By Greg Katz

There is definitely a difference between collecting things and collecting art.  Those who fall under the “creative” category have a tendency to collect things because you never know when it could be incorporated into something great.  Collecting art is very different because it requires discernment and the ability to tap into your aesthetic, outside of the art you create.

One important reason to collect the art of others, notice I said others,  is to be a part of the artistic cycle of life.  You might call it the “karma” principle or just good economics.  Having the ability to connect what you find of value is a good business lesson and one that will help you understand your potential buyers and collectors thought process. 

Many artists are in a very “torn between two worlds” existence.  You create the work and hopefully have outlets so you can sell the work, but many don’t purchase the work of others.  My experience is that psychically the artist creates a double-bind internal controversy because they are living a one sided life.  Sit back and think for a moment how you feel you have the right, even the indignation that others should buy your work if you don’t buy the work of others.  It creates an extremely narcissistic view of your world and that is a practice that creates a tension that for many artists is painful, emotionally and in the long run financially.

Buying art is a very personal thing so collecting the art of others is a process.  It’s not like buying the gossip paper at the grocery store as an impulse buy; it’s something you consider because it’s an investment.  The investment is a two-fold process.  You are investing in another person and this is beyond the monetary investment, but there is an emotional investment and validation for the artist whose work you purchase.  The other investment is for your own enjoyment in owning art that is not created by your two hands.

Your desire to make a living as an artist requires that you develop some foundation principles in business.  It doesn’t require you get an MBA in marketing, but it does mean that you need to pay attention to your surroundings.  You can learn all you need by paying attention to your actions as you consider buying art. 

Think about the following questions:

-          Whose work am I drawn to? And Why?

-          What do I know about the artist?

-          What would I like to know about the artist?

-          Do I care about the story driving the work?

-          Is there a story driving the work?

-          Am I able to connect the work and the price to my sense of value?

These are all important questions because someone is asking the same questions of you.  I personally enjoy buying the work of emerging artists for two reasons.  I believe those who have “arrived” already have a group of collectors and have established their presence in the market place.  Second, I thoroughly enjoy watching an artist grow both in the product they create and their art form.  I’m able to grow with the artist over time creating a long-term partnership.  I then become one of the collectors that the artist who has “arrived” can count on in the future.

As artists we have an incredible opportunity to support our own.  We have the capacity to serve as leaders in the world of art appreciation and art collection.  We can become stewards for our profession and if we take that mission seriously we need to set a good example by investing in ourselves and other artists.