So you want to start an art collection...GREAT!!! ummmm.....Now what? It's fine, we've all been here - a beginner. You are in a world that is unfamiliar with a huge desire to learn. You're eager and anxious to be on your new journey but you feel totally clueless as to what to do next and this is no different when you want to begin a decent art collection. So where do you being? Happily, I can tell you that as an aspiring collector you Do NOT have to have a vast knowledge of art in order to make this happen for you. All you need is confidence in what you truly love. Thankfully, we have the internet in this day and age and it won't take tons of time going to art shows in hope that you will find the knowledge you need to get started. Sites like Pinterest and large online galleries like Saatchi and Fine Art America can help you trudge thru the sheer amount of art available online...and that's OK too, because you will quickly learn what you prefer when it comes to choosing art for your home. That knowledge do you need? Basically - knowing what you love and what fits into your lifestyle...it's as simple as that. So go ahead and spend some time looking about in these galleries and getting a feel for what you really love. This will make it easier for you to hone what your preferences are thus making it easier for you to make your very first purchase whether at a show or online. You will also feel better about what constitutes good art and that is not as hard as you think it is. For you, the small collector, it absolutely comes down to what you like because the vast majority of today's collectors that are into art as an investment have the help of those who have a Master's in Art History and often a number of people looking around for just the right investment opportunity - this is not you, so don't try to be that person. You are going to do far better knowing that you are doing this for the love of art rather than trying to score a painting that is going to be some huge payoff 20 years from now. It's just not possible without tons and tons of proper research. Who has time for that? So begin small and take a few baby steps. Buying a small work under 16" x 20" is a great place to begin. You won't spend a ton of money and a collection of small works thoughtfully done can have a huge impact in your home. It's the really smart way to start and very quickly you will establish yourself as a connoisseur and patron of fine art. Brilliant.
Don't be afraid to mix styles of art, just make sure to pair this styles together on separate walls - you know, just like the big art gallery does. If art collecting is a passion for you then it's time to dive in and get started. There is so much real opportunity out there and good artists can be very easy to find and buy from - directly. This is the age of technology, after all. So if you have any further questions - please feel free to comment below. The best way to begin is to take that first step...you are more confident than you know.
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It really doesn't take tons of money or a vast knowledge of art history to start an art collection for yourself, and there's no reason to believe that you can't build a wonderful collection by simply making a few smart buys from artists you like to follow. In the end, building a small but smart collection is a worthwhile venture into small scale art collecting...and here's a few things to keep in mind:
#1: Never let anyone tell you that you don't know art. Artists and high end collectors LOVE to pal about in fancy clique groups where they can keep the unwashed masses at arms' length. One of thee ways they exclude people is to simply tell them that they don't know anything about art. These same people buy works that are steeped in the ugliness of the present Post Modern movement that absolutely abhors anything that is beautiful. Rest assured you are being a rebel if you buy beautiful work to display in our home and you'll sleep better knowing that these clique groups of twats are out there looking quite ridiculous. #2: Don't buy with the idea that it will increase in value. Art is a hard way to invest, very hard and really expensive...and since what everyone likes is often so different, going into art collecting for enjoyment is a far better investment then trying to do it for the purpose of making money at some later date. Basically, you have to really know what you're doing to use art for investment purposes (and then, maybe you need to do some money laundering, which explains a lot of things in the art world) and let's face it: most of us don't have that kind of time, or for that matter are looking to wash some cash. Start your art collection for the purpose of enhancing your lifestyle and you will do yourself a huge favor in both spending far less money and enjoying it more without the worry and that's what it should really do for you...give you another level of enjoyment and enhance your home or business. #3: Start with smaller, original works. It's cheaper to start with small pieces before you begin buying bigger ones and it can be quite fashionable for the walls in your home to have a gallery wall where all of the pieces are on display at once. This was common in all the great homes of Europe and it's never gone out of style -- it looks so classy. Larger works of art will command quite a bit of attention and they typically like walls all to themselves (the selfish brutes) but small well defined collections play very well with each other and can really enhance a room. Never underestimate the power of small things working together. #4 Follow artists whose work moves you. You might not be able to afford to buy from some of these artists, but you will often see their influence in works that you see from emerging artists. This will expand your knowledge of what you like and when you are really ready to buy that first piece, you can do it with a greater level of confidence. #5: Buying from lesser known, emerging artists. There's a lot of great art out there - a lot. Staying away from the bigger names and delving into the emerging art world is a great way to start collecting. You are also helping those artists establish their careers and they will always remember you for it. In the end, the real reason for small scale collecting is your personal enjoyment, and there's nothing like original works of art adorning your home. It is all about what you like and there should be no apologies on your part for what moves you personally. |
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January 2020
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