For Love of Art and Money

Michael is a businessman. His real estate investments make financial sense.  Michael also has an artistic side, the part of Michael that takes beautiful photographs, plays Rachmaninoff piano pieces, and preserves historic Victorian homes.

The week of May 16, 2013, Michael closed on his third fourplex, located on 5th and D, in the Avenues of Salt Lake City.  It was built in the late 1800s, and one of its early owners was the treasurer for Utah.   The house has wonderful details, such as a wrought iron fence, carvings in the wood framing the door, stained glass windows, and a hanging basket swing.

 

 

 

Michael's house has several stunning views, including this view of Mt. Olympus.  Michael's bedroom, in the penthouse, looks out over the Salt Lake Valley.

Gretta's law firm, DJP, is also a business.  On May 16, 2013, however, it invited guests to tour its impressive collection of works by Utah artists.  Dave Ericson Fine Art, which chooses pieces for DJP, displayed ten works by LeConte Stewart in the DJP Board Room, which was reason enough to attend the event.  Gretta was a guide, and described the firm's paintings to small groups.  The pieces were disproportionately landscapes, but by some of Utah's finest artists, including Anton Rasmussen, whose huge murals of Southern Utah hang at the Salt Lake Airport,

Kimball Warren, who frequently camped in the Wind River Mountains for inspiration,

Dennis Smith, known for his realistic sculptures, as well as his paintings,

 

Frank Huff, who was chosen at the time of the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympics, as one of Utah's 100 best painters,

and Waldo Midgely, who completed this water color of Central Park in New York City while studying with prominent "Ashcan School" painter, Robert Henri.  Another of Henri's students was Minerva Teichert.

Sometimes fine art can be good business.  Another memorable event of the May 12 to 19 week was Mike's and Gretta's dinner at The Bayou, while Dave was out of town.  The Bayou serves Louisiana favorites such as shrimp etouffee and bread pudding, as well as fabulous sweet potato fries served with remoulade sauce.