Becoming an art collector.

COLLECTORS COLLECTION,
Becoming an art collector.

                                                           Still life by Greg Bolanos.
                                                            Pastel on paper on board.
                                                                 19.25 ins x 25.5 ins.
                                                                             

 Last week I wrote about buying your first painting and how to approach the purchase, this week I would like to discuss becoming a collector of fine art.

I was talking to Mr Robert Lane about this subject and we began to talk about those young people who have bought one painting and now would like to begin the journey of becoming a collector of fine art.

I asked Mr Lane how should one begin as a collector and what would I be look for in paintings?
He said, " Before buying any more paintings visit many Art Galleries and begin to form an appreciation of what you like and what you would be able to live with."
" Make sure you compare prices of similar works in different Galleries by similar artists. Get to know the Gallery staff and ask questions and inquire into the artists you like and learn as much as you can about them.
Listen very carefully to the answers that the Gallery personal give you and decide whether you are dealing with a sales person or an art appreciator.
How you feel about the gallery and the staff will impact heavily upon your decision to buy and to follow their advice.
All Galleries are not the same or for everyone, that is why it is good to go around and talk to Gallery personal before buying, get to know who you are dealing with and who you feel comfortable with."

I asked Mr Lane what kind of painting should you begin a collection with?
" Buy what you like, what appeals to your taste.
Follow the advice of the Gallery you trust but buy the paintings you like as you have to live with them not the Gallery personal."
He said, "Be eclectic and buy across the board, different styles, different artists, but always what you like and within your budget.
Buy what inspires you to think, it does not have to match your decor."

Should I set a budget for my purchases?
" It is very important when you are just starting out to set a budget limit and stay within that limit, it is very easy to let emotion and the romance of art carry you along and you end up buying paintings not within you art budget and that will maybe cause you to regret your purchases. Stay focused and buy to your budget."

Should I buy unknown artists or known established artists?
 Mr lane said," Established artist will be more expensive so I think start with unknown artists.
Watch the competition results, go to the shows see which young artists appeal to you, once you decide on what you like, buy a painting and begin to follow the artists career. As you get to know the artist so you will get a better understanding of their work."

Should I buy with investment in mind?
" Not necessarily, especially at the beginning, but art is surprising, you never can tell who will hit the big time and who can go quickly out of fashion.
Follow the artists you like and watch them grow and mature as you add more of their work to you growing collection."
Finally the best advice I can give is buy the paintings you love."

Writtern by,
Mark E Shellshear.
Art consultant

                                                                   Artist.. Rene Robles.
                                                                            untitled
                                                                         oil on canvas.
                                                                        48 ins x 48 ins.
                                                                               1998.