Develop a critical artistic eye

By MARY ANN MARGER

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 2, 2000

A few tips can make the difference between a serious collector of art and someone who just wants to cover the walls.

It can also make the difference between someone who sees outdoor shows as mild amusement and someone who goes with a mission of finding works to satisfy the soul.

This weekend's Art Harvest is a good place for would-be collectors of contemporary art to begin. Some tips:

• Develop an eye. Sure, it's a learning experience that will take time, but it's also fun. When you're in an artist's booth, see if you can pick out the best work there. Then check the price. If you didn't pick the work that the artist deems worth the most, ask why. Does she charge by size? Did he use materials that warrant a higher cost? Did a work take more time or labor?
• Does one medium reach out to you more than others? Talk to the artist about technique, materials and quality. Learn about it (through books, classes, on the Internet, and at shows and galleries both locally and while you're traveling).
• Follow artists whose work you like. Ask where else they will be showing. You may want to wait for the single work that speaks to you, or you may buy several works over a period of time as the artist progresses. Some collectors specialize in particular artists rather than media or styles.
• Buy an artist's best work, providing, of course, that you really love it and it fits your budget. Don't buy a poor example by a good artist; you may be uncomfortable living with it.
• Buy original art. Avoid commercial reproductions. They are not fine art and are worth little more than the paper they are printed on, despite their price tags.
• As your collection grows and your eye becomes sharper, be willing to admit mistakes, upgrade and more clearly define your interests.
• Collect for your own pleasure. Buy what you genuinely love. Never fall for the line, "This will be worth something in the future."

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