My name is Dr. Steven L. Bridges, President of the Bridges Art Group, LLC. I have been an art advisor and collector for over 20 years, and have advised over 500 clients on their collecting activities. I utilize this blog space to provide insights and advice to art collectors who are interested in building or expanding a successful collection.
Taken from my upcoming book, The Five Pillars of a Successful Art Collection: The Path to Acquiring a High Quality Art Collection at Reasonable Cost, this blog is published by the Bridges Art Group, LLC.
Strong art collections are built on five pillars:
1. A source of inspiration. It’s not just great works of art that inspire us to make our own, but also the experience of actually seeing and feeling them in person. Travel makes up a large part of my collection and is one of the best investments I’ve made in it.
2. A point of view. Collecting the work of only the most famous artists will not result in a strong collection no matter how expensive it is or how famous the artists are. Look for artists that have something to say and whose work fits with your personal point of view.
3. A supporting cast. When building my collection, I was careful to include works by other artists that were complimentary to my favorites and would enhance my collection when viewed together as a whole.
4. Patience, persistence, and passion. Most successful collectors made their collections over many years by focusing on one artist at a time until they had enough pieces to form a complete collection or series (called an oeuvre). They did it because they loved the process and because they believed in the artists and their vision. They were willing to wait until they found what they loved rather than settling for something else or buying too early (a mistake I’ve
I have been a collector of art for the past 8 years. I have collected pieces from various artists and I have learned a lot in that time. I now feel like I am in a position to share my knowledge so that others can benefit from it.
I have talked to other collectors and they all seem to go about collecting very differently. Some are very selective about what they collect, only buying work that is in their favorite style, by their favorite artist or both. Others will collect anything as long as it is “good” art.
There are many factors that must be considered when building your collection and what works for one person may not work for another. In the end you need to find the things that work best for you.
Here are the five pillars of a successful art collection:
1) Establish an overall vision and stick with it
2) Build a strong relationship with a knowledgeable dealer
3) Know what you like and why you like it; know your “style”
4) Buy what makes sense financially, monetarily and emotionally (thats right, don’t buy just because someones name is on the label or because its overpriced)
5) Finally, have fun!**
If you are serious about building a collection of art, you have to understand that it’s a full-time job. You can’t do it haphazardly.
When some people begin collecting they think they will buy “whatever they like”. But the fact is that you can’t afford to do that. If you buy just what you like, then your collection will never grow beyond what you can fit in your living room.
To build a strong and professional-looking art collection, there are five vital things that need to be understood and adhered to.
Some people have a misconception about art collecting. They think it is a way to make money. While this may be true for investors who buy low and sell high, most art collectors are not in it for the profit. They are merely passionate about art and want to share their love of art with others.
An important aspect of building an art collection is knowing what you like and what you don’t like, regardless of price. If you know what you like, you can tell if something is a good investment or not. When you attend auctions and gallery openings, ask yourself if you would hang this piece on your wall or put in your living room. If the answer is no, then don’t buy it. Your main focus should be on finding pieces that fit well with one another, rather than trying to collect iconic works by major artists.
People often spend too much on a single piece and not enough on others that could look better together. Don’t forget the importance of having a good frame, lighting and installation: these are crucial elements to making your collection look great! You can visit our website at http://www.artdesignblog.com for more tips on how to build a strong collection.
There are five essential elements that you need to address if you want to build a successful art collection:
1. Artworks should be created by artists who have the gift of an interesting and unique style and strong presence.
2. Artworks should be created in a way that they are both visually appealing and thought-provoking, so that they can be appreciated both by viewers who are interested in the subject matter, as well as those who enjoy viewing it for its composition alone.
3. The collection should be built to last, with an eye on the financial aspects of doing so, including insurance and storage costs.
4. The collection should be built with a long-term vision about the financial value of each piece within the collection.
5. The collection should reflect the interests of its collector, whether it’s focused on a specific subject or a specific aesthetic or even just a general theme or feeling like “beauty.”
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, it’s a good idea to review the basics of art collecting.
A good place to start is with the Five Pillars of Art Collecting:
1. Buy what you love and buy what you like.
2. Always buy art from a reputable source.
3. Buy art that is affordable and buy art that fits your budget.
4. Buy what you can afford to lose and buy what you can afford to keep.
5. Buy art for yourself as an investment and buy art for yourself because you love it.