Meet Larissa Wild | Certified Appraiser of Personal Property (Fine Art), International Society of Appraisers; Independent Art Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Larissa Wild and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Larissa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I directed an art gallery in Beaver Creek for about 6 years. During this time I observed that many people up here in the mountains had interior designers fill their homes with art, and the majority of the time it was either high-priced decor, or the same handful of artists that everyone else had in their homes. I thought that the art should be the same level as the architecture and the interior design itself, and not an afterthought. I thought to myself, there’s an opportunity for these homeowners: if you are spending good money, why not have a curated collection that truly tells their story? This was when I launched Larissa Wild Fine Art Consulting, to solve that missing piece of placing good art in the process of designing a home.

I also noticed that a lot of people wouldn’t blink twice at a six figure seating arrangement, though they were hesitant to spend more than a couple of thousand on a reproductive print to sit prominently over that seating area. There was such an obvious clash in sophistication between the design and the art that was crowning that design. In working with many clients over the years, I came to understand that this disparity in quality levels often came down to a mistrust of the art world: no-one wants to over spend on something, no matter what price point. And it’s no secret that the art world is notoriously opaque. At this point I embarked in the studies to become a certified appraiser of fine art, to really be able to speak to the value of what I was advising clients on. I find that when people can make an acquisition from a position of understanding, there can be comfort and confidence in making those decisions.

Since then, I have also launched a podcast called “The Art Elevator” to make available the incredible knowledge of so many world-class professionals in the art world. This knowledge typically stays behind the scenes, as it’s not loud like a Beeple NFT sale, or a $450,000,000 auction sale of a Leonardo DaVinci. I bring lifetimes of knowledge to the public by interviewing folks across the spectrum from art historians, artists, appraisers and even neuroscientists to elevate people’s understanding of the art world.

What should our readers know about your business?
With over 20 years experience as an art connoisseur, businesswoman, and art dealer, my passion for art began early in life. Art school provided me with a unique connection to the world; the creative process of taking a belief, an idea or a vision and turning it into something physical was magical. I received my degree in Fine Art at the National Art School, Sydney Australia in 2000. I worked at the Australian Center for Contemporary Photography Museum rehanging exhibitions and displaying my knowledge and expertise of each collection while guiding people through the exhibitions.

Moving to the USA, I used my position as Gallery Director for 6 years to connect to art and people. It was here that I was able to develop an understanding of the process of acquiring an art collection, and why people buy the art they do. In many ways, I see my role as a translator – creating a bridge for people to help them to get what they want by transforming their likes into tangible art.

I’m also a certified member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) and work with individuals and businesses to understand the true value of their art. I use my extensive knowledge to make the appraisal process clear and informative.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are two distinct seasons here in the mountains. I’ve broken them into both:

Summer:
Take the gondola up in Vail Village and hike the trails leading to the views of the backbowls
Mountain bike in Eagle on the incredible single track
Best wine by the glass at Northside Kitchen in Avon
Favorite restaurants: MTN Standard and Sweet Basil in Vail, Juniper and Zino in Edwards….but there are many more!
Color Coffee in Eagle: best coffee in the valley

Winter:
Skiing the trees in both Beaver Creek and Vail
Taking a picnic lunch on one of the many decks at Beaver Creek and Vail (Spring is the best to get warmer weather)
XC skiing or hiking the trails around Sylvan Lake
Dining the same:)
Best wine by the glass at Northside Kitchen in Avon
Favorite restaurants: MTN Standard and Sweet Basil in Vail, Juniper and Zino in Edwards….but there are many more!
Color Coffee in Eagle: best coffee in the valley

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I was fortunate to have been mentored by Cindy Charleston Rosenberg, one of the foremost appraisers of fine art in Philadelphia, USA. This was through the International Society of Appraisers, of which so many of the members of this organization inspire me daily, and are so very generous with their knowledge. Thank you! I believe there is room for all in the art world, and love it when people around me want to lift each other up, without fear of competition.

My success in the art world comes largely in part from my clients: for recognizing the importance of a trusted advisor to guide them in their art collecting journey. These clients deserve credit for trusting their intuition and being fearless in opening their eyes to the possibilities that collecting art can bring.

If I were to pick a book that was a huge influence, it wouldn’t be one, it would be all the books by Yuval Noah Harari and Steven Kotler: their books inspire me constantly to see the world more clearly, which is my guiding tenet in what I do in art.

And the biggest shoutout of all goes to the mountains of Colorado: the beauty and adventure they offer every day is my greatest source of inspiration.

Website: https://www.larissawild.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larissawild/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larissa-wild-4a27a2152/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarissaWildFineArtConsulting

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqtOM2IxR312IFKGxC5ufiQ

Image Credits
Image credits: Gibbeon Photography, Beau Hanley Photography