The Collectors Collection.. Building depth around and Artist.

I have decide to post an article I wrote some time ago for Collectors, because I have been asked a question by an Artist about what collectors want and how can an Artist best help the collector once the Collector starts buying their paintings?

 I advise Collectors and so I thought this may be of interest to all Artists to understand it from the other side of the road,  advice to the Collector.

Many Artist do not recognize that some Collectors are very passionate about their collections and see themselves as Artists also but in collecting. You may have many and varied experiences with Collectors but the ones I mostly deal with are diligent in how the approach an Artist and look at the longevity of the Artist, you might not agree with that approach but Collectors want to know if they invest in an Artist that Artist will be there for the long haul. 

Let me know what you think?

I recently came across a statement made by by a collector that made me think about strengthening the building your Art Collection. He said how he was part of a small auction on household pieces of an estate and he deliberately went there to buy an art work by an Artist that he collected. The piece was an undistinguished small painting by the artist on paper but it was very different from his normal work. The Artist was a contemporary painter who concentrated on large powerful works, this painting in the auction was a scene of a woman sitting at a kitchen table preparing a meal. As I said a very undistinguished painting and he paid very little for it.

Why did the collector want it?

Because he wanted some obscure paintings by the artist that would build more of the character of the Artists life and his paintings into his collection.

Collector Chandler Coventry said,” Try and amass as many diverse pieces by an Artist as possible and these include incongruous works, so by the time your collection is mature, you have depth and breadth.”

Of course it is very important to get the best paintings from your favored Artist as is possible and this requires research and to know when to buy and how much to pay. It does not help your collection to pay far more for your favored Artist in an Auction just because someone wants to bid up the price, set your price limits and do not move from them, if you do not get that painting today, you never know when it could come back on the market again.

Also when buying your favored Artist from a Gallery, do your research, know what prices they are getting and shop around for the best price. Also after the purchase keep the sales receipt, get the Artist to sign the back of it, collect the title card off the Gallery try and get it signed by the Artist and do not forget the Certificate of Authenticity, also signed by the Gallery and Artist. Read my blog on Documentation.

As well as buying these important pieces, seek out the obscure works by your favored Artist. See if you can find very early pieces, pieces on paper and even doodles and scribbles by the artist, these all add to the depth of your collection and especially if the Artist is living and will acknowledge these obscure pieces and sign and date them.

No piece by your favored Artist is not worth having, especially if it is authenticated by the Artist or if the Artist is not alive by the Gallery that represented him.

I know a collector who when he goes to his favored Artist to buy a painting always looks around the studio for paper and small canvas cut off and brush wipings on cloth that the Artist would dispose of anyway and ask for them and get the Artist to sign them, this Collector sees them as an important part of his collection, they gave history to the best works and gives a little incite into the Artist practice.

As you pursue your passion for collecting, do not forget the little things that others would not be interested in. The best thing about a lot of Collectors is that they do not think obscure and undistinguished pieces of an Artist are worth having, they see no value in these things of little value but added to your collection they bring value to you because they build the back story of the Artist.

They are important so never over look these little gems they will enhance your collection and make the great paintings shine even brighter.

I do hope this has been a help for you and if you need any help or advice with you collection or collecting needs, please contact our Gallery Team at Galeria de las Islas and they will do all they can to help and assist you.

Enjoy your passion.

galeriadelasislas@gmail.com

Written for Galeria de las Islas by,

Mark Shellshear.

Art consultant.

mark@shellshearmedia.com