Myth #1: Everybody Should Buy Art

While it is true that anyone can buy art, whether everyone should is a different matter.

Art comes in a variety of types and sizes, for our purposes we are talking about 2 or 3 dimensional art. Paintings, prints and photographs are examples of "flat" or 2 dimensional art. Sculpture and pottery are examples of 3 dimensional art.

Art also comes in a wide range of prices. Yes, it is possible for anyone to afford a piece of art.

Since art comes in sizes ranging from tiny to gigantic, prices from under $100 to well over millions, there is an opportunity out there for anyone interested in purchasing art.

So why shouldn't everyone buy art? If you are going to decorate your home (whether it is a modest apartment or magnificent mansion) art is a great purchase to make. Art can also make a wonderful housewarming gift. However if you are one who insists that your new home be 100% decorated when you first move in, rather than letting the decorating grow with you, then maybe buying art isn't for you.

While there are no hard and fast rules about who should or should not buy art, keep in mind some common sense guidelines and ask yourself a few questions.

1. Are you settled in one spot or transient? If you are in the stage of life where you are going to be moving a lot, there is increased risk of art being damaged with each move. You will want to be sure that you have appropriate insurance and packaging for any art. Don't let this alone dissuade you from buying a piece that you love, just keep it in mind.
2. Do you have the discretionary funds to purchase art? Let's face it, if you aren't current on your mortgage or rent, you probably shouldn't buy art. Similarly, if your kids need new shoes (I said need, not want) or are going hungry, it goes without saying. Other than those sorts of concerns, if you have a little discretionary money that you can put towards art, fantastic!
   
3. Do you have insurance coverage? When starting, this probably won't be a major concern, but be sure to keep your insurance coverage up with your collection. If you can't afford the insurance, you can't afford the collection.
4. Do you live in clutter, or do you have a spartan environment? Generally, people who buy art do not have a lot of clutter around. They are proud of their pieces and want them to be seen. If you have a lot of knick-knacks around and really love them, you might not be ready to collect art.
5. Do you think a poster from the Museum is art? Sure, it is a beautiful picture, but a poster is not the original and it is not art. If you are in the poster phase it is time to learn more about art, what you like and don't like and build up to buying some real art.
6. Do you have a place to safely display your purchase? Will it be kept clean, out of any of the conditions that could damage it? If it is going to be damaged by food, chemicals, smoke, oils then you need to protect it appropriately and then display it. If you can't protect and display, don't buy.
7. Do you know what art is? If you don't--that's great! Time to learn and then decide if you want to be amongst those who purchase art. If you think you do know what art is, and haven't purchased any yet, perhaps it is time to broaden your horizons a bit and explore some other art concepts.
8. Do you have some money and somebody told you art is a great investment? Hold on to your wallet! This will be covered in more detail later, but to start, become a student of art before you spend a penny. You might discover that you do want to buy art, or you might decide to invest your money in stocks, bonds, or real estate!