Art Collecting 101

Are you a new art collector, or maybe,  you like art but aren’t sure what to buy? I can help you find and buy art easily and guide you to making a purchase you will be happy with for years.

In my nearly 20 years of being in the art world I have helped many people buy their first piece of fine art. The number one question I am asked  by new buyers is “How do I know if I’m buying the right art?” The answer is simple, but first let’s determine why you buying art in the first place. I believe there are three reasons why people buy art.

1.  SPECULATION - Some people buy art as an investment, perhaps not even to display,  but to store and save while it appreciates in value. This is generally  known as “Blue Chip Art” and costs between five and seven figures. It requires research,  some knowledge of the artist, their history of exhibits,  auctions, and sales.  To be frank, I do not deal with art investing very often. Most of my clients buy art for reason #2, although I do help many experienced buyers find amazing unknown artists destined for success.

2.  LOVE! When most people look at a piece of fine art it elicits some kind of an emotional response. Often it triggers a memory of some kind, something they loved, hated, or experienced. Sometimes, they love it because they know, admire or respect the artist, or it just makes them happy when they look at it. I help many experienced buyers find amazing unknown artists destined for success, RESONATES for some personal reason. This is a very strong motivator for art collecting. They just HAVE TO HAVE IT! These people are art enthusiasts.

3. ART AS DÉCOR.  The third reason that people buy art is certainly not to be diminished, as it is arguably the main reason behind art sales. Although most artists would prefer not to call their art décor,  the truth is that people need something for their walls to compete their homes. Let’s face it, bare walls are not pretty, and the largest percentage of art that is sold is because it is beautiful or somehow aesthetically pleasing or interesting to the buyer. There are major industries created just for this purpose – finishing an environment with décor.  Interior designers, decorators, art consultants, and architects all rely upon art to complete homes, businesses, restaurants, hospitals,  and public spaces. This is a very important segment of art sales, and artists sell millions of dollars’ worth of art because it enhances an environment. Meaning, perhaps just because it is blue and is the right size and orientation to fit over a couch. Don’t be snarky – it is still fine art!  I often consult with interior designers to fulfill projects, arrange art commissions, and create public art.

Once you know the reason you are looking for art, the process is simple.  Look until you see something you love, or shop for a particular size or feeling to enhance your environment. One very easy way to do that is to shop online. That is another way I can assist you!

In my many years of  researching, curating and selling art in the Los Angeles area I have found hundreds of amazing artists. Some of them are well-known, but the vast majority are not – yet. Since Covid cost me my dream job of curating and managing a beautiful fine art gallery here,  I have been working from home, still trying to get artists’ work seen and sold. To that end I am currently the Marketing Director and Content Curator for the new boutique art platform Omni Presenti https://omnipresenti.com , representing both artists and galleries form around the world. There you will find art in all mediums, from traditional landscapes to seascapes and sunsets,  fine oil figurative paintings, contemporary portraits, surrealism, abstract art, sculpture, mixed media, and fine art photography. That platform also hosts my own contemporary art gallery, ArtExcellence https://artexcellence.omnipresenti.com where I have curated a collection of artists whose work I also have shown in real life.  I invite you to check out both sites , and please write me personally with comments, questions or if you need advice. I am here to help! daleyoungman@me.com

Introducing Zahava Sherez, Contemporary Artist, Activist and Visionary

Meet Zahava Sherez, an international sculptor whose faceless figures tell the story that each sculpture is both no-one, and everyone. We are InBodiedLight

Jack Avetisyan - From Whimsy to Worldly

Jack Avetisyan’s artwork is a balancing act that tells a story of culture conformity. while also being thoroughly charming! Read about it here Jack Avetisyan

All About Andrea – A Profile Of A Courageous (Deaf) Artist

I invite you to read about this talented deaf artist, and how her work inspired a blind woman to purchase her art. About Andrea Echavarria

THE STORY OF OUR TIMES - Art During COVID

It is an artist’s role in society to be a storyteller,  whether it be through a painting, a sculpture, a photograph, an installation, a song, musical performance, or some other medium. Right now we are at a time in history when most of us feel we have no control over our future. The global pandemic is causing a paradigm shift in our society. The US government is led by the most corrupt and inept of leaders, causing more death, more destruction, a failing economy, record homelessness, and protests by hundreds of thousands throughout the land. People are worried, anxious, sleepless...

Artists are compelled to tell the story of our times – and they are. There is no better inspiration for surreal art, political art, and dynamic expressionism than the tumultuous reality of our world today. For most artists, this is a time of incredible creativity, due to the intensity of the various situations around the world that offer inspiration – and their somewhat forced isolation. The daily changes in economic, health, political and international issues, the upcoming US election, and social unrest all offer important topics to memorialize through art. 

