When James Ratliff enlisted in the Army in 1962, he was asked for his occupation. He told his superiors that he was an artist, so they put him to work painting the walls of the barracks. He would cheekily sign his name on the corner of the walls when he was finished. Though he dabbled in painting, jewelry making and clothing and home design, he decided to pursue the business side of art. He purchased the Gallery of Modern Art in Scottsdale in 1964, after he got out of the Army. In 1983, he moved to Sedona and opened Ratliff Williams Gallery in the building that currently houses the Inn on Oak Creek. The gallery has evolved into the James Ratliff Gallery, now located at Hillside Sedona. James and Pat, his wife of 48 years, are filled with stories from the early days of gallery ownership, including tales of a “more laid-back” Sedona with wooden sidewalks in Uptown. “Things were really good,” says James. “We had art collectors from all over the world.”
On most days, James and Pat can be found in the gallery. Pat taught music and performed the piano until the couple moved to Sedona, at which point she and her sister, an accomplished opera singer, opened Eat Your Heart Out restaurant. The eatery closed in 1991, and Pat went to work at the gallery after taking a few years off. Today, James Ratliff Gallery represents 28 artists, some of whom James has been working with for 40 years. “It’s an eclectic gallery, and it always has been,” says James. “I like a lot of different art, and I like to put together collections for people. I can put together a collection from this gallery that makes it look like you’ve been collecting for 20 years.”
Speaking of putting together collections, art consulting is one of James’ passions. He regularly travels all over Arizona and the Southwest, choosing art and hanging it in clients’ homes. He even put together an art collection for the executive offices of Del Webb Construction Company 20 years ago. After more than 50 years in the art business and at the age of 77, James scoffs at the idea of retirement. “I’ll never retire,” he says. “I would hate it. Even on my days off, when I’m at home, I would rather be in here.” – Erika Ayn Finch.
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