Painting by Ines Longevial
Here I am, on the cusp of making my debut as a bonafide artist with my first art show just around the corner. Apart from it being a culmination of over 2 years of hard work and self introspection, this has been a creative journey and an exercise in finding myself. My art works are a reflection of what I see in my mind’s eye and in the colours that speak to me. It has been an intensely personal and empowering experience for me, resulting in 15 works of art . I love each one of them dearly as though they were my kids. In a way, they are. But now as I’m putting them out there in the world, I wonder how I will feel when one piece gets picked over the others. Will I feel elated for the artwork that finds a home, or will my heart break for the one that gets left behind?
Clearly there will be favourites. There will be pieces that attract the “oohs” and the “aahs”, but there might be some which don’t get a second look. This set me thinking. What is it that we look for when we buy art for our homes? Are there any universal rules? More importantly SHOULD there be any rules?
I know that there are many people who look upon art as an investment. I’m not one of them. I buy art only because it makes my heart sing and my spirits soar. It is a highly personal and emotional choice. Somehow I just cannot look at a painting in terms of current and possible future value.
Unless you are an art curator, buying art does not come naturally. Galleries might seem intimidating and you can get drowned in decisions concerning the right size and the right colour of art for your home. In reality, choosing art is a far more intuitive process than you think.
Check out the local art scene for upcoming artists and talent. Mixed media art by Prabha Saha. Part of “The Face In The Mirror “ series.
Here are my few simple rules that might help you when you buy art.
1) CHOOSE ART AT A HEART LEVEL: Art speaks to us in different ways. I would say, buy art that you love and can’t stop thinking about. If you come across a beautiful art piece, but you don’t feel anything about it, move on. It is better to stare at a blank wall, than buy art that you don’t give you goose bumps. Remember, when you buy art for your home, you will be seeing it every day and it will become an integral part of your life and your living space. It will make a statement about you. So choose well and choose with your heart, not your mind.
2) MEASUREMENTS ARE IMPORTANT: Trust your instinct. If you like something, buy it. You will always find space for something you adore Having said that, if you have limited space, please carry the measurements of your space along. Scale is important. There is nothing more tragic than an art piece not getting it’s due.
3) BE BOLD: Choosing wall colours, furniture, drapes and home décor can follow rules like using a neutral palette as I mentioned in one of my previous blogs, but where art is concerned, I urge you to go bold, go eclectic. Be unafraid of colours and textures. It should be capable of starting a conversation, set the feel and vibe of a space. Depending on the room, you can choose to either go in for one stunning large art piece or a collage wall of several smaller art pieces.
4) KNOW YOUR ARTIST: Make it a point to read up about the artist , follow them on social media. It will give you a deeper insight to the art work you possess.
If you don’t have the budget for an original painting, check out Uprise Art or Etsy for some interesting, original yet affordable art. Pic courtesy Pinterest.
5) ART DOES NOT ONLY MEAN PAINTINGS: By broadening your outlook, art can encompass many different mediums – be it photography , drawings, illustrations, vintage style posters, old maps, framed carpets etc. You can discover a host of beautiful pieces that could be perfect for your home.
6) BUDGET: If your budget doesn’t stretch too far and you cannot afford an original, don’t be disappointed. Almost all artists offer high quality prints of their work too.
Another $ saving tip: If you are fond of photography, get high resolution prints of some of the photos that you are proud of and have them professionally mounted on a board and framed. These are ideal for narrow spaces like a corridor or along a stairway. Photograph by Prabha Saha
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” - Thomas Merton