Lisa Call

What is Art?

Many years ago my perception of art was Art. Big expensive stuff. Things that only rich people could buy. It was a very restrictive view point on what art can be and is. As a result I never considered myself the type of person that would ever buy Art. Instead I bought posters/prints of artwork I liked and paid ridiculous sums to frame the prints and then ta-da – I had Art, or at least a copy of it.

Some where along the way my opinion changed. Art is way more than the stuff we see in museums. The idea that I, myself, could buy art – original amazing art – was a revelation to me. I feel silly that it took me so long to get this (especially since I’m an artist) but doesn’t matter. I got it.

Now I buy art. I am an art collector. My collection is small and so far I’ve only purchased fairly inexpensive pieces but I love each one dearly and they make me smile.

Budgeting to Buy Art

A few years ago to aid in my art buying I carved out a small but important chunk of my monthly budget for art. Every month my bank automatically moves $50 from my checking account into a special savings account that I’ve titled Art.** If I see some art I want to buy I know I have money for it and I just buy it. It’s not a challenge to fit it into my budget as it’s already in my budget.

I’m saving up now for a larger piece so I haven’t bought much in a while but it’s so cool to think that in just 2 years I’ll have enough money to buy a piece of $1200 art. Effortlessly. The money will just be there. I never think about that money except in terms of buying art. It’s labeled art, it’s for art and I would never use it to buy shoes (okay I never buy shoes anyway – but you get the idea).

As my income goes up my art budget also goes up. Next thing ya know I’ll have one of those really cool houses full of amazing art that I just love. I used to be jealous of people that had this but no more – because I am building the same thing myself.

 
Do you buy art? Are you an artist? How do you budget for your art purchases?

 
 
** This is how I budget most of the big ticket items in my life. I use a credit union and have a bunch of share/savings accounts designated for special things, such as christmas and vacations. I love this hands off way of paying for things that might seem like a shock to the budget but in reality we know they are coming.