How To: Start Collecting Art
One of Many Ways to Break Into the Industry
The number one thing people would tell me when they heard I worked at a gallery was, “I don’t know much about art.” People would act as if the art world was some great, unknowable mystery and the people who consider themselves a part of that world must always have been there. It’s true, there can be a hint of pretension that accompanies an art professional which makes the industry feel inaccessible. I want to change that perception. Art is for everyone and should be for everyone. You don’t have to show up with background knowledge to appreciate what you’re looking at.
I want to open people’s eyes to the availability of the arts. Not every gallery is a blue chip gallery and not every piece is a masterpiece to be handled with white gloves. Surrounding yourself with art will inevitably enrich your life and we could all use a bit of that right now. I know it can be intimidating, so we’re going to walk through a step by step guide of how to start your own art collection and I think you’ll find that through the process, you will come to know plenty about art.
I hope those of you who are just breaking into art collecting find this helpful but I also hope this piece reminds the professionals that we all had to start somewhere and now we have the opportunity to help others along.
Step 1: Use Social Media
Most artists these days (for better or worse) have thriving social media platforms. Instead of scrolling through endless memes, you can take a second for cultural enrichment. If you have never tapped into your art interest before, don’t worry! This is a great way to fall down a rabbit hole of artistic discovery. You can start with something as simple as typing “painting” into your explore page on Instagram. Personally, I enjoy Pinterest as well. If you find a piece you like, click on the artist and look at the rest of their work. Look at the hashtags they may use and the other art accounts they follow. You can traipse down their path of online inspiration as well as identify new genres you may have never seen before from the comfort of your phone.
Step 2: Save What You Like
While on instagram on Pinterest, save everything. Create a saved album to bookmark every piece you like. Truly. Every piece. Eventually you will see patterns in the things that you like and the pieces that draw your eye. These can change! You could find yourself drawn exclusively to landscapes and as you save more and see more you could find yourself interested in something completely different. Variety is good. Make sure you read the captions and hashtags in these posts to start to pick up on art terms you may not be familiar with. They can help you feel more comfortable in the next step.
Step 3: Get Out There
Perhaps the most important step, get out into the world and look for art. If it’s been a while since you’ve been to a museum, spend an afternoon there. If your city or town is having an art fair, walk through the booths. Once you start to look for art, you will find there are pockets of artists in every community. Stop by the window of galleries and antiques stores and see what kinds of pieces those spots present. Check your saved album to see if any of those artists are represented by galleries near you. Go to school events; art schools or shows that may be put on by local high schools and colleges. Some young artists are incredibly talented and by purchasing a piece from them, you may just give them the confidence to continue their art career. Keep a note or list of the artists names that you like. If you have a chance to meet the artists at a gallery opening or local show, ask them about their work. Usually artists who make themselves available publicly are happy to discuss their process and what inspires them. Sometimes they won’t be though, so don’t worry, we’ve all been shut down before!
Step 4: Prints
This step is optional. There was a time when I was pretty disparaging of prints. Not of the printmaking process for unique or limited edition original works, but rather of printmaking with the intention of mass producing original works. I’m still not exactly sure where I fall on mass marketed prints but I have certainly softened. And if prints are a cost effective and easy way to add some art to your life, when you otherwise wouldn’t? In that case, I’m all for it. Ultimately, we want your collection to be original pieces but as these are the very first steps, if you like a print, buy it. But don’t get stuck there. At most, I would reach for a 20-80 split of prints to originals. That said, in my opinion, giclee prints on canvas can diminish a lot of the quality of the original work so I would stay away from those a general rule.
Step 5: Buy Your First Original
It may appear that prints from big box shops are the only way to find affordable art but that is not the case. Galleries may seem scary but they can be the best places to find new work and ask questions. Check out your local galleries online to get an idea of the works they have and their price range. There are lots of artists who will do experimental pieces and smaller pieces that can make purchasing original art possible. If your budget is more flexible but you still aren’t ready to walk in and make a huge purchase, many galleries will also offer a payment plan. Remember when starting your collection that it is likely that your piece could increase in value but that shouldn’t be your main objective. You want to choose pieces you will be proud of and that you will want to look at for years to come. Above all, do NOT choose your art simply based on the fact that it matches a room. You should not be buying new art every time you redecorate or move. The art you buy should reflect your taste and it should bring you joy every time you look at it, not just match your current furniture. Not to mention, as your collection grows, you will need to move things to create a cohesive space but I feel that the more work you have, the easier it is to place things around your house. You can also buy art directly from artists. You can send them a direct message on Instagram or reach out via their website to see their available pieces.
Step 6: Go Further
Now that you have bought your first piece you can comfortably manage the process. Keep your eye out for local art events and get on the email lists of any galleries or artists that you like. This is the best way to stay up to date on new work. Expand your research to a global scale! When you travel, look up local galleries. Buy art from street artists! I have a friend who has bought a small work on paper from every country she has visited. What better souvenir than that?
Step 7: Don’t Doubt Yourself
Every art professional started out as someone who looked at art and liked what they saw. Art is subjective. Just because I don’t like something, doesn’t mean that it is bad. Have confidence in your opinions and in your taste. The more art you look at, the more you will be able to hone your style. Be wary of trends and trust your gut when looking for the pieces you want in your home.
Step 8: You’re a Collector!
So now you’ve bought several pieces, you’ve discovered new artists, and you’ve maybe even talked to some! An art collection is an ever changing, ever evolving thing. You’ve started your collection and now you need to maintain it. Take care of the pieces you have, invest in the artists you love and become a part of the collecting community. These are the very beginning steps. If your budget allows, you can collect more and at higher levels, but by keeping your finger on the pulse of the art market, you can still have a meaningful collection without needing millions for a Koons. I don’t like those anyway.
While there is some objectively bad art out there, the most important thing is that you expose yourself to as many art forms and artists as you can. As you listen to people discussing art and read more about the pieces and the movements, your discernment will evolve and you will be able to tell the good from the bad, outside of just the pieces you don’t like. Have fun and start collecting!
The use of social media is a very interesting medium. There’s an account (I forget the name) that even goes as far as to explain pieces to people whilst providing an introspection into the art’s life. I would be interested to read a list of your personal favourite social media accounts to follow for beginners
I hate to use this as a reference but their a part in the movie, Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona where Scarlett Johansson is hanging out with a group of artists and the narrator says that she is able to hold her own in the conversation. I often have this anxiety that you captured so well at the beginning “oh I know nothing about art”. This piece has given me the confidence to explore art and what is means to me, so thank you.