Art consultant assists with buying and selling paintings or sculpture
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER

Andy Warhol "ROOSTER" c. 1958

Perhaps you are in the market for art for your home, but are unfamiliar with the gallery scene and a little shy about approaching it on your own. Or maybe you have art you would like to sell, but do not know how to obtain the best price for its quality. Caroline Owens Crawford, who has spent part of each summer on the island since she was a little girl and became a summer resident seven years ago, is a fine art consultant who can assist with those needs.

Crawford's local office is at 7 South Beach St., where her husband Alastair is a silver dealer. She travels back and forth to Nantucket during the summer from New York City where she has another office on Madison Avenue. Crawford opened the island branch in June after her husband leased his new, large space where she could hang exhibitions of art she sells, either from her collection or on consignment.

This summer, exhibitions have included Carl Burton's photography, works on paper by famous artists such as Andy Warhol and currently the work of David Fertig, whose display is up until September 2, when Crawford will prepare to close her island office for the winter.

"I find there is a real need," she said of her advisory role. "People are uncomfortable about buying art. It's a lot of hand-holding. A lot of people feel uncomfortable walking into galleries. I also help them negotiate the best prices. I am at bat for my clients."

Crawford was previously associate director with Adelson Galleries and worked for the company 17 years, just leaving last September. She said she brought the gallery to Nantucket for the first time seven years ago when they had a booth at the Nantucket Historical Association's August Antiques Show, then established a gallery at the Harbor House, but closed its island business two years ago. The Adelson experience linked her with hundreds of clients and provided knowledge that makes her confident about the work she is doing now.

"I know a lot of people looking for art and certain types of work. If it is not a private sale, I go to galleries to buy or introduce a client to a good auction house," she said of the sales end of her business.

On the buying side, Crawford will not only literally walk her clients through galleries to examine options, she visits their homes, if they choose, to see whether the living environment is formal or casual and help decide on subject matter, colors and sizes of art that are suitable.

"There is a lot of great art out there and you don't have to spend a lot of money to get something that is meaningful and beautiful."

Crawford said she stands by anything she sells, although it is possible for a fake or stolen piece of art to slip through in spite of rigorous checks. Her experience has taught her to know many artists and their styles and signatures, noting that famed John Singer Sargent had several paintings forged.

"It's having the eye and the experience and having confidence in what you do," she said. "If I have a question about a painting, I will not endorse it."

With regard to stolen works, Crawford said she performs due diligence on paintings for sale, always asking the seller where the work came from.

"If you can't tell me where you got the painting, it is a red flag," she explained.

Crawford said there are also news alerts within the art industry when paintings have been stolen to let businesses know what to watch for, and that often paintings have a gallery label on the back that allows her to trace its origin and last sales venue.

"What is great about what I do is it's always different," she said. "I feel very fortunate to be doing what I'm doing."

For an appointment or to speak with Crawford, call 212-249-2154. I