Learn About the Artist, Then Purchase Their Art

Old School Ways to learn about the artist and their work:

1.  Look through books, catalogs, articles and reviews about the artist - as many as you can find and from as many different sources as possible.  

2.  Talk with collectors who are familiar with the artist, dealers who deal in the artist, and even curators or critics - whenever and wherever you can.  Ask them what makes the good art good.

3.  Shop around.  Get multiple opinions from multiple dealers before you buy.  Do not settle exclusively on 1 dealer until you have a good feel for the overall market.

4.  Don't try to get bargains until you know what you are doing.

More modern ways to learn about the artist and their work, especially indie artists:
1.  Go online!  Find the artist's website or blog and read up on them.  See where they have shown and where their art hangs and get an overall feel of their art.
2.  Check out feedback on their etsy or eBay or look for testimonials or guest books on their website to see what people had to say about their art.
3.  If they are independent you don't have to shop around!  You can just purchase directly from the artist.
4.  Don't try to get bargains at all.  The artist will likely bring you into their inner circle and you will no doubt get all kinds of special privileges like hearing about their new works first, being invited to openings, etc.  

{Tuesday Tips} How to Purchase Art Directly From Artists

There are so many opportunities to purchase art directly from the artist:  art fairs, art walks, open studios or openings at art galleries where the artist is available.  It's a great chance to talk to the artist and gain valuable insight into the piece of art you are purchasing.

Here are some tips to remember when purchasing directly from the artist:

(Later I'll give you a list of "don'ts")

• Do research online prior to visiting artists' studios.  Most art fairs, art walks, etc. will post information about the artists that are participating on the websites for the events.  Read artist statements, bios and other information to get an idea about the artist's career and accomplishments and what their art is about. 
• When looking around, take your time and keep an open mind.  There will probably be a variety of art available.  Also, don't approach the buying situation with any preconceived ideas of what you want your art to look like or you may miss out on a lot of pieces that you would love!
• Walk around to get an idea of the different options before you start purchasing.  Take quick notes so you remember which artists you prefer.  Then return to those artists.
• If you have questions about a piece of art:  ask.  Most of the time artists are very happy to explain their art.  It will increase your appreciation for the art if you know more about it.
• Make sure to check out the actual piece of art all over, not just the front.  Check the back, sides, bottom and edges, too.  Make sure that the artist paid attention to detail and that it is put together to last.  Again, if you have any questions:  ask.
• When you are speaking with the artist, point out the pieces of art that you like most and why.  The artist may have similar pieces you would like even more.
• Artists appreciate your enthusiasm about their work, so let them know if you like it!  Don't downplay your excitement thinking you may get a deal.  Frankly, if they know you love their work, you may be in a better position to get a better price.  
• If you love a piece of work and you know you want to own it then buy it!  
• If you can't pay quite what the artist is asking, and have a good reason why, let the artist know that you love it, but it is out of your budget.  They may have a solution like a payment plan or they may have similar pieces that cost less.  However, do not insult the artist by asking for a much lower price.
• Keep in touch with the artist:  sign up for their mailing list and make sure you get their information.  

{Tuesday Tips} Collecting Art - Buy What You Like

I just stumbled upon this amazing apartment tour of the apartment of art collector Jon H. of Long Beach, California on Apartment Therapy.  For the entire interview, tour and photos, please see Jon's Absolute Art Anachary.

Here is Jon's advice about collecting art:

"The basics: buy what you like, and don’t believe the hype.

The details: As far as art and toys, if you spend $100-$500, figure you will just love the piece and don’t consider it an investment. If you are spending $600-$2,000, you may be buying into hype of the artist and make sure you love the piece. You may or may not see a return later on in life should you decide to sell. If you are going to spend more than $2,000, you have to absolutely love the art and know the artist’s history."

Reflections on The Art of The Steal

I recently watched The Art of the Steal, the gripping documentary about the Barnes Collection of impressionist, post-impressionist and modern art.

I have been fascinated by the battle over the control of the Barnes Foundation.  It’s fascinating to me in both of my worlds, since for my day job, I’m a paralegal who specializes in estate administration.

Before watching the movie, I didn’t have a strong opinion on the matter.  I thought what was most important was maintainence of the artwork itself.  I felt the actual hang of the art was also important.  But, then I figured they could easily recreate that at the new place as well.  As a paralegal, I know there are loopholes around everything and what they are trying to do is most likely legal.  (And there is a judge involved, so, the judge should be the one to make the decision.)

