Collecting art is something that a lot of people do, but only some do it in a more professional sense. People collect all kinds of art, ranging from movies to games to music and everything in between. However, among art collectors, some do it more consciously as a hobby or even a passion. Read on to learn everything that you need to know if you want to start collecting art.
Why Are You Collecting?
Before collecting any art, you must examine yourself and your intentions behind collecting. While art is subjective, other factors are at play in determining the value of something. For example, something may look nice to you. But it may just be an over-priced work by an untalented artist. Conversely, something you want in your collection could be incredible, but it won't be worth much unless the larger art community recognizes the artist and piece.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But the larger art community also determines beauty. Do you want to collect art that fits your tastes, or is your goal to create a collection with a high financial value? A clear plan is essential in outlining how you purchase art for your collection.
While both intentions are admirable, the best course for purchasing art is to look for those pieces that bring you joy but that also could be worth something. Don't purchase something you don't like only because it could be worth something, and don't neglect something you love because you think it's cheap. Instead, start your collection to serve you and your interests. Over time, you can expand that collection to encompass the wide range of pieces you become attached to.
Set Your Budget
Many may view art as an investment, but it will take some time before you see any return. Because you're in the art collection game for the long run, you must create a budget early and remember to always stick to it. If you want a guaranteed return on investment for your art, you must turn toward already established and widely recognized artists and their expensive works. For beginning art collectors, this strategy is tough to maintain.
Create a budget early and follow the principle of quality over quantity. Instead of purchasing a lot of smaller pieces, consider looking toward the more substantial ones. An art collection will take some time to build correctly, and there are no shortcuts to creating it quickly. A collection requires some small pieces here and there. But overall, you will want the more substantial works to define your collection. These pieces will stick in your brain when you talk about your gallery with people, but they will also be the pieces that are more likely to increase in value.
Conduct Research
After understanding your intentions and creating a budget for your art purchases, you must try to find art to purchase. It's much more complicated than it seems if you want to get it right. Yes, you could simply walk into an art gallery or auction and purchase a piece you think would fit your collection. But there’s no guarantee you will get the right one for you. To get the best purchase, you must do your research. Research is the backbone of the art world, as artists you may think are nobodies have significant followings and are rising to stardom. Alternatively, someone you may feel is at the top of the art world is—in reality—on the decline and is slowly being rejected by the larger community of art critics.
The art world is vast, and while something could look entirely compelling as a piece of art in your view, you must understand the larger art context it sits in. Therefore, before buying art, you need a precursory knowledge of numerous types of art, styles, mediums, artists, and histories. After looking through more and more art, you can better understand the craft behind a piece, but you will also further develop your own preferences. With this knowledge, you can better identify art that is derivative and art that is unique and would fit into your collection.
Know What To Look For
With art knowledge, you can better determine the throughline of your collection. Some art collectors start their collection with a mishmash of different artists and mediums, but as things evolve, art collectors gravitate towards particular styles. With this theme determined, it is much easier to go to art fairs and galleries or browse online to find the art you want for your collection.
Consider going to exhibitions and galleries in the initial phases of your collection, as this is an excellent space for networking with other collectors, asking questions, and meeting artists. Online art purchasing has also been booming in recent years, as it is an excellent option for collectors to narrow their searches. Searching for art online is also efficient because you can locate a piece you like and compare it with the many other available works in the art space. Some artists will have public showings but most have their inventory on their websites for collectors to check out.
Think Long-Term
With all the research behind you, you can start purchasing art. However, with that said, you must think long-term with your art purchases. There are numerous things to consider before buying a piece. For example, ensure you get the certificate of authenticity when purchasing artwork and store it safely. These documents are necessary for ensuring the work and are almost required if you want to donate or sell a piece.
In addition to getting these certificates, you must also ensure that you properly store your art so that it can remain pristine for years to come. Framing is vital for many pieces, and you should have a professional take care of that. Then, when showcasing your works, do not place them in direct sunlight, as harsh UV light can dull the piece and damage it over time.
After learning everything that you need to know if you want to start collecting art, you should start collecting today. Of course, there will be a financial and time investment, but you will still have a lot of new art pieces that you can add to your collection. To begin your collection, consider checking out one of Jesse Nusbaum's intricate pieces, like the bronze elephant sculpture. These pieces will look good in any collection, both big and small, and kickstart your art collecting journey.
