There’s a meaningful difference between buying art and collecting it. Buying is often spontaneous—sparked by love at first sight. Collecting, on the other hand, is intentional. It’s a curated, evolving expression of your eye, your values and your journey.
A great collection begins with your taste—not trends and not what others tell you is “important.” Step one is listening to what excites you. Whether it’s a bold abstract painting, a minimalist sculpture, vintage art glass or a ceramic vessel with soul, go toward what makes you pause and feel.
But collecting goes beyond instinct. It requires two essential skills: evaluating art in depth and connecting each piece to a broader, cohesive vision. As a former gallery owner, I’ve watched novice buyers light up when they spot something special—then freeze when asked how it fits into their collection. That’s the leap: creating meaningful relationships between your artworks so that, together, they tell a story.
Ask yourself:
– What kind of art am I drawn to?
– What connects the pieces I already own—color, subject, technique, emotion?
– What do I want my collection to say?
Once you begin to identify the threads, collecting becomes a form of authorship. Each acquisition is a chapter in your personal narrative. The best collectors, like Eli Broad or Albert Barnes, were storytellers who used their collections to redefine entire movements. You don’t need a museum budget to build something significant. One artist collected garage-sale paintings for under $20 each, eventually touring his “outsider” collection nationwide. The result? A fresh take on what art can be. The message: trust your instincts, not the market.
The digital age has cracked open the art world—Instagram, artist websites, virtual fairs—giving collectors direct access to artists like never before. Still, grounding yourself with knowledge is key. Visit galleries, talk with curators, read. The more you learn, the more confident—and savvy—you’ll become.
Finally, document what you collect. Keep records, stories, receipts. Title your works. A well-documented piece isn’t just worth more—it’s appreciated more deeply by everyone who sees it. A collection, at its best, is a living archive of your spirit. And like any masterpiece, it takes time, thought, and love to build.
Faith Berger is a St. Louis-based artist, working in acrylic, mixed medium collage. Visit her website at faithberger.com, find her on Instagram faithberger.art, or reach her via email at faith@faithberger.com.