You guys, the other day I had a dream I was doing laundry. Not special, glitter-covered laundry, just regular, every day laundry. I’m apparently so much of a grown up now that my brain can’t produce interesting fodder like rainbows or unicorns anymore, so it resorted to menial household chores as my entertainment for the night. I woke up that next morning and realized I am wholeheartedly into adulthood now. I (begrudgingly) file my own taxes, I get excited about a new vacuum cleaner, and I would rather peruse art galleries on Saturday morning than hit up the club on Saturday night.
In all seriousness, I geeked out to see a local painter at a San Antonio Current event recently but had no idea who any of the musical acts performing were. I do, however, still feel a bit naive in the art buying process, so I brought in my friends at the Charles Beckendorf Gallery in Fredericksburg, Texas to help us all soak in a little more knowledge regarding the topic. Since 1971, the late Charles Beckendorf has dazzled generations through distinctive Texas wildlife art and Texas Hill Country art, so you know you can trust their art skills AND their purchasing prowess. Read on to find out how to blow away the next art snob you come across:
How To Sound Like A Pro When Buying Art, According to the Charles Beckendorf Gallery
Buying art as a beginner can be an intimidating process. What’s an edition number? Why is the time period relevant? However, you will find that with a little preparation, you can start embarking on art collecting in no time. Here are some ways to get started before hitting the galleries.
Do Your Homework
Educating yourself before you set out to purchase art is essential. If you’re just starting out, do your research to get a real grasp of what you like. In fact, talk to more experienced art collectors and consultants when you can, and consider attending a couple of art auctions to get a taste of what it’s like before you make a purchase of your own. Finally, when you settle on an artist you like, find out everything you can about the artist and their work.
Ask The Right Questions
All things being equal, when you have two pieces of art side-by-side that are identical, there are going to be some things that set them apart in terms of value. Firstly, look for the artist’s signature, which may also be on the back of the piece. Next, find out the title, date and edition number of the work. Art carries more worth when it’s placed within a broader context, with a story behind it. Check for any noticeable damage and be sure to ask for a Certificate of Authenticity.
Know The Market
The homework you did before your art shopping will come into play as you determine the price. Start off by having a specific budget in mind and knowing how much the type of art you like is worth. Art pricing is a fact-based practice; galleries and artists reach their price points by how much they’re consistently able to sell their work for, or for what art similar to theirs is selling for.
Great tips, right?! For more information on the Charles Beckendorf Gallery you can visit their website here or their Facebook page here.
XO,
A
