04 Jul Collector’s Eye: Living With Art

Step into the Frederick, Colorado, home of sculptor Tony Hochstetler and his wife, Shannon, and you’ll discover a world shaped by the same careful precision that defines his bronze sculptures — thoughtful, finely crafted, and quite dazzling. Everything here reflects a deep appreciation for form, function, and artistry, from the elegantly framed oil paintings on the walls to the rich patina of Stickley furniture.

Tony’s artistic journey began with an early fascination for the natural world. Born in Goshen, Indiana, he spent his childhood studying amphibians, insects, and reptiles — creatures often overlooked but endlessly complex. That lifelong curiosity would later define his work as a sculptor, earning him national recognition for his realistic and dynamic bronze renditions of animals and botanical forms, from frogs and fish to seed pods, bats, and orchids. His accolades include two Awards of Merit from the Society of Animal Artists, and he is a member of the National Sculpture Society and a Signature Member of the Society of Animal Artists.

In 1984, after graduating from high school, Tony moved to Colorado and began working at Art Castings of Colorado, a fine-art bronze foundry in Loveland, where he was introduced to the professional art world through the work of such notable artists as Kent Ullberg, George Carlson, Sandy Scott, Steve Kestrel, and Hollis Williford. The experience provided more than technical training, as Kestrel and Williford took Hochstetler under their wings, offering critiques of his work and valuable advice.

As Tony built his art career — refining a distinctive style that would earn multiple awards and reside in numerous museums, zoological gardens, and city collections — he and Shannon also began collecting artworks they admired. What started modestly in the ’80s has evolved into a deeply personal assemblage of paintings, sculptures, glassware, and fine furniture. “We went through a learning phase,” says Tony. “There certainly were paintings and sculptures early on that we either outgrew or, as our tastes evolved, we shifted into other things. But I’d like to think that the eye improved.”

The couple inherited an antique bank collection and Stickley furnishings from Tony’s parents, who collected antiques. “I’ve always thought of those as valuable as traditional fine art,” Tony says.

Their artwork collection of several hundred works includes pieces by Kestrel, Quang Ho, Nancy Switzer, William E. Sharer, Dan Young, Josh Elliott, and Grant Redden, among many others. The couple also collects finished paintings and their accompanying preliminary studies. Tony points out that sometimes the study has an energy and an emphasis that is not necessarily in the final painting.

Their discerning sense for art, developed from being immersed in that world, has shaped a collection that mirrors their philosophy: Art shouldn’t just be hung or displayed; it should be deeply felt, understood, and celebrated.

WA&A: Do you have a list of artists you’re seeking out because of their prominence?

Tony Hochstetler: We don’t collect based on popularity. We collect from artists we know, admire, and appreciate.

WA&A: Do you have a favorite work in your collection?

T.H.: No, we really don’t. Everything in the house is a favorite in one way or another. If it’s not a favorite, it’s not in the house. Shannon and I were discussing the other day whether we could pick our top 10 favorite paintings because I wanted to see how much of our list would overlap. We couldn’t even get it down to 10 each.

WA&A: What’s your philosophy when it comes to collecting?

T.H.: If you’re not in love with it, you shouldn’t have it. We don’t purchase, trade, or collect for the sake of a name or a perceived value. We collect what we love — period!

WA&A: Where do you see your collection 100 years from now?

T.H.: You know, that’s a conversation. Eventually, most of it will be broken up and added to other collections. Maybe some of it will find its way into a museum or other institution. Good art always finds a home. But we’re going to die with it because we love it.

WA&A: Was there ever one that got away?

T.H.: For one reason or another, there were several that got away, because by the time I saw them, they were already purchased. One specifically that comes to mind is a large Quang Ho I would have loved to have had, and I know where it is. That one is pretty far up the list.

WA&A’s Publisher Emeritus Tim Newton is an avid art collector, and it all began with a pencil sketch by Gary Carter. His latest endeavors include curating the Briscoe Museum’s Night of Artists and other special exhibitions. He is chairman emeritus of the Salmagundi Club in New York City, and splits his time between Wyoming and Texas.