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As a professional working artist, and a person who buys art too, I’m offering a unique perspective to consider next time you are buying art for yourself. Why not buy like an artist would? First and foremost, the perfectly imperfect hand-wrought work of human creativity can elevate your space and your life. Buy art that you just can’t take your eyes away from and that gives you an emotional blast - not as an investment. Buy originals if you can afford them and prints if you can’t get originals.
Take a tour of galleries and shows in your area. Get to know what is hanging on the walls and find out what 'speaks to you.' Look at everything before you buy... especially if it's an expensive piece. You can find a lot of art online as well, but you can't always see the quality of the work in a photo. Try to look at the originals because some really gorgeous art just doesn’t photograph well. I am very aware of that with my own art. There are advantages to buying from local artists or at shows where you can see the original up close and personal.
If you're looking to hang art on the wall just to decorate, you can find lots of inexpensive 'decorator art' (usually canvas or paper prints) at Hobby Lobby and The Painted Tree. Gather some color swatches and go shopping for art that fills your empty spaces and brings color to your walls. Many people I know have done some shopping like this and are pretty successful at getting the job done. They generally have a theme they want to follow and often a particular color scheme they want to match.
However, if you want to buy art that is more than nice wallpaper, you need to tap into your inner self a bit more.
Here are my three very best tips for buying art: 1. Shop for and buy the art pieces that you love. The art itself should make you feel something. It should energize you, bring you peace, be endlessly interesting and/ or attractive for you to look at. Ask about the art. Look for quality of workmanship. Talk to the artist who created the work if you can. Most artists have a back story on their artworks. They can tell you about their inspiration and experiences in creating the piece. We all like to tap into the story for meaning or details that may not be obvious.
2. The art might match your couch, or not. The art you choose to buy is so personal that it’s on a different level than other possessions. You can always change your furniture and wall paint, but the art you buy is really a reflection of your inner being. It can be about your life experience or perhaps you want to create a special mood or atmosphere in your space.
3. Remember that you are going to be living with that artwork every day in your home or office. Art is like a person, almost a member of the family - it has presence and being. If that last statement sounds kooky to you, maybe the art you have on your wall isn't something that you love. Try taking it down and see how you feel when it's gone.
I also rotate my art around the house. I have my own art cre-ations - new pieces and some older ones moving in and out from galleries, my mother's art and my personal collection of art - way more than what will fit on the walls at once. I love all the art and rotating is a way to enjoy every piece. Art rotation also gives a fresh look to the same old room without a lot of effort.
To see my paintings and art jewelry creations, visit my website: www.lyraeperr y. weebly.com - Nature & Wildlife Art by Lyrae
