Forget all that ‘supporting the arts’ bunk.
Why should you want to collect art?
Why should you want to spend your scarce resources on mere decoration?

Consider This Scenario:

You’re single, and your job takes up 80% of your free time and you just don’t even notice your walls. Imagine that you found an eye-catching painting that spoke to you.

So you took down that old poster, and hung the painting there instead. So now, every morning as you’re dashing out the door, you catch a glimpse of the colors and forms in the painting. When you’re on your way to work, you see something that reminds you of the painting. When you come home, you may see something in the painting that helps you see the solution to a problem that you’ve been trying to solve. Weeks later, when you least expect it, you see something totally different in the painting that you really never noticed before. So you start wondering about the artist’s intent for the painting. And then you remember that the artist lives in town, and is always posting about this show or that show, and you could easily show up at a show just to ask the artist some questions. After all, talking about art is one of the things that artists like to do most. Whether the artist shrugs or launches a dissertation on the meaning of the piece, your thoughts will be enriched, because your imagination will be challenged! And then you’ll see more of the artist’s work, and you’ll realize you may have a connection to these pieces too! You turn around and are struck by the absolute truth and beauty of another painting.

You think about buying it, but your funds are too low, so you don’t. But the idea of the painting is knocking around in your brain, becoming almost as important as the painting already on your wall, because it is inspiring emotions and thoughts. It’s even altering the way you see the painting on your wall. In fact, every life event somehow gets recorded in the painting on the wall, because it will be with you, as a silent steady companion, as your life changes and unfolds.

Later, the very same artist posts a picture of a painting that’s very reminiscent of the painting you didn’t buy, but it’s even more evocative, so you arrange to purchase the piece with a payment plan. It takes a few months, but finally, you bring the new painting home, and hang it in a place of honor, over the sofa. The two paintings instantly connect, and your environment begins to transform into a very personal, reflective space, inspiring you in different ways. Home. Home is where the art is.

 

Another Scenario:

You’re starting a family. There’s a toddler in the house, and a baby on the way. As a baby shower gift, that artsy friend gave you a very colorful whimsical painting for the nursery.

The painting is quietly with you as you comfort and nurture your child. You always hope your child will grow to have as much lively fun as the images in the painting. The painting fascinates the children. As they grow up, they ask about the painting, and you’re able to share all kinds of ideas about what the painting means.

The artist’s new painting manages to find it way into your social media feed, and you realize it is the perfect companion piece for that first whimsical painting. So you buy it, and hang it with the other painting. Suddenly, the stories you were telling about the first painting evolve to include the new painting. So much imagination and so many giggles! The art becomes a part of the fabric of the family, and always serves as a conversation starter, and a reminder of happy times. Family. Art serves as a type of glue that helps to strengthen family relationships.

 

And Another Scenario:

A family is going through troubled times, which is causing a family member unfathomable grief. Sometimes there are no words that are adequate for expressing that which cannot be said. This is a key specialty of art. A painting has the ability to soothe by acknowledging pain, embracing the darkness, and by offering hope, all at the same time.

A painting was found with graceful somber notes, and some small, but significant brighter notes, and it seemed, though somber, to have an overall positive vibe. This painting was hung at the kitchen table. The painting helped to pave the way for family members to be able to talk about profound sadness, maintaining the faith that hearts will eventually heal, and that life continues. It became a powerful symbol of the family’s strength through adversity.

Months later, a very similar, but brighter painting came along, and was hung in the dining room, and as the grief slowly subsided, the collection of paintings became livelier, almost documenting and honouring a journey through grief. Mourning. Art can serve to aid in the ability to recover emotionally.

 

And Lastly:

You’ve come through a struggle. The illness has lifted, the ex left town, the long awaited job is finally a reality. It’s time to embrace a new life with perhaps a bit of frivolity. As you forge a healthy new life of positivity, you find art that embraces positivity!

It just feels good to look at it. This is exactly what you need to inspire creativity and happy thoughts. You hang the painting in the living room, but then the bedroom seems stark.

So you find another painting for the bedroom, and eventually, every room has a bright reminder for positivity! Positivity. Happiness. Harmony. Art can serve to enhance a brighter attitude.

Home. Family. Mourning. Harmony.

There are countless other ways that art plays a supporting role as it sees you through your life’s journey.

Art provides a gateway towards understanding, empathy, and pure joy.
Collecting art is an investment in you, your family, and the betterment of living!

Not to mention supporting your local artists…. 🙂 🙂 🙂

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Are You Ready?

If you’re ready to consider starting, or enhancing your art collection, there’s a great opportunity coming to Waterloo Region:

The Ferrari 500 features affordable excellence in art.
Every piece is priced at $500.00 or UNDER.
Hope to see you there!

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