Good news: you don’t have to be a millionaire to have your own art collection. There are a dozen ways to get fine art hanging on your walls, and starting a collection is a worthwhile endeavor. Here are a few tips.
Buy an art book to decipher your tastes. You may want to know what you like before you start looking, and feel more comfortable if you’ve exposed yourself to different types of art before making a purchase. Remember to keep yourself open to new possibilities; you may surprise yourself with which pieces captivate you, or make you think.
Visit a gallery. Find a local gallery that carries artwork you’re interested in, and start conversations with the sales representatives there. Often times, you’ll be able to negotiate a reasonable price for a piece of fine art that’s right for you. You may want to start by getting something small, or go big off the bat with something you fall in love with.
If you’re looking to save, buy a print or a giclee. (If you’re wondering, a giclee is a high quality reproduction of a painting, generally on canvas, that is nearly indistinguishable from an original, save texture.) There are usually only a few prints in existence, so be confident that you are getting a collector’s item and not just a poster. It is not uncommon for an artist to go back and embellish the painting themselves, adding a few brushstrokes and a signature. This adds value because of the presence of the artist’s hand.
Support local and upcoming artists. Who knows if you’ll be getting the next big thing before it’s big? Being a supporter of the arts is rewarding in and of itself, and with all the beautiful things being made today, you can find something that suits you and fits your budget.
Most importantly, remember that we have art in our lives because we love it. It’s good for us, and it’s there to make us happy, make us excited, make us dream, make us wonder. If you fall in love with a piece of art, if it’s something you want to visit again and again each day, that is a rare and beautiful thing. It’s worth fighting to keep something like that in your life. Don’t hesitate… start your collection today!
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