Randel and Dana Shadid
Edmond, OK
What kind of artwork do you collect? In the beginning we seemed to collect landscapes (my choice) and figurative paintings (Dana’s choice). Over the years our tastes have broadened to include some abstract works, particularly paintings by Dick Evans, and a variety of sculpture.
Randel & Dana Shadid
How would you describe your approach to collecting? Dana tends to be attracted to art that tells a story or just grabs her with the beauty of the work. In recent years, she has tended to look for works with subjects that are not already represented in our collection. My approach is, if I see it, love it, and have a dollar in my pocket, I buy it. We never buy anything we do not love, and want to live with, for the rest of our lives.
How many pieces have you acquired over the years? About 650.
How long have you been collecting? 17 years.
How did you get started? Dana has been buying since living and working in Woodward, OK. She hooked me on art during a trip to Santa Fe. Since that time, collecting art has often been a central focus of our travels.
What was the first piece you purchased? A figurative piece by Dan Gerhartz and a Kenny McKenna landscape.
What’s your most recent acquisition? A figurative oil painting titled LEAVING DOROTHY by Pamela Wilson, purchased at EVOKE Contemporary in Santa Fe, and a painting by Christopher Blossom called BEFORE THE WIND, purchased from Grapevine Gallery’s private collection in Oklahoma City.
What’s on your wish list for the future? A Tammy Garcia pot … but first we must win the lottery. We’d also like to have a Kyle Polzin still life.
What piece do visitors comment on the most? Most comments are not about one piece but that every square inch of wall space—in every room—is covered with art. Our friends claim we need an art intervention. Friends who have been in our home many times often ask if a particular piece is new and are shocked when we tell them it has been hanging in the same place for years.
Is there a piece that got away? Two stand out in my mind. The first was a Sheldon Parsons in a Maine gallery that we could have purchased for $5,000 or less. The gallery did not know what they had. Unfortunately, at the time, neither did we. The other was a Birger Sandzén in Santa Fe, before his work became so sought after. If we had purchased those two, we would be answering these questions from Tuscany. But we are glad we live and enjoy art—including our city’s great public art—in Edmond, OK.
(Photo credit: Taylor Made Photography)