The welcoming entrance to Bob and Ann Myer’s ranch-style home in Orange leads to the couple’s amazing collection of art.
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When Bob and Ann Myers first purchased their single-story home in Orange Hills in 1987, little did they know the ranch-style residence would become the perfect backdrop for an extraordinary collection of art the couple has collected throughout the years.
From works by local artists like Tony Delap and Bret Price, to pieces obtained in most of the 38 countries they’ve traveled to, the collection is so impressive that some of it even gets loaned out to museums such as the Orange County Museum of Art and the Laguna Art Museum.
“We have 650 works, some of which are in storage off-site,” says Bob. “We also lend pieces to museum shows throughout North America when we get a request. We’ve had a lot of museum directors and curators visit us, and we’ve had works that traveled for two years to multiple museums. When a piece comes back, we have to decide where to display it again. We keep saying we’re not buying any more art, and then before you know it, we keep buying.”
The architectural style of the four-bedroom home is a work of art unto itself. Tucked away in the hills, the neighborhood was developed by architect G.L. Lewis, who taught many of the architects who currently practice in Orange County today.
According to Bob, the vintage home was ahead of its time, showcasing contemporary features that weren’t commonly found in local architecture 50 years ago.
“The transitions from room to room are delineated by ceilings of variable heights,” says Bob. “The house looks like a two-story from the outside. Our exterior landscaping gives the feeling of a welcoming handshake before you enter the front door. Of course, upon entering the home, there is just this explosion of visual amazement with the art. We tried very hard to curate it so that it’s not overpowering or cluttered.”
On display in the Myers’s home, this letterman’s jacket is carved of wood by artist Frank Duchamp.
Bob and Ann, with their dachshund “Brick,” in the entry hall. The two acrylic works behind them are by renowned LA artist Chaz Bojorquez. The “surveillance camera” is by Kazuki Eguchi, an artist from Japan.
In the bedroom is a terra-cotta sculpture by Jane Ullman, along with a Brad Durham work painted in oil on carved wood. The “Hot Dogger” ceramic was created by Laguna Beach artists Scott and Naomi Schoenherr.
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Originally from the suburbs outside of Chicago, Bob is retired from his longtime career in industrial equipment sales, including cranes and electric lift trucks. Ann worked for Orange County Social Services for 25 years, and prior to that, for 12 years in retail at Robinsons department stores in Southern California. She is originally from Santa Maria.
The two met through friends after Bob bought his first home in Old Towne in 1984. It was a Queen Anne Victorian built in 1904. The couple got married at Holy Family Cathedral in Orange in 1987, right before moving to Orange Hills where they reside to this day.
“When Ann and I first got together, we both liked to travel and visit art galleries and museums,” says Bob. “After a year or two, we decided to take art history classes at Laguna Art Museum. We then got involved in the arts community locally. Much of the work in our collection is by artists we know personally. We only buy artwork that we both like. We are not influenced by expectations or art advisors. We do the research and plan the gallery or studio visits ourselves.”
Among the pieces the Myers are most proud of include paintings and drawings by legendary West Coast artist Chaz Bojorquez. His iconic graffiti-style work pioneered an entire movement highlighting Cholo calligraphy. Two of his acrylic paintings hang in a prominent spot in their home’s main entry.
Australian artist Holly Grace crafted the blown-glass teapot on display in the bedroom. On the wall hangs an acrylic work done on Masonite by Gunther Gerzso.
With a view of the dining room from the living room, the Myers are surrounded by art they’ve collected during their world travels. A bronze piece by Krysten Cunningham sits on the carved teakwood elephant/tree table next to them. The pendulum piece is actually a music box by Mineko Grimmer. Hanging above the dining room table is a light fixture made of steel armature with pig gut done by Donna Reinsel.
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Displayed on an end table in the living room, a bronze piece hand-painted by Krysten Cunningham stunningly replicates two pieces of “cardboard.” Also in their living room—on the window seat fronting the enormous picture window—a bronze sculpture by Deborah Butterfield depicts an abstract horse crafted of driftwood.
“Deborah made our sculpture with branches and koa wood,” says Bob. “She sent it deconstructed to a foundry where the pieces were cast in bronze, reassembled and then patinaed. The salmon sculpture next to the horse is made out of glass by an amazing artist in Washington state, Raven Skyriver.”
Although the home’s interior is replete with fascinating art pieces, the exterior of the home is equally fascinating. In the backyard, a nine-foot totem takes center stage near the patio. The Myers met the Tlingit artist in Alaska, and commissioned the piece from the carver, Fred Trout, who was apprenticing under acclaimed carver Nathan Jackson.
“We flew Fred and his wife here and raised the completed totem together in the backyard, as is tradition,” says Bob. “We hosted a small party and even invited our landscape guy who constructed the base.”
In the window seat, a bronze horse by Deborah Butterfield stands near a salmon sculpture made of glass by Raven Skyriver. The large, blue acrylic painting is by Matthew Chambers, while the glass pieces are by Lino Tagliapietra, Dante Marioni and John Kiley.
Standing sentry in their backyard is a totem pole carved by Fred Trout, a Tlingit artist from Ketchikan, Alaska.
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When they are not traveling (e.g., their most recent trip to South Africa to visit 21 galleries and studios), Bob and Ann enjoy working in their yard, propagating succulents and tending to their gorgeous coral and ficus trees.
A quilter for more than 40 years, Ann has enjoyed creating works of love for family and friends. Her Amish-style bed quilt graces the master bedroom. Ann has also worked in stained glass, and some of her pieces are on display in the house. Ann also enjoys being a member of the Woman’s Club of Orange, whose philanthropic work assists nonprofit organizations and schools in Orange.
Whether their collection of 50 whimsical ceramic sculptures by Canadian artist David Gilhooly, or their towering ceramic sculpture comprised of 150 different pieces by California artist David Hicks, or their tribal light fixture above their dining table, the Myers thrive on surrounding themselves with eclectic art that inspires the imagination.
“It’s not a house, it’s a home,” says Bob. “We live with our art. Whether the art is ceramic, glass, bronze, wood or a painting, everything is a little different in our collection. There’s always something a bit unique and interesting about the work.”
