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For the longest time I hesitated to buy art.  Early on, I acquired work from my art school friends in the form of trades and gifts, but it took years for me to feel comfortable spending money on art for myself.

When I ask myself why it took me so long to start collecting, I come up with two reasons:  One, I didn’t feel worthy.  And two, as an artist, I felt like I had enough art (my own), which I valued and didn’t want to part with.

Let me explain about not feeling worthy…there is a false concept in our culture that I had internalized that says that art is for wealthy people with disposable income, and that great artists often do not make money.  Instead of spending money on the long lasting pleasures of art, I spent it on small  fleeting pleasures like many  $5.00 cups of coffee and expensive dinners out.  The truth is, there is plenty of fantastic art out there that costs less than a dinner or two out at a nice restaurant. 

The very first piece of original art that I purchased was when I was on vacation in Spain.  It was a $20 watercolor of Santiago de Compostela.  Original art for $20?  Yes please.  

I am embarrassed to say it took that extremely low price to break through my resistance to buying art. But having this small watercolor in my home did so much for me.  Looking at its bright colors cheered me up,  the imagery reminded me of the wonderful holiday, and it added to the decor, lifting the whole feeling of the room.

I realized that making art and holding on to it was stopping a flow of energy.  Art needs to leave the artist's hands to go out and do it’s work in the world.  I needed to let go of my own creations, and offer them to the world. 

I began to offer my work for sale online.  When I began to sell my own artwork, my whole outlook changed.  I felt valued.  I felt like the thing that I was meant to be doing on this earth was finally being appreciated.  The joy it gave me went way beyond the money.  It was life affirming.  When I realized how important this was for me, I started to buy the work of other artists too.  Now I have a large and continually growing art collection.  

When we collect art, the work can lift our spirits, enliven our rooms, and bring joy every day.  When we buy the work of an artist,  we are doing much more than acquiring something new for ourselves, we are helping affirm someone else’s creative existence. 

Do you collect art?  If so, how did you get started?

Check back next month when I will be posting tips  about how to live with a growing art collection…