Art Addict

New to The Armory Show?

For the New Collector... The Armory is a great place to see a lot of art in one place. If you go, take notes and a digital camera. Train your eye, notice trends, find work that you hate, ask a lot of questions, discover your taste, listen-in on galleries and collectors talking about the art. But, don't buy! The Armory is not necessarily the best place to buy work if you are just starting a collection mainly because most things tend to be really pricey. (The booths at the fair cost the galleries a lot of money so they tend to bring their more expensive work.) If you get caught up in the whirlwind (and pressure) to buy at the fair, here are a few galleries I recommend you head for: Bellwether, Bodybuilder & Sportsman Gallery, Clementine Gallery, Derek Eller Gallery, Richard Heller Gallery, LFL Gallery, The Modern Institute, Pierogi, and Roebling Hall. I know these galleries well and have bought work at all of them in the past few years. Nice people (except maybe at art fairs), and great art. They all show well priced artists - both emerging and emerged. If the art on the booth wall seems too pricey, make sure to ask to see work by their other artists. Most galleries have hidden away in the booth lower priced or unframed works in flat files or portfolios. Another great place to pick up affordable work is at one of the numerous museum booths (The New Museum, The Aldrich Museum, etc.). They have limited editions made especially for the museum by some great artists priced between $100 - $3,000. My favorite is Roxy Paine's Fecund, 2001 at the Aldrich. Have fun!

For more tips... Tyler Green (of ArtsJournal.com) wrote a very funny bit on Art Fair Tips. Please check out his Thursday March 11, 2004 entry.

ADAA Collector's Guide

Here's an interesting "manual" put out by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA)...

ADAA Collector's Guide to Working with Art Dealers

They strive to answer questions such as -- What do art dealers do? How do you work with one? What's the difference between purchasing a work of art from an art dealer or an auction house?, etc. This is a nice tool for new collectors entering the art market. It is a general outline of the "art market".

One thing I got a giggle out of, though, was their portrayal of art dealers as gentle and enthusiastic educators. This may be true if the dealer knows you have a lot of money (live bait), but I warn that not all dealers will be kind (or even decent) until they feel that you are a serious buyer.

What are you waiting for?

I recently spoke at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia on the topic of collecting emerging art and the question that came up again and again from the audience was, "How do I start collecting art?" I was amazed at the sheer panic people feel facing their first or second purchase of art. My response, over and over again, is to stop THINKING about purchasing art and just do it! Jump in feet first and plop down some cash for an original work of art - ANY ART. What is so damn scary about buying art? Forget about trying to "perfect" your collection right out of the gate - start small and buy something - anything - original. It is supposed to be fun. No root canal pain here. If you like it, buy it - especially in the beginning. You have years to develop your tastes and opinions but you have to start somewhere by making that first purchase leap. Don't think, just buy. Once you have made that first purchase of original art, the second, third, fourth time will feel easier and easier and soon enough you'll feel like a pro. So, what are you waiting for?

Why Blog?

I created this weblog to share my knowledge of contemporary art. I have found in meeting people both professionally and personally that most of us are quite intimidated when it comes to buying art. Historically the art market has succeeded by remaining aloof, elitist, and closed to the masses. Times have changed and to survive in the current economy most galleries, dealers, museums and auction houses are now doing more to open their doors to a new audience. 'Client Experience', a concept widely accepted by most retail and service industries today, is slowly becoming an important tool in growing the art industry. This concept five years ago would have been shunned by most as the beginning of the end of the contemporary art market. This blog represents that change. Let's talk, let's share, let's ask the difficult questions about art and collecting, and let's start buying oringinal art. I believe that no home should be without an original work of art. I believe that original art adds value to any environment. I hope that this blog will assist those interested in collecting contemporary art to take that leap and join me in my addiction.