I feel that any small business is ever-evolving. Whoever owns it brings his or her own passion and own set of experiences to it ­ and also his or her own taste level. It must evolve. It has to. Otherwise it will stagnate, and that cutting-edge freshness will not be present.

The other thing that is important, is not to show only one kind of art, like all landscapes together. That's why I'll place a gorgeous abstract by Terri Hallman with a more traditional landscape by Suzzanne Fokine. To me, the colors work, and the mood feels right. I base the whole gallery's philosophy on that, if the mood feels right. People shouldn't be afraid to mix things from their past and their present together in the same room. That way, when you walk into your home, you know it's yours and could be no one else's.

So I think I've added a different twist. I love things that are just out-and-out beautiful. Beauty is my main prerequisite ­ more than new methods or any so-called trends in the art world. I want people to see the art and just be awed by it. If I'm awed, then I know my clients will be too. This is not a couch or a lamp; it's a piece of original art that you will likely keep for the rest of your life. And if you love it at first sight, chances are you'll love it forever. It's not about style or what's current. It's about an enduring passion.

The gallery has evolved based on my own passion and my love for certain objects. I've grown more and more into sculpture because I love three-dimensional things. Whether you prefer landscapes or abstracts, whatever you buy or add to your own collection can't be anything you've ever seen before. It has to be unique. You also have to be able to see the style and point of view of the artist. That's what I look for, something identifiable in terms of technique and style ­ and something that will feed and enrich the soul.

Sylvia A. Rombis
Owner
Malton Gallery