3 Easy Ways to Begin Collecting Art
Small artworks, planters and kitsch in the kitch. A Buddha from Thailand, A bull from Spain and this Michelin Man with David makes for a fun visit to the sink.
Beginning an art collection can be a very rewarding and reflective way to make your home more unique and personal. When you choose art that speaks to you, bit of your personality shine and are displayed on your walls. This is rewarding personally because you revisit events, places and the stories of finding those pieces, or perhaps artist friends or vacations brought you to owning work and decorating your life with these treasures.
1. Start with Affordable Pieces from Local Artists
Small pieces and prints: Begin by collecting affordable pieces and prints from artists you like. Many art fairs and farmers markets feature local artists that sell small pieces at their booths. There are also online platforms offering high-quality original work and prints from both well-known and emerging contemporary artists. This allows you to explore what you gravitate to in art without a large investment right away. Bigger pieces, like signed prints from well-know artists bring a big splash to a room. Shepard Fairey is one of our favorites. Work that marks a sign of the times like his poignant political screen prints go up in value over time as well.
Local Artists: Follow them on social media so you stay in the loop of exhibitions and where they will be showing their work. Visit local art fairs, galleries, and artist studios to discover emerging and new-to-you artists. Buying from local artists can be more affordable and supports the community, and you may end up with original pieces that reflect your personal style.
Small work by Kristin Petrillo from Artists on Fire
2. Explore Thrift Stores, Estate Sales and Flea Markets
Thrift Stores: These are treasure troves for unique, sometimes vintage art. While not every find will be a masterpiece, you can discover interesting pieces that add character to your home and do not break the bank. You may luck out if you have a good eye.
Estate Sales: Estate sales often feature a wide variety of art at reasonable prices. It's a great way to find one-of-a-kind pieces with history and charm. Be very careful of online marketplaces on Facebook. While some sales may be legit, never pay or offer your banking information.
Flea Markets: Everyone loves a good flea to wander around and find treasures. Here in New England we are lucky to be close to the Brimfield Flea Market. From sold wood vintage furniture, books, art, reclaimed goodies to architectural gold, you can’t miss a good market. Reuse before you buy new and your home will definitely have more character for pennies on the dollar and it will last longer. Some of our favorite pieces were flea market finds.
Don't have regrets, buy the thing and be grateful you did.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Art Forms
Photography and Prints: Discover photography, which is often more accessible and versatile. Combine it with prints and even mixed media pieces to create a diverse collection. Photos of people in the world who have impacted your life, or inspired you are always nice to have around as well. Rock ‘n roll legends in the office, naked people jumping off the Willy T, an “ASS HAT” and “Non Je Ne Regrette Rien” cross stitch near the bar, just go for it. There are no rules. One tip, always pay attention to how many prints are made. Some artists have short runs and some have hundreds so you want to make sure you understand how exclusive your print is. Also, be wary of any online auction houses. Read the fine print.
Sculptures, Textiles and Glass: Don't limit yourself to just paintings or 2D artwork. Consider small sculptures, textiles, or even artisan-made objects. Mixing different types of art can make your space more dynamic and reflective of your personal taste. We love to put 3D pieces outside on the porch or in our entry so that visitors are immediately met with something interesting. So many of us collect cool ceramic mugs for our morning coffee and handmade quilts. Adorn your home, your santuary with meaning and don’t be afraid of a little humor.
These three steps will help you begin to build a collection that brings personality and vibrancy to your home. Being artists ourselves, we have always had original art in our homes. When you are a creative, your house becomes a place to express yourself. You can always tell when you walk into a home that exudes personality. So many conversations start by visitors asking about the art and objects around your home. When you walk by them, you are always reminded of their origin and how they came to be in your world.
Buy artwork that speaks to you in some way. Judge your emotional reaction and if you can, buy the piece. It is about your emotional connection to a piece of art, not a purchase by committee. This is one time, when it is all about you. Granted, if you share a space, it gets a little more complicated, but ultimately surrounding yourselves with art that represents you is a way to take ownership of your world and tell your story.
Eclectic mix of old and new, painting and sculpture, fossils, coral, books and plants for autumn.
