Curing Cancer One Masterpiece at a Time!™

Building an art collection is a deeply personal and rewarding experience. Whether you're a seasoned art collector or just starting out, the process of choosing the right art and artists to add to your collection is a blend of art and science. This guide is designed to accompany you on this journey, offering insightful tips and answering key questions to help you curate a collection that is not just valuable, but also deeply meaningful to you.

What Are Your Intentions with This Art Collection?

Before you start buying art, clarify your intentions. Are you collecting for personal enjoyment, investment, or both? Your goals will influence the type of art and artists you choose. Whether you want to support emerging artists, acquire high-quality fine art, or enhance your living room's interior design, having clear intentions will guide your decisions.

Criteria for Choosing an Artwork

• Personal Resonance: The artwork should resonate with you on a personal level. It should evoke emotions, thoughts, or memories.
• Quality and Craftsmanship: Look for high-quality artistic works that demonstrate skill and attention to detail.
• Originality: Seek out original artwork that offers a unique perspective or style.
• Artist’s Career: Consider the artist's career trajectory and potential for future growth. Supporting emerging artists can be both rewarding and a smart investment.
• Art as an Investment: We recommend buying art you love and if someone offers you more than you paid for the piece making a decision about how such a sale impacts your collection. Some are able to do the constant due diligence needed to generate a return on their art collection, but such successful art "flippers" probably require more time, money, or resources than we can muster.
  
  

How Many Pieces of Art Should Be in Your Collection?

There's no set number of pieces that make up a good collection. It depends on your space, budget, and personal preferences. Start small with a few meaningful works and gradually expand as you discover new artists and styles. Here are a few tips to finding and buying the next great piece of art in your collection: 

• Research: Attend art fairs, visit art galleries, and explore art online. Exposure to different styles and artists will help you identify art you love.
• Connection: Choose pieces or artists that you feel a strong connection to, whether through the subject matter, color palette, or artistic technique. You buy the artist at least as much as you buy the art.
• Story and Context: Learn about the story behind the artwork and the artist’s inspiration. A piece with a compelling backstory often holds more meaning.

How Do Art Galleries Choose Artists?

Art galleries typically consider several factors when choosing artists to represent:

• Quality of Work: The technical skill and originality of the artist’s work.
• Emotional Impact: Buying art is emotional, so galleries look for work with emotional impact and appeal.
• Storytelling: Art is a form of visual storytelling and all art has context and stories that help define and elevate the work.
• Consistency: A consistent body of work that shows the artist’s development and commitment.
• Market Potential: The artist’s potential to attract buyers and fit within the gallery’s target market.
• Professionalism: The artist’s ability to meet deadlines, communicate effectively, and maintain a professional portfolio.

We suggest borrowing and applying this art buying report card to your collection.

Planning Your Art Collection

• Set a Budget: Determine how much you are willing to invest in your collection. Consider factors such as your current financial situation, your long-term financial goals, and the potential return on investment of the artworks you're interested in. It's also a good idea to leave some room in your budget for unexpected opportunities or expenses.Theme and Focus: Decide if you want to focus on a particular theme, style, or type of art.
• Diversity: Include a variety of mediums (e.g., acrylic, watercolor, ceramics) and sizes (e.g., larger paintings, smaller works).
• Long-Term Vision: Think about how each piece fits into your overall collection and long-term goals.
  
  

Finding and Selecting Art for Your Collection

As you embark on your art collecting journey, several key factors will guide your decisions and shape the works of art you add to your collection. First and foremost, establish a clear budget and commit to staying within its bounds. This will provide a framework for your acquisitions and ensure that your passion for art remains a source of joy, not financial stress.

Next, carefully consider the spaces where your artworks will reside. To do this, measure the dimensions of your walls using a tape measure or a laser distance meter. Then, use these measurements to create a scale drawing of your space, and experiment with different arrangements of artworks to see how they might fit within your home or office. Let the scale and style of your environment inform your choices, seeking out works that will complement and elevate your surroundings.

As you explore the vast world of art, take time to reflect on the styles and mediums that resonate with you most deeply. Perhaps you find yourself drawn to the bold lines and vibrant colors of contemporary abstract paintings, like those of [Piet Mondrian], or maybe the timeless elegance of classical sculpture, such as [Michelangelo's David], speaks to your soul. Trust your instincts and let your personal taste guide you.

Strategies for Selecting Art and Artists:

• Attend Art Fairs and Gallery Openings: These events are great for discovering new artworks and artists.
• Follow Art on Social Media: Platforms like Instagram can help you discover and follow artists’ careers. To make the most of this, consider following hashtags related to art, engaging with artists' posts, and exploring the 'Explore' or 'Discover' features to find new artists and artworks that align with your interests.Consult Art Advisors, Dealers and Galleries: Professionals such as gallery owners, curators, and even other collectors can provide valuable insights and recommendations.
• Explore Online Galleries and Auctions: Websites offer a wide range of art for sale and can be a convenient way to discover new works.
  
  

By considering these factors and strategies, you can curate an art collection that is meaningful, valuable, and reflective of your personal taste. Whether you’re drawn to fine art, contemporary pieces, or emerging artists, your collection should be a source of joy and inspiration. Happy collecting!