If you want to own art, but never knew how to go about buying it, perhaps that much denigrated old chestnut, "I don't know much about art, but I know what I like," should be reconsidered. One rule in buying a painting is not only to buy what you like, but what you love. If you are inexperienced, however, there is a great deal to learn before you make a purchase.
Some tips
The first step is to go to a reputable dealer, possibly one recommended by word of mouth. The longer he or she has been in business the better.
*Ask questions. Art dealers usually enjoy their work and like to talk about the paintings in their gallery.
*Inquire about the artists. Ask if resumes and artist statements are available. You will probably want to buy a piece of contemporary art by a living artist; modern art is usually dated from 1900 to 1960.
*Never buy contemporary art for investment. Only a tiny number of living artists will be remembered ten years hence, but if you buy the work because it speaks to you, because you feel sure you'll love it more each day you won't regret your decision.
*Remember, it's not appropriate to bring in a swatch of material from your green couch and try to find a painting that matches it. You are buying a work of art, not a decorative scheme.
A number of years ago, at a prestigious gallery on 57th Street in New York City, a woman approached a painting leaning against the wall, stretcher side out, and inquired, "What's that? It's about the right size." Another main admired a painting of nymphs dancing in a forest, and asked whether it was painted from life. Obviously these customers were very inexperienced, which brings us to self- education.
Education is next
You could enroll in an art course, but you can just as easily educate yourself by going to museums and galleries and training your eye. It's a pleasurable and rewarding occupation.
Commercial galleries are not the only place to buy. You might try non-profit galleries such as Art /Place, a co-operative gallery of artist members, who must be elected to membership; or the Thomas J. Walsh Gallery at Fairfield University; the Westport Arts Center, the Silvermine Guild Arts Center, in New Canaan; or The Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart University. Their shows have often been selected by curators or juried by experts and works are frequently for sale.
You probably can't buy old masters, as they are much more expensive. But should your budget allow it, trust your dealer.
More tips
*Do independent research; use the public library and other resources.
*Consult an expert. They have no axe to grind and will often be helpful. They might indicate the value or a painting, but usually won't give a written estimate.
*Don't buy signatures, you may be looking at a poor example of a master's work.
*Check the condition of any purchase.
*Get the provenance or history of who has owned the painting. A work that has hung over Elton John's pool table or one that has been owned by a well-known collector adds value.
*Watch out for fakes and wording such as "attributed to," "in the circle of," "the manner of" and "after the master." The master may have had only a small hand or none in execution.
*Determine the style and don't be afraid to bargain. Prices can usually be reduced from 10% to 15% and many dealers will accept time payments.
Fairfield Galleries
The Southport Harbor Gallery, a commercial gallery, beautifully located opposite the Pequot Yacht Club in Southport, was founded seven years ago by owner Katherine Knetzger, in memory of her dear friend, artist Ann Toulmin-Rothe, who was like a sister to her and who died of cancer in 1987. She was also Ms. Knetzger's teacher. She attended her workshops in France and also studied with her in Studio II on Richmondville Avenue in Westport.
"My gallery is small and cozy, not intimidating, people like cozy," she said, and also mentioned that she often goes to New York and is familiar with galleries and trends. In June she mounted an exhibition called "New York Commutes to Southport" featuring her own group, as well as American Masters like Avery, Marsh, Burchfield, Hopper and Grooms from D.C. Moore, Kennedy and Marlborough Galleries.
Knetzger allows customers to take a painting home for three to five days to live with it, or she will bring works to the customer's home and offer suggestions. She will set up time payments and give a 10% discount for purchase of two or more works. In addition, her knowledgeable assistant, Leora Morales, is usually on hand to answer questions and to provide background material on the artists.
On the third Saturday of each month the Fairfield Gallery Association presents a tour of their members from 5 - 7 p.m. with maps available. Participating are: Ulla Surland Gallery Eleven, 11 Unquowa Road; Greenwich Workshop Gallery, 1657 Post Road; J. Russell Janishian Gallery, 1657 Post Road; and Charter Oak Gallery, 1552 Post Road; all located in Fairfield and Southport Harbor Gallery, 656 Harbor Road; and Art/Place Gallery, 400 Center Street, at the Southport Railroad Station westbound.
Westport Galleries
Art expert, John Bygott, has been in the gallery business for 21 years. His spacious "Picture This Gallery" is conveniently located in the shopping center opposite Shaw's in Westport. While he stocks many, many quality frames and specializes in the restoration of paintings, his main thrust is to "create a rhythm of shows on a regular circulating basis, more of a focuses endeavor to creating worthwhile gallery space." Bygott concentrates on Connecticut artists. David Levine watercolors in November, "Small Works" in December and Westport Artists in January. Styles vary from realism to impressionism to mild contemporary abstraction. Bygott, new to " Picture This Gallery," says, "People should think of us as an art gallery, as well as a frame shop."
You can almost hear the Marseillaise as you approach Gallerie Je Reviens at their new location in Westport. Charmingly decorated in the French tri-color red, white, and blue, owner Marco Pelletier, stocks many appealing French paintings as well as some American works. They are currently showing a collection of paintings by Lelia Pissarro the great granddaughter of the well-known, Camille Piassarro. Art dealer, Marco Pelletier says, "our gallery prides itself on the diversity of our clients from the first-time buyer to the most sophisticated collector."
A non-profit gallery of note is the Westport Arts Center. They have 350 members and annually hold a non-juried exhibition open to all members. Following "Connecticut Prints" which runs through November 12, the Center will present "Maurice Freedman: An American Modernist and James Prosak: Monuments to Nature," which opens Friday, November 19 and runs through December 22.
Westportartscenter.org is their online gallery, featuring the work of various artists and as many as 12 slides each. "So people can browse and see what's available," Eileen Wiseman, executive director, explained, adding that, "It gives you a taste and is non-committal. It doesn't cost anything to look. We're not about sales, but we love to sell and would like to sell more." She advises "normal persons shouldn't look at art as an investment at the lower levels, but should buy what is different and what makes them happy."
Art/Place in Southport is another non-profit gallery. It is an artists' cooperative with a limited number of members who each exhibit every three years. From November 3 - 28 Art/Place will present "Pastimes: Paintings by Belle Manes." Both the Westport Art Center and Art/Place are excellent sources from which to learn, as well as to buy.
Start or add to your collection with confidence and always remember to BUY FOR LOVE.