If you don’t love it, don’t buy it!
Written By Heather Begley

Taking the leap from viewing to collecting art can be a frightening process for the beginner collector. However, those that start down this road can quickly find they’ve caught the “collectors’ bug”, and it doesn’t have to be as painful or as costly as they thought!

• Collectors start, of course, by deciding what it is exactly they want to collect. They reach that conclusion by first becoming familiar with the many types of art that exist. Exploring the internet and visiting libraries, museums, special exhibitions, art events and, of course fine art galleries, are all good ways to begin to build an understanding of the countless possibilities.
• Most local arts organizations, societies and museums host lectures that also help increase our knowledge of the different movements in the art world and their importance. They also help us reach a deeper understanding of the specialized language that is often used to describe the many different styles and techniques that are available.
• Visiting galleries during their open house events is a great way to learn. Such events offer opportunities to meet visiting artists and to listen to presentations by that artist or the gallery staff. This is also a chance to meet other people with similar interest to yours while sipping a free glass of wine!
• When a type of art, or perhaps even one particular artist within that “school” of art, is found that appeals, collectors gather as much information as they can about their new favorite subject. Dealers love to talk to people that have an interest in the artists they represent and most artists enjoy discussing the nuances of their work. Both give interested collectors a much deeper understanding of the work than can be seen on the surface.
• But both dealers and artists hope a painting will be acquired, above all, because the buyer loved it and couldn’t live without it. Only buy what you love! This is so important I’ll repeat it…only buy what you love! Buying a work of art hoping to make a profit is foolish at best even for the seasoned collector, never mind the beginner collector. But more than that, collecting artwork is an investment in the understanding of the human soul. What distinguishes us from other forms of life is our ability to create and appreciate art. Understanding that the art buyer is the steward of an artist’s creation is more important for some than any potential return on investment.
• Budget can be a consideration but it need not be a deterrent from starting a collection. We’re lucky that here in Naples there are many galleries representing artwork from the emerging artist to collected masters. If a budget is small, researching local emerging artists can yield great bargains, and helping a promising young talent pursue their artistic destiny can be very rewarding!
• Whatever their budget, collectors usually buy the best they can afford. They never compromise quality for size. They ask for provenance, and inspect the condition of the piece carefully.

But, and I’ll say it one more time, usually even the most experienced collectors buy what they love! Buying work that is loved is buying art that will always have a place in your life. It will be forever rewarding.

“Art washes away from our souls the dust which is everyday life.”
John Steven Davies III

View the Weatherburn’s online art gallery