A CREATIVE SCOPE

Fletcher Benton "S" steel with patina

Building An Affordable Art Collection

Everyone can build an art collection! You can purchase art at any price point from $20.00 to $100,000,000 (eck!). It's a very rewarding activity that spans the course of your life. I have been working on my collection for a decade now. I cherish each piece I own from my first acquisition to my most recent.

I wanted to offer some savvy advise, tips, and resources to those that want to begin acquiring original works of art at affordable prices. When beginning your collection it's a good idea to have a theme or focus on the types of works you acquire. For example, works by artists in your region, only works on paper, figurative drawings, urban landscape paintings, pop art, etc.. But most importantly it's best to buy what you like. Here are some great places to begin browsing for affordable art:

One of the best places to shop for inexpensive art online is Jen Beckman's 20 x 200. I received a gift certificate from my wedding for a $50 print and I got a piece I love! You can buy small prints for $20 - $50.

I love this piece by Youngna Park (balloons) Christian Chaize (beach):

A good tip is to frame them with a wide matte so it takes up more space on your wall. Here's a photo of one I framed and put in my office:

I love Galleries in Oakland and Brooklyn. A couple of my favorites in Oakland are: johansson projects and Swarm .

Also, the Affordable Art Fair in NY, NY and Los Angeles is worth checking out.

A great way to acquire affordable pieces is directly from an artist and from young, emerging artists. Art schools such as CCA, SFAI, and SVA have open studios for their MFA programs at the end of the semester. It's a great way to see what young, emerging artists are doing and also a great way to pick a piece or two.

Different types of art are priced differently than others. Editioned prints are the most affordable option. Photography is often editioned as well but is pricier than prints. Drawings are more expensive than prints or photographs but often less than paintings. Sculptures, assemblages, paintings, original mixed media works are often the most expensive. And of course the larger the piece the pricier it tends to be.

Good luck collecting. My favorite piece is always my most recent acquisition. In this case, it's a Fletcher Benton letter "S" {steel with patina} from his alphabet series (image above).