Three Questions to Ask When Deciding to Invest in Original Art

Have you ever wanted to collect original art but got caught up in your head overthinking what to buy? How much to spend? Questing yourself on if it’s really worth the investment?

As both a working artist and a collector who loves investing in original art from creatives I admire, I know firsthand that this decision is one not only a matter of the heart but also a matter of logistics and practicality, so I created three foundational questions to explore when considering if buying that piece of art is a good fit for you.

Now, before we get into it, I want to start by acknowledging that how we do one thing, is how we do many things. So, for instance, there was a time in my life where writing came with MUCH deliberation. Should I say it this way, or should I say it that way? Finishing an essay or a poem took AGES and was mentally and emotionally exhausting.

But writing wasn’t the only area of my life where I was caught-up in patterns of over-thinking. I experienced that pattern in my work and in my relationships as well, often doubting my own ideas, emotions and needs.

How we do one thing is often how we do many things.

The good news with this is that we can use any one area of our life to nurture a new pattern. For instance, I picked up abstract painting as a way of experimenting with a little less over-thinking and a little more intuitive, trusting responding. As I played with paint and finished pieces that I found compelling, I realized it was safe to make choices and trust my gut. I didn’t have to belabor my ideas to death! I could feel my way into them. I could trust myself.

With this in mind, making the choice to collect (or not to collect!) artwork can be a simple yet impactful way of stregthening your relationship to yourself and the ways you show up in the world.

Creative community, grab your journals for today’s post, and let’s dive in!

Question One: Do you like the art/artist?

I know, I know. It seems so easy and obvious, but stick with me for a minute.

How we spend our money reflects our priorities and values, so is this an artist who aligns with those values?? Is this someone whose career and work you would like to prioritize in the world?

If so, I find it helpful to make that connection more explicit: what specifically about them or their work do you value?

Do you appreciate the candid way they show up in the world?

Do you value the topics they discuss and explore in their work?

Maybe you really connect to their story or background and want to invest in them/their art as a way of co-creating a world where more folks feel emboldened to take risks and follow their dreams?

Getting explicit about why you like the art/artist is helpful as a collector because it not only empowers us to not only feel good about making the investment but it also alerts us to our own values and priorities. It connects us back to ourselves and the kind of world we want to co-create with our actions and our purchases.

In that same vein, it’s helpful to consider: what do you like about the specific piece you’re considering investing in? How do you feel when you look at it? What sensations does it bring up in your body? In your imagination? Where does it take you?

Question Two: Do you have a spot to display (or safely store) the art?

Sexy question right? But it’s important!

Great art is meant to be enjoyed by great company, so the question stands: is there a spot (or even spots) in your home, office, beach house, or rental property where you can enjoy this art?

I’ll be honest, when I collect art, I don’t always have a specific spot in mind ahead of time. Sometimes, I’ll have a few ideas about where the piece might look good and wait until it arrives to try it out. However, for the larger, more expensive pieces in my collection, I usually did have a specific vision of where I wanted it to go. These bold statement pieces enjoy being focal points in a room, and I can’t speak for other artists, but I know I myself love helping collectors pick out unique works for specific walls.

If this is you, you’re always welcome to book a virtual studio visit, and over zoom, we’ll look at the room and wall you’re wanting to outfit as well as your preferences and vibes, and from that, I’ll either share pieces from my inventory of original art and match you with your perfect piece or give you the option of commissioning something custom.

Now, of course, having a specific spot (or even a spot at all!) isn’t a must.

Some collectors invest in lots of art and choose to only display a portion of their collection at any given point. This allows them the creative pleasure of rotating the work, and changing the vibes in their space based on the time of year or their inklings. If this is you, the question to ask is do you have a safe spot, temperature-controlled area (ie not in a storage unit or shed) away from dust and sunlight that you can safely store the work if you’re not yet ready to frame and hang it?

Question Three: Do you want to afford this art?

Simply put, we spend money on the things we value. Do you value this enough to spend money on it? This connects back to question one and understanding how and why you resonate with the art/artist and making the choice from a thoughtful, empowered place of your own personal values.

From where I’m sitting, as both an artist and a collector, art is priceless. We put a price on it to make it transactional, but you can’t put a dollar amount on the kind of lasting delight and meaning that art brings into the world.

Do you want to invest in yourself, your space, your community and legacy in this way? There’s no wrong answers.

If you do, it’s helpful to know many artists (myself included!!) offer payment plans to help break down the cost of an artwork’s lump sum into smaller, more accessible payments. The payment plans I offer are all interest-free, and can be spaced out anywhere from 3-12 months.

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Alright, friends, I wanna know: Was this helpful?

What other questions about collecting original art do you have??

Drop them below because I’d genuinely love to hear and respond!!

And, of course, if you’re all in on collecting an original work of art, here are two ways you can do just that with me today: