Another truly American collectible is the art Americans make. Whether oil, watercolor, pencil, or crayon, find an American artist or style you like and collect. It doesn’t have to be originals, although that would be nice if you can afford it, but note cards or magazine articles with reproductions of your preferred artist or style. After you are sure of what you like, look for limited edition prints by artists you enjoy. Or look at art from the perspective of the story it tells. Collecting art can be about history, customs, or folklore. Remember the George Washington/cherry tree tale? Artists have painted scenes from this tale, and one painting lives here in Fort Worth. What local legends are depicted in your area museums?
If the artist you are interested in worked in the twentieth century, you can probably find a magazine that covers his/her style and you may find articles or ads with his/her works pictured. If you like basically representational art, try the Southwest Art magazine, as they have lots of articles and ads with nice works of art. Find a new (to you) artist to watch for, and check local art museums to see if they have any works by your newest artist/interest. For earlier artists, antique magazines often have ads with earlier works that are for sale. You don’t need to buy it, just save the picture in the ad.
Museum catalogs and gift shops are great places to look for American artists or art reproductions. You can build files of the artists you like. Then on a rainy, gloomy, winter day, take out a file and look through it. It is sure to brighten your day. Pick up old magazines at second-hand stores, and check out the second-hand bookstore for old issues of art and antiques magazines, as well as art books. I have found some great artists that way.
Any family artists? Past or present, collecting originals for artists in the family can be easier (and cost less money) than collecting strangers’ work. You probably can buy directly from the artist, cutting out the gallery half of the price, and all the money goes to the artist. Your family member will probably enjoy the encouragement from close to home, and you can build a bond, even if it is to your wacky uncle Larry, the artist nudge. Don’t forget to look for artists among your friends as well. All the points above apply even more to an artist friend.
Galleries serve a function, but if you trust your own taste, and you should, try to buy from the artist. Record your trips to the artist’s studios for the instruction of your heirs or assigns. They might want to know why you chose the works you did, and what works were available that you did not buy. Records like these, primary source, are really valuable to museums and art historians. They will also build your reputation as a serious collector, and other people with the same interests will hear about yours and maybe get in touch.
Whole thing seem kind of nebulous? Welcome to the art world, where nebulous is made real, and everybody’s opinions are equal. You like it? No one else’s opinion matters. Foster the talent you have access to and think is worthwhile. Become the expert about an obscure artist or regional group. What can it hurt? You will learn a lot and meet new people. Broaden your horizons. Isn’t that what American, north, south and central, about?
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