May, 2004

Steeling beauty

Romance novelist Danielle Steel began collecting contemporary art about six years ago, but now the best-selling author has decided to sell art as well. Steel presides over (what else?) Steel Gallery, located at 3524 Sacramento Street in the Pacific Heights area of San Francisco.

Her aim is noble. She champions unknown artists without museum or auction track records. "Art is not only determined by the importance of long-standing reputation of the master who creates it," writes Steel on her web site. "It is, in fact, just as worthy of respect, perhaps even more so, if it is different, unusual, and new."

But this is no place for tortured artists or tortured art. "I'm not depending on this to eat, so I can be picky and show what I like. I just want to have a good time with it and also make it a blessing to people who show here, to give them a chance they might not have had otherwise."

So far we like what we see. German-born artist Brigitte McReynolds' luscious Piano Stripes looks good enough to eat. There is plenty of talent waiting to be discovered at the gallery. To tap into it, visit the web site.