Investment Art

1. Where would be a good place to look or go to seek out local artists?

Julia :

• Social media today is such a rich bank of information and this definitely pertains to local art and artists.
• Instagram in particular artists are using as a portfolio and platform to show their work.  It is almost a digital gallery in itself.
• Following galleries are a great way to learn and will naturally guide you to new artists you may have not heard of, and also shows which are typically held monthly which give lots of opportunity to catch a show or even go gallery hopping. This is something I do regularly as an artist looking for what is going on around town and to see what new and current artists are up to.
• Weekend long fairs are held in Chicago and the surrounding areas throughout the year that celebrate local art and are a great way to both look at and purchase pieces and also give more of a timely opportunity to plan an art looking adventure.  Bucktown Art Fair, Renegade Craft Fair, are a couple of my favorites and there is even a Holiday Market at the Lincoln Park Zoo!

Lie:

• Depending on the style of artwork you’re looking for and the season, there are lots of places to look.
• You can check out local craft fairs and festivals.
• Most towns have community art centers that host a variety of artistic events and art shows.
• Search google for art galleries in your area; You can also sign up to their email list on their website to be notified of upcoming art shows/events.
• If you’re on Instagram or Facebook, you can search hashtags for (town/city) art galleries, art styles, and artists.
• You can even ask an artsy friend if they know of an artist or two, or could recommend a gallery to check out.

2. I know there are art shows all over the city all the time, but how would someone like myself whom is in the suburbs running after kiddos all day go about finding local art shows?

Julia:

• Same as the above question, social media is a great way to seek out galleries both in the city and in the burbs.  Sites like  ArtFairCalendar.com is an awesome tool.  Listed are shows and fairs in Chicago and Chicagoland for all seasons, and is a fantastic guide to almost every opportunity to find “one of a kind pieces not available in a mall near you.”
• Contacting artist directly is also an ok thing to do!  I am regularly contacted via Instagram, email, phone to have studio visits from interested buyers who would like to come and see a particular piece or series and have limited time in their schedule or have a particular time set aside available for a visit.

3.  When looking for art, what should I look for?

Julia:

• Simply look for what you like!  Finding art you love can take time whether in person or online. Don’t rush to fill every empty space at once, let your collection build naturally piece by piece.
• Some key questions to keep in mind are:  Does the color palette stimulate your senses, and also does the color palette compliment where you’d like to have it in your home?  Pay attention to the quality of materials and finishing of the piece.  Is the piece well constructed and built to last? It is made of materials that will age well?  Will the piece go out of date?
• If you are looking to collect from a particular artist, do some research on their evolution and progression of their work.  Talk to them, artist typically love to talk about their work!  Is the asking price fair?
• Set your budget, and make sure you are investing in the right piece. The most intimidating part of purchasing art is cost.  However, do not be intimidated, there is affordable art everywhere!!
• Whatever your budget, your collection should be focused on pieces that truly speak to you.  Get to know the artists behind the work.  Read about their practices, follow them on social media, watch their series develop.

Lie:

• I like to compare artwork to songs. If you like it, then that’s really all that matters. The cool thing is you get to own that particular song, and you can build a beautiful collection of songs that no one else has. 🙂
• You might also want to look for something that matches the color/decor of the space you’re putting it in. If you’re buying artwork for a little bit of an investment value, do a little research on the artist and/or gallery before you buy.
• Some things you can look for would be the quality of materials used for longevity of the piece. If the paint, finish, canvas etc. looks bad, it’s probably better to stay away from that piece or artist.
• The majority of galleries are selling quality work from professional artists so it’s not something to often be worried about.

4. And any other tips on purchasing art?

Julia:

• Great art leaves a lasting impression.  Look for pieces that keep your attention even after you’ve stopped looking at them.  Investing in art, small or large, should be fueled by love for the work first and foremost. Collect with confidence and enjoy your art!

Lie:

• Don’t be afraid to walk into a gallery and look around and talk/ask questions. Every gallery owner or curator I’ve met has been very friendly. Most galleries will give discounts. All you have to do is ask. If you find a piece online, email them about it and ask if they’ll knock the price down a little or give you a break on shipping.
• Don’t ever buy artwork on eBay or similar sites, for multiple reasons. Buy artwork from a craft fair, gallery, or from the artist directly. You know what you’re getting and it will most likely be a fair and accurate price.

5. Any Other Thoughts

Lie:

• Some people get hung up on the price of artwork. First, just remember that you’re the only one, in the world, that will have this piece. The artist has spent money and time to make it. It also costs them to sell it, whether it be the cut the gallery gets, the fee they were charged to buy the tent space at the fair, or the income tax at the end of the year. Paying a little more (which isn’t even the case compared to some stores like z gallery) to own an original piece from an artist you wish to support goes a long way.
• If you haven’t been to an art opening at a gallery I would recommend it. You can often meet the artist/s, talk to the gallery owner, meet other collectors, and 99% of the time there’s free drinks. The art community is very friendly and I promise you’ll have a great time. Grab some dinner and then hit an art show. It’s a great night out for people like me that are over the bar scene.

Thank You

A special Thank You, to Lie and Julia for taking the time to answer these questions. I know hardly a thing about finding great art, but after reading this it puts a better spin on things. What excites me even more is that living in a suburb of Chicago I have all these amazing art show around me. I can hardly wait to grab the hubby for dinner and an art show. Its something so different from the norm.

Check out a few more blogs:

• Backyard Movie Night
• Mom’s Night Out
• DIY Wood Shelves