Green One, Too by John Bradford

Art consultants work with individuals and corporations, helping them select and place art. This is not a service you’ll need for most purchases, but an art consultant can be a tremendous help with complex projects. Although art consultants are familiar with the work of hundreds of artists – and may know many artists personally – they are engaged by, and represent the interests of, the art buyer. Normally, an art consultant is not affiliated with specific galleries or institutions.

Finding an art consultant in rural areas of the country can be a challenge. The internet can be a great help, of course, and local architects and interior designers may recommend art consultants in your area or with whom they’ve had successful long-distance relationships. In any case, it’s wise to talk with several art consultants to get a feel for the services they can offer and to gauge how comfortable you’ll be working with them. Be sure to make reference calls as well, just as you would when hiring any service professional.

Art consultants are normally compensated through a percentage of the art-acquisition budget.

When to Use an Art Consultant

Art consultants can help with projects of any size and any medium. Their skills and experience are particularly helpful in these circumstances.

• When artwork is integral to the structure of the home, as with custom kitchen tile or a wrought iron balcony railing.
• When coordination is needed between the artist and other professionals, such as architects and engineers.
• When installation is complicated, as with heavy atrium sculpture or custom millwork.
• When art from several sources must coordinate, both functionally and aesthetically.

Gingko Mallet Vase
in Dark Blue
by Richard S. Jones

When visiting an artist’s studio, rules of common courtesy apply. Be sure to call ahead; the artist may have limited visiting hours, especially during crunch times. Once there, don’t overstay your welcome. Enjoy your visit, but recognize that the artists will need to get back to work.

Some communities offer organized tours of artists’ studios on a particular day or weekend each year. These are terrific opportunities to meet artists and learn about the processes they use.

Art fairs are another terrific opportunity to meet artists. Depending on the crowds and the weather (if the fair is outdoors), art fairs can be a lot of fun. They’re also a great way to see the work of many artists at one time. Most art fairs are jurried, so you can expect to see high-quality displays and meet artists who work at a professional level.

Harmony Metal Wall Art by Bernard Collin

Purchasing from a gallery provides the benefit of consultation; you’re tapping into the expertise of the gallery staff and the relative assurance that the work meets high aesthetic and professional standards. The artworks will have been selected by the gallery owner or manager, and will reflect their personal taste. If your own aesthetic is similar, a gallery can be an excellent resource.

Most galleries specialize in specific types of art and are committed to a stable of artists. Much like interior designers or art consultants, galleries act as professional curators; most select 20 to 50 artists to feature from among hundreds seeking representation.

To varying degrees, galleries act as agents for artists and help create a market for their work. If the artwork you see appeals to you, introduce yourself to the gallery owner. Talk about your interests in purchasing art and about the kinds of work you’re attracted to. Be sure to mention your budget – and don’t feel intimidated if you don’t want to spend a great deal of money. Galleries are always looking for new clients, and they’ll be happy to spend time getting to know you.

Bamboo Blue and Green Salt
and Pepper Set
by Robert Wilhelm

Your search for a work of art can take many forms. It can be direct and methodical, as when you’re looking for a print or painting to highlight the muted colors of your living room, or organic and adventurous, as when you’re searching for a special something to mark a landmark anniversary. It can be the focus of a month of weekend outings to galleries, art fairs, and artist studios, or an evening’s pleasant browsing on the internet. For more substantial purchases, especially those that involve complex installations, you may want to work with a professional art consultant (or try Artful Home’s Custom Design Center).

Each of these methods of finding art has unique benefits. Let’s begin with a look at buying art on the internet.

The internet has revolutionized art buying, just as it has so many other aspects of our lives. A virtual gallery offers distinctive benefits, especially if you’re pressed for time, prefer to shop at night, or wan to see a very broad selection of quality artworks. By buying art gifts online, you also avoid having to ship fragile works yourself. Packing and shipping are handled by the artists – who knows better than anyone who to do it right.

Internet technology also allows you to search for art items meeting precise specifications. Looking through an extensive collection of online art is similar in many respects to visiting a large museum. Visitors to a museum can meander happily for from room to room, browsing randomly, broadening their understanding of different art forms, and perhaps kindling new enthusiasms. Alternately, they can use a map of the museum to select and visit the parts of the collection that interest them the most.

So it is with an online collection, except that instead of a map, the visitor uses searches to view the collection strategically.