The Site Owner
This page provides for those who are interested some private and personal information about the site owner of the Indian Traces website.
Characteristics ...
- Born: 1954
- Not married
- 2 grown up children
- Living in: Wilhelmshaven
- Occupation: Systems Engineer (retired)
- Hobbies: Travel; Natur; Art (obviously); Sport (Tennis, Football, Volleyball); Music; Theatre; Great Food (Favorites: Asian, Sushi); Interesting, open minded und positively thinking people
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- My passion for collecting ...
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began in my early childhood. As a 10-year old I began to collect stamps. Later I added collection plates, Native American artifacts (see below), paintings and sculptures. Over the past 4 decades this has turned into an extensive collection with two main areas:
- Native American artifacts from Indian Nations of Northern America, and
- Paintings and prints from various countries around the world
In 2012 I returned from a longstanding work assignment in the US. When all boxes were unpacked it became clear that my new home would not be able to accommodate all of my collection, which led to the decision to part with a significant number of artifacts.
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- My fascination with the Indian Nations of Northern America ...
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also has its roots in my early childhood. As for many young boys of my generation, in a time before CD players, internet and social media, was for me, aside from playing soccer, reading books my favorite pastime. My favorite writer was Karl May. The adventures of his heros Winnetou, the Apache chieftain, and Old Shatterhand were my preferred presents to receive at any occasion. During this time the dream to visit the homes of the Mescalero Apaches, the Kiowa and Sioux some day was born.
In the fall of 1987 that dream became reality. My employer offered me the opportunity to be part of a software development project in California for approx. 3 years. This assignment not only gave me the chance to learn the English language in record time, but also provided many opportunities to visit some of the places in the US, which I remembered reading about growing up. Although the reality of Indian life on the reservations, which I encountered, had not much in common with the fictional stories of a Karl May, I was still fascinated by what I experienced: the warmth and hospitality that many members of the suppressed and mistreated nations offered me, the "White Man", some of their customs, which they shared with me, and mostly the variety of artifact, that the various nations produced and offered for sale: Navajo jewelry and blankets, Hopi kachina dolls, pottery from the pueblos in New Mexico and much more. Naturally, I felt like the proverbial child in the candy store, and often didn't know which item to buy first ... In addition to frequent visits to Indian reservations, stores and galleries I became a regular bidder at Native American art auctions, where I was able to acquire some older artifacts at reasonable prices.
My collection grew rapidly. At the beginning I didn't pay much attention to the things or the quality I was buying, as long as the items were decorative and filled the rooms and walls of my apartment. When 3 years later my employer asked me if I was willing to continue the assignment for an undefined number of years, I didn't have to think very long, before I agreed. I stayed in California until 1994, then relocated with the project to Arizona and moved my household to Tucson.
As many collectors find out, with experience gained the expectations in new pieces also increases. I went through the same process. Over time I met a good number of people who either were like me collecting indian artifacts, or worked as dealers with special expertise in the art business. Most of these people were willing to help me improve the quality of my collection with suggestions and helpful hints. I learned - to a degree - to tell good quality from bad quality, which is very important for maintaining the value of your collection, and as a result I changed my buying behavior. I gave up a lot of items, which I had bought in ignorance and overenthusiasm during the first few years, and began to buy fewer and more expensive items (yes, quality does have its price) within the same budget. In April 2003 I left Tucson for personal reasons and moved my collection to Germany.
In early 2007 I was asked to once again support the project in Tucson for another 4 years. As soon as I had moved in, the collector's bug bit me again. I made new friends, new contacts and many more high quality artifacts. In April 2012 I returned with numerous unforgettable experiences in my bags for the second time back to Germany, this time for good.
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- My Interest in Paintings ...
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began in Germany in the 80s with the purchase of a small oil painting by a locally known artist from the coast of the North Sea. The small painting did not stay alone for very long on the fairly large wall. Within a short period of time more paintings were added. A new and exiting branch of my collection was born. The type of display of any subject I very much prefer is the figurative (i.e. representational) kind. Abstract displays and graphic art constitute an exception.
My favorite subjects are landscapes, seascapes, street scenes, portraits, nudes, still lives, and last, but not least paintings depicting the life of the Indian nations of Northern America.
My "Gallery" in Tucson, Arizona in 2011
