I doubt it.

From the outside, it seems like such a cool gig. Especially for an artist. Galleries calling about one-man (or woman) shows, collectors oohing and aahing over your work, paintings selling like hotcakes, money pouring in, media interviews, constant first-class flights to Europe and back, hot babes in limousines, art show openings. Madness!

And, as you well know, it's total fantasy. So, what does that mean for everyday collectors and artists?

It means that we're stuck with one another. In a good way, of course.

It means that artists, especially ones without gallery representation, really depend on collectors for their bread and butter. It also means that collectors who have yet to buy the "new" Picasso must keep looking.

But for me, none of that matters. I say, "Famous-Schmamous!" Who cares? While some artists are killing themselves seeking fame and fortune and some collectors are stumbling over themselves always trying to collect the "hot" artists, I'll just continue to seek out interesting, unknown artists who create works that move me.

Don't get me wrong. If I find the next Damien Hirst, great! However, I'm on this art collecting journey for the trip. Much to my surprise, I never get tired of looking at art. I never get tired of talking to artists (email mostly). It's a thrill.

To the best of my knowledge, none of the artists whose works I own are famous. And forgive the blasphemy or perhaps ignorance, but their work seems just as good as anything I've seen in the Museum of Modern Art. Well, almost. I think that when you collect the works of "unknown" artists, your motivations are pure. Love of the piece and desire to support the artist move you to buy.

There's no denying that our perception of fame is the fairy dust that gets sprinkled in all of our eyes. Sometimes, it causes us to blur the lines between mediocrity and greatness. Of course, that's not to say that great art in museums is mediocre. I'm merely saying that for me, museums are masoleums for art. Works that have been canonized. Great! But there's nothing like getting out into the real world of galleries and coffee shops and art fairs and websites and seeing art that's being made NOW by living artists who are NOT FAMOUS. Art that sometimes knocks your socks off.

We can really get real if we forget about the fame game. As you know, fame is really about what other people say, anyway. Usually marketing wizards. Illusions. And you know how people exaggerate.

If fame comes and you're alive to experience it, more power to you. However, if it doesn't, why not just live and work and create great art regardless?

For what it's worth, that will make you highly notable in this collector's eyes.