NEWSLETTER
Article: The Art of Collecting Art
The gallery you choose should be in business for at least ten years, and enjoy a reputation of good service and good value. The gallery should have an in-home trial period and a lengthy exchange privilege.
We at Kenneth Behm Galleries hope that your final decision will be with us. We have been doing business in the Seattle area for over 25 years. We have two area galleries plus our own custom framing facility, which manufactures 10,000 frames a year. Ken Behm Sr., our founder, has been in the art business for more than 40 years.
Our galleries also boast a two year exchange privilege on most of our artwork, and an in-home trial for any work is recommended.
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A dedicated Art Consultant will work with you on a regular basis to help you establish your personal collection, from alerting you to new releases by your favorite artists, to extending invitations to “Meet the Artist” events, to recommending new artists that you may enjoy.
Consultants will also periodically update the Certificates of Appraisal on your previously purchased works, and assist you in choosing the appropriate custom framing for your specific needs.
Your Consultant will also help continue your education about the art world by bringing your attention to important articles or exhibitions, and giving you hanging and installation advice.
You want to choose a Consultant who has your best interests in mind, and who you feel comfortable talking to.
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Usually, you have several primary locations in your home or office that you realize need focal points. Then, you begin noticing the artwork in offices, hotel lobbies, universities, coffee houses, and in the homes of friends. You decide what you like and don’t like about their choices of color, image, or placement. You think to yourself, “That would look great above the sofa,” or, “I had never thought of hanging art so high up on the wall,” and you are well on your way to developing a unique style.
When you meet with your Art Consultant, they will help you narrow down and focus on what you really want by asking you many questions about the things you have seen. They will then begin suggesting artists from the displays at the gallery. During this process, size and price should be put on the back burner…just relax and begin the selection of artists you enjoy!
Most beginning collectors select a work of art to complete a look, or to add focus to a specific area. There are no rules…if you like it, get it! A gallery that has an in-home trial policy will allow you to be sure the piece fits your style before you buy. A two year exchange privilege will allow you to live with the piece for a while to be sure you want to keep it in your permanent collection.
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Select your preliminary budget. This could include a layaway plan, or financing through the gallery or your own credit union. With your Art Consultant, make a few selections. This may mean several pieces by your favorite artist, or pieces by different artists that have similar colors or subject matter.
Your choices may need to be narrowed down based on limitations you have for size or color. Or you may decide to change your mind about the placement if the one you love will not fit into your previous constraints. Have the art taken into a viewing room so that you can see each piece hanging by itself under a spotlight.
From there, evaluate your choices and make your final selections. It is generally not a good idea to buy art based on price alone. If you settle for a similar, less expensive piece that is not as nice as the one you really want, you may end up regretting it in the long run. On the other hand, you may not necessarily need to spend more on an original oil painting for your guest bathroom when a print of the same piece is available for a fraction of the price.
Remember that your art collection will grow with you for your whole life, and you are investing in things that evoke emotion from you. Some people will see a work for the first time and know that they need it in their collection that day. But many people need to think for days or weeks before they commit to a specific piece.
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The most common height to hang art is at eye level. When you place it over a fireplace, it will be higher. When hanging art over a sofa, the usual rule is 6 inches above the height of the backrest. Oversized art looks great high up on a wall with a vaulted ceiling.
Artwork should never be hung in a place where it will receive direct sunlight, but lighting is important to how the piece will look in your home or office. You may choose to have one or multiple spotlights focused on the piece. Dimmer switches work well because you can adjust the lighting of the piece to change the overall mood.
Your Consultant should inform you of the hanging recommendations for your piece, and supply you with the appropriate hardware. Artwork over 36 inches wide requires a two person team, and may require two hooks.
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Make sure you have the support information about the artist and the piece. This will help you to answer questions when a friend compliments you on your purchase, or if you wish to know more about the artist. You should copy the receipt or Certificate of Appraisal and forward a copy to your insurance agent. Keep all of your art purchase information in a folder, in the event that you need to refer to it.
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After you collect your first couple of works of art, and your confidence is growing, you should plan on building your collection by one or two pieces a year. Some collectors collect only one or two artists, and may eventually have 20 to 30 different images. Most collectors, however, build a more eclectic collection of 3-5 different artists.
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Many artists have coffee table art books published. The gallery should stock a selection of books about the art displayed there. An art book is a great way to expand your collection of an artist’s work. The book will likely provide a biography, and a chronology of the artist’s life and work, as well as some other valuable information.
Stock up on these art books, as they tend to become out of print after a period of time.
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An Art Consultant should never suggest to “buy this because it will go up in value.” Always buy art to enjoy it, buy stocks and bonds for investments.
It is an added bonus when a piece you love increases in value over the years, and it builds confidence about your choices. It is important to periodically update your Certificates of Authenticity and Appraisal and check the replacement values. Thus, you can adjust the insurance rider on your artwork appropriately. We suggest reviewing your coverage every five years.
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The design of the frame for your artwork can greatly affect the overall presence of the piece. Not only must the framing design bring out the maximum impact of the art, but it must be constructed to a museum standard to give the longest possible life to the art.
Artwork must be protected from harmful UV rays. We suggest that fine art be hung on inside walls, avoiding any direct contact with sunlight. Many grades of protectant and reflection-control glass are available, from plexi-glass to nearly bulletproof museum glass. Also available are “shadow boxes,” which are frames designed to protect family heirlooms and three-dimensional art.
At Kenneth Behm Galleries, our framing facility uses only the best quality acid-free products. We fabricate over 10,000 frames a year for our locations, and each one is created individually by hand to your specifications. The craftsmanship of our frames is guaranteed.