfully passed his real estate license and signed with Equestrian Sotheby’s Interna�onal Realty as an associate. Roldan seems to cram more than 24hrs in one day as he seems to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Wellington market and with his interests being so varied I could think of no ba�er partner to have on your journey of finding a property in Wellington.

Thanks to Melissa and Marc Ganzi and aside of playing the amazing World Polo League, this year Nic will also be returning the U.S. Open Polo Championships heading a team baring the name “The Polo School/Polo Training Founda�on” (PTF). The PTF is a 501C3, which teaches youth confidence, discipline, hard work and leadership through the sport of polo. Nic is clearly excited by this challenge and will be playing with 2 players, who thanks to this ini�a�ve, are making their U.S. Open debut.

For sure Nic is an exci�ng guy to keep an eye on and let’s see where the journey takes him. Don’t miss the opportunity to see him play in the World Polo League in Wellington this winter.

Elevated Living Photo by Nick Mele

Miami Beach Polo- Ritz Carlton GFI vs The Setai by Grand Champions

USPA International Cup- USA vs Argentina Photo by Candace Ferreira The Polo Party, David Khan & Family