One of the many highlights of adulting is finally having the opportunity to create a beautiful home for yourself. And whether you rent or own, you know you’re at this stage when you’re ready to graduate from having Ikea posters to hanging meaningful works of art on your walls. A lot of people have the misconception that you need mega bucks to build an art collection but these days there are lots of great resources available to help you find art you love…and it isn’t as intimidating as you think. But with all of the resources, mediums, artists and works of art to filter through, where does one even begin? Enter Ariel Saldivar, VP of artist relations for Twyla, a new e-commerce site devoted to making access to exclusive works of art accessible to everyone. Ariel is here to share her top tips for buying and collecting art plus five favorite emerging artists whose works are available on Twyla.com.
What would you say to someone who thinks they need to have a lot of money to start an art collection?
Art should be an extension of yourself and your space so you really can’t put a dollar amount on it. There are obviously many different price points but you can start a collection with less than $100 if that’s your budget. If you’re beginning with a smaller budget I recommend looking at photography or prints which are much more affordable than other mediums or original works. Limited edition prints usually retain their value and offer you the opportunity to get a piece from an artist you love for a fraction of the price. As collecting becomes more important to you and start to become more educated, you can gradually budget higher.
There’s so much art out there…how do you filter through it and find what you like?
The first step in to look at as much art as possible and you’ll naturally discover what it is that you’re drawn to. Visit museums and other art institutions and look at lots of art books. Think about the kinds of pieces you’d want to see hanging in your home and what you want to feel when you look at them. As you develop your eye, you’ll notice yourself gravitating towards specific styles of art…trust that instinct. For beginning art collectors, I wouldn’t be too focused on buying art as an investment. Instead, focus on buying what you love. If you find a piece that really speaks to you on a deeper level, you’ll want to keep it forever.
As you begin collecting, should you focus on relating each piece to one another?
It’s important not to let a theme dictate what you buy and instead focus on pieces that reflect your personality and that you have an emotional connection to. Nine times out of ten, the pieces you like tend to have a common thread and your art collection will end up telling a story. Don’t be afraid to be bold and make a statement. Your living space is an extension of yourself and a great artwork can transform a room and serve as a great conversation piece.
What should someone consider when framing their new art?
When you get a piece of art that’s important to you, you want to frame it properly to keep it protected. A top quality glass is super important. I recommend non-reflective museum glass.Every piece from Twyla is available for custom mounting and framing with museum-grade materials. In terms of frame styles, there are a lot of options you can choose from but I prefer a simple gallery frame which allows your piece stand out. You never want the frame to overpower the artwork.
What are some great resources for learning about up and coming artists?
If you’re really serious about collecting, you should invest the time to learn more about the the artists you love and the art market in general. The internet has completely changed the landscape of how people learn about art. Twyla is obviously a fantastic resource. The site has a chat feature where you can talk to an advisor to as questions and get expert advice. Three of my other favorite resources are:
Artsy – They’re kind of like the Huffington Post of the art world with strong editorials that talk about everything from whats going on in the market to who are the up and comers to watch.
The New York Times Arts section – New York is at the heart of the art market in the US so this section is full of great information highlighting everything from the best gallery shows and art events to profiles on emerging artists.
@_sightunseen_ – this is a great Instagram account that covers what’s new and next in the worlds of art and design.
- Miya Ando is a conceptual artist whose Japanese lineage and Buddhist upbringing resonate throughout her creative practice. Her signature editions for Twyla were created using organic materials like Bodhi leaves and are inspired by Zen philosophy.
- Sculptor and painter Clinton King uses an intuitive approach to painting to explore the potential of material and form through the incorporation of contrasting textural elements such as plastic, drafting tape, and various types of paper. Although two-dimensional, Clinton’s paintings investigate spatial relationships through the use of positive and negative space.
- Mixed-media artist Adler Guerrier combines photography, paint, and collage to deliver his cultural message regarding the often desolate urban landscape. His abstract graphite and watercolor collages also hint at the landscapes that make up our quiet, urban lives.
- Award-winning artist Laurent Elie Badessi was born into a family of photographers and continues four generations of photographic practice. Badessi is fascinated by the connection of the photographer and the subject, basing his M.A. thesis on this relationship and focusing his career on photographing the human figure.
- Travis Boyer’s abstract art plays with notions of luxury and materialism. Boyer is a fiber and textile artist working with various fabrics like velvet and silk, but he also incorporates sculpture and installation into his exhibitions and performance.
This post is in partnership with Twyla. All thoughts are my own.
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