Acquiring the latest addition to my collection caused me to revisit why I believe that art appreciation is important and why art collecting for me is essential. Like collecting, travel is a priority in my life and I’ve had amazing opportunities to travel and indulge in art at the same time. But no matter how far I go, the last leg of any trip ends at the same place– my home. I could travel the world near and far seeing all the beauty and treasure it has to offer. But at the end or the day, unless I choose the life of an expat, I wind up back in the same physical space from which I departed.

This realization forced me to accept my responsibility for making my home as beautiful and comfortable as possible. Keeping a clean, orderly space for myself to live, think and work is not always easy– but it is necessary. So, I grow my art collection with pieces that resonate with me, bring me joy, thought, sorrow, humor or any combination of those things. Having beautiful artwork in my space adds value to my space and beauty to my life. I grow my art collection as inspiration to keep things on the walls– instead if on the floor.

The benefits of surrounding your home with art are endless but I’ve narrowed them down to this list of 5 reasons why you should become a collector and beautify your living space with art.

1. Define and highlight your personal style

It’s one thing to snag a new dress or pair of shoes that compliment your style, but buying and displaying a piece of original artwork that somehow reflects a part of your inner world and mind is the ultimate expression of personal style. There will inevitably be pieces in your collection that no one “gets” but you and that’s ok.

Answering questions and engaging in dialogue around your art is one of the best parts of displaying it! I love hearing all the different interpretations that come from one particular piece. It means that people are looking, they are paying attention. And even if they dislike the piece, the desire to engage around it shows that they have a level of appreciation and that excites me.

2. Surround yourself with imagination, creativity and beauty

One of my childhood dreams and adulthood goals is to have a walk-in closet complete with  a Lucite vanity covered in expensive jewelry and fragrances. I want a room where I can go and admire all the pretty little things that I love and adorn my body with daily. As I’ve grown, that desire for a room full of pretty has expanded to one for a home full of pretty. I don’t want all of my treasures to be locked away for only my eyes to see. Instead, I want all of the rooms in my home to elicit that same feeling of awe-inspiring beauty and charm. Through my art collection, I can create spaces that display beauty for both me and my guests to enjoy.

An art collection is an awesome way to cultivate the type of energy and environment in that you desire in you home. It could take a pop of color or a thoughtful black and white photograph that resonates with you personally to transform your space for the better.

3. Support the livelihood of artists

There’s always talk of finding one’s purpose and working towards passion. True artists are people who have found their purpose and boldly pursue their passion. They take the risk of exploring and sharing those passions with the world. Supporting such courage shows you believe purpose exists and if they can live in theirs, you can live in yours. It’s simply good karma. Never underestimate the feeling of knowing the artist who created an artwork. Having the opportunity to “shake hands” with the hands that created a piece that will bring you joy for years to come– it’s a special privilege that only collectors get to experience.

Buying the work directly from an artist also gives you the opportunity to ask questions and hear for yourself the inspiration behind a body of work. You may even find that you have more commonalities with the artist than you first thought.

4. Add value to your life (and potentially net worth)

Art collecting has long been a method of establishing and passing down wealth. While I don’t always advise buying with the sole intention of a pay out down the line, there are instances when procuring an artwork can be a serious financial investment that you can earn from later on. However, that will not always be the case.

You should first love the art you buy since the art market is fickle and liable to change at any time. Keep in mind that though there’s no true way to say that the artist you’re supporting today will one day have a net worth of £21 million— adding value to the pieces you own– there’s also no way to say that they won’t. Buying what you love is the sure way to make sure you’re buy pieces that of value to you personally. Bottomline: when you buy what you like—and buy to keep, you can think of your collection as your estate, something that you can pass on to others.

5. Be a part of a long tradition 

If not for those before us who saw the importance of sustaining and preserving art, we would not have any access to the creative genius of artists of the past. As lovers of beauty and art, it’s on us to find, treasure and protect the Van Goghs, Picassos, and Basquiats of today for generations to come. Art often speaks directly to the state of the society in which it was created making it valuable contributions to the human timeline. Do your part, become a historian for your generation!

So, what are some of the barriers to you starting or growing you personal art collection? Share and let’s discuss in the comments below!

Artfully,