He credits the famed L.A. based mega art collector and art fair (Felix) producer, Dean Valentine, as his mentor and inspiration. “He has taught me a lot, basically how to see and understand art, and appreciate it, and when I am visiting L.A which I do regularly, I am running to as many contemporary art galleries as possible to explore and discover new artists”

While the walls in both of his homes, in Denver and Tampa, are filled to capacity, he is still an avid art hunter, discoverer, and collector, and always on the prowl.

Mr. Walker is well known in Denver for finding artists early in their careers before others catch on. He admires all the artists in his collection, but pushes his favorites such as Simphiwe Ndzube, Suchitra Mattia, Andrew Jennsdotter, Razvan Boar, Wendy White, and Brandon Landers. Always searching for and uncovering the new “up and comer”, he says his favorite galleries are K Contemporary in Denver, and Nicodim Gallery in L.A., because they focus on the process of how an artist makes the art.

Motivated, inspired, loyal and driven, after Todd acquires a work, he likes to help the artist further their careers by finding them museum shows and other galleries for representation and even financial support and artist studio lodging. He loves validating an artist’s work by showing art to galleries and museum curators. He takes great pride in discovering gifted emerging artists and championing their careers, not unlike Miami’s famed art collectors Mera and Don Rubell, although on a lesser budget.

He loves artworks that are challenging, thought-provoking, and speaks to you every day, and makes you feel different when you view them. He kiddingly says that she knows he is “getting it right” when his sports lover friends come to his house and make fun of the art on his walls.

Mr. Walker lives in Denver and Tampa. He is the co-founder of Arapaho Asset Management, a retirement education and investing firm.