Becoming A Art Collector When deciding to buy art, many people are unsure of where to start. They think that the art world is a secret place that only the elite can abound. Anyone can start an art collection. You just need to know the landscape, learn your own aesthetic and make a few connections. Cash flow, thankfully, is secondary. Whether you're looking to buy your first major work or just saw a great artist on Tumblr, all it takes is participation. The best way to approach the situation is to buy slowly and wisely. Make sure to take your time and do your homework. There are a ton of bargains out there that can be found at charity auctions or at auction houses located in the smaller cities. 1. Don't buy at dealer prices—check a database like artsalesindex.artinfo.com. See what similar works are going for. 2. Don't buy something just because you think you can sell it and make a profit. Buy what you like and plan to keep. Think of your collection as your estate. 3. Try no to buy a poster even if it's a Picasso. If you do buy from an edition of prints, buy from a small edition and make sure it's signed. 4. Don't try to follow a trend. It's hard to be on the upside of the curve unless you're an insider. Better to buy something that's hard to find. Think in terms of modern, not contemporary. 5. Choose pieces that mean something to you. Art that you can appreciate for years to come. Patricia Guzzi, a Westwood MA resident, says that the ideal artist is one who is not afraid to look at something from a different perspective and change their overall mode of inspiration. Finding a good place to buy your art is another consideration. While the lure of buying at auction and getting an interesting piece for well below retail is enticing, the danger comes when someone else is bidding decides to spike the price. With original fine art, you'll probably want to see the piece in person, so start with a local auction house in your region like Doyle New York that handles mostly "fresh-to-market" estate property. Patricia Guzzi is a very talented interior designer and artist who has become well known in Westwood, MA. She has built a wealth of experience throughout the years and has accrued a level of skill that is unparalleled in the field. She is asked by many designers and co-workers that she has come in contact with for her advice or critique on a project. They respect her artistic eye and the experience she has compiled over the years.