Overwhelmed By White Walls? Fill Your Home with Art by Amy Amdur
Collecting art is a unique experience which can be enjoyed over years, with any budget, and with art acquired at any pace. New collectors are often overwhelmed at how to start. First, determine the location of your collection. Will you collect for your home? Your office? Most people collect with the intention of placing art in their home for their daily enjoyment.
Collections can be built around themes..as in landscapes, still lifes, or narrow topics such as animals, or boats. Some people collect art based on how the art makes them feel…or around colors that they like. Collections can also be built around media, such as photography, paintings or 3d objects like glass. Collections can also be eclectic, including a variety of subjects and media. All are valid ways to collect.
New collectors may feel more comfortable buying many small pieces, however, I do suggest buyers consider buying fewer large statement pieces. In time, you will have an outstanding collection.
How you hang your art is as important as what you hang.
TIPS FOR HANGING YOUR ART:
Hang so that the midline of the festival from top to bottom is at your eye level.
Hang art so that the piece of art is in scale with the wall you are hanging on…as in a small piece of art should go on a smaller wall.
Consider grouping small pieces of art together in a “mosaic” style. Use graph paper to plan out the wall, and use consistent spacing between your pieces.
Large, heavy art requires special hanging into studs. If you’ve bought art at a festival, the artist will frequently be able to deliver and hang larger pieces of art for you. Remember to take a selfie with the artist and your new art!
Where to start?
- Take photos of your empty wall (s) space, and take some rough measurements of the space too.
- Go to a local JURIED art show and walk around. See what you like. Talk to the artist, ask questions.
- If you like what you see, and it is in your price range, buy it! The price marked is the price. Feel free to ask the artist to deliver and hang larger art.
TIPS:
- Buy the art framed. It may seem cheaper to buy it unframed, but you won’t be able to mat and frame art for less than the artists. Unframed art usually stays unframed FOR YEARS.
- If you love the art of an artist, but the sizes don’t work, ask the artist if they can do a piece just for you to your size needs. This is called “commissioning” and is a great way to get something special.
Looking for shows to go to? Amdur Productions produces dozens of juried art festivals in the greater Chicago and Milwaukee areas. Go to our home page for this summer’s schedule…and get collecting!