ART COLLECTING 101

Basic Approaches to Collecting
There are two basic approached to collecting art:
One, with your eyes—relying on your own instincts and judgment, and
Two, with your ears—relying on the advice of a few carefully selected dealers. Either approach is a legitimate one. Most successful collectors employ a combination of the two. The Best collector is an informed collector. Throughout a collector’s career, reading and constantly looking at art is essential in building an exceptional collection. Most people feel more comfortable going slowly at first.

-          Spend time learning about art.

-          Familiarize yourself with art terms, media and techniques.

Collecting Tips In collecting African-American Art, I generally look for works that document particular movements of trends in art that document different historical periods. This selection leads to a varied collection that includes both race and race less art.

To exhibit one or two pieces does not begin to tell a story. But a story movement begins to evolve when scores or hundreds of works are exhibited. Art, after all, is visual literature and often times speaks more powerful and with greater articulation than the best drama.

While the circumstances (of being under recognized) is unfortunate, perhaps for the black artist, the logical result of it all is that true genius is being overlooked and is available for purchase if you and only you follow your own drummer, trust your confidence and are willing to put your money on the line.

It is no longer enough to buy a work by an artist who happens to “draw well”—that is pedestrian and old hat. Technical ability is a given criterion. The designation “fine art” deserves to be reserved for works by artists with imagination, vision and innovation.

      -    Good collections take time

      -     Buy art that you like and within your means

-          When starting with limited funds, buy contemporary that are now releasing new works. You may collect tomorrow’s masters.

-          Remarques, Artist Proofs, Printers Proofs and Limited Edition Pieces will appreciate more than open edition pieces.

-          The market and the going pieces for the art are dictated by supply and demand. The fewer the number of high demand pieces the more the appreciation.

-          For more expensive pieces, most galleries offer installment payment plans. This allows you to lock in the price while it is still affordable.

-          Gain knowledge about the demand and prices for the art you collect by visiting galleries and checking local newspapers for the art auctions particularly African-American art auctions.

ENJOY YOUR ART!…Enjoying your collection is what art is all about
Overdue Recognition Art Gallery