You could be creating an art selection for a show or for a commercial space you’re looking to decorate. You would likely already have certain parameters through which you would go about this such as themes dictating the kind of work you select.

Making a personal selection though is a little different and those of us looking to start collecting art sometimes wonder if there are things to take into account when doing so. In other words, what should one be mindful of when making a personal art selection?

What to be Mindful Of

You may be looking for affordable oil paintings for sale or large scale installations. In any case, if you’re about to invest some of your time and money into developing a personal art collection, here’s what you need to remember.

Personal is the Keyword

The first thing to remember about a personal art collection is just that. It’s personal. This means it’s not governed by a particular theme, trend or someone else’s preference. It’s about you. It’s about what appeals to you, what you connect with and what you feel is worth investing in.

Aesthetic Appeal

Aesthetic appeal is one of the things that collectors do take into account when making personal collections. This does not have to relate to how well the work of art will suit a particular space aesthetically. This is simply if the work in its self is something that appeals to you from a visual standpoint. What will come into play here is your personal preference by way of subject as well. With paintings for instance; you might be inclined to go for anything from modern abstract to landscapes!

Ability to Invoke

Another thing to be mindful of when you’re selecting a piece of art for a personal collection is what the piece invokes in you. It is said that a good and powerful piece of art can be recognized by its ability to invoke feelings both positive and otherwise.

If you find a piece of work that really moves you or makes you feel something, it’s considering as an addition to your personal collection.

Personal Relevance

There are pieces of work that for some reason or the other may be personally relevant. This could be because they are inspired by an event, cause or theme that is close to you. It could also be because you are a patron of the artists whose work you are investing in. Being mindful of personal relevance is a helpful way to zero in on work worthy of your collection.

Value  

Last but not least, we have value. Apart from being powerful, aesthetically appealing and socially or rather, personally relevant, another thing many collectors look for is value. Many works of art tend to appreciate in value and make for solid investments from a monetary standpoint.

If you see the work of an upcoming artist or already established one and feel it is the sort with potential for value appreciation (and that is what you’re looking for), it might be a good way to go!

The Upshot

The thing about having a personal art collection is that it is yours exclusively. No one dictates what artwork you invest in and how you go about it. Being mindful of the pointers above should simply help streamline your decision making process so you can really pick out artwork that is unique, appealing and has value to you!

If you’re located in Dallas and looking for artwork for sale do have a look at the work in our online gallery!