Hello! So you are interested in buying art, but don’t know where to begin. We welcome you and hope we can help you start your journey in collecting art. Buying artwork seems intimidating if you don’t have any idea where to begin, but just like anything else, dive in. Visit some galleries, peruse Instagram, our Art Market, or local art fairs in your area. You will begin to get a comfort level, start asking questions and begin immersing yourself in a whole new world. Artists love helping people get acquainted with their work, so do not be afraid to start a conversation and engage with artists you meet.

ARE YOU VIBING?

Does some art resonate with you? Start paying attention to things you like. Take photos so you can revisit. Figure out what about them stirs a response in you. All art is subjective and you may not know how to put into words why a particular piece rings your bell. Start making purchases of pieces that you have an emotional response to—color can bring energy, quiet colors can take you to Zen, no matter what strikes you, start paying attention to art that checks the boxes for you. Do not think of matching the couch or your pillows. Forget that. You can always figure out how to arrange your space later. Sometimes a painting can change a room on its own. Let it! There are so many different kinds of painting styles and genres. Bring artwork into your home that brings you joy, makes you think or that you just vibe with.

AFRAID TO ASK THE PRICE?

Everyone is most of the time. You don’t want to hear that it is out of your price range. Well, that is going to happen, over and over, especially if you find that you have a good eye. Start with smaller pieces that are affordable. Art is usually priced generally by the size. More well-known and sought-after artists have higher prices. Original art makes a big difference in a space, so if you can start there, do so. If you can’t afford an original, you can inquire about prints or check their website if you don’t want to ask. Many artists do not offer prints of their work, but some business savvy emerging artists make a great deal from prints. Most new to mid-level artists also make work in many sizes to accommodate different price offerings. Ask. Prices are not always marked and they are hidden away in a price sheet somewhere or not posted at all. Just start talking to the artist or gallery representative.

HOW IS ART PRICED ANYWAY?

Let’s talk about artists in terms of experience. Emerging, mid-level and established artists, and “hot potatoes” pretty much populate the landscape. You never know what the range is for pricing, until you start getting familiar with artists and their work. Visit websites, as many list pricing right on their sites. Many do not, so ask. Some have representation at galleries and sell exclusively through the gallery. All artists charge different prices depending on many criteria. The first we can mention is clear. Size is a simple baseline for determining price. Square inches are key. Next, consider the reputation of the artist, how well established they are, plus the size of the work, the success of each painting, the climate of the times. Many factors determine how much an artist can charge for their work. Successful artists that sell a lot of work, can simply begin to charge more as a matter of economics—supply and demand. Big events matter. If they have a big show and land on the radar of other galleries and museums, they can begin to charge more. Emerging artists, charge less because they they are new, their work may not be as refined, their work needs to be seen, sold and established and mainly, they do not have a historical record of selling high. Emerging artists have to start at the beginning most of the time. There are exceptions. Talented emerging artists are hot and if they are selling fast, they will increase their prices.

RED DOTS

When a piece sells, the gallery puts a red dot on the label indicating that it is no longer available. Scoop up work that you love, because within a few years, they may be out of reach. Too many times those opportunities are missed. Watch local shows and galleries and chances are, if you love the artwork, others will too. Mid-level and established artists have stood the test of time, have put years into their work, have invested in creating a book of business. These artists work very hard to create a body of work that matters, develops portfolio and a website to show it, submit to exhibitions and invest in promoting themselves. This is not to say an emerging artist does not do the same. Having a business acumen is part of what brings success. Emerging artists that practice good business can be well on their way to success levels in a short time. It’s hard work for an artist to establish themselves. We have seen first hand how artists we are working with are selling more paintings and are able to increase prices. Some sell art so fast that they can’t keep up with demand. Bottom line, pricing can be kind of crazy. Some artists do not charge enough and some charge a lot more than they should. They are learning too. Talk to artists if you love a piece, because their main mission is to sell their work.

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS

Watch and engage with your favorites. They will welcome your admiration. Do not be afraid to just chat about what paintings you love and why. Artists want their work to be collected by people that love their work. For many they work tirelessly and this feedback is what keeps them cranking. Form relationships with artists and that may lead to being able to acquire a piece that was out of your range by making installments. We have acquired some of our favorite pieces of art that way. Artists work for years to reach price levels that they deserve. If you want a piece of art, many are willing to work something out with you, but you will never know if you do not ask. A few installments later, they may be delivering it to your home. Slinging art is not for the faint of heart. Artists have to have a lot of guts to show their work at first, and to keep showing their work as they mature. Hearing what you love about their work goes far beyond measure. Let them know! Yesterday we spoke with an artist about why a piece was exciting to us and they said, “Wait a minute, I want to write that down. What you just said, I love what you just described.” Let your constructive inner thoughts out. If something is not your jam, just move along. Art is subjective. Read the tags though! The process and artist statements can be game-changing.

Our tip to artists, you never know who is going to purchase your work. It could be the people you least expect. Never underestimate the power of resonation. When someone connects with your piece, sometimes they find a way to put a red dot on it.

PRINTS V. ORIGINALS

An original is exactly what it sounds like, THE original piece of work created by the artists. Prints can be called many things, like fine art print, reproductions, giclee prints, lithographs, open edition, limited edition, etc. When you see a label say 1/25, you know this was the 1st print made in a run of 25. Anything under 25 is a nice small run. Larger runs may have the same pricing, but the value goes down based on how many are in the series. 1/200 could be valued less. Depending on the situation, sometimes it will not matter to you at all. If you like it, you will buy it. You may never be able to afford a Picasso, but you may be able to afford a lithograph, for example. Sometimes you want what you want and they can become your most beloved pieces. Buy what you can afford and what you love.

WORKS ON PAPER OR ANY OTHER UNFRAMED WORK

Artwork that is created on a paper surface will need framing to preserve it. Think about this when purchasing art that is made on paper. It will have to be mounted and framed with archival materials in order to keep it safe from the elements. Never hang artwork that is precious in a bathroom that reaches high humidity. Stretched canvas paintings can hang beautifully on the wall without framing, which can be an investment on its own. When purchasing stretched canvas, the best are thicker professional grade 1.5 (or so) in depth. Canvases that are thinner (.5 inches) are student grade canvases and will warp over time, unless framed to help reinforce the structure. Framing is expensive and for good reason. It is a specialized craft of exactness that involves knowing what materials will compliment the piece of art the best. Framers are artisans, some learning skills from generation to generation. At times you do pay more for the frame than you do the piece of art. This is the case a lot of the time, because artists cannot afford to frame all of their work. If you are purchasing a framed piece, most of the time, the frame is included in the price.

FRAMES AND PRICING

Confirm if the frame is included when purchasing. Inexpensive art will live a happy life in an inexpensive frame, but if you are spending over $100 for a print, you may want to ensure that it will be framed well. Canvas as a substrate has other considerations. Imagine that you have purchased a large mixed media painting (65 x 80 inches) on unstretched canvas for $1500. You are challenged with framing it to display it. The artist did not cut it squarely and the artwork bleeds off the edges, which you do not want to sacrifice by wrapping them around the stretchers. In this case, the canvas must be mounted on archival surfaces and placed into a shadowbox frame to allow some space between the art and the non-reflective plexiglass —or museum glass for smaller pieces. This frame could cost upwards of $2000, which is more than the price of the artwork. Consider this though, how does the artist afford to frame all their work to sell? If they did, you would pay over $4000 for the same piece with a frame. If you consider the art, the frame and the time it takes to create the finished piece. Highly valued art deserves to be framed by a pro, so this is also a consideration when purchasing artwork to display. Do not be afraid to purchase unframed artwork. You can score art at a much more affordable price and deal with the framing over time. Also, an artist that charges $5000 for a show piece, may charge much less for a smaller study or practice piece. Smaller works or studies on paper— or any work on paper for that matter may cost less. If you love something and can’t afford it, ask if they have a similar smaller piece. Never underestimate the value of a simple pencil sketch. If you love it, the value increases instantly.

