“Becoming an art collector is one of the most satisfying things you will do for yourself and your community.”

Throughout my years as a professional artist I have learned quite a bit about creating art and how to collect it. When I started my art career most art collectors were quite wealthy.  But thankfully, that has changed.  Now there are many different ways to find good quality artworks, which has made art collecting attainable for more people.  While it is important to collect pieces that you love, the pieces must be well made.  Do some research about the artist to ensure the art is made with professional archival materials.

Keep in mind that it is important to have a collection that is comprised with as many original art pieces as possible.  Original art is one of a kind and should cost a great deal more than prints.   A certificate of authenticity should also accompany any original piece that is purchased.  This will help the piece retain its value over time.  The artwork should be made with the highest quality materials so it will retain its vibrancy, value, and uniqueness.  Remember that purchasing smaller original pieces is a wonderful way to have a robust art collection.

“Before you begin collecting artworks I suggest taking several months to see as much art as possible.”

One place to begin your art journey is at an art museum.   Museums are fantastic places to find art from different centuries, countries, and cultures. It is a place to learn about the artwork and the life of the artist. Many ancient artworks tell a story of that particular time period.  Take a guided tour of an exhibit at your local museum to learn in-depth facts about art pieces. Museums also have “artist talks” where a guest artist is invited to show their work and talk about their journey and process.   Take your time and spend several months visiting local museums.

Art fairs are another way to familiarize yourself with art.  Many cities and towns have art fairs around the holidays or the change of season.  Attending an art fair is quite an enjoyable experience.  You have the opportunity to see hundreds of artworks and meet the artists.  It is quite special to own a piece of work from an artist that you have met.

The last place I suggest to continue your journey into the world of art collecting is online.  There is a vast number of artwork to view online. The nice thing about online viewing  is discovering local artists. Many artist share their work on social media and post when their next show or open studio will be held.  Some artists’ post in progress videos to show how a piece is created.  (I use social media quite often to post new works and in progress videos.)    If you want to keep up with an artist, follow them on social media, and sign up for their newsletter on their website.

You can follow me on Instagram @tamarasfineartstudio, sign up for my Private Circle newsletter at my website tamarasfineartstudio.com, and read my future blogs to stay up to date with the happenings at the studio.

Until next time,

Tamara