How to start your own art collection

       

Paintings of mine in the house of a collector

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life
Pablo Picasso

The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls. Pablo Picasso
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Do you love art? To me, great art ist he most important thing in giving a house atmosphere and personal style. A painting is like a window that looks out into another world and adds perspective and more dimensions to your daily surroundings. A piece of art is also like a friend who makes you feel welcome, who invites you to appreciate life and look at things from a different angle. Everyone should have some art in their lives. And the best way to celebrate art is, to start your own collectiom. Collectors are happy people, they say. Have  you ever thought about it? Here are some tips to get you started.

              

Happy circles series

Look for something you love and trust your own taste.

So if you start looking for art, look for something that inspires you.t Soemthing, you want to live with, something that makes your heart sing. Something that speaks to you and makes you happy. As a beginner, it’s a mistake to buy a piece of art primarily as an investment – especially if you don’t have large sums to spend.

Be confident and learn to trust your intuition and your tase. Art is something very personal, and what is right for one person, must not be right for anpther. Don’t get intimidated by the feeling of „but i know nothing about art“. Find something you love and develop from there.

Paintings of mine in different surroundings

Make friends with the art world

 

Go to exhibitions, art galleries, art fairs and visit studios of arists you or some friends of yours might know. Art fairs are a good way too, to see, what is out there, but they can be overwhelming.  As art fairs are very hip at the moment, a lot of smaller ones are out there next tot he major ones. Andi t is here that you might make amazing and affordable finds.

Also, if you visit artists in their studio, they might make you an extra good prize.

               
 

My painter friend Sabina Wörner in her studio in Cologne with an american indian friend

  

Visiting "Fine Art" fair in Cologne

 Think about the space you have on your walls  

As a beginner, your art collection is not meant to build a new museum but for your own walls, so think about the space you have, before you step out and buy something.

Even if  art should not be seen just as a decoration of your home, it is important, that it fits in somehow. That it hast he right size and proportions for your walls, the colours and style you feel good with and that creates the atmosphere you want.

Creating a gallery wall is a good idea to showcase framed prints, drawings and smaller paintings in an unteresting mix. 

              

Gallery wall impressions from Pinterest

Look at originals if possible

The internet is a vast source of art – not just to look at it and learn about it, but also to buy it. It’s like a vast buffet of almost anything you can think of. While the internet is a great way to find affordable prints, special  editions and photography,  take care:

As far as original oil or acrylic paintings are concerned., there can a big difference between a photo and the actual piece of art. So, if you buy an original painting, better not buy it from a web-shop, but from an art gallery or from an artist directly. Look at the piece itself, not at the picture o fit, or you might be disappointed. 

          

One of my paintings in a collectors house

 Train your eyes and expand your knowledge

Training your eyes and your intuition might take years, but finding a future star is pure excitement and every art collector dreams of getting something for a bargain, that one day brings a fortune.. Slowly build up your knowlwdge on art and sometimes do some background research on the artists you like . Have they been featured in any exhibitions? Have they won any competitions or prizes? Have they been written about in any books or journals? 

Protect your artwork

Most paintings. prints and drawings are deicate  - and can quickly be damaged and thus loose value. Expensive Works on paper should ideally be framed with ultraviolet light-resistance glass.

Find more information on how to start your own fine art collection here