Over the past three months, I have conducted virtual studio visits with over 60 artists, and have seen an abundance of provocative, topical, timely, and meaningful work. The history of 2020 will be told through the eyes of the artists who see it for what it is – a turning point from which there is no return.

The massive death toll by COVID-19, the epic failure of our government, and the racial tension over police brutality amid the realization of systemic racism in our country are all being historically preserved while artists are in lockdown. The statement-making work now being created includes political satire, bold portraits of frontline heroes, dark and foreboding dystopian scenes that contrast wild fantasies of life on another planet and passionate exuberant expressionism.  I predict the future art market (and probably the world in general) will soon be described through the “Pre or Post-Covid” definition.

The problem for artists (and art enthusiasts) is that galleries are closed for the most part, which means the most traditional and popular method of buying and selling art is no longer a viable option. Many galleries around the world have closed for good (including the one I used to manage.) The rest are operating on limited hours, by appointment only, or via virtual viewing rooms. New technologies allow a guest to experience a gallery show in virtual reality, walking through a gallery, stopping at a painting and hearing the artists’ voice tell you all about it. Instagram stories and Zoom presentations, YouTube TV and Facebook Live are fast becoming the new norm. Artists in every medium now need to become technology-savvy (or have a manager who is,) in order to compete in the new reality of virtual presentations and online-only gallery exhibits. There will not be openings, special events, interactive installations or dramatic performances to enjoy either. Collectors will need to adapt to new methods of buying art which they likely will not see in person before purchasing, leading to a massive shift in how business is conducted.

For a look at a virtual art exhibit that I recently curated, please visit this link, for a collection that was in-part inspired by these troubling times. Featuring whimsical dreams, fantasy creatures, and the occasional despondent nightmare, we embark upon a journey into destinations unknown, through surreal and figurative art. Welcome to “A Surreal Life.”

https://www.artsy.net/show/castelli-art-space-a-surreal-life-whimsical-dreams-and-lucid-nightmares

Why Buy Art?

Buying art can be confusing

As a former gallery owner and currently an independent art dealer, curator and consultant in artist marketing and management, I am involved in several aspects of the art world. I am the instigator - dealing with both the supplier and the buyer, giving me a unique perspective on the art world and all it’s complexities, as I strive to make everyone happy with the outcome. This week I will offer my views on the question I am asked most by new collectors – How do I know if I am making the right decision when buying art?

The answer is really pretty simple, but it depends on the reason behind your purchase. Basically, there are 3 reasons people purchase art. The most common is for décor. People - nearly all people -  need wall art for their homes. Whether you live in a traditional style home and prefer landscapes, old-school botanicals, still-lives, or portraits, or reside in a modern condo and are drawn to photography, large –scale abstracts or graffiti-inspired street art, by far the largest majority of art sold is to beautify and accent the home. Therefore, if you like looking at it, think you will enjoy its presence in your home, and it complements your household furnishings, you CANNOT make a wrong move! You are buying the art because you need something to go above your couch/ bed/ fireplace, and this one is the right size/ color/ style for your house.

The next most common reason for buying art is because you can’t live with out it for some emotional reason. It reminds you of a person/place/ thing. Or, it speaks to your heartstrings because you love the composition for some reason you may not even be able to explain. Perhaps you know the artist, and therefore, you want to own something by that person. But somehow, you just know that you MUST own it.  Again, if it elicits that kind of emotion with you, and it truly resonates with you, then you can’t go wrong, because, well, you LOVE it!

The last reason that people buy art is the smallest percentage of purchases, but equates to the most money spent. That is investment buying, usually reserved for blue-chip art bought at the highest level of galleries, or from auction houses. THIS is the one kind of purchase that does require some knowledge of the artist, their history of exhibits and their sales record. If you are a new collector, and are trying to build a collection of local artists, that is not necessarily investment buying, although it can be a good investment if the artists are of a high enough caliber. But buying art because you want to re-sell it is generally a different kind of purchasing reserved for a small percentage of collectors, many of whom will even put the art in storage waiting for it to appreciate after the artist passes. If your plan is to buy art to put your children through college, then you may wish to study the artist, their auction history, CV and other collectors before laying out a 6-figure sum. But if you want to beautify your home, be a patron of a particular artist, or add some flavor, drama or interest to your home, here’s my advice- BUY WHAT YOU LOVE – and call me – I can help you find it!