How to navigate the art world – a primeR
I am frequently asked by art lovers and buyers how the art world works. “It seems so confusing,” they say, “and prices are all over the place.”
That’s true — and fair!
Fortunately, the answer is simple, although it can look complicated to newbies. Here’s a chart that can help:
Blue Chip
At the top are the biggest artists, living and dead. These are the names you may know — Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, and Joan Mitchell.
Prices for their works run the gamut, but you can think of this segment as six-figures and above.
In finance/startup speak, these artists are the equivalent to publicly traded stocks.
Mid-Career
Rising stars fall in this category, many with name recognition, already. Andrea Bowers, Julie Tuyet Curtiss, Loie Hollowell, and Alex Dodge are some examples.
“Mid-career” is not indicative of the age of the artist, but rather the maturity of the artist’s place in the market and prices for their work. These are generally in the $10,000 to $100,000 range.
Mid-career artists are the equivalent of a company who has at least completed their Series A financing round.
Emerging
Everyone else falls into this category regardless of talent, age, years in the industry, and press coverage.
Consequently, the greatest deals to be had are here.
Prices for works by these artists generally run $10,000 or less but can be higher, depending on the size of the art and effort required to create it.
Think of emerging artists as if they are a startup in their seed rounds (aka friends and family) or starting their Series A raise.
Tips for navigation
In the coming months, I’ll be sharing tips on how to connect with the art world in interesting and fun ways: how to shop at an art fair, how to buy art made by an artist you have seen in a museum, how to get the most out of an art gallery visit and more.
Email me if you have any art world questions that I can answer and let me know what you think!
L.A. Fires Silver Linings Playbook
It all begins with an idea.
The fire raging across Los Angeles has ravaged the homes and businesses of many families.
It’s been especially tough for the kids. My 8-year-old niece, whose parents’ homes and school burned to the ground, is struggling to make sense of what just happened.
When asked what item she wanted to replace first, she said, “My art supplies.”
However painful, though, the loss offers an opportunity to teach my niece how to use creativity to cope with high stress events, process her grief, and imagine a better future.
To help her do this, I created an art challenge that I would like to share with you. Perhaps it could help you or someone you know working through a similar circumstances — because of fire or other.
The Resilience Art Challenge
Day 1:
Start with a breathing exercise. Inhale slowly as you count to four. When your lungs are full, hold your breath and count four more. Exhale slowly as you count to four. Hold your breath out and again count to four. Do this at least five times and go slow!
Take two pieces of blank paper and a pen or other writing utensil.
Now, record the spaces that are no longer with you. On one piece of paper, draw a picture of your bedroom with as much detail as possible. For example, when you draw your bed, try to capture the stitching on the top blanket. When you draw the floor, sketch the texture and material of the floor. What was in the closet? What was in the corners of the room? What was on the desk? Or night stand? Or bookcase? Close your eyes if it helps you visualize the scene.
After this is complete, take the second piece of paper and draw a picture of how you feel. This can be represented in any way, be it a self-portrait, abstract imagery, or other.
Day 2:
Pull out the drawing of your bedroom that you made yesterday.
Start with the same breathing exercise from Day 1 — this time add five more breaths, humming as you exhale for a total of ten breaths. This will calm you and help you concentrate.
Now, look at the picture you made of your room. Look at each object and say to it, “Thank you for being in my life. You brought me a lot of joy and good memories.” Then, tell the object about the memories it gave you. For example, if you had crayons, you could thank them for all the happy memories of coloring with them. Then, say, “I am grateful for what you gave to me and even though you are no longer with me, I am keeping the joy we shared.”
When you are finished thanking all the things that were in your bedroom, take a piece of blank paper and draw a picture of how you feel.
Day 3:
Start with the breathing exercises as Day 2 - five regular breaths and five humming breaths.
Close your eyes and visualize a new room in your head. Begin a mental tour of the space, picturing where the door and windows are, as well as the bed, clothes, toys and other objects. Now, imagine feeling the floor under your feet, smelling the smells, and listening to the sounds.
Open your eyes, take out a new piece of paper, and draw the new room.
Bonus:
Read about the Phoenix (link here), a mythical bird that dies in a fire it creates and is reborn out of the fire, creating a new bird ready for a new long life.
5 Questions to Make You Sound Smart about Art this Holiday Season
Yesterday, a collector told me, “People never ask me about my art collection.”
Art conversations can intimidate even those who love art most.
The most passionate art fans have said to me:
“I love art but never know how to talk about it. I just don’t want to say the wrong thing.”
If you’ve ever counted yourself amongst this crowd, rest assured — you are not alone.
The good news is there are easy solutions, starting with this list of questions you can use to start a meaningful conversation about art.
Best of all, they shine the spotlight on your fellow conversationalist while making you sound smart from the get-go.
1) What is your favorite piece of art you own?
2) Why did you select this particular artwork?
3) What is the first piece of art you ever acquired?
4) What is the first work of art that made an impression on you?
5) If you could own any piece of art in the world, what would it be?
These questions can encourage people to tell a story about their art collection, while building a warm connection that makes the interaction feel more memorable.
This also shows you are a guest who pays attention, fostering a positive impression that strengthens the relationship.
Even if the person does not own the art, these questions invite them to dream big as they share their artistic passions, preferences, and aspirations.
All of these questions echo the artist, Helen Frankenthaler, who said, “Every canvas is a journey all its own.”
When you help people take this journey — especially at holiday gatherings — you become more than just a conversationalist, but a curator of conviviality.
Well played!