One In the Hand

June 13, 2025

When a collector sets their sights on a one-of-a-kind artwork by an artist they deeply admire, there's a moment where everything sharpens—the heart races, the decision feels heavy, and the stakes are crystal clear. That moment, fleeting yet pivotal, is often the difference between owning a cherished piece and living with the regret of letting it slip away.

In the world of collecting, especially when dealing with unique works, there’s rarely time for prolonged deliberation. The best pieces—the ones that strike a chord, that feel destined for a specific collection—are also the ones that vanish quickly. Someone else, just as passionate, just as watchful, may be seconds away from claiming it. For those who’ve been in the game long enough, this is a familiar tension. You learn that hesitation can be costly. Waiting, second-guessing, trying to be “sure” often ends in the realization that the moment has passed.

There’s a reason collectors talk about trusting their gut. When something feels right—when a work resonates on that deep, unmistakable level—it’s not just about taste. It’s about intuition. It’s about seeing how that piece fits not only on your wall, but in the larger story of your collection. And when you know, you know. The smart move isn’t to stall or seek consensus; it’s to act.

Regret has a long memory in collecting. Almost everyone has a story: the piece they didn’t go after, the artist they overlooked, the work they loved but let go. And while there’s always more art to discover, nothing replaces the sting of losing the one that felt meant for you.

Collectors who build strong, compelling collections aren’t always the ones with the biggest budgets or the most connections. Often, they’re the ones who understand the value of the moment—who recognize when lightning is striking and don’t flinch. They know that, in this world, getting one in the hand is everything.

Because when a piece calls to you, when it feels like the perfect match, you don’t wait. You move.