Art is a magical and intimate thing. It doesn't just look pretty; it can affect us emotionally, stirring our hearts and piquing our curiosity. Most of us have art in our homes, including paintings, souvenirs from times past, and even boxes full of old family photos. But if you're curious about how art can enrich your life and style, you probably want to know how to take things a step further and display it. Why not start your own collection of aesthetically pleasing, imaginative artwork and collectibles?

If making your own collection sounds daunting, don't fret. We’ll run you through the basics in this simple guide to building an art collection.

Set a Budget

To begin, you need to determine what your budget is. How much money will you spend to start your collection and display it? And how much money will you allot to yourself each week, month, and year to grow your collection?

Most people spend 5 to 10 percent of their income each month on hobbies. You can use that metric to determine more or less how much to dedicate to your brand-new collection as time goes on.

Know Your Goals

What spurred you to start an art collection? Do you just really love art? Do you want to decorate your home with unique pieces? Or do you want to turn your art and memorabilia into an investment? Your reason for starting a collection will influence the kind of pieces you seek out for your collection.

If you're collecting out of a deep love for your art or souvenirs, your collection might be full of mismatched pieces from various artists you admire and memorable events in your life. If you're collecting with home décor in mind, you may want to consider how to complement your home’s aesthetic best. This can change depending on where you plan to display your collection in your home. When considering original artwork as an investment, you want to be sure there’s a market for it while maintaining your enjoyment of the pieces in your collection. This can be tricky, but we can help with your consideration.

What's Your Style?

What kind of art do you like? Are you a fan of Cubism and other modernist work? Or perhaps you fancy Romantic art. What's your favorite medium? Do you prefer paintings, photographs, or sculptures? Do you lean toward a more traditional or modern style, or do you fall somewhere in between?

If you're unsure what kind of art you like, visit a museum or gallery and look at what’s on display. Alternatively, you can visit our website under the ‘Art Resource’ section or come by our store location and browse our on-site Resource center. You’ll also find many examples on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) pages.

Where To Start Looking

But where do you find and purchase art for your collection? The real answer is anywhere you look. This is the final topic we’ll cover in this simple guide to building an art collection. Anything can become a crucial part of your art collection, from old high school football jerseys and family photos all the way to an authenticated Pablo Picasso.

Once you know your budget and the kind of art you're looking for, you can start shopping. Art fairs and galleries are great places to find pieces. You can also find authentic works online. Additionally, keep the following quick tips in mind when you’re shopping:

• Go for quality over quantity.
• Look for pieces with Certificates of Authenticity.
• Only buy art you like.

If you're a lover of local Houston history, you'll want to visit Complete Pictures’ vintage photos from Houston's past. Contact us today to learn more about our prints and art resources! We also offer custom framing services in Houston so that you can get your new piece framed.