How to Select Art for Your Home
The ultimate result of owning art is the
great pleasure it brings you each time you look at it. It may
remind you of someone or some event that is special in your life.
It may bring you a sense of satisfaction or completeness. It may
connect you to the artist and together you share a single view of the
subject.
Selecting and purchasing art is a highly
subjective task. Volumes could be written on the pros and cons of
everything from color to subject to style. The truth is not as
mysterious as it may seem but there are no cut-and-dried answers.
Many people allow themselves to be intimidated
by art. This opens those people up to being influenced by others
and either not buying art or not enjoying the art they do purchase.
Armed with a little knowledge you will begin to shop for art with
confidence.
This
article tends to address the issue of two dimensional art. Most of
the precepts apply to sculpture as well. The following three points
should be kept in mind while purchasing art for your home or office.
Know your price range.
There is certainly nothing wrong with
tailoring your art shopping to your financial means. Decide how
much you can spend then start watching. You will discover that
many nice paintings will have to be passed over but rest assured that
the time will come you will find just the right piece at the right
price. The hunt should never be rushed and is all part of the
experience and becomes part of the story. Remember art is more
then a picture hanging on the wall.
All good art is not necessarily expensive
and all expensive art is not necessarily good. Many things
determine the cost of a painting. First and most obvious is the
artist's talent and the amount of time he puts into it. Other
considerations quickly come into play such as the cost of the medium
(materials) and the demand for the artist work. Remember a young
artist can be purchased with less expense than a well established one or
one that is now deceased. A young artist is eager to produce his
best work and have it quickly distributed to begin to establish himself.
Art as an investment is generally not a
good idea. Your money is better invested in a 401-K if you are
planning for your financial future. The fine arts market fluctuates
greatly over things you cannot control. The most influential
factor is demand for the piece and at least two people who are willing
to lay out major chunks of money bidding for it. The whims of
collectors turn on a dime. Today an artist is hot then tomorrow he
is old news. The same can be said for styles. On a different scale
this is even true for the old masters.
Don't buy an expensive piece on
a whim. Buyer's remorse hangs heaviest over those who make snap
decisions. Your art purchase should be based on understanding what
you are buying. Study the artist and try to understand the medium,
style and subject. Educate yourself, go to the library and read, visit
art museums and inspect, attend every art show possible. You will
begin to develop a feel for the "market" and a feel for the
things you like.
You will pass over things that someday you will
wish you had purchased but you will be better informed and have made
wiser choices because of it. You will never be able to buy
everything you come across that is a good deal and great art.
Buy only art that you like
A well chosen art purchase with a subject
and style that you like will bring you great satisfaction over the
years. A piece that is well suited to your personality will even
be more pleasurable with the passing of time. You will find
yourself amazed at discovering new things about your art and you will be
equally amazed that you do not grow tired of it. The joy you
receive is the primary reason for owning art.
If you do not like the subject and
purchase the piece on the advice of an "expert" the odds are
you will never be completely satisfied with it. The right piece of
art will speak to you.
Do not be afraid of your
personal likes and dislikes. As a rule others cannot tell you what
you like. A trusted friend may be helpful in discussing your
options. But, be careful not to let your confidant lead you to
their personal favorites.
Read everything you can about the art
that appeals to you. When you have hung your art part of the great
joy is being able to discuss every little nuance from the personality of
the artist to the style and the choice of subject and color. If
you have the chance to talk with the artist you have a very special
opportunity to share his feelings about the painting. All aspects
of owning art are not tangible. The history of the artist and the
painting to the emotions they invoke are all part of the art.
The frame is not the art
While the old masters may have
heavy ornate gilt frames that does not make them masters. The
frame should not distract you from the art. It should never
compete with the art and always should complement the art. Often
pieces are hung without a frame which is perfectly acceptable.
While we are at it much debate can be had
over buying art that matches your decor or buying a piece that fits over
your sofa. These are obviously things the average person has to
take into consideration. Purist will tout that one should never let
something like decor influence your art purchase. If you consider
yourself a purist then there is nothing wrong with subscribing to that
line of thought.
For those of us slightly more left brained
if you have no place to hang it what is the point in buying it?
While considering the purchase of something that matches your
decor may seem too left brained for most artist, you may discover that
your taste in art compliments your taste in home furnishings.
Those same purist who hoot at not buying a
painting because it doesn't go with the color of your living room walls
are exactly the same ones who insist that the walls of the gallery be a neutral
color and that the light be just right to show their work at its best.
Make well informed decisions. Like the
piece before you buy it. Do not be intimidated.
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© copyright 2002 P. E. Fourshee
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