Why Your Fine Art Should Go With The Couch

We like to joke about buyers only looking for fine art paintings that go with the couch.

What we're really thinking is that maybe they aren't sophisticated enough to appreciate "real" art when they see it.

Which makes no sense when the purpose of creating art ought to be that you sell it to the people interested in buying it, and if they want to buy art that goes with the couch why shouldn't they?

Sure, some art buyers don't know a lot about art history.  But they know what they like.  And they like the idea that artwork can provide design inspiration, pulling their room together.  They like the lifestyle implied by what they see in the art - that it appears sophisticated, hip, sculptural,  fashionable, wearable, humorous, funky, affordable, expensive, or potentially valuable.  They like the idea that they can find something unique, hand-made, possibly one-of-a-kind that is also multi-functional.  And they like to create their home and office environments according to their own priorities. 

There is an entire generation that may not view art the way their grandparents viewed art, but since when is that so new? 

As baby boomers pull back on their art investing this might be a good time for artists to look at the emerging core reasons the younger generation might have for buying art.  People still buy art that makes them feel good.  They buy art that helps them define a lifestyle.  And sometimes, they buy art because they like the way it goes with the couch. And their lifestyle.

Just one point of view worth thinking about.

 

 

 

Comments

[sue smith]

Hi Frank, I enjoyed your step by step approach to painting raindrops.

[Frank Zweegers]

Thanks for the fun post!

[sue smith]

Phil, I have heard others say that soon people can select an image from their smart phone and project it all the wall. The Affordable Art Fair was held in London, did you have a chance to visit?

I know you paint large acrylic canvases, but you mentioned on your blog you were starting the smaller series to see how things evolved. Your way of describing your thought process is always inspiring and refreshing for me. Thanks.

[Phil Kendall]

Why would the younger generation buy artworks? Its all there to see on the internet...

[sue smith]

Good points, Bea - thanks!

[Bea Lancton]

Good post. For whatever reason a painting resonates with a buyer, then that is a good outcome. In my book, I mark that as a success. Remarks made about buyers and their preferences for colors of the room or the couch, although said with a smile, are actually condescending. It is a putdown of the very person who admires the artist's work and is willing to fork out good money for it. Sure, it might match the couch, but the collector sure isn't going to put what he or she considers ugly art, especially expensive ugly art, on the wall solely because of the color. Perhaps a dose of humility might wash some of that pride and condescension away. It certainly adds nothing useful, particularly humorous, productive, or attractive on the part of the artist.