Six Tips on Giving Fine Art to the One You Love 1. Shop with your partner and pay attention to his or her preferences. It’s a common mistake to misread the statement “Wow! Would you look at that?” as “I really like that.” Spend time with your partner looking in galleries, magazines, and other places that offer the opportunity to learn more about your partner’s tastes. Pay attention to what your partner is saying when a comment is made on a piece of art. Also, asking a question about why they dislike a certain piece often gives far more insight than knowing what they like about a piece. 2. Look for a piece that says something personal about you and your relationship. Stay away from things that say something about your loved one as an individual. Does this piece disclose something about the two of you, thus giving insight and bringing you closer together or does it say something about them and run the risk of being off-the-mark? Note to recipient: Anyone getting fine art as a gift should not presume anything. Keep an open mind and simply ask why this piece was chosen, if an explanation isn’t offered. At the time the gift is presented, the artist’s intention is likely not as relevant as the gift giver’s intention. 3. Know your facts. Your loved one will likely have questions like “Why did you pick this one?” and “Who is the artist?” These questions are the stuff that makes relationships richer and if you have thoughtful answers, you’ve given your partner yet another gift. It’s never comfortable to be left with your face hanging out when you don’t have an answer. Know who the artist is, any history of the piece, artist or dealer statements about the piece, what medium it is (oil on canvas, acrylic, graphite etc.), when it was completed, the name of the piece, and what about this particular piece motivated your choice. Even if the questions are never asked, aren’t these nice insights to have anyway for dinner parties? 4. Buy from a reputable dealer and have a back-up plan. As with all gift giving, there is the risk of someone truly appreciating your gift but it not “fitting”. Sometimes a sweater is just too small or a work of art just doesn’t look right in a space once it’s hung. If you’ve done well, you can return to the gallery with your special person to choose another piece from the same series or choose something better suited that offers the same inspiration. Unless you know and trust the artist or they come highly recommended by trusted sources, you should buy art from a dealer or gallery with a good reputation. Leave the high risk purchases to stock brokers. They’re better at it. 5. Stay on a higher plane. Price isn’t the point. Art is a luxury purchase. That means you’re free of the typical weighty question, “But if they wanted it, wouldn’t they have just bought it themselves?” Regrettably, art is often the first thing to be cut from the budget. With that frustrating question out of the way, you can function now on a higher plane. It’s about bigger things. How much you spend says far less than how well you chose a piece. Often, more insight can be given with a refrigerator magnet than with a wall sized oil painting of the Battle of Gettysburg, no matter how well the artist used the light or how precise the brush work. If it’s your intent to bring closeness and insight, ask yourself “If they could pick any piece, which one would it be and why?” That will undoubtedly set you off in the right direction. That being said, don’t buy them a refrigerator magnet. 6. Keep an open mind. You may not be able to anticipate how your partner will react to your gift. Don’t lock yourself into an expectation that may leave you disappointed. With these tips, the goal is to promote closeness through art. If your special someone decides to hang your gift in a dark hallway then so-be-it. Don’t question them, make excessive suggestions, or show disappointment. You want your special someone to enjoy your thoughtfulness as well as the art object itself. Your partner may not see things the way you do. That doesn’t take away any of the importance of your gift. If they choose to keep it in the bedroom propped against a wall, or hang it upside down because they like the way the paint “drips up,” ask yourself why. It’s probably how they truly enjoy their new luxury. Isn’t that what you really want for them? Let go and let them enjoy stress free. It will come back to you ten-fold. --Kevin Lucas Kevin Lucas is the owner of the Lucas Gallery, which specializes in fine art. The gallery’s newest show opening February 3 is called “Eastlake Romantique” and focuses on sensuality though the oil paintings of romantic locations and the tactile allure of abstract modern sculpture. Visit the Lucas Gallery online at www.lucasgalleryonline.com for more information. -end-
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