Aurora

Art Advisor

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Starting out on the art discovery journey can be both exciting and a bit intimidating, especially if you're new to the art scene! With decades of combined experience assisting art buyers worldwide, our team has helped thousands of collectors like you buy cool art for their walls.

At Cohart, we have a diverse community of over one thousand verified artists ready to sell beautiful, original art. During our first two years of beta, we've already facilitated over $2M in art sales within our community. Over 80% of our customers are millennials taking their first steps into the world of art collecting, who never had a positive experience finding art before Cohart.

After working with buyers like you around the world, we understand that learning how to start collecting can feel overwhelming, but fear not  – we're here to help! We ensure your art-buying experience is enjoyable and accessible, regardless of your expertise level. So, let's embark on this adventure together, one step at a time.

We like to think of the art collecting journey in phases.

### Phase One: How do I find the right art piece for me?

Understanding your goal is key to starting off on the right foot. Identifying what motivates your interest will shape your vision of success and streamline your next steps. Here are some common jumping off points we see:

Are you aiming to create a certain vibe in your home with your art collection? Do you want your pieces to reflect your personal style and values, perhaps with a story to share with friends, but just don't kow how to find art this way? Many of our collectors share these aspirations, and our search enables you to filter specifically by vibes and values for this purpose.

Alternatively, have you ever stumbled upon a piece of artwork and felt an immediate connection, as if it was speaking directly to you? At Cohart, many collectors gravitate towards artists whose vision, process, and story aligns with their own perspective on the world. You might value diversity and connection over mainstream art choices, something that will help express your unique individual style. At Cohart, we showcase engaging fun facts and videos from artists to make the discovery experience more interactive and enriching.

As you outline your objectives, try completing this madlib: "I am seeking (insert your objective) and my budget is (insert your budget)."

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If you’re not sure how much to spend, check out **How To Think About Pricing** (coming soon).

### Phase 2: How do I identify my art style?

Let's dive into the exciting part - discovering what resonates with you! Art is all around us, whether it's hanging on the walls of your favorite café, displayed in a friend's home, or even adorning spaces like the office or airport. With art being so ubiquitous, you can start to notice and appreciate different styles wherever you go.

When considering where to begin, the idea of visiting a gallery or museum might come to mind.

But have you ever walked into a gallery and felt like it wasn't your scene? You're not alone. Many of us at Cohart have experience working in high-end galleries. We understand that vibe... and we're changing it up. There's no need to feel overwhelmed by an atmosphere that feels stuffy or exclusive. We're here to offer a fresh approach that centers around your preferences and offers art collecting tips to guide you through the process on your own terms, every step of the way.

Here's our recommended approach to start defining your art aesthetic:

**See what’s out there:** [Scroll through Cohart](https://www.cohart.com/discover/for-you) (**it’s better on mobile – [iOS](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cohart-discover-art-together/id1554034352) / [Android](https://play.google.com/store/search?q=cohart&c=apps&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1)**). Save what you love. As you create your moodboards, we will provide tailored recommendations and new ideas to your inbox.

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**Consider different mediums in your search:** Perhaps a photograph could feel a little flat in the room you’re looking for, whereas a wall sculpture or textured painting could add depth and dimension. Stay open-minded!

**Find inspiration from experts:** We have combined decades of experience under our belts and would be happy to make some stylistic suggestions for your discovery journey (try our [Art Advisory form](https://form.typeform.com/to/s4WLjc6U?typeform-source=cohartadvisory.typeform.com)).

**You can always look to see what taste-makers online are curating:** We especially love interior designers like: [Cristina Cleveland](https://www.cristinacleveland.com/)’s viral interior design quiz will help you identify and understand your style and [Jordan Samson’s IG is full of inspo](https://www.instagram.com/jordansamsondesign/reels/).

### Phase 3: How do I know what art to buy?

Art is a personal experience. When you find yourself drawn to a piece, ask yourself how it makes you feel. The emotional connection you establish with an artwork is often a powerful indicator of its significance to you. 

Learning more about the artist’s perspective and creative process can deepen your connection with their work. On Cohart, watching videos of artists produce their work is often inspirational and evocative of whether you resonate with their style. When you look at the art piece in your space, you'll continue to be reminded of this artists' story.

Checkout American Stone by C.R. Kelly and watch the [behind-the-scenes video](https://www.cohart.com/u/crkelly/videos/2746) of the artwork!


When you love an artwork or artist’s practice, you’ll know. At this point, it’s a good idea to check back against your initial goals. Does this piece fill the need that you initially had? 

You might have picked something you absolutely love but doesn’t “work” in the space you had in mind (e.g., it’s too big, or the colors are wrong). And that’s ok! It happens more often than you may imagine (Love doesn’t always make logical sense 😉). If you can find another space for it, fantastic. If not, [reach out to the Cohart team](https://form.typeform.com/to/s4WLjc6U?typeform-source=cohartadvisory.typeform.com) — we can help find similar options that you’ll love equally, or we can work with the artist to commission something bespoke. 

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### Phase 4: When is the right time to buy art?

So, you've found something you absolutely love, and it fits perfectly into your space. But maybe the price tag feels a bit intimidating, especially if you're not used to buying original art. Don't worry, it's completely normal to wonder if you're spending the right amount of money (stay tuned for our next article, where we'll dive deeper into pricing).

Buying art is an investment – not just financially, but also emotionally. You'll be living with this piece, and you'll be its proud owner. If it gives you that fluttery feeling in your stomach, ticks all your boxes, and you just can't imagine not having it, then you've got to go for it before someone else snatches it up.

Rest assured, we've got your back to ensure you feel confident about your purchase. We verify all artists on Cohart, and also provide insights into price trends, customer reviews, and shipping details to help you make an informed decision.

Once you pull the trigger, sit back, crack open a nice bottle of vino, and give yourself a pat on the back. You made the leap of faith. You are *officially* an art collector! We will handle all the logistics to make sure it arrives safely to your home.

Still have questions about the artist or their work? Just hit us up using the chatbot icon on the right, and we'll be delighted to assist you!

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##### Do you have feedback? Share your thoughts with us on what additional questions you need answered!

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How do you start buying art? Our team of experienced advisors with decades of combined expertise is here to help!

Buying Art 101: How do I buy my first piece of art?

Buying Art 101: How do I buy my first piece of art?

Lauren started on her journey with Cohart with little experience with art but ended up commissioning a lasting work of art she can love forever.

Art Advisor

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