PART 2 - SIX GOLDEN RULES OF ART COLLECTING
Successful art collectors observe several golden rules of art collecting:
1) BUY WHAT YOU LIKE
This should be obvious, but this golden rule is actually often given a low priority by
novice art collectors, much to their regret later on. Remember, art is meant to be
displayed and enjoyed. Don't buy anything which doesn't appeal to you.
Explore!
You can never go wrong with buying any kind of art, as long as it gives you pleasure
and it is within your budget. Buy what appeals to you. Art is individualistic, so go
ahead and explore. You don't have to follow well-trodden paths and buy familiar
art. Let art be an expression of your personality.
Do Your Research And Planning
For serious collectors who are interested in building a collection with some value,
it's good advice to do some homework before you put your money down. Collecting
is really about focus, or building a meaningful grouping of pieces, rather than just
randomly acquiring and displaying pieces. Careful planning and research is what
sets smart collectors apart from others.
2) EDUCATE YOURSELF
The more you know about the subject, the better. This is especially important if
you're considering parting with a hefty sum of money for a piece of 'art'. You don't
need to be professionally trained to make smart decisions about art. Anyone can
become a wise collector with patience and discipline.
Know Your Subject
Ask yourself why a particular piece of art is worth acquiring. Keep this mantra
going in your head:
- Who is the artist?
- How important is the artwork?
- What is the artwork's history and documentation?
- Is the asking price fair?
"THE ART OF ASSESSING TRUE VALUE".
3) DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN FOR COLLECTING
If you're planning to collect art seriously, you should think beyond picking up just
anything that catches your fancy. There are millions of collectors out there and
plenty of piecemeal collections. What makes a collection superior to others and,
therefore, more valuable?
Purpose And Planning
The smartest collectors plan every acquisition. They never collect in a haphazard
way. Once they've decided what they like, they start planning some sort of order or characteristic for their collection. Smart collecting is organized. It is well thought- out so that all the pieces in the collection relate well to each other. Everything in the collection should work together to strengthen the collection, and not be out of place.
This is purposeful and planned collecting. A good collection should illustrate a
point, or address a question, such as "How has the use of colors in stone
lithography progressed?" A good collection enhances understanding of a certain
area of art, or even a certain period of an artist's life. It should have fine and, ideally, rare specimens of the subject. Brought together in a meaningful collection, each piece has more value.
Meaningful Organizing
You can organize your collection in various ways. Like an essay, it should have a
beginning, a middle and an end. Using, as an example, the topic of colors in stone lithography, you can organize your collection under artists, regions, dates, styles, subject matter, and so forth. For instance:
- Artists renowned for stone lithography, which would obviously include master stone lithographer Edna Hibel. This grand dame is profiled in my art, collectibles and gifts website on this page: [http://www.cherishcollectibles.com/site/1256072/page/525250]
- American stone lithography masters
- 20th century stone lithography
- Stone lithographs with people as the subject
- Renaissance-style stone lithography
Have a 'script' in mind. Just like for museums, you should aim to present your
collection in a logical, meaningful way, so that it educates and enhances
appreciation. Because of your diligent 'curatorial' efforts, viewers should bring away a better understanding of the subject.
4) KNOW THE ART MARKET
Great collectors know the marketplace, and the marketplace knows them. Be
informed and get plugged into the grapevine! Cultivate a good standing with art
retailers and let them know that you wish to be informed when choice art pieces
become available. You have to be tuned in to get the best finds!
Do your homework and get out there! I'll tell you how to have an edge in Part
4 of this series, titled "KNOW THE ART MARKET".
5) CARE FOR YOUR ART COLLECTION
I've seen valuable creations ruined because of careless handling and storage. Don't let this happen to your art pieces. Develop a system to protect your collection from hazards such as pollution, humidity, heat and light. More about this subject in Part 5 of this series, titled "ART CONSERVATION 101".
6) PLAN FOR POSTERITY
Your art collection is a valuable legacy. Don't allow it to be decimated when you are no longer around to take care of it. Make detailed plans for its future ownership. Details in Part 6 of this series, titled "LEAVING A LEGACY OF ART".
Have Fun Planning Your Collection!
Building a good collection takes time, but you will derive much satisfaction with
each acquisition, knowing that the effort will be worth it. In fact, the process of
developing a good collection is often as fun as it is rewarding, as you hunt down
choice pieces through gallery visits, research, social events, leads, auctions and
various avenues. A whole new world will open up to you!
Chua, Carol "Art Collecting Tips for Profit and Pleasure (A Six-Part Series): Part 2 - Six Golden Rules." Art Collecting Tips for Profit and Pleasure (A Six-Part Series): Part 2 - Six Golden Rules EzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?Art-Collecting-Tips-for-Profit-and-Pleasure-(A-Six-Part-Series):-Part-2---Six-Golden-Rules&id=138846