CREATE AN ARTIST LIST

Start paying attention to artists you love. Follow them on social media and watch for their exhibitions. Try to make it to the openings, where the artist will be attending. You can even go back on a day that there will be less traffic to really take in the show without distractions. Opening and closing receptions have really fun energy. Artists are excited to show their work to friends and family and new people. Talk to other people at the show. In our travels we have found many a kindred soul at these gatherings. If it is a group show, find out which artists you wold like to meet and what they look like. That will give you some perspective when you walk into the room. Get there at the beginning of the event. When it comes to original art, there is only 1 and once you see a red dot on something, its gone for good. Sometimes you walk in the room and there are red dots up before the doors open. People know what they want and will inquire prior to the reception. Don’t be afraid to inquire if you see something you like on social media.

Every artist has a story to tell. Moonlight Art Space, Buenos Aires presents a solo show (SCOPE Miami 2023) of Pool & Marianela , an artistic couple formed by Emiliano "Pool" Paolini and Rita Marianela Perelli

INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Artists are very approachable. Just introduce yourself and start chatting. Sign their guestbook and leave them your business card. At our openings, we try to encourage every artist to be present, so that they can interact with guests. Artists are people too. They can be as reserved as someone just learning the ropes. The more artists show work, the easier it becomes for them, just like newbie art collectors. Shows are exciting! It is their chance to engage with people and hear about how their work resonates with an audience. They emerge out of their studios and are so excited to present their work. At our exhibitions or anytime at all we are available to talk to too if you have questions or want to learn more about a particular piece or artist. We do not bite. Getting a little insight can break the ice and open doors for you. Learning how a piece was made can give you perspective about the work and the artist that changes everything about what you thought at first glance. Many artists have been working for decades. Research their histories and discovery their stories, dig into their websites and their social media. Artists are fascinating. Learn more and forge a bond with the work and the artists that you admire. Whether you can collect their work or not, sometimes visiting their feed is like taking a vacation.

Scott Boilard | Octo, Collectable Series of gently priced smaller pieces, perfect to start off collecting. Hung together, his pieces tell a larger story too!

ARTWORK IN YOUR HOME

Any home that has original art in it has character. We remember walking into our friend’s house and in her kitchen she had two pieces of art made by her children from different years by the same art teacher doing the same project. Each piece was made 2 years apart from each other and framed beautifully. They were animals and they were colorful and vibrant—glorious and cherished art made by her children lit up her kitchen. She inspired me to frame my kids’ work as well. They changed her whole kitchen and elevated both the art and the space with love and impact of pride on her children. As a devout Zillow addict, homes with original art in them are on a whole other level.

Start with small pieces. Create fun and interesting vignettes. When you can, move on to bigger pieces, but always buy what you love. Waking up to your collection can change your morning. Add some humorous pieces for fun, they are forever conversational, especially with new guests.

WATCH OUR ART MARKET & OUR EXHIBITION DATES

Let us know if you have questions about any of the artists we feature! info@juniperrag.com

Join us March 4th for TORRID | Abstract Impressions

30 Juniper Rag artists

The White Room, Worcester, Massachusetts

More information here and on Facebook here.

Follow them on Instagram:

Ann-Marie Gillett @ambogillett

Curtis Speer @curtisspeer

Clare Asch @aschclare

Heather Muenstermann @h_muenstermann_art

Howard Johnson @8thring

James C Varnum @jamescvarnum

Joelle Tomb @peaceloveart78

John Pagano @pagano4063

Karen Nunley @kmcnun

Kaitlyn Malinowski @kamlnski

Keri Anderson @kerianderson68

Kristin Young @kristinyoung.artistpainter

Lisa Barthelson @lisa_barthelson

Lydia Kinney @l.m.kinney

Martha Wakefield @mmwakefield

Melissa Parent @mparent_art

Monica DeSalvo @monica.desalvo65

Nancy Wright @wrightpixphotos

Patti Kelly @pbernhard7306

Patrick Steele @patrickjsteele

Patricia Busso @patriciaybusso

Rachel Brask @rbraskstudio

Rosemary Mamakos @rosem_creations

Robin Reynolds @robinreynolds7259

Scott Niemi @scottniemiart

Scott Boilard @scottboilard

Susan Swinand @sswinand

Tara Sellios @tarasellios

Tim Gannon @timgannonart

Art Collecting 101

Art on the Trails | Call for Art

Illuminated by IGNITE