The phrase “Art Collector” may bring to mind images of tuxedo wearing men and fur clad women with vast inherited fortunes and a lot of time on their hands. Though it’s true that historically many art collectors have also been wealthy people, you need not be an Astor or a trust fund baby in order to collect art.

However, even without the inhibitions of feeling not wealthy or pretentious enough to begin collecting, taking your first step can feel pretty overwhelming. Where do you even begin?

It All Starts With You

The short answer is to begin with yourself. The single most important thing to consider when beginning your art collection is what kind of art speaks to you? That’s all you need to know. Any other consideration plays second fiddle to that light inside of you that is pulled towards a particular aesthetic. You can collect art in any medium you like in any style that you like. There are no rules to follow here and no wrong way to do it.

Become Informed

Your own intuition about which art is right for you is the first tool you need, but you will benefit tremendously from talking to professionals and other collectors. Art dealers, gallery owners, curators, and fellow collectors can all be of help to you in your quest for art. Keep your eyes and ears open, listen for what artists are being discussed and jump on the opportunity to invest in them.