However, after watching the documentary and putting more thought into it, I am actually infuriated by the chain of events that led to whom had the ultimate control of the Barnes.

1. The Barnes should not be moving at all to begin with.
2. A question that I have not actually seen answered:  Is the new location’s main focus education?  The art was hung and the foundation began for education.  Will this new location serve as a school?
3. Dr. Barnes specifically drafted his will to keep his art collection out of the hands of the Philadelphia social elite/Philadelphia Museum of Art, whom he hated.  Now they have control of it.
4. As a museum on the Parkway in downtown Philadelphia, surely this collection is meant as a tourist attraction.  Philadelphia aggressively promotes its tourism, and this will be just another attraction.  The artwork is stuck in a battle about money and politics.  Just the opposite of what Dr. Barnes wanted.

Lincoln University

I have visited Lincoln University.  It’s a tiny school in a rural area.  (The town itself is actually called Lincoln University, that is the size of the town.)  After the original Board of Directors all passed on, Lincoln University was in control of the Barnes Foundation. 

It was an odd, eccentric choice, but it was Dr. Barnes’ choice to make.  I also believe that this was the unraveling of the Barnes Foundation.  The wrong person from Lincoln was in charge of the foundation, which led to a multitude of lawsuits that the Foundation had to pay for.  Then ultimately the Foundation had financial issues.  Not to mention, I don’t believe that they actually knew the value of the collection, and maybe they thought they were in more trouble than they actually were.

A series of unfortunate events and now here we are waiting for the Barnes to be placed in the mass approved building in the highly traveled Benjamin Franklin Parkway, sitting down the road as the little brother to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  For all purposes, run by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is the very thing that Dr. Barnes was trying to protect his art from with his will.

I can understand the argument that more people will be able to view the art in the new location, however, this was Dr. Barnes’s art. 

It does not belong to the City of Philadelphia,

It does not belong to the State of Pennsylvania,

It does not belong to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. 

It was Dr. Barnes’ art and HIS decision what to do with it.  He wanted it to stay where it is to be used in the school that he began. 

I don’t think just because the artwork is that of the masters that it suddenly becomes public property and should be controlled by the public (or politicians or the social elite.)

It infuriates me, to say the least.

Have you seen the movie The Art of the Steal?  Did it change your opinion about the situation (or solidify it more)?

What do you think about this situation?  Should the artwork of the masters be available to be viewed by everyone?  Or is a private collection, just that, private?

(please leave your views below in "comments")

Should the Barnes Collection be Moved?

The Barnes collection contains priceless impressionist, post-impressionist and early modern paintings, among other art.  It is really fascinating to think about what goes into moving such a priceless (well, the estimated value is $25 billion) and massive collection (2500 objects, including 800 paintings) - the armored trucks, the FBI, etc. - but most people are interested in something else altogether.

Should the Barnes Collection even be moved?


Some opponents of that move proffer that Barnes had his own creative vision on how the paintings are arranged and should not be disturbed.  Some say that his will is being broken by moving the collection. 

Those who do not oppose the move say that what matters most is the paintings themselves, and as long as they are accessible, it doesn't matter where they are.

I find this particularly fascinating because not only am I interested in art, but I also happen to be a paralegal who specializes in estate administration.

Either way you look at it, I must say I'm sad that I didn't get to see the artwork in its original home.  To see Dr. Barnes' vision on how the pieces should be hung and arranged.  And to amass that amount of beautiful artwork! 

It's too late now to see it in its original location - the final tour has been done and the lights are out.

According to the Barnes Foundation, the new location in Philadelphia has been designed to invoke the same intimate feeling as the original site in Merion.  The paintings will be arranged in a manner similar to Dr. Barnes' original vision.  There will be gardens in the new location as well.

The Foundation will continue to maintain and expand the gardens at the Merion location, opening up new possibilities for horticulture education.

The main reason for the move is to allow for more visitors to the collection, since there are strict rules about visiting galleries in its current location.

This argument has been going on for years and the decision only recently made in the court system.  A documentary movie, The Art of the Steal, was made about the controversy.  

A cool feature of the Barnes Foundation's website is a webcam on the new building in downtown Philadelphia that shows a new photo every 15 minutes.

Whatever your opinion on whether or not the collection should be moved, the new Philadelphia location is slated to open to the public in late Spring of 2012. 

I would love to know your opinion on this.  Please leave your thoughts below in the comments.