Idiot’s Guide to Buying Art
So you want to buy art? Why wouldn’t you, art is awesome! The problem is, most people have no idea how to go about it. Where do you start? What do you look for? Where do you go? What makes art a “good buy”? Well the first thing you need to do is relax. This is a piece of cake. Lets go through this step by step and by the time we’re done, your walls will be eternally greatful.
Step One: Where do you start?
The first thing you need to figure out why you are buying art. Did something peak your interest and make you feel a certain way? Are you thinking of investing in art? Well the first suggestion I could make is to only buy art that you like. Like, really like. Love almost. This is the whole point of art, to connect with YOU. Think about it this way: Would you drive around all day in your car, listening to music that everyone else agrees is awesome, but you can’t stand? I wouldn’t. That’s the same reason that I buy art for ME. I don’t want to walk into my house every day, look at the wall and think… “That painting is amazing according to the latest cultural trends and it matches my throw pillows.” I don’t even have throw pillows. I do have some art that blows my mind though.
Step Two: What do you look for?
So you decided that you are going to buy some art. What are you looking for? Unfortunately individual taste in art is really just that… individual. Do you like abstract art? Surrealism? Figurative? Still life? The list could go on and on. If you are familiar with those terms, you are already on the right track. If not, you have wikipedia. Do a little research and check your options. If you like lions, search for “Lion Art”. Maybe you find an artist that specializes in lion portraits. Write his name down! You will be stalking him in the near future! If his lion portraits don’t do it for you, keep hunting. Try and get a rough idea of the different styles and artists working in those styles that you like. We can narrow our search later, right now we are just gathering some ideas.
Step Three: Where do you go?
So you think you know what you are looking for. There are so many places to buy art and this is the reason that most people get intimidated. Don’t be afraid, this is like buying a cheeseburger at McDonalds… except art wont clog your arteries and give you heart disease. There are two main places to buy art. The main places to go are:
Galleries – These guys put the “art” in Walmart. Galleries are a great place to go when you haven’t fallen in love with specific piece of art and are still shopping around. I have gone to an art show at a gallery, fallen in love with a painting by an artist I have never heard of or seen, and purchased it then and there. Most cities have numerous galleries and each one will deal with a particular kind of art. The best way to find a gallery that suits your taste is to simply search online for galleries in your area. Check out their website and see if you like what you see. If not, move on. There are tons of places to go. Galleries usually have an opening about once a month. Some may have group shows with a bunch of artists while others will have many paintings by one artist. This should all be on their site. Get the dates and times of the opening and make plans! Think of an opening like a party with cool stuff on the walls for you to buy. There is usually wine. Sometime crackers. Sometimes cheesecake if you’re lucky. Always art. The artist will usually be there to talk to and this is a really cool opportunity to get some insight on the work. Don’t be afraid to talk to the artist, most of the time he/she will be more nervous than you. After all, their work is on the wall for all the world to judge. The prices and titles of all the work should be there for you to see. Go there, fall in love, and be happy. Can’t go wrong with that formula.
Some things to keep in mind about galleries: Galleries have to charge a commission on the art they sell to stay in business. This will usually lead to the prices being slightly higher than if you bought it directly from the artist. Most of the time though, this price difference is not that much. Artists and galleries want to sell their art. They all need to eat, and jacked-up prices have a tendency to drive customers away, not make sales. Plus when you buy artwork at a show, it lets the gallery owner know that the artist can make them money… increasing your chances of seeing that artist on those walls again.
and…
Directly from the artist -Now buying something from the person that makes it is a very cool experience. When most people think of artists, they think of an untouchable arrogant ass. I don’t know when this notion started, but it is usually wrong. Now I am not saying that these people don’t exist in the art world, they do. But most of the people you will deal with are cool, down to earth people. Most of them are on Facebook and Twitter and will take the time to talk to you. Realistically, they wouldn’t be able to survive without support from people like you.. People who support what they do. So if you find an artist you like, find them on a social networking site. Remember how I said we would be stalking people? Get your stalk on. But don’t be creepy, nobody likes a creep.
The good thing about social networking sites is that they provide a direct link to the artist. This will be where artists will be posting up their newest work or in some cases, work in progress. If you see something you like, jump on it! Ask them if it is for sale and for how much. Most of the time, this is not only where you will be getting the best prices, but you will also be able to talk to and get to know the artist. You would be surprised as to how many art sales are made over Facebook and Twitter nowadays. Plus it lets you see work long before it will be hanging in a gallery.
Step Four: What makes art a “Good Buy” ?
Well, a good buy is something that you buy and it makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Well it can make you feel anything. That’s the point of art, to trigger a connection with the viewer. Art can be seen as a financial investment but I am of the position that the best investment you can make is investing in yourself. I buy art that makes me feel good. Art I like. I also create art in the hopes that someone will at some point share a connection with it. So go out there and connect. Look on the internet. The best advice I can give you is to not be intimidated by the art world. It’s a huge place but there is something there for you. Look at your wall. Stop reading this and look at your wall for a good five seconds. I know you didn’t look but I trust you to do so after this. Imagine how awesome your wall could look. Fact: Every wall could look more awesome with art on on it. Fact: You can find art out there that you like within your price range. Fact: Art is always a “Good Buy” if it makes you happy. So get out there and make some moves. You are now in the art buying game.