Sculpture Source

What may seem like a simple task can actually be quite daunting. Who would imagine that collecting a painting or a sculpture could be considered an art in itself? But take it from a professional on the other side of the table: buying art is not always easy. Here are some of the main points to keep in mind.

First of all, personal taste is foremost. One has to have a feeling for the piece one is going to acquire. In the beginning, it might be advisable to look at a number of different styles to determine what appeals. Visits to museums, galleries or perusing art history books and magazines can be helpful, as well as doing some research online or in the local library.

Once you have established your personal style, you can start making some headway. Your next step is to establish a relationship with an art professional, either through a gallery or an art consultant. This will be very helpful in your search for the right piece for the right place.

This brings me to the third point, location. Location of a piece can determine so many factors: the scale and medium, or material of the artwork being two of the most important things to consider. For example, one may have a wall space but perhaps it is inset, so could use a three- dimensional wall piece. Or it is a niche that will limit the height or width of a potential piece of art.

We must also look at indoor/outdoor placements. Some pieces just won’t work at all in an outdoor setting but will be stunning inside, and vice versa. A glass sculpture or a painting may be appropriate in a number of settings, but other settings require bronze or steel.

Another consideration is how this artwork is going to compliment its surroundings. It doesn’t necessarily need to “blend in”: sometimes contrast is just as effective. It all depends on what you are trying to achieve in terms of the end result, or the feeling you get while enjoying the piece in its relationship to the environment.

Fourth, let us not forget budget. This is a subject unto itself and must be considered very carefully in most instances. For example, one may be considering several pieces at this time, so it is a good plan to try to determine how much to invest in each individual acquisition.

Of course, there are those moments when one walks into a gallery and just falls in love with a work of art. This is a wonderful feeling. I always suggest that if the feeling is strong enough, a collector should acquire the piece and then find the optimum placement.

Sometimes, one has to try a piece in several locations before the perfect spot becomes obvious. This again is where a professional can be of help. Someone who has been in the field for a long time has certainly helped to place many works successfully. It requires listening to a client’s needs and desires, and getting familiar with the space. I personally find this to be a most rewarding experience.

These are just some of the things one can expect to experience while collecting a work of art. So, you can begin to see just how much actually goes into this artful process and why collecting art is an art unto itself!