Art for When the Collector Calls the Shots
LA-based collector Julia Casella selects her West Coast art fair highlights
Good morning! Today marks the first time I am featuring one of my collectors and I could not be more excited to introduce you Julia Casella.
Julia represents the curiosity, stewardship, and passion that define this generation of art collectors. A marketing consultant working across beauty, wellness, and fashion, she brings a curated eye to everything she encounters (I highly recommend her Substack My Entire Personality - it is my go to for the best beauty and wellness recommendations). Before we began working together, Julia had already started acquiring work independently. Since then, her engagement with contemporary art has deepened in intentional and inspiring ways.
Julia acquired works from some of my favorite artists featured in past newsletters; she goes gallery hopping; pings me every time she visits a place in desperate need of art; reads all the articles I send her about artists; and she spends time with artists’ practices beyond the acquisition. Art collecting is a lifelong relationship, and I find that level of commitment to be rare and meaningful.
Another salient aspect of collecting is participating in the broader cultural ecosystem. Julia now advises companies in the art world on marketing strategy through her firm, Casella Consulting, such as the Bronx Museum and other galleries. Her client roster includes Uniqlo, Saie, Living Proof, and Hourglass. I love seeing how her professional life and collecting life are in conversation with each other.
The paramount part of Julia’s feature in today’s newsletter is her discernment. I sent her my selection of 16 artworks that I am excited to explore at the LA art fairs this week: Julia picked four pieces.
During an art fair week defined by volume and velocity, that kind of editing is imperative. It’s demonstrative of how your art collection is a reflection of personal taste and sensibility, not speculation.
I have included a few additional works in this month’s free issue as well, but today is centered on Julia’s eye. I hope her curated approach encourages you to consider your own. Enjoy our selections below!
Julia’s Highlights:
Erin Wright
Untitled, 2025
Acrylic on canvas
34 x 27 inches
$13,200
Kemar Wynter
Shepherd’s Call (Steamed Bean Curds Rolls), 2025
Acrylic on Evolon
28 x 40 inches
$8,000
iris yirei hu
Heart Portal, 2026
Ink, acrylic, gouache, watercolor and pastel on linen
16 x 22 inches
$6,500
Danielle Kosann
The Ecstasy of Life, 2026
Oil and ink on canvas
48 x 48 inches
$10,000
My Highlights:
Zenobia Lee
Red Earth, 2026
Cast aluminum
42 x 31 x 19 1/2 inches
$7,000
Africanus Okokon
Banquet, 2024
Oil, silkscreen ink, Maillard-reacted coconut milk on canvas on panel
40 x 30 inches
$10,000
Ren Light Pan
Christie’s Lot 626 (both sides): Collection Yves Saint Laurent et Pierre Bergé, 2009. Small bronze by Giovanni Francesco Susini, 17th century, 2026
Ink, water, infrared light and muslin
24 x 16 inches
$5,000
Margaux Ogden
Bathers (Quinacridone Magenta, Phthalo Turquoise, Primary Magenta, Cyan Blue), 2025
Acrylic on canvas
64 x 48 inches
$16,000
Naresh Kumar
Mother Tongue I, 2025-26
Indigo powder, marble dust, copper dust, water, Korean stickers, colour pencil on yellow page magazine in artist’s frame
22 3/4 x 17 1/4 inches
$5,500
Ken Gonzales-Day
Reflection (Digital Composition with Plaster Copy of Roman Copy, Dying Gaul, Royal Cast Collection, Copenhagen; Mesoamerican, Chac Mool, National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City; Monet’s House and Garden, Giverny), 2025
Edition 2 of 5 + 2 AP
Archival ink on rag paper
55 x 40 inches
$12,500
Aryo Toh Djojo
Final Touches, 2026
Acrylic on canvas
14 x 18 inches
$7,000
Nizhonniya Austin
A Love That Stars Revolutions, 2025
Acrylic, oil stick, and wax pencil on canvas
47 x 47 inches
$15,500
If you enjoy this newsletter and want weekly access to artist selections, consider becoming a paid subscriber! And if you know someone building a thoughtful collection, feel free to forward this issue. 💚