A couple weeks ago on Instagram I showcased a piece of art called “Happy Bears” by Stephane Gautier, which I purchased from Galerie Barrou Planquart, an art gallery based in Paris, France. I originally saw the work at the Affordable Art Fair in NYC. I loved it then but in my never-ending effort to avoid rash decisions, I wanted to think about it. So, after speaking with the gallery’s employee, I took a card and headed on my way.
Two months later and I was still dreaming about the work so I decided to reach out to the gallery again. After exchanging a series of emails with the owner and reviewing a booklet of each work available by Gautier, I settled on a piece. The process was quite seamless and the only hiccup was a slight delay in delivery (seems the artist was behind in his creative process).
Buying art can be intimidating — you have to deal with gallery employees and owners “sizing you up” and, of course, the oft spoken rule of “if you ask the price you cannot afford it.” However, I refused to let any of those “obstacles” stop me and you should not either.
If you are interested in purchasing a piece of fine art either now or in the future and this is your first foray into the art buying process, below are a few pieces of advice based upon my experiences to help you in that journey:
Remove the “intimidation” factor from the process
The fact I met the gallery owner and employees at an Affordable Art Fair made the process less intimidating. At the Fair, I was in this giant space with hundreds of other people (young and old) going from booth to booth checking out the art. Everyone was exploring and plenty of people were not buying. And, making it even more approachable, the price was already on each piece. With the two predominate forms of intimidation nullified, I felt incredibly confident when I decided to reach out to the gallery owner two months later.
Avoid Doing Business with Snobs
When I reached out to the gallery owner two months later via email, the owner was friendly and professional. Upon asking about the artist’s works, she promptly sent me a catalog and noted that I was free to contact her when (or if) I was ready to make a purchase. She was not rude or dismissive when I asked for the price on several pieces and at no point did she try to rush me. While I was initially convinced about the work I wanted, upon seeing the catalog I developed a bit of indecisiveness. I was trying to decide between several pieces and needed to take a moment to really think through what I wanted. So, after initially moving full steam ahead, I took another week to just ponder what would work right for me and my home. The gallery owner was more than willing to let me take the time I needed and did not pester me at any point during that week.
Communication is Key – especially if this is your first time
The gallery I purchased my work from is located in France so I interacted with the gallery owner entirely in French. While my French is pretty good, I am much better at reading and writing than I am speaking. As a result, my communications with the owner were entirely via email. In retrospect, I should have called the owner after making my initial inquiry. And, if I didn’t feel comfortable making that call, I should have asked one of my friends or family members who speaks fluent French to help. I may have been too trusting in that regard and while it worked out fine for me, it easily could have been a disaster.
Fortunately, the gallery owner was very communicative and clear during our discussions. She confirmed multiple times the piece I was buying, the price, and when it would be delivered. The who, what, where, how much, and when were asked, confirmed and confirmed once again. I appreciated that level of thoroughness.
Even if there is not a language barrier, make sure both you and the gallery owner are on the same page when it comes to the “who, what, and how much” – who is the artist, what work are you purchasing (and how will that work arrive – frame or no frame), and how much will it cost including taxes, fees, and shipping. And, do not allow anyone to pressure you into handing over your credit card number without first having that information in writing.
Galleries have payment plans (sometimes)
To be frank, I did not learn this as part of this buying process, but several years ago when I wandered into a gallery in D.C. The owner informed me that when she was young adult, she spotted a piece of artwork at a gallery that she loved. She explained that she set up a payment plan with the gallery owner and each week dropped off a check until she had completely paid off the piece. While I had no idea galleries had layaway plans, apparently, it is not uncommon. If you are new to the process or cannot afford a large splurge right now, consider asking if the gallery owner would be open to a payment plan.
Resist the Urge to Rush Your Decision
Fine art is not cheap, so avoid rushing your decision – instead, do your research. Research the artist, the artist’s works, and the gallery. There are plenty of websites, such as Artsy.net or Artspace.com, that will make your research easier. And, don’t be afraid to inquire of a piece (and the price) from a gallery via email. This way, when the time comes for you to purchase a work, you will already know the price.
Finally, decide where you will place the artwork in your home in advance. That might sound basic, but you would be shocked how often people buy a piece of artwork only to discover it does not fit the space appropriately, does not match the other décor, or just does not look right in their home. You are making an investment so I advise you to ensure that investment can grow with you over the years.