Collecting 101

Susan English, "Horizontal/Vertical No. 10"

Work on paper has been an integral part of Kathryn Markel Fine Arts' program since it began. During our interview with Kathy for our 40th anniversary, she tells the story of transitioning from being a traveling salesman for Landfall Press in Chicago to moving to New York and starting her own gallery for original works on paper. It was a natural progression from selling prints, and working from flat files alone suited her small space in the Upper East Side perfectly. Focusing on paper also aligned with Kathy's mission of making the art world more accessible and democratic, which has not come without its challenges: 

 

Work on paper gets no respect from the art world. There are very few famous artists that only work on paper. For an artist to be famous, they also must work on canvas, sculpture, or installation. So unfortunately, since I've always been drawn to work on paper, the art world has never been particularly interested in the artists I carry. 

Also, I love and exhibit beautiful art -  which is kind of a no-no. I don't show art that is political or conceptual - also a no-no. I’ve always had a problem with a painting or sculpture that is not compelling on it's own - a work that needs an explanation or a backstory in order to make it compelling.  So much contemporary art requires a PHD in semiotics to understand it, and  I find that very elitist. I’ve always thought that art should be for everybody. And that's the kind of art that I represent.

While Kathy started selling paintings as well, she continued to expand her selection of contemporary works on paper that are beautiful as well as visually and intellectually rigorous. They also serve as a particularly good gateway for collecting art, and here's why: 

Whenever we talk about how to get started as an art collector, we stress the importance of looking. Before you set out to buy, you need to know what you like, and the only way to know that is by taking in as much art as you can. Now, when you're doing this you're most likely going to be looking at museums and focusing on bigger names and famous masterpieces. Forgive us for being presumptuous, but we're going to guess that those pieces likely won't be realistic purchases for when you're reading to buy. So, even once you've developed and understood your taste, how can you translate what you love about these high-end works into finding art that's more attainable? In order to help you bridge that gap, our So You Like series breaks down what you might find appealing about certain often-referenced artists in the contemporary art market so that you know what type of work to look for in the galleries you visit.

This time, we're taking a look at Vermeer. 

We're loving Emily Henderson's blog posts this week about an interior design trend she's predicting called Modern Victorian. It's all about updating classic, traditional styles in a fresh and modern way. A sofa with lines remniscent of the era may be amped up with a bold color or luscious textile, for example, or ornate furniture can be juxtaposed with sleek modern lighting. Henderson has coined the look as she predicts that trends will start to swing away from the minimalist decor that's dominated the scene for the past few years, and will start flirting with maximalism. 

Of course, we're imagining what art may hang on these Modern Victorian walls. When we think of the type of art that was featured in Victorian homes, we jump right to still lifes and portraiture. Contemporary artists are playing with the traditions of these timeless subjects in a lot of interesting new ways, so if you're feeling inspired by the Modern Victorian vibe, why not extend the characteristics to your art collection? 

Dive into the style with Henderson's introduction and guide to Modern Victorian furniture, then take a look at our suggestions for pieces that would fit right in. 

Whenever we talk about how to get started as an art collector, we stress the importance of looking. Before you set out to buy, you need to know what you like, and the only way to know that is by taking in as much art as you can. Now, when you're doing this you're most likely going to be looking at museums and focusing on bigger names and famous masterpieces. Forgive us for being presumptuous, but we're going to guess that those pieces likely won't be realistic purchases for when you're reading to buy. So, even once you've developed and understood your taste, how can you translate what you love about these high-end works into finding art that's more attainable? In order to help you bridge that gap, we're starting a new series that breaks down what you might find appealing about certain often-referenced artists in the contemporary art market so that you know what type of work to look for in the galleries you visit. This can also help you have conversations with dealers that can guide you toward pieces you might love much more effectively. 

To start, we're going to take a look at Frank Stella. 

Every week, we'll be your guide as you navigate the world of buying art in our series, The Collector.

After the initial excitement of buying a work of art has passed, it's time to start thinking about your next steps. Handing your check over is just the beginning! There are important things to take into consideration when it comes to properly caring for the work as well as getting your legal and financial ducks in a row. Thankfully, there are a bunch of experts to help you through theses processes and it's just a matter of knowing who to turn to. 

Every week, we'll be your guide as you navigate the world of buying art in our series, The Collector.

If you're a collector, the world of art fairs should be on your radar, but they may seem incredibly daunting. They have been an increasingly popular destination for collectors and art enthusiasts over the past few years, and are considered to be one of the most important outlets for dealing and socializing alike.  But with the overwhelming number of options to attend and the potentially enormous scale of the fairs themselves, how do you even begin? The art fair season will be in full swing shortly, so we've put together a primer for the first-time attendee.

Every week, we'll be your guide as you navigate the world of buying art in our series, The Collector.

