How to Buy Art, Part II

by Ljubica Todorovic (Calgary, Alberta Canada)

Last June, I wrote an article for first time art buyers about buying art.

My definition of “visual art” is: A thing created by a person; specifically, it is deemed “art” based on it’s merit as such. Usually, visual artworks are things which are considered objects or performances and can be displayed or viewed in a gallery, museum, public space and/or personal space. In regards to fine art painting terminology, a picture of art is not considered art; it is considered a reproduction of the original artwork.

Original art is not is something you purchase at a “big box” retail store. Art is not something that exists for the sole purpose of matching it to colours in your home decor. Art is an expression of the artist’s soul and a mirror of yourself which exists as a separate entity from anything else in your home. It should be itself. It shouldn’t be an accessory to the other things in your home. Please, purchase original art when possible and skip the photograph of an artwork which was printed onto a canvas somewhere in China, boxed up and sent to HomeSense or Ikea to be sold to people. Support local artists who are trying to make a living

Purchasing real art for your home is not as expensive as you may be led to believe. If you do not have a lot of money to spend, there are ways around this.

Tips on buying art for the first time in List Form (because we all love lists)

1. De-clutter your home, first and foremost. Become unattached to all existing mass-produced “art” (note: These are the things you thought were art but actually are not considered such) that are currently in your home. Toss them out, burn them or give them away.

2. Create a savings account at your personal bank. Start small; set aside 2%-5% of your paycheque every month into this account for the intention of purchasing art ($1500/paycheque = $30-$75/paycheque to be set aside in your savings account). If you receive two paycheques a month, in one year you will have saved $720-$1800 for the sole purpose of buying art. This can buy you a few small pieces by Canadian emerging or mid-career artists, or one small-medium piece by a mid-career artist which is nearing established artist status. Set aside more each month and… well, you get the point. Some galleries have payment plans; be sure to check out the options, but remember that your art collecting dreams can become a reality somehow.

3. Set a goal. How many works of art can you afford each year? How much can you realistically set aside from your paycheque for art?

4. Keep a scrapbook of ideas. Do you want to collect a certain style of art or medium? Do you want to collect Canadian artists, American artists, International artists… ? Collect art magazines and clip out your favorite artworks to glue into your scrapbook.

5. Attend local gallery, museum, art market and art school events. Try and talk to the artist whenever possible. Do not barter for prices, but instead talk about the work and what it means to you and what it means to the artist who created it.

6. Looking for a bargain? Check out student art fairs at your local art college. Go in with a budget and be wary of overpriced, poor quality student work. If the art student is standing near his or her work, talk to them and get to know the work before buying.

7. Have an interest in the arts. If you do not, then collecting original artworks may not be for you.

8. Have you developed a taste for contemporary art? Purchase “Owning Art: The Contemporary Art Collector’s Handbook by Louisa Buck & Judith” at Studio Todorovic. For $18, you will become privy to a wealth of information about collecting contemporary art.

9. Fall in love with the work you purchase. Don’t buy it because the artist or gallery is pressuring you into taking it home. You have to live with it forever, so love it.

10. I’ve said this before in this list and my other article and I’ll say it again… “Remember also that not all art can be hung on the wall. You can purchase sculptures, wearable art, jewelery and ceramics; hang your art, wear it, look at it from all angles and remember to love every inch of it.”

As an artist, I create paintings and drawings; furthermore, I employ a combination of aesthetic, technical and conceptual elements in order to convey a message or feeling in the format of a visual map/surface. Although my “abstract” works are sometimes convoluted due to their non-representational aesthetic nature, I do believe that they are accessible by the average person.

Contemporary art can seem inaccessible and hard to understand, but I truly believe that one does not need to be a critic or an art connoisseur in order to understand it. I honestly do believe that people should be open to everything, or else you are missing out on the fun stuff.