Olivia Alexander

Back to list Added Jul 19, 2017

The 'Art' of Collecting Art

A beginner’s guide and easy tips to collecting art on any budget. by Olivia Alexander© and published on Artlovers Australia 11th Feb, 2017.

Please, don’t be intimidated by the term ‘art collector’.

At one time, art collecting was thought to be for the rich and famous. Those with surplus funds who collected the big names like Picasso, Warhol and Renoir, to name a few. But actually, building an art collection is achievable for most people.

A home looks empty without art on the walls and collecting original art is a great way to add character and your own special touch to your home or office.

In this article, I'll share some easy tips on how you can get started in the exciting world of art appreciation and collecting original and limited editions prints. Embracing the new art world opportunities

Art World changes

The past decade has seen huge changes in the art world. The internet has given us access to online galleries, art studios and other art platforms worldwide. Besides this, there are still ‘bricks and mortar’ art galleries hosting exhibitions or, venues run by artists themselves and other options like Open Studios and art trails. All these are opportunities in which we can engage with art and its creators, face to face.

While well-established or big name artists may be out of reach for the average income, considering emerging and mid- career artists is a great way to collect some fabulous art from some promising creatives, as well as building a collection to be proud of.

It's all a matter of knowing what to look for.

Getting started.

Although the options and choices can seem overwhelming here are some tips to make it easy.

The Art Collector… which one are you? There are basically three types of collectors;

The investment collector, The ‘I Love Art’ collector.’ And the ‘Art to match the sofa’ collector.

This article is focusing on the first two and if you’re new to this then read on for some ideas.

Where to look for, and learn about Art

There are lots of options for finding and learning about art, which is a great idea if you’re new to the ‘art game’.
Here’s some suggestions to get you started;

 Local exhibitions, group and solo shows.

 Galleries; public and private

 Artist run studios or co-ops.

 Online Art Galleries

 Artists’ Websites

 Art magazines and books.

 Museums

 Art Appreciation or art history courses.

Tip: The online option can be overwhelming so having a few artist’s names in mind will help to keep you focused as you get started.

How to buy

To get a feel for what you like start by visiting the places suggested above, but try to be a bit open-minded in your preferences. Your tastes will change over time as you become exposed to more styles of art and your knowledge grows.

Two basic tips to remember. 1. Buy what you love! 2. Buy what you can afford.
I know, it sounds too easy but really this is a solid foundation for starting an art collection and if you follow those two rules, you won’t go wrong.
Now, let’s expand these a bit further.

To get some suggestions, I spoke to Andrea Hope from Kiama Art Gallery, a long time collector of French art. Andrea also runs online and offline courses on Art Appreciation and Art history.

Here are some of her tips.

 Buy what you love! If you buy what you love eventually you will have a collection to be proud of.

 Don’t buy second-best. Wait, save up or see if you can pay it off. If you really love it, buy it! So many people say, “I wish I’d bought it”, and then it was too late.

 Andrea also said that her collection is eclectic, embracing many different styles and genres. Not just pieces from famous artists but also local artists. Works that are technically competent, both in terms of design, balance and colour.


Tip. If you’re new to the art world, consider undertaking an art appreciation course.
It will open up a whole new world and build your confidence as a collector, as well as more enjoyment of your collection.

Who to look at

3. Make use of the Internet. If you have found some artists that you are interested in, then do some research.
Most serious artists these days have an online presence or website.
Look them up and explore their work. Read the ‘About section’, CV resume, Artist’s Bio.
It will help to give you a greater sense of the ‘artist behind the work’, particularly if they work in a style that is unfamiliar to you. Consider these options

Mid-career artists are a great source to find quality original work.
They have most often worked consistently at their art for a number of years and have a solid artistic background.
Emerging artists are another source to look at. They may not have a long CV or exhibition history but do have a look at their work.

Tip: Questions to ask yourself are; Do they have a consistent body of work? Can you see that they are growing as an artist?

What to buy

4. If you’re still not quite sure where to start and feel a bit concerned about buying your first artwork, then start with small. After all, if you make a ‘faux pas’, it won’t be so obvious.
And really, you can’t go wrong anyway. The art you buy doesn’t have to appeal to everyone else; it’s about what you love!
Small to medium size pieces are great because they can easily be moved around your home till you find a spot to suit.
5. Look for original art, those ‘one of’ pieces. Then you will have something truly unique.
Limited edition prints are another consideration, especially if your budget is tight or you can’t afford the original piece but have fallen in love with the art work.
Limited editions are usually a very small number of prints, numbered and signed by the artist.

As your confidence grows you maybe feel ready to select a larger piece of work as a feature for your collection.

Themes

You may want to collect works that have a theme, subject or period. Perhaps still life, portraits or landscapes.
It’s your personal choice but you may notice that you are continually drawn to a certain theme.
You can still be eclectic in your choices, even while keeping to a theme.
Ask yourself, “What is it that I love about this work? Is it the colour, style, the story? Is it because it’s different to my usual taste?”
You will be surprised about what you learn about yourself and your tastes as your collection grows!

One very important final point

One thing you may not have thought of is the artists themselves.

6. When you buy original art work you enable that artist to live and to be able to afford to continue their work and career. It may sound simple but you actually have an impact on them and their future.
That’s pretty neat!

So, some quick tips to recap:

 Buy what you love, buy what you can afford. Easy peasy!

 Develop your knowledge by visiting galleries, exhibitions, online platforms and art studios.

 Look at mid-career and emerging artists both online and offline.
 Start with small works if that’s what you feel most comfortable with.

 Look for original art. Limited edition prints can also be added to the collection.

 While there’s nothing wrong with buying art to match your sofa, don’t make this the main criteria for your purchase. Look for works that are strong in design and that capture your attention and appeal. Ask yourself “What will add more strength to my collection?”

 Don’t be afraid to be eclectic in your selection, your tastes will change over time anyway.

 When you are hanging or displaying the art in your home or office, move pieces around till you find where they ‘fit’. There’s always somewhere for them!

I hope that this has helped you in some way and that you are ready to go out and start your own art collection.
Good luck as you explore the exciting world of Art!

Olivia Alexander is an international award-winning Australian artist who works with mixed media to create abstract and expressionist paintings. Since 2003 her work has appeared in many group exhibitions as well as solo and joint shows in Australia, Italy, France, USA, India and Dubai. Her works are in private collections worldwide.
She currently holds nine international awards including bronze and pewter medal diplomas from the Society of Arts, Sciences & Letters (ASL) in Paris in 2012 and 2014 and, also a silver medal diploma from the prestigious Academy of French International Merit & Devotion (MDF) in June 2014.
Olivia worked with Andrea Hope from Kiama Art Gallery to set up a local art studio trail in 2013 and she regularly hosts her own open studios.
She is passionate about art, writing, photography and living the ‘Artrepreneurial’ life.