The Art of Buying Art

VOGUE Magazine quotes Kline:

So many people lack the courage to buy art for the love of it. They'll spend tens of thousands of dollars on other passions - cars and clothes and furniture - without regard to their (negative) investment potential, and pass up a piece of art because there's no guarantee that its market value will escalate.

Look at the worst-case scenario: You buy a piece of art that gives you a lifetime of pleasure. You pass it on to your children as a memento of you. It becomes a little piece of immortality. There are worse investments.

Kris Kline,
www.galleryNOW.com director

Secrets of the Trade

Buying serious art can be intimidating if you've never done it before. We've added the following information in order to answer some of your concerns.

Q. What is the most important question to ask yourself about a piece of art before buying it?

A. The most important question to ask yourself is: "Do I really love it?" If the answer is no, then I recommend you keep looking, regardless of what other advice you might get. Art is extremely subjective. You will relate to it differently than anyone else on earth does because no one else shares your unique intellect, emotions and personal interests. That's part of the beauty and mystery of art.

Q. Does art have to be shocking to catch a buzz?

A. Shocking subject matter helps an artist get noticed by art dealers. That does not mean, however, that the art is necessarily good, or will be lasting. What's "hot" today could be tomorrow's bad taste.

Q. Are you buying the art or the artist?

A. Yes. But while you are actually buying both, you need to establish your priorities. Ask yourself: "Why am I buying this piece?" If your motivation is financial investment, be aware that only a few artists' works will significantly increase in value. Yesterday's rage can be today's discount and tomorrow's forgotten name. It's also important to note that a minor piece by a recognized artist is still a minor piece.

Q. Should you purchase art to match your furniture?

A. There is actually more to it than the resounding "no" that you might expect. To pretend that all good art looks equally good in any environment is asking too much of the artist. A friend of mine fell in love with a large $3000 painting. When he had it hung, it was obvious the space was all wrong for the piece. He purchased the painting anyway, had it stored, and when he later moved to another home, he hung the painting. He is as thrilled with the piece today as he was the day he bought it.