by Lynn Murphy

Created on: June 24, 2008

Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. When collecting art, remember that the collection is for you and no one else. It is a collection of art that you admire, that you appreciate, that you want hanging in your home or office. The first step then, in beginning an art collection, is to determine what kind of art you really like. And remember that art takes many forms. Paintings are what most people generally think of, but photographs, textiles, glasswork, pottery, woodworking and sculpture all fall into art catagories.

Most people dream about going to a yard sale and discovering a Picasso for a quarter. It doesn't happen for the vast majority. When you set out to collect, don't concentrate on a major artist, unless you have a large sum of money set aside and nothing else to spend it on. Many major collections began by art admirers buying the works of unknown painters. Picasso and Monet are two very famous artists for which this is true. This is not to say you shouldn't buy a renior if you have the opportunity and the funds. It just probably will not be your first purchase.
After you have looked at art and decided what you want to collect, whether its paintings, hand built pots or blown glass flowers, start scoping out galleries and shops that carry that sort of works. Vacations are a great time to hunt for a peice. Do you want to collect whimsical folk art woodcarvings? In Santa Fe you will find a multitude in every price range, for example. Visit local arists' showings in your area. I have one friend who is slowly building a collection of local artists' work. She buys one peice every year and budgets for it just like many people budget an amount to save for a vacation.
When you get your peices home, think about how to best show them off. Paintings, drawings and photographs should be framed and hung in spots where they are a focal point of yur decor. Small three dimensional peices can be grouped together in several locations. Larger peices should stand alone.
Don't collect anything you don't love. Remember, the collection is about you. And don't not purchase something you love just because someone else tells you they don't like it. Art exists to make our lives richer and to enhance the spaces we live and work in. It makes a statement, it means something to the person who looks at and enjoys it. Build a collection to suit you, over time.

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