Buying Art for the First Time?
Many first-time buyers believe that because they don’t have a “defined” taste just yet, that they don’t know where to start – but in reality, taste only develops through exposure and interest.
It’s important to remember that people’s style not only evolves over time but can be totally opposing within the one collection, depending on the artist and the piece. You might adore beautiful, hyper-realistic landscapes while also being totally captivated by large abstract works.
The rules are, that there are no rules, beyond loving something.
But, it can certainly help to try to notice how things make you feel.
For instance, as you look at art think about the following things:
- The Color palettes that you’re drawn to (muted, bold, monochrome, warm, cool) – does this change per piece?
- What Energy do you enjoy in a piece (quiet and minimal vs. expressive and chaotic) or both?
- Is the subject matter important to you? (abstract, figurative, landscapes, portraits, conceptual)
- Maybe the scale makes you feel something? (small intimate works vs. large statement pieces)
A helpful exercise: when you really like a piece, is to think about why.
Not in art terms, just in honest language.
“It feels calm.” “It reminds me of traveling.” “I like that it’s weird.” “I love the detail”
These instincts are more valuable than any expert opinion. And you might find that either your style is always similar and brings you back to the same feeling time and time again – or you might find that you have real eclectic taste where anything goes and you just love art for creativity’s sake.
But getting to know what you like – is really and truly based on how something makes you feel.
So relax about whether it is good, bad or indifferent; about whether it is big, small, calm or full of drama – and just go with how it makes you FEEL.
Featured Painting: Flooded with Soft Light by Dorothy Ledwith – CLICK HERE
