A first-timer’s guide to buying art

Posted on 9 September, 2019

Wish you had the keen eye of an artist and the smarts of an art investor? Well now you sort of can.

Curator of Manuka’s .BDA Interiors, Bronwyn Blue, has over a decade of experience in wheeling and dealing in art, from buying and selling for Australian artists and working with curators and artists in Asia to commissioning works for residential and commercial projects.

Ahead of .BDA’s upcoming Brush with Brunch art event with local artist Kathleen Rhee this November and December, we sat down with Bronwyn to chat practical tips for purchasing art for the first time.

Bronwyn Blue with dog Jake.

FOLLOW YOUR GUT

I always give this advice first, because it is the most important.

Buy a piece that you love. When you walk into a store you’ll find there’s a certain work you’ll make a beeline for–buy that one because you’re naturally drawn to it.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Painting by Kathleen Rhee.

We always offer our clients a trial run with their art.

We encourage them to take the piece home for a week, hang it in different locations around the home, sit in front of it, see it at different times of the day and watch how it interacts with the light.

KNOW THE ARTIST

Canberra is blessed with truly amazing artists.

At .BDA Interiors we stock local artists and each piece has a story and local significance.

When people come to your home and ask about the work, it’s great to say ‘this was done by a local artist who was inspired by the ice-capped Brindabellas’.

KNOW THE MARKET

Pricing can be difficult, but my advice is to only pay hundreds or thousands for an original piece.

In Canberra, you can pick up a large original piece by an upcoming artist for around $1000.

As for ones to watch, I recommend people keep a keen eye on Canberra-region artists Kathleen Rhee, Kylie Fogarty and Tommy Balogh. Their work is really making a big impression overseas currently.

GET A UNIQUE PIECE

.BDA Interiors’ Brush with Brunch event is the love child of Bronwyn and local artist Kathleen Rhee, who is currently featured on The Block Shop.

Happening 28-30 November and 5-7 December, Brush With Brunch is everything that’s good; grazing tables, wine before 12 pm to get the creative juices flowing and a guarantee to walk out with a one-off artwork for $220.

Envision this; someone walks into your home, stares at the abstract landscape of diffused colours and says ‘it’s amazing, where is it from?’

‘I collaborated with a local artist to design a piece just for our space’, you answer.

“This is an opportunity to make your very own art piece, to fit the particular size, colour and tone of your space,” says Bronwyn.

“Kathleen, will guide you through the strokes, help you with colour choices and support your vision for your one-off piece. We supply the easel, canvas, paint and wine so all you need to bring is your creative yourself.”

Email bronwyn@bdainteriors.com.au for more information on Brush with Brunch or pop into .BDA Interiors for one-on-one advice, located at the corner of Franklin and Furneaux, open Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm and Saturday 10 am – 4 pm.

the essentials

What: Brush with Brunch
When: 28 November 11 am to 3 pm, 29 November 11 am to 3 pm, 30 November 11 am to 3 pm, 5 December 11 am to 3 pm, 6 December 11 am to 3 pm, 7 December 11 am to 3 pm
Where: BDA Interiors, 25 Franklin Street, Griffith
Get your tickets here:

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