Art buying and art collection are two different hobbies, despite sounding quite interchangeable. Any art lover can buy their favorite art pieces and put them together into a creative assortment. There is no connecting theme that tells a story. Art buyers have random, diverse interests that are more about living in the moment and celebrating artistic freedom. Your pursuits as an art buyer are freestyle, bohemian, and almost extroverted in nature – always open to suggestions, always welcoming change.
Contrary to this mix-and-match style of art buying, art collection is a tunnel-vision approach that follows a specific interest. Art collectors really dive into their theme and have a clear idea of what they are looking for. They can spend years hunting for just the right art piece that fits like a puzzle to complete the image and tell a story. As an art collector, you need to decide on a central theme that brings all the pieces together. It will act as a focal point that adds gravity by keeping everything grounded. You will then carry out extensive research on the subject to decide on your artwork collection. This is where you think about what paintings to buy and assemble into a conceptual narrative.
Choosing a central theme
Start with anything you like
Art collectors usually begin with buying anything that catches their eye. The random accumulations help you discover your preferences, and they eventually develop a pattern to give you a theme inspiration. Observing features that draw your attention – like autumn leaves, auburn sunsets, volcanoes – allows you to build a concept around those artwork aesthetics. In this example, orange-red becomes a defining theme, and you keep an eye out for pieces in the autumn color palette. Orange-red also represents the idea of change, that everything sheds away to make room for something new and bold. These common threads in art collections stitch the fabric of your interests to guide future acquisitions.
Pick historical genres
Fans of popular painters like to collect genre-specific paintings from a certain era. They aim to look for common artworks from their favorite artists and assemble them into a unique story. Collectors tend to focus on one particular style of art – like impressionism and modernism – and buy pieces that celebrate those styles. You can also dedicate your theme to a timeline of your chosen artist’s creations. This showcases the artistic skills of your favorite painter throughout the course of their career and turns the theme into a tribute.
Ways to organize your art collection
Your art collections should have a beginning, middle, and end to streamline the intended concept. There are different ways to organize the pieces. You can arrange them in chronological order based on date, artistic style, genre, location, etc. You can also divide your collected portfolio into distinct subjects that each represents a new idea.
Art collections often reflect the owner’s character and perspective. When collectors choose to add some of their own personality into the ensemble, the individual pieces may seem fragmented. However, when viewed as a whole, they start coming together really well. This also represents the complex nature of human personalities – they are a combination of varied, exclusive elements. When you organize artworks in a personal style, you direct your train of thought into the sequence, and viewers get to enjoy an artistic ride.
The way you choose to organize your collection highlights the laws of synergy: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
When collectors require more space for organizing their acquisitions, they may opt for museum facilities. Art museums pay collectors generously for their incredible collections. This also lets the owners share their themed artworks with the public.
Reasons for collecting artwork
Joining a community of like-minded collectors
Art collections bring people together to collaborate on their valuable possessions, organize art galleries, and share experiences. It allows hobbyists to connect with professionals in the industry and add to their creative horizons.
Preserving history
Paintings with historical charm are like a glimpse into the past. Collectors who love history will look for limited-edition artworks and other forgotten artistic gems. The joy of discovering and unearthing such souvenirs really amplifies the whole experience.
Home décor
Interior designs increasingly feature remarkable art collections as part of the décor. Ranging from vintage pieces to contemporary styles, it is always a refreshing change to be welcomed by your self-curated artistic story.
Artwork collections preserve family legacies as well when they pass on between generations. The successive collectors can add to the assortment and rejuvenate existing themes with modern editions.
Family legacies
Art collection management
Document and maintain your inventory
The first step to managing an art collection is to organize a detailed inventory of all the artworks. This helps you recall the details behind each acquisition, have reliable facts to make sales, and keep track of everything you own. You can document your art collection history in various spreadsheet or database programs, designating a new file for each painting. Recording such data is crucial for insurance and trading contexts. Some aspects to capture in these records include invoices, close-ups of the painting, details of the artist, inventory number, dimensions, signatures, stamps, exhibition catalogs, and current location.
Ensure the safety of your collections
Whether you collect vintage pieces from an auction or paintings from art galleries, your prized possessions require optimum climates for safe storage. For example, ornaments and jewelry are best-stored in vaults, whereas artworks retain their quality in climate-controlled storage facilities. Sunlight can cause escalating damage to the paint and polishing, which is why you should never display or store the collections in direct sunlight.
Use digital tools
Various mobile apps have been launched to streamline the whole management process for your collections, update databases, and purchase insurances. Some of the best art management applications are discussed below. They include features and services to consider when you purchase an app for art management.
GalleryTool
GalleryTool is designed to optimize your art businesses through efficient management systems. The online software can be used by gallerists, artists, and collectors. With GalleryTool, you can store a vast array of artwork information for record-keeping. Business aspects like client relations, PDF catalog sales, team collaboration, etc. all converge into one management hub that keeps you updated and organized. Art collectors benefit by sharing their acquisitions on social media to target a wider audience for potential sales. Inventory management details such as artists’ information, locations of every piece, exhibitions, and images are added to help you navigate quickly when needed.
Art Galleria
Art Galleria is an efficient art management archive for artists and collectors to have a bird’s eye view of their portfolios, clients, and marketing catalogs. Its innovative database automates inventory tasks to speed up data-entry. You can create online private rooms to host exclusive viewings of your artwork collections for invite-only clients. Moreover, the app allows you to scan QR codes for instant retrieval of your artwork’s details. Collectors will be able to catalog their assortments, track deliveries and progress with exhibitions, and host their own virtual exhibitions.
Artwork Archive
Artwork Archive provides an all-in-one platform to manage collections and boost sales. With a comprehensive suite of digital tools, you can generate QR code-enabled reports, record inventories, integrate portfolios with your own websites, collaborate with artists, track the movement of your pieces, and host private rooms with guests. Artwork Archive also lets you stay updated on new editions or reproductions of original artworks. Its premier features are a great way to digitize and secure art collections, with provenance tracking tools to follow location histories.
The future of your collections
As a collector, you may choose to pass your collections as family heirlooms, particularly to those family members who share your passion and love of arts. Paintings make really thoughtful and generous gifts for institutions like museums, universities, and charities. By using technology similar to the digital tools discussed above, you always have the option of attracting audiences to make outstanding sales in your lifetime.
