The art of buying art
By Michelle Warren • Bankrate.com

Mabel Harris is on the lookout for her first piece of original art. Until now, framed photos of her children and pieces she's picked up at HomeSense have adorned the walls of her Caledon, Ontario, home. But when her mother died earlier this year and left her a small inheritance, she decided to spend it on something meaningful, rather than squandering it away or investing in her RRSPs.

"I want something to remember her by. I thought a painting might be nice, because when I look at it, I'll think of her," says Harris, who's considered countless pieces, but can't quite take the plunge. "It's a big move," she says of committing to a piece that will, in essence, be with her for the rest of her life. "I'm hoping I'll know it when I see it."

Harris's strategy is wise because investing in one's first piece of original art can be daunting. There's an idea that looking at, never mind buying, art requires a certain level of knowledge. If you don't have the right kind of background, buying art can be intimidating: What do you look for? Who do you buy? How much should you pay? Read on to find out.

First-time jitters
Dale Smith of Dale Smith Gallery, in Ottawa, works with many first-time buyers because she features a lot of emerging artists whose work tends to be more affordable. "Take your time and never feel pressured. Go to a lot of galleries and look at a lot of art -- you want to get a feel for what you like," she says.

She recalls a couple who were drawn to a piece in her gallery but were hesitant to purchase it. They made several visits, once spending an hour staring at the work while Smith turned different lights on and off so they could get a greater sense of the piece. When the women returned the next day to buy it, they admitted they were so nervous they were shaking but later contacted Smith to tell her how excited they were to get up in the morning to see how the light played with their new painting.

There's no doubt art provokes a higher level of commitment than most purchases, because it makes a statement about who we are. "There's the idea that if you put something on your wall it reveals something about you," says Smith, adding people are often nervous that others will question their taste.

The cost factor
For first-time buyers, there's also the common misconception that original art is prohibitively expensive. Of course, it can be, but with your first piece, you're likely not looking at a Group of Seven painting. You can buy art for hundreds of dollars or spend thousands or tens of thousands and then some.

Elizabeth Russ, an artist and owner of Gallery 888, on Queen Street East, in Toronto, is all about making the gallery experience affordable and approachable. "Buy original art at poster prices" is the message she often posts on a chalkboard sign in front of her space.

"I'm not a typical commercial gallery," says Russ, who doesn't charge a commission when showing others' work but rather rents the space to artists who don't have traditional gallery representation. "People know they can come in here and get a good deal on their art. I like being affordable."