1. Choose something that resonates with you personally – While you can choose images of places that you’ve been or still want to go to, you can also choose images that simply make you feel peaceful and calm, such as images of the sky or bodies of water. Soothing scenes in nature, which are effective in helping people to slow down and relax, are probably the most popular types of artwork. I have a friend whose walls are filled with art mostly showing faces which is something he is deeply fascinated by. Some people are into art that depicts animals or the human figure while others like to stare at architectural images all day like churches, city sckyscrapers or famous monuments like the pyramids in Egypt. Other people like looking at abstract paintings, such as thick black lines, coloured squares, or multi-hued patterns of dots. Whatever it is that you like, you need to simply put it on your walls. Experiment with using different types of subject matter, various mediums (like watercolour, black & white photography or collage), and all manner of shapes and sizes. And then put them all side by side for maximum impact like this collection of photographs showcasing the 8 mountain peaks that this outdoor enthusiast has climbed himself.
2. Choose art whose colours complement your space. Or not. – There are two approaches to choosing art: (1) One way is to select art that contains colours which complement your interior design scheme. That way, the art complements everything that is going on and becomes part of the décor. This is the most popular approach. (2) The second method is to treat art as its own separate category, meaning that each piece that is acquired is free to have its own personality in terms of colour, subject matter, style of creation, and medium. So when you look at all the pieces assembled toether, they may all look totally different from each other and have no connection whatsoever to the style of your decor. This is an advanced approach for people who take art seriously and like to collect at random. My own approach is to do an eclectic scheme that is still somehow coordinated with the decor. Otherwise, everything will compete for attention making it a very busy space that lacks coordination. If you take a look at this pair of black and white ink drawings for example, their colours have been chosen to complement the black and white colour scheme of the bed. Everything else is a netural backdrop and a pretty accent colour (in this case yellow/gold) has been added just to give is the space little bit of visual ‘pop’.
3. Buy art whenever you are abroad and also buy local – One way to build an interesting collection that also has a lot of personal meaning is to acquire art while you are traveling. When my wife and I were in Venice, for example, we decided to acquire some three pictures from a local photographer who liked to capture scenes of the gorgeous Venetian waterways in the early morning light. When we were visiting friends in Zurich on a different trip, we acquired an acrylic painting from an artist who specialized in drawing the female figure in colourful outfits containing hidden messages. One a recent trip to Seattle, my wife and I bought three laser-etched paintings from an artist similar to the one pictured below. We have also purchased paintings from various painters in Vancouver, where we live. Make it a point to visit artists’ studios in your own city as well as outside of it. You might end up buying a piece that reminds you of those interesting journeys that you’ve undertaken throughout your life and people you’ve met on the road who’ve become friends. Hand-made art are things that we can all enjoy over and over each time we see them to remind us how we enjoyed the adventures that we’ve been on. This certainly beats buying a mass-produced trinket from generic souvenir shops that we may like for a few months before deciding to them throw away as they lack the personality or soul of a piece of art that is created by hand.
4. Buy art in different mediums (and subjects) – When you are out and about, make sure to observe the different types of art that are on offer. If you’re into human faces, landscapes, or historical buildings, take note that artists can capture your favourite subject in different ways. If you like historical structures for example, remember that you can buy images of the Roman Coliseum in the form of a photograph, watercolour, or a line drawing. If you like to make your art collection interesting, buy one type of subject made in different ways to get that same-but-differnt dynamic. Some people even take photographs of city scenes while they are abroad and then enlarge them before framing and hanging them. Other people prefer to hire a professional lifestyle photographer to take separate pictures of family members or commission an artist to paint them in a stylized manner like what Andy Warhol used to do for his subjects. Collecting art in different mediums, sizes and styles allows you to build a unique and visually arresting collection such as what this homeowner has done for his living room pictured below, subsequently imbuing it with an art gallery feel.
5. Enlist the help of a professional if you’re still figuring out what to buy – If you’re not yet too confident with your taste in art, you can always hire an interior designer or art consultant to get you started on your art collecting journey. Decorating an entire house with art in varying sizes and mediums can take some time and effort. If you’d like to be able to do it in one shot, you may have to buy 25 to 30 pieces of art all at once. Choosing furniture is hard enough. But choosing a vast number or art pieces on top of buying furniture to decorate your living, dining, bedroom, and hallway walls in one go can make anyone’s head spin. And doing it in a way that looks tasteful and will give you a level of enjoyment, takes a practiced eye. Some people are confident doing it on their own, while some may have to pay for some guidance. Even the subject of framing and putting glass (or not) over art is a matter that can be confusing given the amount of choices available. I helped one family decorate their space after they’d left it empty for two years as the husband and wife couldn’t agree on the style of décor, let alone what to put on their walls. If you find yourself in this kind of rut and are unable to move forward due to indecision, it’s definitely time to hire the services of someone who does know what they’re doing. Not only will a professional designer lead you to a reputable dealer, they can introduce you to artists whose talent and reputation is on the rise and subsequently help you acquire something that is not only beautiful but also ends up being a good investment.
