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Don't Worry About Getting Art Shopping 'Wrong'

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I thought I’d talk about something a bit different today.  Shopping for the right fine art can seem a bit overwhelming once you decide to start.  There’s so much to look at and consider.  You might find yourself throwing up your hands in frustration simply from all the options out there.  Wading through the plethora of options for fine art on the market can, indeed, take time and energy.  However, there’s no need to worry about art shopping.  You’ll do just fine.

I know most people won’t have a problem with art shopping.  However, there are people out there who will worry about all sorts of things.  If you don’t worry about art shopping, then this article is not for you.  I want to speak to those who do worry about art shopping.

Photograph of four brown paper shopping bags standing in a group

Don’t Worry About Art Shopping

Art is one of those things in life where there’s really no overall right or wrong answer.  What’s wrong for me might actually be right for you.  The same goes for your shopping process.  I think that this quote sums it up perfectly.

“Art Shopping Is As Individual As Meditation—So Don’t Worry About ‘Getting It Wrong.'”

-Chelsea Nassib

I realize that meditation is about calming and focusing your mind while art shopping is about bringing home something to enhance your quality of life.  They feel somewhat disconnected until you realize that both meditation and art shopping are about mental health and well-being.

Picture of abstract art on an easel and a wall in a living areaArt shopping is simply the process you go through to choose art for your home or office.  The process is similar to choosing a candy bar to eat.  I don’t worry about shopping for art when I need to.  I just go take care of business and enjoy the results.

If you really are continually uncomfortable with art shopping, then take steps to reduce your discomfort.  Only shop in small spurts.  Take someone with you who can help calm you down.

Remember that other people are often far more interested in their own shopping to judge you based upon your art tastes.  The cashier probably won’t remember you unless you REALLY make yourself memorable (usually in a bad way).  Online shopping offers you some level of anonymity if you’re that concerned about interacting with people or having people judge you.

Also consider that you won’t often need to art shop.  Perhaps once or twice in your entire life (of course depending upon what you choose and where you live/work).  If you can’t otherwise calm your nerves, you might take comfort in that knowledge.

Ways You Could Do Art Shopping Wrong

I can’t come up with very many ways you could shop for art incorrectly.  However, I’ve got a few objective ways in which you could THEORETICALLY mess up this kind of shopping.  Please bear in mind that not every listed error can or will apply to you and your situation.

  • You spend WAY over your budget on one or more art pieces
  • You buy something so big you can’t transport it home/work or properly display it at home/work
  • You only check out one source for expensive art
  • During the buying process, you neglect to thoroughly inspect the art you wish to buy for damage
  • You choose something which doesn’t work with your decor or that you actually hate for some reason
  • You make an expensive art purchase WITHOUT first consulting your spouse/boss first (“expensive” obviously depends upon your personal/family/office budget)
  • You insult the artist/gallery by offering way too little for the art you wish to buy or by displaying other rude behavior
Cramer Imaging's fine art landscape photograph of evergreen trees at the base of switchbacks in Bryce Canyon National Park Utah
It doesn’t matter how much you like a piece like this if you behave badly. You won’t be buying it.
As you can see from this list, you can enter the art market improperly.  You can do things wrong.  However, if you pay attention to your budget, the art size and condition, and proper behavior rules in marriage/work, then you shouldn’t need to worry about how you shop for art.  The process should be painless and even enjoyable.

Conclusion

As you can see, joining the market in search for fine art shouldn’t weigh heavily on your mind.  If you approach the art market the way you approach any other shopping in general, then you should be just fine.  Enjoy the process of enriching your life with art.  Enjoy finding just the right piece(s) for you.

If you’re in the market for some fine art but still have some jitters about shopping in person, then you might check out my online store.  There you can shop my landscape photography all from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

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