10 Steps of an Emerging Art Collector - Week 3 Allocate Art Funds

Last week was Appreciate Art. It was pretty intense art viewing week but gave a good idea of many different styles and subject matter. To help you continue to be art aware throughout The 10 Steps of an Emerging Art Collector here are a couple of iPhone apps of artists to add to your growing interests.

• Duane Keiser - iPhone App
• Abbey Ryan - iPhone App
• Seamus Berkeley Fine Art Paintings - iPhone App

We're at week 3 and this is less intensive than the first two. This week's focus is 

Allocate Art Funds

We're not ready to go out and purchase a painting but it is not too early to start saving for one. Decent small paintings can be found for around $60 - $200 from an emerging or established artist to tens of thousands of dollars for a high demand artist. Assuming that you will start out small plan to set aside $25 - $45 every couple of weeks.  I bring this up now so that you will have funds in a couple of months to buy a painting - to actually make your first purchase as an emerging art collector.

To give you an idea of what you're saving for here are a few links to painters whose prices are on the lower side for their small paintings.

Daily Painters - Over 50 artists (not all are great but many are)

Examples of Paintings I'd Purchase

I am choosing paintings out of the Daily Painters blog for Aug 5 and other artists to show you an example of what you can expect on a small budget. These are paintings I would actually bid on.

The bid for the one below, Abbey Ryan's Watermelon Slice, is $99 on ebay and is an auction forum.

Abbey Ryan - Watermelon Slice 6'x6' oil on board

This is artist Justin Clayton's Orange with Bowl and the bidding started at $1 (yes, that's one dollar) and ended up on ebay's auction selling for $100.

Justin Clayton -Orange with Bowl 6'x7' oil on board

This painting by Jacqueline Gnott's Peony Family bidding starts at $99.

Jacqueline Gnott's Peony Family 5'x7' oil on board

Carol Marine is another artist that does smaller paintings. This one Side Dish sold on ebay for $127.50

Carol Marine's Side Dish 6'x6' oil on canvas

Not all paintings are auction style. Here is Duane Keiser who is doing a series of 1000 small paintings (3" x 2.5" Oddments) @ $150 each.

Duane Keiser's Oddment #184 3'x2.5' oil on board

My Daughter's First Purchases

My daughter, Leila, made her debut as an emerging art collector on small painting purchases. Here are a couple of paintings by Andres Ortega that she bought online.

Andres Ortega 2 paintings 5'x7'

Set Up 

Set up and art savings account. Do an automatic withdrawal into a savings account or hide cash in your pillow. However you do it doesn't matter as long as you do it.

Set A Goal

You don't need massive amounts of money but you need some money. You will be excited to purchase your first art so don't hinder yourself by not having the funds to do so. Determine what dollar range you are planning for your first purchase and write it in your art journal. 

Set Aside

Set aside a certain amount. You've made a cash commitment now save it on a regular basis. Also, look for ways to add extra money to the fund. Take whatever you are going to spend on coffee, convenience stores, clothes or fast food set aside and watch your art savings grow. 

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Date Night Idea: Whatever amount of money your were going to spend on a date put that money towards starting your Art Fund. Do a costless date night - go around town, walk and talk together. 

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