Building an art collection takes time, dedication and knowledge. But if you are interested in this delightful adventure, this blog post is a good place to start.
There are many reasons why you may choose to start an art collection. You might be interested in the decorative functionalities of art or in their investment value. You should not be intimidated by the vastness and depth of the art industry. Rather, understand what to buy, why you want to buy and how to make a budget for a collection. And don't think that only the rich and famous can buy art. With a trained eye and good financial planning measures in place, you can also build a collection of your dreams and show off your aesthetic sensibilities. Alright, let's get started.
"Looking Up" - sold by Grok Xpressions
Look up several sources of art to find what you like. The best way to learn about what kinds of art appeals to you is by having a look at many and identifying those ones that strike a chord. There are many ways you can look up art and the internet makes it easier to find new art and artists. Sites like Instagram and Pinterest helps you discover similar kinds of art when you search for them using hashtags. You can also save ideas when you search for them online which may inspire what you later buy.
Learn about art and artists from books, blogs, YouTube, e.t.c. Learning about art and artists gives you a contextual understanding of the art and the times in which it was produced. It will also give you a deeper appreciation of the art you buy. When discussing your art interests or purchases, you can talk about them in an intelligent manner.
Determine your purpose in building a collection. Ask yourself why you are building a collection in the first place. Are you collecting items for decorative purposes? Would you like to collect art that are centered on a theme? Are you interested in monochromatic pieces or are you piqued by a particular medium of art? Your purpose in building the collection will determine how you buy.
Start to buy without worrying about investment portfolio or whether you will like it in a few years. Once you have your eye trained to know what you like, you can start buying what you enjoy. If your tastes change over time, you can always give away your art or sell it.
Consider how you would display and care for your art. You should consider the space it will occupy on your walls and how you would care for your art. Some media will require more care than others.
Take measures to insure and protect your art in case of damage and how your art will be preserved after you have passed on. Lots of insurance companies offer covers for art and will be willing to compensate you in any event of damage. Also, you should have a plan for what will happen to your art after you have departed this life. You may want to pass it on to a loved one or contribute it to a gallery or a museum. The decision is all yours. Just make it.