Introduction

Investing in contemporary art has historically been seen as risky and inaccessible, reserved only for the wealthy. However, times are changing, and contemporary art is becoming an attractive investment for those looking to diversify their portfolios. In this post, I will discuss three reasons why investing in contemporary art is worthwhile and how you can get started as an art investor.

Support Living Artists

When you purchase a work of art from a living artist, you are directly supporting their ability to continue creating art. Unlike artists of the past, many contemporary artists are still alive and actively working today, so buying their art has an immediate impact. Your investment helps ensure that important artistic voices of our time are able to survive and thrive.

Art Appreciates in Value

While past performance is no guarantee of future returns, contemporary art has been one of the best-performing investment classes over the past few decades. According to the Citi Global Art Market chart, art values have increased by nearly 150% since the global financial crisis in 2008, compared to roughly 50-90% in more traditional asset classes like stocks, bonds, gold, or property. Carefully chosen pieces have the potential for strong financial returns over time.

Diversify Your Portfolio

Contemporary art provides an opportunity to diversify your investment portfolio away from more traditional asset classes. Art returns are not directly correlated with returns in the stock market or other financial vehicles, so adding art to your portfolio can help reduce risk through increased diversification. This allows you to protect yourself from market drops that might significantly impact your other investments.

Conclusion

While the art world seems obscure and inaccessible to outsiders, contemporary art is an attractive asset class for investors seeking to support living artists, achieve strong returns, and diversify their portfolios. With research and the help of art advisors, building a contemporary art collection as an investment is within reach for those with an adventurous spirit and a desire to reap the potential financial and cultural rewards. The time is right to start investing in contemporary art.

Introduction

As an abstract artist, I am often asked what inspires and motivates my creative work. There are three main sources of inspiration for my abstract paintings: color, texture, and emotion.

Vibrant Colors

I am drawn to vibrant, saturated colors that evoke energy and movement. Applying layers of bright, clashing colors allows me to create a sense of visual rhythm and flow in my paintings. The interaction of complementary colors like red and green or blue and orange is fascinating to me. I like to combine colors in unexpected ways to create visual tension and drama.

Textured Surfaces

I also find inspiration in heavily textured surfaces, like rough stone, weathered wood, and patterned fabrics. I try to recreate the visual and tactile quality of these textures in my abstract paintings using thick layers of paint, mixed media, and collage techniques. The buildup of materials creates a sculptural, three-dimensional quality that invites the viewer to touch and explore the surface.

Emotional Expressions

Finally, I aim to express emotions and themes in my abstract work, rather than depicting literal objects or scenes. I choose colors, forms, and textures that evoke moods such as joy, angst, serenity, or conflict. The composition and balance of elements in the painting aim to create a visceral emotional experience for the viewer. My hope is that my paintings resonate on an emotional level through the use of color and form.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the vibrant colors, textured surfaces, and emotional expressions in my abstract paintings are the personal sources of inspiration that motivate my artistic work. I aim to capture energy, movement, and mood through the interplay of these three elements in my compositions. My goal as an artist is to create visual and emotional experiences that inspire and resonate with the viewer.

Introduction

As a writer, creative blocks are inevitable obstacles I face from time to time. When inspiration seems out of reach and I struggle to generate new ideas, it can be frustrating and demoralizing. However, over the years I have developed a few techniques to overcome these creative blocks.

Take a Walk

Going for a walk is one of my favorite ways to stimulate my mind and gain a new perspective. Walking increases blood flow to the brain and can help dislodge any mental blocks. I find that a 30 minute walk, preferably in nature, leads to new ideas and insights. The key is to walk without any agenda and let your mind wander freely.

Do Some Freewriting

Freewriting is a form of stream of consciousness writing where you write whatever comes to mind without stopping. I will set a timer for 10-15 minutes and just write whatever thoughts flow onto the page. This helps generate new ideas and gets the creative flow going again. The key is to not censor yourself or stop writing. Just let your thoughts spill onto the page.

Take a Break

Sometimes the best thing you can do is take a break from the task at hand. Step away from your writing or work and take time to rest your mind. I find that taking a day or two off allows my mind to subconsciously work on the problem. When I return to my work, I feel rejuvenated and often have new perspectives or solutions. Taking a proper break is important for overcoming creative blocks and maintaining productivity.

Conclusion

While creative blocks can be discouraging, they are a natural part of any creative pursuit. The key is to not get dismayed and instead try different techniques to overcome the blockage. Going for a walk, freewriting, and taking a break are three methods I use to stimulate my mind and get the creative flow going again. With patience and persistence, you can overcome any creative block.