The art auction is one of the most alluring parts of collecting art for many people. Simultaneously the most visible market (with its splashy headlines and glamorous guestlists) and the most mysterious (with its secretive bidders and sellers and its behind-the-scenes whispering), the world of auctions can seem inscrutable. There's language to be decoded and research to be done and gossip to be sifted through. (If you've been following the news in the art world lately, you'll know that there are some very juicy things happening in the auction houses of New York.) But once you're in the know, bidding at an auction can be a fun, exciting, and satisfying way to collect art. (Or you may think it's frustrating, vapid, and a rip-off. But that's for you to decide!)

Every week, we'll be your guide as you navigate the world of buying art in our series, The Collector. 

There can be a misconception that prints are not as prized as paintings or works on paper, but collecting prints certainly has its own joy. Of course, there are many different kinds of prints, and it's important to be able to distinguish those that are of genuinely good value rather than just a mechanical reproduction of an original work. But, a good, artistically viable print can be seen as an extension of their entire artistic vision.  More and more often, respected artists are making prints because they see them as an integral part of their work. Also, a print very often has a substantially lower price than its counterparts on canvas. If you're interested in prints, here's a guide on how to get started. 

Every week, we'll be your guide as you navigate the world of buying art in our series, The Collector. 

Last week, we talked about art as an investment and (spoiler alert) concluded that it wasn't best to think of collecting art as an investment alone. First and Foremost, Buy What You Love!! But, it is important to consider the work's value. So, how do you know what a piece of art is actually worth? Figuring that out is one of the trickiest parts of buying art, even for total veterans of the art world. This week, we'll take a look at some basic concepts and rules for how art is priced and how to ensure you're getting a good deal. 

Every week, we'll be your guide as you navigate the world of buying art in our series, The Collector. 

If you're getting into the art collecting game with dollar signs in your eyes, you should probably take a seat and read this first.  We hate to break it to you, but art is a crummy investment.  Call us sentimental, but our number one rule when it comes to buying art is to buy what you love. Buy what speaks to your soul and what you can't imagine living without being lucky enough to look at it every day.  If you're lured in by news of those million dollar sales, it's very likely you'll be disappointed. For one, the vast majority of artwork never goes up in value. Most art declines in value by 50% the minute you walk out of the gallery.  It's also not liquid. Typically, a dealer who sold you a piece of art will not buy it back later. They have new work to sell by the artist that they can get on consignment, and so they don't want to deal with older works that they have to pay for.

Also, determining the value of art is one of the trickiest parts of the art world and market.  Just like any other market, the art market fluctuates over time, and predicting the rise and fall of any one piece's value is near impossible and, for the most part, essentially based on luck. Art is a subjective medium, and a lot of what goes into buying it is purely based on emotions. It's futile to attempt to quantify those transactions rooted in something so intangible.  How do you turn taste and public opinion into a formula?

Every week, we'll be your guide as you navigate the world of buying art in our series, The Collector. 

If you're ready to start searching for your first piece of art, it'll help to have some insight into how the contemporary art market is organized. There are a few different things to consider to narrow down your hunt. 

Every week, we'll be your guide as you navigate the world of buying art in our series, The Collector. 

When you're just starting out buying art, you may find it helpful to work with a consultant. These art experts/historians/therapists can help you hone in on what you love and where to find it, and it can be a very important relationship to develop. Some collectors always work with consultants, or you may find that she's helped you become so knowledgeable about art that one day you'll be ready to pass her on to your less experienced friends. Still deciding whether or not you need a consultant? Consider this:

Every week, we'll be your guide as you navigate the world of buying art in our series, The Collector. 

There's a lingo to learn when it comes to the art market. Before you begin on your journey to find the perfect piece of art, familiarize yourself with these common terms to ensure that you know exactly what you're looking at and (let's face it) whether or not you're getting ripped off. 

Kathryn Markel takes a moment to reflect on her favorite painters and what they say about her. 

The more you look at art the more you understand yourself.  For example, I rarely respond to art with harsh gesture and color.  It feels angry to me. But, others might appreciate the same anger I see and find it liberating, Where I may see the painting's energy as enervating, they could see it as exciting.

I've never cared for surrealism either.  My brother used to recite his dreams at the breakfast table and, although I loved him, I hated to hear about his dreams.  Surrealism reminds me of those arbitrary stories.

The fact is that, our reactions  to everything in life are colored by our individual histories and physiology.  There is always a dance between the stimulus and the stimulated. I rarely analyze why I like or dislike a dress, a taste, a person, or a wallpaper.   But I always think about what it is in my personality that makes me react in a particular way to a piece of art.

Every week, we'll be your guide as you navigate the world of buying art in our series, The Collector. 

If you're an intelligent, affluent, sophisticated consumer just starting to dip your toes into the world of art, the contemporary art market can seem overwhelming and intimidating. How do you know what you like? Where do you find it? Is it a good value? You've got to replace those college posters and the impulse buys you found in souvenir shops on vacation.  But where to start?????

It going to take some time, but you are going to love learning about the art world and the art market.

Here are the three first steps to take for buying original art: