A few weeks ago, Alan Bamberger, who runs an excellent website called ArtBusiness.com posed a discussion question on FaceBook: "Does the fact that auction houses such as Sotheby and Christies are posting record sales help you as an artist?" As soon I read this, I remembered a conversation I had a few years ago (in the depths of the economic downturn) with a gallery owner. He said, "Don't worry, the art scene is really heating up -- Sotheby's going crazy and people are paying millions for art!" I remember thinking at the time, "So what? How does that impact me?" -- I still think it.
While I'm generally happy that people are doing so well buying and selling art; as a working artist, I know that the rarefied circles where people pay enormous amounts of money for "blue-chip" art are closed to me. Sotheby is not going to come knocking at my studio door for their next auction and our contemporary "Mellons" and "Carnegies" aren't likely to wander into one of my Open Studios. This amazing auction success doesn't "trickle down" to where I paint.
But their are collectors who come to my studio. There are people who commission -- just not enough. This is where I think, in fact, these splashy news stories do a disservice to us. The idea of being an "Art Collector" comes with a lot of baggage fueled by the idea that art collecting is somehow a "rich man's game." This elitism is also intensified by the intimidation you are often made to feel when walking into most galleries. The average person feels that, while they love art, they don't want to appear foolish because they don't know enough about it or maybe can't afford the higher end pieces on offer. What galleries seem to not know is that when a person is beginning to collect, it seems like a frivolous thing to spend a couple thousand dollars on something that won't feed them, clothe them or keep a roof over their head. The idea that this artwork they've just bought will feed their soul for many years to come only comes to them later when they realize they can't imagine life without it!
What most people don't realize is that there is great art to be had in all styles, media, and price ranges in most cities -- all you have to do is look for it! Look for advertised Open Studios and go and talk to artists -- learn about what you like and don't like and then start collecting. Don't worry about what it'll be worth in 20 years -- just collect what you love!
Thomas Hoving, former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, said; ". . .you'll meet individual works that you'll need for the rest of your life, works that thrill you, energize you, lift your soul, soothe you, make you smile, make you think about the fate of mankind and the universe, make you have to see them again and again for the good of your psyche, state of mind, and strength of heart.." Most of the time this will happen in a museum, but this can also happen in your own home after you've acquired a piece of art you love. The best part, is that you'll then have a direct connection to the artist and know that by your patronage, you are helping the creative process continue and the birth of new art into the world. Kinda cool, huh?
