Scared to Buy Original Art?

Are you are an intelligent, affluent, sophisticated consumer who knows nothing about contemporary art or how to buy it?
You are not alone, and it is not your fault. The art market is intimidating, confusing, and rife with over-priced works.....

You are justified in being confused and cautious. Most of my neighbors think nothing of spending thousands on window treatments, but are terrified of buying a $500 piece of art. Unlike other cultural experiences, such as the theatre or dance, buying art is not a transient event. If you make a mistake, it hangs there on your wall proclaiming to the world your lack of taste. This fact scares the hell out of most people which is why they stick with their posters from college or pictures they pick up on vacation. Thus, you often see exquisitely decorated houses without good art. Interior Designers are sometimes just as intimidated and unsophisticated as you.

There's only one step - LOOK, LOOK, and LOOK some more.

Learn About Art, Learn About What You Like, Learn About Yourself.

"I don't know anything about art, but I know what I like"... To a certain extent, it is true, but remember the corollary - "The more art you see, the more you know what you like."
Everyone has a different reaction to the images they see, depending on their personal psychological makeup.
Look at all different styles of art with an open mind. As you do, write down the names of the artists you like the best.





Surf the web for images and take note of your favorites. There are wonderful web resources to find good art: artnet.com, artinfo.com, artforum.com, artnews.com, artnewspaper.tv.

VISIT FINE ART MUSEUMS and libraries. Every town has a local museum associated with the city or a local university. Local libraries have art books and magazines to browse.

TAKE COURSES at local universities, attend lectures sponsored by local art organizations and museums.

VISIT THE LOCAL GALLERIES- Find galleries through listings in the local papers and local arts organizations. While these galleries might have the best of your local artists try to avoid the tacky galleries. (Click here to learn how to spot a tacky gallery)javascript:void(0)

ASK QUESTIONS when visiting galleries - questions such as "Can you tell me about the artist? Do you have other things by her that I may look at"? Ask whatever questions you can think of, and don't let youself be intimidated even if you're dressed in sweats and sneakers.

SIGN GALLERY GUESTBOOKS - You'll receive notices of art openings. Most art openings are casual affairs and it's easy to meet collectors, the artist, and find out more about the local art world. Openings are a great opportunity to ask more questions. People in the art world love to talk and give out information.

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