This man is always smiling, giving out high fives, and you'll never see a bad mood. He works and walks fast. He is on a mission, he's in and he's out and then on the road. He has picking places to be! Rain or Shine, Sleet or Snow. A California native, who has lived in the Tulsa area for many years. He is a proud Father of daughter, Katie. A Real Genuine, Hip guy. Meet Curtis Cain 0CC2, the Art guy.

RC: How long have you been interested in Picking?

CC: Oh, Jimaneze, Probably Um, twenty plus years. (smiling)

RC: What do you collect?

CC: Art, Mod-50's Furniture, Vintage Air-Cooled Volkswagons. Volkswagons actually are what got me started. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. My friend had all the cool toys and I went picking with him and I caught the “bug”. He made all of the connections before hand.

RC: What advice would you give new vendors?

CC: Hmm, for here? Well, if they want to make money, refill-refill-refill! Dust, clean, and straighten. If I relax on those things, it affects my sales. The best advice in picking is to buy CHEAP! For me, it's never been about the money, but the thrill of the find. I like to hug, feel, touch my finds, and then I am off on the next pick and the stories behind them. The friends and connections you make are awesome! The next find is what keeps me doing this.

RC: Do you have people tell you that you look like Jack Black, the Actor?

CC: (laughing) all of the time. And I act like him. (laughing)

RC: Do you sing like Jack Black?

CC: In the shower, of course!

RC: If you could invent a pair of glasses that would allow you to see abstract art everywhere you looked, what would you want to see most of all?

CC: Man, that's a tough one. I would like to see some of my favorites on buildings and walls and in the sky. Charles Wilson Banks, Monet, Thomas Hart Benton, Picasso, and Dali. Thomas Hart Benton is one of the best! His work tells such a story.

RC: If you had the time and money and could go on a month long summer adventure of your choice, what would you choose to do?

CC: Where would I like to go? Greece, Venice, places like that. If I could go back in time, I would like to be in the Beethoven period. I think I could “rock a wig.” I would have liked to hang with Beethoven.

RC: Favorite quote? Finders Keepers and “This too shall pass”.

RC: What discussion can put you to sleep more quickly than any other?

CC: Man, you did good. It has to be politics and world events. Right now, I am living in my own.

RC: Favorite treasure that you have found that you can't part with?

CC: But I parted with it. (laughing) Tom True, a 1980's company. They had a massive set of 3 paintings of trees. I bought two of the three and paid 40.00 for them. I couldn't buy the third because I didn't have the money. Two years later, I found it again and bought it. (smiling)I also have a pencil sketch that reminds me of someone. I don't know if I will ever part with it.

RC: Any funny sale stories? My friend, Weef, and I are always running out of gas. We were leaving one of our picking towns and stopped at a gas station for snacks. We loaded up on snacks and drinks. We left the station, got on the interstate, drove about a mile and ran out of gas. (laughing) Good Times!

RC: Do you pick alone or would you rather have someone with you?

CC: There are times I like to go alone, but for the most part, my friend “Weef” and I go. We complement each other. We don't buy the same things, but know what each other are looking for. Picking is a huge high and it's all about being at the right place at the right time.

RC: It's a natural high, isn't it?

CC: Yes, the thrill of driving up, seeing it and in your head thinking “how cheap can I get it?”

RC: What is your favorite thing about River City Trading Post?

CC: I have made fantastic friends here. Have purchased good finds and I met my girlfriend here.

RC: And both of your eyes locked across the room...(laughing)

CC: You introduced us!