Buying original art for the first time can feel a little daunting.
How do you know what to choose? Should you buy an original or a limited edition? Does the artist matter? How much should you spend? And perhaps most importantly, how do you know you'll still love it years from now?
At Bloom Fine Art in Towcester, Northamptonshire, we help people answer those questions every day.
Some of our customers are experienced collectors. Others walk through our doors having never bought a piece of art before. In our experience, you don't need to be an art expert to buy great art — you simply need to find something that connects with you.
Here's our guide to choosing artwork for your home and understanding what you're actually buying.
Start with artwork you genuinely love
This sounds obvious, but it's probably the most important advice we can give.
Art is going to live in your home every day.
Rather than starting with what you think you should buy, start with what catches your eye.
It might be the colours. It might remind you of somewhere, someone or a particular moment in your life. Sometimes you won't even be able to explain why you like something.
That's absolutely fine.
We've seen customers walk around the gallery several times before repeatedly returning to the same piece.
Usually, that's the one.
Original art or limited edition — what's the difference?
This is one of the questions we're asked most frequently.
Original artwork
An original is a unique piece created by the artist.
There is only one.
Depending on the artist, this might involve paint, mixed media, resin, gold leaf or numerous other materials and techniques.
For collectors who want something completely unique, owning an original can be incredibly special.
Limited edition artwork
A limited edition allows an artist to release a restricted number of editions of an artwork.
These are typically individually numbered and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
Some artists also hand-finish or embellish their editions, meaning individual pieces can have their own unique characteristics.
Limited editions can therefore be a fantastic way of owning work by an established or sought-after artist at a more accessible price than an original.
At Bloom Fine Art we offer both original artwork and limited editions, giving customers the opportunity to choose whichever suits them and their budget.
How much should you spend on art?
There isn't a correct answer.
Our advice is to decide what you're comfortable spending before worrying about what somebody else thinks artwork should cost.
A beautiful piece doesn't necessarily have to be the most expensive artwork in the gallery.
Likewise, somebody building a collection may decide to purchase an important original from an artist whose work they've followed for years.
The important thing is that the purchase feels right for you.
Our gallery carries artwork across a wide range of prices, from accessible limited editions through to significant original works.
Think about where the artwork will live
Before choosing a piece, think about the room.
Consider:
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the available wall space
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the colours already within the room
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natural and artificial lighting
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furniture and interior style
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whether you want the artwork to complement the room or become its focal point
One mistake people sometimes make is choosing artwork that's too small for the wall.
A larger statement piece can completely transform a room.
If you're unsure, take a photograph of the wall and measurements with you when visiting the gallery. It makes advising you considerably easier.
Don't be frightened of colour
People often arrive looking for artwork that perfectly matches their sofa, curtains or paintwork.
Sometimes that works beautifully.
But art doesn't necessarily need to match your room.
A striking piece can introduce an entirely new colour into an otherwise neutral interior and become the feature that brings the whole space together.
Your artwork should have personality.
Discover different styles of contemporary art
One of the pleasures of visiting an independent art gallery is discovering artists you may never have encountered online.
At Bloom Fine Art we work with a wide variety of contemporary artists covering styles including:
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contemporary fine art
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pop art
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street art
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figurative art
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landscape art
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wildlife art
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abstract art
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portraiture
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motorsport and sporting art
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mixed media artwork
We represent work from established names alongside artists that collectors may only just be discovering.
Artists available through Bloom include Paul Oz, Kealey Farmer, The Connor Brothers, Doug Hyde, Richard Blunt, Ghost, JJ Adams, Fabian Perez, Danielle O'Connor Akiyama, Jack Frame, Yuvi, Tom Butler, Sherree Valentine-Daines, Ben Jeffery and many others.
The advantage of seeing different artists together is that you quickly begin to understand which styles you're naturally drawn towards.
Should you buy art as an investment?
This is where we'd offer a word of caution.
Some artists' work does increase in value and certain pieces become highly sought after, but nobody can guarantee what a piece of artwork will be worth in the future.
We believe the best starting point is much simpler:
Buy something you'd be happy to own even if you never sold it.
If its value subsequently increases, that's a bonus.
Enjoying the artwork should come first.
Why seeing art in person still matters
Buying art online is incredibly convenient, but photographs don't always communicate everything about a piece.
Texture, scale, framing, metallic finishes, layers of paint and changes under different lighting can look completely different when seen in person.
That's why we'd always encourage people to visit a gallery where possible.
It also gives you the opportunity to put several pieces alongside one another and talk through the differences without any pressure to buy.
Visit Bloom Fine Art in Northamptonshire
Bloom Fine Art is an independent contemporary art gallery based at Bell Plantation, Watling Street, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 6GX, close to Silverstone and within easy reach of Milton Keynes, Northampton, Brackley and the surrounding areas.
Whether you're an experienced collector or looking for your very first piece of original artwork, you're welcome to come in, browse and talk to us.
We believe buying art should be enjoyable — not intimidating.
Our team can help you explore different artists, understand originals and limited editions and find artwork that works within your home and budget.
And if the perfect piece isn't hanging in the gallery when you visit, we can often help source something suitable from the artists and publishers we work with.
Find artwork that's right for you
Ultimately, there are no rules about what art you're supposed to like.
Your home should contain things that mean something to you.
So whether it's a dramatic original painting, a colourful contemporary piece, a limited edition from an artist you've followed for years or something completely unexpected that simply stops you in your tracks — that's where we'd start.
Explore original artwork and limited editions online at Bloom Fine Art, or visit our Towcester gallery and let us help you find the right piece.
