How do I start buying art when I don’t know much about it?

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Our advice is to get an idea of what you like by observing art. Art shows, galleries, and museums are all good places to start developing your own taste in art. Ask yourself questions like: Do you like abstract styles or do you need to recognize the subject matter? Do you like bold pieces? Should the art tell you a story? Are you attracted to warmer or cooler tones?

After that, you should be a bit more confident in knowing the feeling of loving a painting, or any type of art. If you buy what you like, you will be happy to look at it for a very long time. Don’t let someone else tell you that a piece does not fit your décor; your taste is the most important ingredient in the process of buying and living with art.

How does your art gallery get its art?

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Our Cincinnati area gallery gets its art from a variety of sources. We annually attend the New York Art Expo, as well as other similar events. This enables us to find new pieces, meet new artists, and add inventory to our store. Second, art dealers regularly approach us with pieces which they may have available. Also, we regularly reach out to other dealers who we believe may have a particular type of piece. We interact with art dealers from a variety of locations – including throughout the U.S. and in Europe. Moreover, artists bring new pieces to our shop roughly two to three times a year. This provides an amazing opportunity for our customers to interact with the artist before buying a piece, similar to a book signing. Finally, we attend Homearama each year. This gives us an opportunity to decorate individual homes and to get in touch with new artists through the process.

One important point is that our gallery strives to maintain a large and varied inventory. Moreover, if we do not have a piece which suits your needs then we are confident in our ability to obtain it.

How often does your gallery bring in new pieces?

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The gallery has no particular schedule, as we depend on the artist’s accomplishments. When our artists have new pieces, we replace the existing ones with the new ones. When there is a big show (like the NY Art Expo), we may come back with new creations. We do not plan our rotation, except for planned shows. So check back with us regularly, as we also need to rejuvenate ourselves with new art from time to time.

How do you know how to price art?

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There are a number of factors which must be considered in order to know how to price art. If the artwork is a piece from a new artist, then we must look at the artist’s experience, the number of shows they have attended, how long they have been painting, as well as the amount of artwork they have sold. Many artists, especially newer ones, wish to price their work “at the top.” At our gallery, we set realistic price points. In the end, properly pricing art requires a great deal of experience and industry knowledge. We feel we excel in these areas.

How to buy art online

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Those wondering how to buy art online simply need to visit our online store. We provide information on individual pieces and we can accept payment through our website. We will ship the piece, or pieces, to you via Fed Ex and will typically do so within one to two business days after your purchase. If you are considering purchasing a piece through our online store, and have questions, then simply contact us online or by telephone and we will be happy to assist you. Whether or not you are in the Cincinnati area, we are happy to hold a video call with you to show the piece so that you may have a better view and feel of it.

Is the art ready to display when I buy it?

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Many of the pieces in our gallery are still canvas rolled and are not even stretched. One of the ways in which our gallery stands out is that we can stretch the canvas and add the framing. Many other galleries are unwilling to assist with stretching the canvas. This means that, when you purchase a piece from our gallery, you are essentially being given a choice of receiving a piece that is unstretched or receiving a framed piece of art that is ready to display.

How do I pay for art with your gallery?

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Art can be purchased from our gallery by coming to our Cincinnati location, by visiting our online store, or by making a transaction over the phone. We accept payment via cash, check, or credit card. When purchasing art online, credit processing or ACH transactions (from one’s checking account) are available.

While not typical, in some situations we may agree to accept a three month installment plan. Under this arrangement, we keep the piece in our gallery until the price has been paid in full. Once the full price has been paid, the buyer may come pick it up or we will ship it to you.

Do you ever have sales?

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We do not discount the price of an original piece of work. We feel responsible for the livelihood of our artist, so they should be fairly compensated for their talent. If we did not believe they deserved decent compensation, we would have either not carried the artist or would have recommended a different price range.

