Starting an art collection of

How to start an art collection Looking for art? Don't know where to start? Peter Gregory, president of Boundless Gallery, a popular website where you can buy artwork online, gives us the scoop on how to start an art collection. Q: What do you think is the foundation to buying art? A: You have to decide why you're collecting. Personally, I believe I should buy things I like and make me feel good. I don't believe I will ever sell them. Q: How do you decide on a budget? A: It really depends on what your means are. If you're making a million dollars it's going to be higher than the rest of us! However, one thing that we're finding is that there is good art at every price range. Q: How does pricing work? What's inexpensive? A: Drawings are a lot cheaper than paintings. Furniture and sculpture is more expensive than paintings. And if you invest in and collect pottery, it's just plain cheaper than any other media. Q: Is art a good investment? A: That's the dream that we all have. We think we'll see an artist who'll go on to be famous. And we're going to buy and it'll be worth lots, and the grandkids will have it. What to avoid and when to buy Q: And is that realistic?A: Let me put it this way. We've all seen big art shows and the “big” families who collect. Of the big families who donate artwork, their collections are outstanding. Only a percentage are masterworks. At times I wonder, of the pieces collected, how many did they buy that are worthless or gauche? It could be in the thousands.Q: How do you know you've seen enough pieces before you buy?A: It isn't unusual for people to look at 500 pieces of art. It's almost expected. I did personally. How can you figure out what you're going to love unless you see enough? You need to see as much as you can. Q: Is there a shortcut to visiting tons of galleries?A: A site like ours [boundlessgallery.com] has 1,300 artists. It's a lot easier to see them on the website, you can do that in an afternoon. Some other sites are guild.com, and art.com.Q: What art form sells the most?A: There are many more paintings purchased than any other form of art, because people have more wall space. It isn't that paintings are better, but they're easier to put up in our houses.Q: What should one avoid when buying art?A: I think you should avoid buying with the thought that you'll profit.Q: How much should buying from a pedigreed artist come into your purchases?A: When you're buying art, you're buying the career of the artist. Artists in the big leagues are in museums, in fine big-city galleries, and private shows. The price they can command is huge, say, $50,000 to $100,000 for a painting. An artist that's not as well known, his or her painting costs $1,000. Yet when it's hanging on your wall, you might derive the same enjoyment from it.

©

Credit

Helen Racanelli

• Print
• E-mail It!
• Facebook
• Post to Delicious
• Digg It

0 Comments

• Channel's tags

  • Accessories
  • Budget
  • Colour
  • Design Lesson
  • Flooring
  • Flower Arranging
  • Green Living
  • High/Low
  • Inside Design
  • Outdoor Living
  • Styling Secrets
  • Window Treatments

• Related articles

  • Trend watch: Silhouette art
  • Urban renovation
  • Design lesson: Artful choices

• Editor's Picks

  • Pretty paper
  • Shopping etc: Accessories
  • Bedroom decorating ideas

• More From Helen Racanelli

  • 15 ways to show off your collection
  • Picnic essentials
  • Top 10 summer drinks
  • Home decor: All about lavender
  • Hotel style: Union Bank Inn

My Style At Home network

• Login to account

  Login

  • E-MAIL ADDRESS
  • Password Forgot Password?

  • Action Submit

• Sign Up

  Sign up now to receive exclusive access to the My Home & Garden network!