Budget Blues - Art Collecting on a Dime
What does art collecting looks like in times of economic downturn? To be perfectly honest, it looks quite lifeless.
Nobody can deny that the ability to put aside money for discretionary purchases such as artwork has really gone the way of the Dodo bird.
It is, no pun intended, not a pretty picture.
Nonetheless, there are things that we can all do to continue or perhaps start collecting without breaking the bank.
Artists are offering highly collectible artwork at unprecedented low prices.
They have also seen a decrease in their sales and have repositioned themselves to accommodate those collectors with shrinking funds.
Search high and low for the kind of work that catches your eye and your heart.
Use the Internet to locate galleries who will work with you to meet your needs.
Gallery owners and dealers will find that special piece for you and will help you purchase it with payment plans, layaway options or on the spot discounts.
If you find or are introduced to an artist whose work you love, ask about his or her price range.
There will be cheaper pieces and more expensive ones and you can choose.
That means purchasing a drawing instead of a painting or perhaps asking for the same photographic print in smaller dimensions.
There are always options.
Remember that both the artist and the dealer want to find a home for that piece.
If you love it, they want you to have it.
Another option is to put a larger more expensive piece aside and pay for it in installments.
You might not have $700 of discretionary income at your disposal this very month but can you spare $50? Put a small down payment on the piece and reserve it.
It'll be yours before you know it and it will be quite painless.
Work with a reputable dealer who will get to know you and your particular focus.
They can often make deals and get special prices that you would not be able to get on your own.
Make sure they pass the savings on to you.
Everyone should benefit from such transactions: the artist, the dealer and the collector.
Having someone help you from within the art world should not mean more fees or hidden price hikes.
Your dealer should rather be your main ally in your efforts to grow your collection.
Collecting is a little bit like a Nike commercial:"Just Do It".
Ask about pieces already in inventory.
There are real gems in storage in galleries all over the world just waiting to be unearthed.
The truth is that artists do not want earlier work back and dealers cannot indefinitely store it.
It's quite often the best, fastest way to find that special item.
Snatch a tabletop mixed media sculpture for $85 or an assemblage for $65.
A drawing can start as low as $100 for an 8x11" and prints are always extremely reasonable and very beautiful, with limited editions starting at $250.
Even small paintings are not out of reach these days...
Do not hesitate and you'll be glad you bought while the market was yours for the taking.
Nobody can deny that the ability to put aside money for discretionary purchases such as artwork has really gone the way of the Dodo bird.
It is, no pun intended, not a pretty picture.
Nonetheless, there are things that we can all do to continue or perhaps start collecting without breaking the bank.
Artists are offering highly collectible artwork at unprecedented low prices.
They have also seen a decrease in their sales and have repositioned themselves to accommodate those collectors with shrinking funds.
Search high and low for the kind of work that catches your eye and your heart.
Use the Internet to locate galleries who will work with you to meet your needs.
Gallery owners and dealers will find that special piece for you and will help you purchase it with payment plans, layaway options or on the spot discounts.
If you find or are introduced to an artist whose work you love, ask about his or her price range.
There will be cheaper pieces and more expensive ones and you can choose.
That means purchasing a drawing instead of a painting or perhaps asking for the same photographic print in smaller dimensions.
There are always options.
Remember that both the artist and the dealer want to find a home for that piece.
If you love it, they want you to have it.
Another option is to put a larger more expensive piece aside and pay for it in installments.
You might not have $700 of discretionary income at your disposal this very month but can you spare $50? Put a small down payment on the piece and reserve it.
It'll be yours before you know it and it will be quite painless.
Work with a reputable dealer who will get to know you and your particular focus.
They can often make deals and get special prices that you would not be able to get on your own.
Make sure they pass the savings on to you.
Everyone should benefit from such transactions: the artist, the dealer and the collector.
Having someone help you from within the art world should not mean more fees or hidden price hikes.
Your dealer should rather be your main ally in your efforts to grow your collection.
Collecting is a little bit like a Nike commercial:"Just Do It".
Ask about pieces already in inventory.
There are real gems in storage in galleries all over the world just waiting to be unearthed.
The truth is that artists do not want earlier work back and dealers cannot indefinitely store it.
It's quite often the best, fastest way to find that special item.
Snatch a tabletop mixed media sculpture for $85 or an assemblage for $65.
A drawing can start as low as $100 for an 8x11" and prints are always extremely reasonable and very beautiful, with limited editions starting at $250.
Even small paintings are not out of reach these days...
Do not hesitate and you'll be glad you bought while the market was yours for the taking.