We do, however, understand special circumstances and we take the time to review them, for example, when a client is buying multiple pieces, or if we have a solo piece as the last of a series that may be discounted for the purpose of moving forward with new work.

Should I buy art as an investment?

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Investing in art has become much more accessible to people in recent years due to the rise of various online venues. With that said, it is important to understand how investing in artwork is far different from investing in assets such as stocks or bonds. First, artwork is very “illiquid.” By this we mean that it can take time to find a buyer and that one may have to hold a piece for a long period of time in order to sell it. If you feel that you are in a position where you will need “quick cash” then art is likely not a good avenue. It is also important to remember that the market goes up and down. Selling a piece in bad economic times can mean getting less for the work than it would fetch during a booming economy.

If you are considering investing in the work of a lesser-known artist then it is also important to remember the market for their work will be more “thin.” By this we mean that there will be fewer people actively buying or selling the work of that artist. This can result in more extreme price fluctuations as well as having to hold the piece for a longer period of time.

What is worth more money, originals or prints?

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Most of the time, you would get much more from an original painting. When hand-produced, the colors are vivid and well balanced with a range of shades that only paint can create. Mass-produced art is digitally rendered in an attempt to copy the original, but can’t capture all the subtleties. You also get a lot of texture from the brushstrokes of an original painting, and the subject can be more unique because it only has to please one person, not everyone. Also, you get the satisfaction of supporting a local art store in your area and of course the artist themself, who can then create more!

There is also the investment side of buying original art. Most likely, an original would not only sustain its value but could gain some, too. A print can only go up so much, only if the edition is sold out.

What questions should I ask an art gallery about buying art?

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Many people who wish to begin purchasing art will, obviously, have questions. It is important that you make an informed decision before making a major purchase. We strive to provide a strong customer experience and to make sure that we are being as helpful as possible while assisting you in the process.

Some of the more important questions to ask a gallery can include:

1. Asking questions about the artist – There are obviously famous artists which most have heard of. However, the vast majority of pieces come from lesser known artists. By asking questions about the artist, you help ensure that you are paying a fair price. You also help ensure that you are getting what you want in terms of how the work may fit into a future collection.
2. Finding out more about a particular painting – When buying a piece, it is important to know how old it is, who painted it, whether it is part of a larger collection, etc. This information, again allows you to ensure that you are paying a fair price. It also helps in determining whether the piece may appreciate in value and, again, how it can fit into a larger collection.
3. Finding out whether the work is unique – This is very important to any purchase. Some pieces are “one of a kind,” while others may be a “limited edition” or an “open edition.” This is very important for determining a price, for determining insurance information, and for making sure that you can discuss the artwork intelligently with others.

“How do I display my art?” – This is a very common question which we receive in our gallery. This is an area which sets Gallery Veronique apart from other dealers. We offer consulting services in which we can visit one’s home, or perform a video conference to give input as to how best to display a piece. We offer insights on everything ranging from proper spacing to lighting to other pieces which compliment your new art. Also, while many galleries will not stretch new art, we are able to properly stretch and frame the piece for you.

I’m an artist. How do I work with your gallery?

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We review artist submissions on a rolling basis. Artists may send a submission by email to info@galleryveronique.com. Links to websites are also welcome. You may send a CD with a maximum of ten images by mail. Please be aware that we cannot always return materials. With all submissions please include a full CV/BIO, artist statement, review and other materials that support your work. No slides please.

Once we have reviewed your initial material, and feel you are a fit for the gallery, we will contact you for an appointment. Gallery Contracts are usually exclusive within 40 miles radius (Some exceptions may be granted.)

How do I sell my art?

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The answer is not so easy. First, our gallery does not buy or re-sell art from artists we do not represent.

These days, the best options for selling art are either to sell it independently through social media or an auction house. They will evaluate the art, sell it for you, and take a commission. This is usually a fast and effective way to sell, but you may not get top dollar for your art. If the artist is pretty well known, you can consign the work with another gallery. It may take longer but it should establish the value of the art piece.