Heather Karlie Vieira, owner of Heather Karlie Fine Art, speaks with us about her journey to becoming a successful fine art & antiques dealer, and about what it really takes to start your own collection of priceless finds.
Photo Courtesy of Heather Karlie Vieira
It was early 2002. After moving to New York City with the dream of becoming an antiques dealer, Heather Vieira found herself jobless and with just $600 left to her name. The sublease on her apartment would be expiring soon. She had to think of something, and quickly. What she did think of, would eventually take her on a solo journey schlepping up and down the east coast and as far west as Texas for the next 24 years, wheeling and dealing in art & antiques. Heather Karlie Fine Art was born.
Heather started by sourcing in Chelsea, a district that is the heart of New York City's contemporary art world. It's where premier galleries, historic antiquities, and avant-garde design converge. It's where fine artists and artisans at the pinnacle of their careers dream of selling their work. As such, there's hardly any better place in the U.S. for a brand-new fine art and antiques dealer to cut their teeth in the industry.
Heather frequented the Chelsea Flea Market, starting very simply by reselling antique picture frames. Before long, she had built a base of clientele throughout the Upper East Side. Her client base eventually expanded well beyond New York City, after plenty of ups and downs and a whole lot of hustle.
Throughout her career, Heather has researched, rehomed, restored, and hauled valuable art and antiques. Nowadays, she sells at yearly trade shows such as The Nashville Show, Marburger Farm in Round Top, Texas, and Chelsea on Green in North Carolina. Not one to forget her roots, she still sets up throughout the year at Chelsea Flea Market in NYC, where it all began. Excitingly, she is looking forward to the grand opening of her own brick-and-mortar shop at Karlie Gallery in Philadelphia.
We caught up with Heather to find out more about what drives her. Keep reading to find out what she had to say:
Q: What first drew you into antiques and art dealing, and how did that early interest turn into a career?
A: "The beauty and the usefulness. That's what got me hooked on antiques. When I first started, I was buying and selling only antique picture frames. They were beautiful and useful. William Morris really said it best!"
Q: What is it about spending your working life on the road hunting at flea markets and antique fairs, rather than sourcing from behind a desk, that appeals to you?
A: "Hands-on is more than a phrase to me, it's a lifestyle. I love the early mornings at flea markets, I cherish the conversations at antique shows and being there for all of that for well over twenty years has been (and continues to be) an incredible motivation. There's nothing like the thrill of the hunt coupled with the long friendships that develop when you're out there."
Q: What are you looking for in those first few seconds of examining a piece before you've even picked it up?
A: "The relationship between negative and positive space is a huge draw for me. Sculptural lines, boldness and great design are always my go-to's when I'm out sourcing. Is the piece saying something to me - whether a whisper or a shout - I'm looking for that connection and resonance."
Q: How do you separate a genuine find from a well-dressed reproduction when you're buying in the field?
A: "Real ones put in the time. And have the battle scars to prove it. I'm looking for wear, patina and a well-loved life. Oh, and if you ask anybody, they'll tell you that I'm also always buying the heaviest thing on the field!"
Q: Â Is there a piece you've found over the years that still stands out, like the one that got away, or the one you're proudest of sourcing?
A: "Folks will tell you that there's no growth in the comfort zone - and they're right. So my favorite piece is always the next one. Learning from and building upon my past experiences, successes and failures is what keeps me hungry to find my new favorite."
Q: What do you wish more people understood about buying antiques or vintage art before they start collecting seriously?
A: "There's no shortcut to a collection. They take years and years to build. Embrace the journey! Rather than looking at a years end result and wanting to start there, folks entering the world of antique and vintage should have fun crawling before they walk. Most importantly though is to start developing your eye, your aesthetic and your style. Layer by layer, it becomes who you are."
As she awaits the opening of her Philadelphia gallery, Heather is looking ahead: "I always look forward to seeing old friends, colleagues and clients at the antique shows too. I hope to see you soon!"
To find out more about Heather's antiques business and her current offerings, make sure to visit Heather Karlie Fine Art, and visit her Instagram page @heatherkarlie where she updates regularly.
We at Decoralot.com hope you've enjoyed this conversation as part of our Makers Series. Please check back frequently for more first-hand interviews with the crafters, designers, and dealers behind genuinely well-made furnishings.