April 2008
Your walls are trying to tell you something. They've stood by, quiet and bare, through decorating trends and furniture updates and the addition of that exorbitantly expensive rug that "really ties the room together." The truth is, there's only one way to completely reflect your personality in your home decor: through original art. Sure, the prospect of navigating the art scene may seem daunting at first. We've enlisted the advice of five of Nashville's top galleries to help make the process as easy as finger painting 1,2,3.
Let go of your preconceived notions of buying art.
The rules of buying art are as open to interpretation as the concept of what is art. "To me, there's no magic to it,"
says Brooke Robinson, owner of Local Color gallery. "A piece needs to leap off the wall at you, and you need to love it.
If you buy art that way, chances are good that 20 years from now you'll still love it."
Brooke speaks from experience—she bought her first piece at an auction for 25 dollars when she was 12,
and it still hangs in her house. Let go of your inhibitions about mixing and matching. Remember when you wore a
floral skirt and striped socks to school as a child because it made you happy? Think of artwork as a way to express
your creativity as a respectable adult. Obviously, there are some parameters to consider, such as setting a budget,
prioritizing the areas of the house that are most in need of a statement, and evaluating the size and style of the
space. "But don't come in with your throw pillows, paint chips or cabinet doors," warns Bennett Galleries Director
Elizabeth Perkins. "It's one thing to complement colors, but Art 101 is that you don't match your sofa."
Follow the Golden Rule: Buy what you like.
Gallery owners repeat it to no end, but as soon as you embrace the concept of trusting your instincts,
the intimidation factor of buying art diminishes. "I don't think you should ever buy a painting that doesn't
move you," Clay Whitelaw, co-owner of Richland Fine Art, says. Does the piece remind you of a memorable trip
to Venice? Does the abstract combination of greens and blues lift your mood every time you walk by? To Clay,
artwork is like good music— the key is to find a painting that's as timeless as the decades-old songs you
still sing along with on the radio. Keep in mind, however, that while original art tends to hold its value. there's
no guarantee of how much. if any, a piece will increase, so never buy only for the sake of investment. "Besides,"
Elizabeth Perkins adds/if you love a painting, you're not going to want to sell it."
Do your research.
Once you've found a piece of art that truly speaks to you (notice a theme yet?), study up on the history of
the artist and the context of the piece. Shelley Liles, owner of Gallery One, suggests a few areas on
which to concentrate: First, find out everything you can about the artist—his education and training;
the trajectory of his career; the private, corporate and institutional collectors of his work. Galleries
offer detailed histories of the artists they represent, and an online search of media and
industry attention can put that information in perspective. Familiarize yourself with the artist's
other work to provide context to your piece. Is it typical of his style? How original is the artist's
viewpoint? How does the price of this piece compare to others sold? Clay Whitelaw will share a vivid
story behind each painting, or he'll put you in contact with the artist to tell you personally.
The more you learn about a work, the more special it becomes, and that's what owning art boils down to:
enjoying a piece of someone's creativity and sharing it with those who visit your home.
Make it work...
If you're lucky enough to start with a clean decorating slate, build the room around your artwork; after all,
it's easier to buy drapes to match your art than art to match your drapes. For everyone else, tap into latent
creativity. Gather smaller pieces into unexpected groupings, like placing a bright abstract piece among black
and white photographs. Turn a sculpture into the focus of the room. Rearrange furniture or repaint a wall to
enhance a piece. Invest in quality lighting. And don't forget to elicit help from professionals if you feel
you need a second pair of eyes. Most galleries offer in-home consultations and allow overnight trial periods
with their artwork. Designers can be hired for a few hours, instead of for a whole project, to offer creative
input on reworking a room. Just don't ever let them veto an art purchase.
...then watch your collection grow.
Most cannot afford to create an instantaneous collection of art, but if you continue to buy regularly and
intelligently a collection will grow on its own. Shelley Liles suggests purchasing a piece you love every year. "Make the art buying experience a ritual, timed to a celebrated occasion like an annual trip, anniversary, birthday or Valentine's Day," she says. "In 15 or 20 years, you'll have a substantial collection and many memories to share."The secret to a successful collection? As Shelley points out, developing a coherent vision through specializing in a category of art, like abstract expressionist paintings or contemporary work by American women artists, can create a collection that's more than the sum of its parts. Brooke Robinson views collecting like building a wardrobe—everyone needs a little black dress, a landscape, a still life, a figurative piece. Some collect by artist; some collect works as wide-ranging and eclectic as their personality. Whatever your vision, original art will set your home apart from the rest.
Here's to happy shopping... and to buying what you like.