Bud & Marylin Fleek Bud & Marilyn Fleek

Ray (Bud) and Marilyn Fleek owned a 20-acre horse breeding ranch in the Seattle area. In the early 2000s, the Fleeks began spending part of their time in Arizona. Thy would bring horses with them so Marilyn, an accomplished equestrian, could participate in events at Westworld. After fie years of going back and forth, the couple decided to move to Arizona. In 2008, they made Scottsdale their home, purchasing next to the ranch where Marilyn keeps her show horses.

The Fleeks first began collecting art offered at auctions onboard cruise ships during their vacations. They prefer figurative, landscape, portraiture, and still life—all realism—and began purchasing paintings that were all in harmony. Thi was a great way to begin collecting and offered excitement and entertainment onboard the cruise ships. After moving to Arizona, they became avid attendees at art shows, art walks, festivals, tours, and auctions.

Over the years, the couple has met many artists and continues expanding their collection. Thy support various arts organizations through fundraising auctions. We sat down with the Fleeks to ask them a few questions about their art collecting.

Do you have a favorite artist from the pieces you own?

BF: Yes, bronze sculptor Jason Napier. We have been collecting his art since the 90s. We met at the Seattle Home Show in the Art Gallery section. It was Jason’s first show, and he had two sculptures on display. We purchased “Fly Fishing,” one of his first, and since have added more than 20 additional pieces.

The sculpture is of an osprey with a fish in its claws, measuring 5 feet high and 28 inches round. It is number 1 in a limited edition of 21. Since Jason had only two sculptures with him at the time and more shows on his schedule, we agreed to loan him “Fly Fishing” for the remaining show season. That was the beginning of a lasting relationship with Jason and Danielle Napier, personally and as collectors.

We are attracted to Jason’s combination of bronze and patinas, appreciating the unique process he uses for coloring his sculptures that make them so realistic. We don’t collect abstract artwork, but we have two of Jason’s that are unusual in comparison to most of the pieces we have. One is of a horse’s head, and the other is of a mountain sheep. They are recognizable but a little different.

When Jason started, most of his pieces were large, and we admired all of his work, but at one point, I said I’d like the piece that depicts a mountain lion with a cub in its mouth, but I told him we didn’t have a place for it and asked him to make it small instead of six feet. He created a 3-foot version for us. Now he creates both large and small sculptures. We have all of his sculptures indoors.

What are some of the specifics of your artwork collection?

BF: I estimate that our largest work of art is a painting by Guadalupe “Lupe” Apodaca measuring 3 by 5 feet. Our smallest piece is a Jason Napier bronze javelina with two babies, measuring about 3 by 4 inches. We have a beautiful large silk thread tapestry wall hanging by Prince and several very small art glass pieces we commissioned. We have several pieces of artwork stored, and we often think about rotating them. We don’t shop to invest. We shop to enjoy the art. Most of what we collect runs from $50 to $4-$5,000.

What’s your favorite memory in art collecting?

BF: Early on, the Arizona Fine Art Expo (EXPO) put together a group of artists that supported a school in Mexico. For several years, a dinner/charity fundraising auction was held in a private home in North Scottsdale. These artists donated 30 or 40 works of art, and their patrons and EXPO patrons came to lend their support. It was a great social activity with a hundred or more people. Everybody knew everybody, the prices were excellent, the artwork diverse, and everyone cheered the winning bid. It was a positive experience. Ken and Deanna Zylstra were a part of that group, and we are good friends today.

Do either of you create art?

MF: I used to make replicas of antique ceramic dolls in the German and French style. I created the ceramic faces, arms, and legs and paired them with a soft body. I painted the faces, added the hair, and sewed their clothes. I have about two hundred dolls.

Why do you collect art?

BF: Simply for the pleasure of enjoying it and sharing it with friends and family. Our children don’t collect art, but when they come over, we talk about art and appreciate the visual pleasure in our home.

MF: It’s just things we see that we like. It doesn’t have to be any particular genre.