When you buy something from an artist, you’re buying more than an object. You’re buying hundreds of hours of labor, research, experimentation, risk-taking, emotional roller-coasters, etc. You’re buying years of frustration and moments of pure joy. You’re not buying just one thing, you are buying a piece of a heart, a piece of a soul… a small piece of someone else’s life.
Some people collect art as an investment; others collect what they love, regardless of whether the art market goes up or down. How should art lovers, who are not institutional collectors, think and feel about owning art – be it by well known or not-so-well-known artists?
Here are some key perspectives art lovers might consider when thinking about owning art:
1.Personal connection and Emotional Value – If a piece of art sparks joy, intrigue, reflection; if it creates a special atmosphere in your home, the conversation it inspires; how you discovered that piece of art and you know the context in which it was created – all these elements add a personal significance and enhances your emotional attachment to the art.
2.Supporting Artists and Creativity – Collecting art from lesser-known or emerging artists allows you to directly support their careers and creativity. Many collectors find great satisfaction in knowing that their patronage has helped an artist grow, enables them to continue their practice and deepens their connection to the creative process.
3.Non-Monetary Value – Owning art can become part of your legacy. Art pieces often get passed down through generations, where they gain sentimental value and become part of a family’s history. Art also represents cultural and historical moments. Whether from a famous or an unknown artist, the artwork can serve as a time capsule or expression of societal values, movements, or personal moments that resonate with your own experiences.
4. Freedom from Market Pressures – while art by well-known artists may appreciate in value, the market’s unpredictability should not drive your choices if you’re collecting for personal enjoyment.
Summing up, you need to love the art, feel inspired by it, and be driven to live with it. Some of the works will eventually be worth more than what you paid for it, some will stay around the same, and some will decline. Regardless of profit, collect what you love and feel inspired by it.
If you are in the market to purchase art and need some guidance, here’s a link to A Beginners Guide to Buying Great Art: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LOTrhHpQef6lqT49belGlYyuLCSBLRQPQQ66AIHt6-4/edit?tab=t.0
Composition with Yellow – Acrylic – 20″ x 20″
Midnight in the Garden of Light – Oils – 60″ x 48″
Adobe House – Oils – 36″ x 24″ – Framed
Covenant – Oils – 20″ x 20″
Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or comments (belafidel@gmail.com).
For additional information and to see more of my work, go to www.https://fidelabstractoils.com
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