Do you buy art?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Do you buy art? If so, what leads you to buy? Do you go out seeking something for a particular purpose, such as to enliven a dining room? To occupy space in your garden in a certain way? Do you visit galleries and art fairs and buy only when something really captures you, even if you don't know where you will put it? Do you buy a piece every time you go on vacation? Perhaps you buy one piece a year or every other year? Have you ever grown tired later of an art piece, or regretted the purchase? Do you buy for yourself or for others? For your home? Your workplace?

[aevans1206]

Interesting question, Joan. I read somewhere about a couple who purchased a piece of artwork every year on their anniversary. I would truly love to get into purchasing art myself and my husband and I have toyed with the anniversary idea. Alas, must get out of debt first

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I have no idea as an investment. I have stuff I like that we bought because we liked it. I doubt it's really worth much, except a lot of sentimental value.

Like a needlework my grandmother did for me saying "family" in Japanese, which is framed. Or her cards she sells which I framed. Nice, pricy to frame, but sentimental value is the reason.

[Snave]

Yes, we but art. We used to live in Tennessee and there would be several art shows of local artists and those from other cities in the southeast. We went to one of the shows our first year not knowing what was there. We fell in love with a few and then couldn't get enough. We bought a few every year and would put money away during the year to buy. We now own about 18 original pieces. They vary in price up to a few thousand dollars. Most were under $1000. I know some people think it is crazy to spend money like that, but we love the pieces we have and I can't imagine not having them in our home.

[disneysteve]

Yes, though few and far between. As part of our Disney memorabilia collection, we have a number of pieces, some original works, others lithographs or sericels or other limited edition items.

We have a few non-Disney pieces that we've purchased over the years. A couple came form art auctions we've attended - one on vacation and one at our temple.

How are you defining art? Are you just speaking of pictures that hang on the wall? If you include sculptures or other hand-crafted items, then we have some of those, too.

[JanH]

I have a few pieces from a local artist in my old hometown. He captured in ink drawings scenes from my childhood, many no longer there. I mostly collect pottery. To me, it is useful art. I tend to buy a piece or two whenever I travel somewhere with local pottery. I, also, have some old needlework from relatives. I think I will frame some of it. A couple of others are quilts. To me, they are old, been used, and are beautiful artforms. I've discovered that I like watercolors. I have been thinking of looking around and seeing what is out there. Interesting question!

[cschin4]

No. I really don't have an eye for it and wouldn't know good from bad! I prefer to decorate my home with things that have personal and sentimental value such as pictures, things that were made for me or buy my kids, gifts, etc.
However, I do think we have lost a certain appreciation in our society for such things. I think we have lost some value to our culture as we have shifted our schools toward academics, math, science and so forth to the detriment of art, music, phys ed and the "finer" things in life that give us value.

[SnoopyCool]

We have 2 pieces by Hugentobler, but I have no idea of their worth. I love horses and he painted horses. I lucked into the first piece at a flea market about 10 years ago. I paid $11 for it. Well worth it to me. The other piece is about 5' x 3' that I purchased on eBay. I paid a total of $79 for it. Interesting note about that... the guy selling it thought he could ship it USPS, but he couldn't and I had to pick it up at a Greyhound station, as you can ship things through them (I had no idea). Anyway, I watch for Hugentobler pieces, but hardly ever find them.

[PrincessPerky]

buy art? I have kids, I have more art than I know what to do with!

sorry not helpful I know.

[disneysteve]

buy art? I have kids, I have more art than I know what to do with!

sorry not helpful I know.

You mean the stuff hanging on the fridge doesn't count?

[thebranch]

Question. My father bought a bunch of artwork from europe. They're all original works by small artists. I'd like to sell them, how do I do this?

[M-squared]

We have two paintings by Deloss McGraw, a print by Curlee Holton, and several photos by Stephen Shaner, a local photographer. The print was purchased for my birthday several years ago for a discount when I worked with Holton. The McGraws abd Shaners were gifts of the artist. I am not sure what they are worth, but I like having them!

[antiver]

There's some cool websites where you can buy & trade art directly with artists and collectors (DeviantArt.com is a slightly less obvious one that I love). I tend to keep tabs on art/artists that I like and then buy when I can.