Owning Original Art

If you are lucky enough to own a piece of original art, there is no doubt that one of the greatest benefits is the feelings that it gives you. Happiness is one of the most obvious sentiments that your hanging art or sculpture will provide and it is this that often gives people the most pleasure. We all like to feel good! The feelings of well-being can start before the final act of buying art. The excitement of searching for and deciding upon your chosen oil painting or sculpted piece of art can be huge. Of course it is often greatest with the first piece of original art that you by, but for many people this doesn’t lessen, no matter how many times they buy art. Collecting art can become a very pleasant addiction for some.

Another benefit of owning original art is its aesthetic quality. The hanging art or sculpture enhances the room in which they are displayed and this is often the prime consideration when someone is thinking of buying art. Just knowing that they complete your interior design can lift the mood of the room and everyone in it. Oil paintings and sculptures provide focal sites and talking points almost every time.

A wall hanging can compliment, or contrast with, the surroundings in which it is displayed. If it is bought to blend in with the décor then it is likely to be the finishing touch on an otherwise perfect room. However, many people prefer to have the piece stand out from the rest of the room. This will undoubtedly ensure that the artwork is noticed, and admired, by everyone. Abstract art lends itself to this particularly well.

Many people will appreciate the quality of an original art piece and the impression that it gives is one of individuality of the owner. Depending on the size and type of art, it may also lend an air of success to the lucky buyer. This is particularly the case for original oil paintings or bronze sculptures. The impression of wealth is one that may or may not be founded in reality, but it is often the impression that counts. A person might prefer to have a number of smaller pieces of a particular artist or sculptor, or buy the largest that they can afford. It really makes no difference. They are showing that they can afford exactly what they want – original art.

Continuing on the topic of wealth, there is no doubt that pieces of original art tend to increase in value over time. Many people have no intention of selling the work that they have just purchased, but they can be the basis for any inheritance for their children. Buying an original piece of art can have a purely financial basis and the potential future value of the painting or sculpture may have been the deciding factor.

There are many benefits to owning original art; however the most important one by far is simply for the love of it. Original works of art should be appreciated and give many years of joy to the new owner.

Contact us if you would like to have a custom made original work of art from UnstART.

Choosing Original Art For Your Home

The awareness and appreciation of the availability of original art has grown in recent years. This can be associated, in part, to the media. Television programmes and newspaper supplements are increasingly being produced with the focus on art and sculpture. There are numerous experts that people watch on a daily basis, showing how a piece of original art can enhance the look of almost any room. This amount of advice and information can seem bewildering, so how do you begin the process of choosing original art for your home? Here are some points to help make the process of buying art a little easier.

What type of original art do you like?

The first step in choosing original art for your home is to decide what you actually want. The choices can be broadly divided into the following three main categories:

  • hanging art – this can include oil paintings, abstract art or any other piece of art that can be hung on your wall
  • photography – the styles of photography can vary immensely, but the main decision is whether it is colour or black and white
  • sculpture – a piece of sculpture can be made from a variety of materials, from clay to bronze

Once you have ascertained which of the forms of original art you want to buy, you also need to research the artist’s work. You may have a firm favourite who creates pieces of modern art that you adore, or want a piece of art that is in the style of one of the old masters of the renaissance. The internet is a great place to start if you are still undecided.

What space is available for the artwork?

Once you have decided upon the type of original art that you want from your home you need to work out the size limits that are imposed by space. If you are looking for a piece, or pieces, of hanging art you have to ensure that it will fit in where you are intending it to go and not overwhelm the rest of the interior design. Sculpture can be the more difficult type of original art to accommodate in a room. Always ensure that you have an appropriate surface to display the piece on.

Another consideration is the overall style of the room that you are buying art for. Original art can come in so many different forms and styles that you are not going to have much difficulty finding the perfect piece to compliment your décor. It is worth bearing in mind that a renaissance oil painting, whilst impressive, would not be best displayed in a modern minimalist living space. Similarly, a huge abstract wall hanging in a traditional study may be out of place. Not everyone can afford to have an interior designer to create the perfect room to incorporate your must-have original art and you need to buy art to suit the surroundings.

Deciding on, and sticking to, a budget

This aspect of buying art is often the hardest for people to adhere to, especially if you are going to buy art from an auction. It is very easy to get swept away on the tide of bidding and end up spending far more than you intended. If you are bidding at an auction, stop bidding when the price of the artwork exceeds your budget. Bow out gracefully – there will always be another day and another auction!

Your budget is just as important if you are buying art from a gallery, or direct from the artist. Remember that you can discuss your budget with the gallery owner, or artist, and they can help you find the perfect piece of original art to suit your pocket. Many people begin collecting art by buying art that is small, and then expand to larger ones over time so you do not need to buy a priceless masterpiece to begin with. The best original art collections give the most enjoyment to their owners, regardless of their size or value.

Art For The Office

There are a number of reasons why art can be beneficial in the workplace. They can be broadly divided into two groups:

  • Benefit to visitors to the workplace
  • Benefit to the workforce

How Art Benefits Visitors to Your Workplace

There are a number of different views regarding the use of hanging art, sculptures and interior design benefit visitors to the workplace. This stems from the diversity of the companies that are considering enhancing their workplace for visitors. The first stage in deciding if displaying works of art can be beneficial is to assess the types of visitors that the workplace has. The reception area is the first port of call for visitors to almost any business. These can vary in size and style, and this will often dictate the type of artwork that you may consider buying. Companies often have displays of their work or products in their reception area. These can actually be treated as works of art if they are produced and displayed professionally. A professional photographer can create artistic wall hangings from almost any product. This would give the product a fresh look and create interest amongst potential buyers, rather than a straight product shot.

Sculptures and works of art, such as oil paintings, can enhance the reception area and create an impression of success. Original art need not be expensive, but it can give the impression of a slick company at the top of their game. It can also act as an icebreaker to potential negotiations.

However, one of the most underestimated benefits to visitors is the use of colour. The psychology of colour is studied by interior designers the world over. They have highlighted the fact that different colours have certain affects on the people’s moods. These colours can subconsciously create a feeling of calm, or the opposite – depending on the colours being used. Many medical practices have soothing colours schemes, and this is included in the artwork chosen. On the other hand, an up-and-coming young software company is more likely to choose bright colours to give a feel of youth and enthusiasm.

The Benefits of Art on the Workforce

Offices or open plan work areas are the best type of workplace to consider displaying art. The majority of workers in this environment will be working on a computer screen for long periods of time. Artwork can provide a well- needed distraction to prevent excessive concentration on a computer monitor. Health and safety initiatives recommend that people take a break from ‘staring’ at the screen and a piece of artwork can offer another focus. If the workforce is in a creative industry, then displaying art can provide inspiration. This is particularly the case if the art is based on recent successes or products. Again, photography is a wonderfully creative medium for producing original art.

There is no doubt that colour has an effect on the workforce too and an interior designer would be able to offer advice on the best colour schemes to incorporate into the workplace. Art should be enjoyed, but it can also impact on the productivity of the people who see it. The colours should not be so calming that the staff falls asleep at their desks – but neither should they give then high blood pressure! A mixture of colours reflected in the art is often the best solution.

Finally, the personalisation of different areas of the workplace should never be underestimated. No matter how strong a corporate identity is, all employees are unique. Displaying art is another way of highlighting this individuality. Of course, art can be used that compliments the company colour scheme, rather than having a complete makeover to match the colours of the wall hanging or sculptures, but having unique pieces emphasises the fact that the company treats each of its members of staff as individuals. Yet another example of the psychological impact that art can have in the workplace.