How To Start An Art Collection
I often get asked the question: How do you start an art collection?
People don't know where to go for art locally, how to decorate a space, or think that once you buy a piece of art you have to keep it forever. Sound familiar? Luckily for you, I've been collecting work made by other artists for the last decade and have some tips!
Mindset: Pictures are not tattoos- you can change them out! So if you find something you really like now, don't stop yourself by thinking "what if I don’t like this in 4 years?"
Where to buy art:
I'm a fan of shopping locally. In Seattle there’s this print shop called Fine Art Impressions that probably has 10,000 prints ready to go on your walls.
Look for weekend farmers markets/vintage shops/art school exhibits/ arts & crafts festivals and then some.
Online small business platforms: places like Etsy or desenio are a great way to find art you like. Many artists have digital downloads of neat pictures that you can print on your own to test out if you like it in a space. I sell prints of my work on Etsy and it's awesome.
“Pink Dream” is a 20x30 inch oil on canvas painting and is for sale!
Budgeting:
I set a yearly budget for art collection. Knowing my own habits, I don’t buy art often- but when I see something I love I want to be ready. I actually have a separate savings account that is just for my art collection/fun money. Keeping it separate means I don’t spend that money on take out or other consumables.
Expensive art doesn't mean it's good art. There are a lot of local artists doing amazing things for under $500. That said, sometimes you might find a painting that is incredible, but you can’t pay for the whole thing up front. MANY artist are willing to do payment plans, you just gotta ask!
Commissions: Another thing to look out for is if an artist you like has commissions. Often you can ask them to make something for whatever your budget is and work something out.
Once I saw a painting I loved, but it was already sold to someone else. I contacted the artist and asked if they could make me something similar and they did!
This is a recent commission I finished for a client who liked another painting I had made and sold in the past.
“Celebrate” 2021, Oil and gold leaf on canvas, 3x5 ft
Figuring out what you like:
Have you ever seen a painting in a gallery, museum, or online and think 'wow I could never afford that' ? (I have!)
At that point I breakdown what I like about the piece and take notes on my phone. Is it abstract? Realism? Landscape? 3D? What are the colors like? Texture?
Taking note of all those things will help you figure out what you like and help you find something just as cool from your local arts fair, online shop, or your friendly neighborhood artist~
Hope those tips were helpful! In other news: I have a new print design on my Etsy shop and website! “Emergence” was a painting I made live on Twitch earlier in the year and I think it looks striking as a print and on accessories! Click the button below to visit the store :)
Hope you are having a wonderful day!
-Stevie