We discovered Michelle O'Connor about 15 years ago during one of San Francisco's Open Studios (where artists opened up their studios to the public throughout the city). We were her first "Collectors" -- I use the term because we would find out later that she treasured being able to say her art is collected. We had visited tons and tons of studios that day and her paintings were our pick; we thought she had such potential and wanted to encourage her. I think she wasn't out of art school yet. For several years, Tom had one of her larger works hanging in his office lobby; apparently she would visit his office lobby (grin) to take photos and look at her painting in such a context she might not have imagined would be possible.
Perhaps a year or so after we met her, she was riding her bike in San Francisco, got side-swiped by a vehicle and died. Her father came into town to collect her belongings ... including her journal from which, her father would come to share in a telephone call with Tom, she had written about such relishing the idea that "Art Collectors" would appreciate her work and how much she enjoyed seeing her painting in one of San Francisco's skyscrapers. Tears me up even now just to think of her too-short life and the cut-off of potential. I am glad we helped her know that, as an artist, she was valued. May all artists know this about themselves and their works. Michelle O'Connor: R.I.P.
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