The American ballerina and choreographer, Twyla Tharp once said: “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.” Indeed, people that have artwork in their home can confirm having moments of being enraptured by it and transported in time and memory. Yet, this sublime feeling, although available to anyone interested in art, can only come to fruition if the art in your home holds meaning to your life and to who you are as a person. In order for that to happen, you need to carefully choose the art you bring into your home, which is not as easy as it sounds. So, if you want to curate art like an expert, here are some tips.

1. Be Honest About What You Like

As the writer and editor, Henry Ward Beecher once said: “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures”, and it's possible to feel that the artist’s spirit resonates with our own through their work. If you feel a connection like this with a particular artwork, don’t hesitate to incorporate the piece into your home. In fact, picking an artwork that speaks to you is a great first step when planning a room’s interior design and decoration. Using the artwork as the centre piece and having the decor converse with the painting or photograph is a great method for creating an inspiring environment.

Always remember, you are the one that has to live with the artwork! So, if you choose something just because it is trendy or potentially valuable, it could end up being a good investment, but if you hate it, it will just end up irritating you, since you are the one who will have to see it day-after-day.

2. Research Your Favourite Artist

Taking Beecher’s statement about art and the artist into consideration once again, doing research on the artist of your favourite pieces is also a wonderful idea.

Not only will it potentially lead to you to discover more artists, genres and artworks that you love, but the meaning behind the paintings will also deepen, making the piece even more meaningful to you.

3. Get Creative with Financing

 There are many ways of acquiring a piece that is above your budget. For one, you could arrange a payment plan with the person selling the piece, be it the artist himself, an intermediary, or simply the current owner. In some cases, you might even be able to trade a piece of art you already own and just pay the value difference. The owner may refuse, but at least you don’t let an opportunity go to waste. Some new online galleries even allow you to rent artwork pieces. This way you can try out the artwork in your home before you commit to fully purchasing it, and it is also a way to purchase the work in instalments.

 4. Take Initiative

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that the perfect photo, sculpture, or painting is just going to sit in the exposition forever. You are more than likely not the only one interested in the artwork, and given the unique nature of all art, you will not find something like it again if you don’t take the initiative. So, if you find that your heart skips a beat every time you see a certain piece, don’t waste time.

Also, if you find a beginning or mid-career artist you love, don’t be shy to contact them via their website or Instagram. Artists love to hear from people that appreciate their work and often are bad at promoting themselves, so reach out and connect!

5. Attend Art Events and Fairs

Art events and fairs (some of which are even happening online at the moment) are a great opportunity to meet up-and-coming artists. They are also great places to browse and shop because they host a wide range of artists and galleries, so you can see a wide range of works all in one place.

6. Don’t Underestimate the Second-hand Market

There is an undeniable glamour in buying works of art first hand from a gallery. Yet there is something to be said about buying second-hand paintings that speak to you. After all, you don’t acquire art for the status, but for what it means to you, and a painting you bought from your neighbour can speak to you just as much as one bought at a fancy art event. You probably wouldn’t mind acquiring a “second-hand” Monet or Van Gogh, right?

Conclusion

If all this still feels overwhelming and you don’t know where to start, don’t be afraid to rely on the guidance of an art advisor or consultant. They have a lot of knowledge and connections to share and can also end up saving you a lot of time and money!

This is also a great resource for how to design and hang your own gallery wall at home.

Most of all, have fun with it all!