Judith Miller is a well-known British antiques specialist who is well-versed in many areas of collecting, especially English porcelain and ceramics. Her statement encapsulates a straightforward but impactful concept: expertise results from consistent work and a commitment to education.

Imagine creating a huge garden with exotic and rare flowers. You gradually become an expert gardener with each day spent caring for the garden, learning about the special qualities of each plant, and comprehending how to take care of them. According to Judith Miller, mastering any skill, including collecting, is similar to this gardening process.

For example, if someone chooses to collect Doulton figures—beautiful pieces of English pottery—they can start by closely examining and studying these objects by going to museums, antique shows, and collections. They begin to identify the rarest and most valuable items in the collection as they carry on with this practice over time. What turns a novice into an expert is this slow accumulation of knowledge.

According to Judith Miller, anyone can start this path of education and mastery. The secret is to actively look for resources, study constantly, and become completely engrossed in the material. Collectors must interact with their objects to gain a deep understanding of them, much like a gardener who carefully tends to each plant to learn about its subtleties.

Judith Miller emphasizes the fulfilling process of gaining knowledge and expertise in any field of interest by urging others to actively pursue knowledge through hands-on engagement rather than passive observation. Anyone who wants to actively engage with a particular field in order to increase their level of expertise will find resonance in her message.