What to Look for When Buying and Collecting Art

I don’t know about you, but buying art intimidates me. I love so many things, but when it comes to actually deciding what to buy and hang in my home, I freeze. Today we welcome Amanda Morrissette, gallery director of Gallery 1930 to help shed some light on how to buy and collect art.

Amanda:

My thoughts on buying and collecting art?

To start with there are no rules. If you’ve heard any, let this be your release from that prison. There are those who feel art is the icing on the cake, yet others see art as the cake itself. I probably fall into the latter camp, but most would agree that art can absolutely make or break a space. And art sets the mood. Many times a piece that whispers speaks louder than one that yells (but not always). Rebecca Tully Fulmer once said regarding hanging paintings, “Works should hang alone and speak to you, or they should hang together and speak to each other.” With that in mind here are my observations.

Opposites Attract. Mix it up. Contemporary paintings hung alongside traditional furnishings create a good tension — it’s fresh and au courant! Investing in art goes a long way toward transforming a home.

I have collected paintings over twenty years. Once hung individually, now these paintings are hung as a grouping. Each painting is full of meaning to me taking me back to where I was physically and spiritually at the time. Tastes change and evolve, but collecting art is like having a virtual scrapbook on your walls. — I have collected paintings over twenty years. Once hung individually, now these paintings are hung as a grouping. Each painting is full of meaning to me, taking me back to where I was physically and spiritually at the time. Tastes change and evolve, but collecting art is like having a virtual scrapbook on your walls.

Kate Spade's home in Southampton was originally part of an art school. This is a lovely display of the art of mixing styles. — Kate Spade’s home in Southampton was originally part of an art school. This is a lovely display of the art of mixing styles. Image via matchbookmag.com.

Space and Size Matter. Large paintings have great impact. But hanging smaller pieces can be just as impactful, if not more so. Eclectic groupings have an interesting, sophisticated vibe. Martha Stewart, it seems, tends to hang groupings on a horizontal grid, whereas, Kate Spade does not. Ever. (google Kate Spade’s apartment or store). Kate seems to step each piece down from the middle. Very SoHo chic. Neither is right or wrong, but each is true to the style and personality of the person. With that said …

Kate Spade grouping seems to step down from the middle. Image via apartmenttherapy.com.

Martha's signature style. Image via marthastewart.com. — Martha’s signature style. Image via marthastewart.com.

Art should reflect your personality and your personal style. Obvious, I know, but I’ve learned over the past few years that there are plenty of us who aren’t quite sure what our ‘style’ is. Where art is concerned, the more you see, the more you develop your own style. Some of the best resources for a cram course in design are local realtors’ websites. The photos and diversity of styles are plentiful; take note of your likes and dislikes. Of course magazines and Pinterest are good resources, too.

Artwork by Meredith Keith — This is my home showing Meredith Keith’s artwork.

Margaret and Trip Summersell have a beautiful collection of art. Meredith Keith's 'Piazza San Marco' hangs over fireplace. — Margaret and Trip Summersell have a beautiful collection of art. Meredith Keith’s ‘Piazza San Marco’ hangs over fireplace.

Take it home. Try one painting or try ten. We are big proponents of experimenting with several pieces in a particular space. Every week we deliver lots of paintings to lots of homes. Living with the work for a few days can make the decision easier. You don’t have anything to lose, and at the very least you’ll find out what doesn’t work. Finding a piece you love is the goal!

Thanks, Amanda! Visit Gallery 1930 Tuesday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and by appointment anytime to check out all the fabulous works of art on display. For more information, to schedule an appointment or rent out the gallery for your event contact the gallery at [email protected].

About the Author
Catherine Romero