A&L:  What made you want to start collecting art?

AR: I love this question because I really had to think back to how and when I started collecting original art.  I think it all goes back to when I purchased my Airbnb in downtown Greenville.  I wanted it to feel very authentically “Greenville” and also have a theme I could market. So I decided I would use the walls of the rental as a way to celebrate local artists!  

At the time I only knew of a couple artists in town and I had a tight budget so I started with them.  I bought prints from Meredith and Douglas Piper and Riki Swalm even donated her art to the home in exchange for the exposure she would get from guests and tourists.  These artists who were with me from Day One hold a special place in my heart! I spent most of my money contracting Lacey Hennessy to do a full wall mural inside the home and before I knew it, I was starting to make connections with some of the local artists in town.  Instagram is a powerful tool for connection.  

A&L: Do you have any guiding principles or tips for pulling a room together with art?

AR: I believe art has the power to enhance a space and make you feel something! Here are a few principles I live by when deciding how to pull a room together with art and whether a piece I love is worth the purchase. 

1. Do you LOVE it? Does it provoke a happy feeling in you?  If not, move on!  If so, think about where it’s going to go before you buy it. Sometimes you love a piece but realistically there's not a place for it in your home.  Acknowledge that it's beautiful and then keep looking.

2. Color and Mood: I like to think about the aesthetic of my home or a room and think about the anchoring colors in those spaces.  Is it mostly green, blue, neutrals? Your art doesn’t have to match but it should complement the color and mood of the room. I had a vibrant abstract piece of art in a moody room thinking the contrast would feel cool, but it just never felt right.  I eventually replaced it with a darker moody painting and the whole room fell into place!

3. Size: Think about your wall space and whether the room can handle a large piece or may need a collection of medium/small pieces.  Small pieces are great for shelf styling.  I think most rooms can handle a large scale piece, so don’t be afraid to go big! If you’re unsure, most galleries will allow you to borrow a piece to take home and test in its location.  Or call me and I can help you find the perfect piece for your space!

A&L: In terms of budget, how do you determine where your big, or more expensive, impact pieces should go?  Where can you save money while still including original art in a space?

AR: In terms of spending money on an “investment piece” I like to consider two things.  Location and Meaning.  I’m going to put more money towards pieces that will be showcased in a prominent location in my home, somewhere I spend a lot of time.  I mean, if you’re going to spend a lot of money you might as well enjoy it to the fullest!! I use this same philosophy with clothes.  I will wear a designer dress to the grocery store because why not! Let’s enjoy the beautiful, special things in our life.  With that in mind, I have our most expensive statement art pieces in the foyer, the living room and the office.  Those are the rooms that host the most traffic and also can be seen from the street (hello curb appeal!). To my other point, I may also spend extra money on a piece that feels sentimental or meaningful to me.  A sculpture that reminds me of my daughters or a painting of a special place. 

If you are looking to add original art and you're working within a tight budget, one way to save money is to purchase prints or smaller scale pieces for shelf styling or a gallery wall.  Prints are a great starting point! Most artists will even number their prints and I think this makes them feel special and personal.  

A&L:  For those of us who love the idea of collecting art but lack the confidence to choose the right work for our homes, can you give us some baby steps to get started?  

AR: Start small and take your time!  This isn't a race and making a house a home takes time.  Follow artists on instagram, visit galleries, and take your time getting to know what you love.  Galleries often have open houses or events that function as drop-in social gatherings and I think this is a great, low-pressure way to check them out.  Treat it like a date night and just go walk through.  I promise you belong there!  Everyone does!

As far as starting small, I literally mean start with small-scale art.  Most artists will have a collection of pieces that are 12x12 or smaller.  I think this is such a fun way to begin collecting!  You can grab several at this size without breaking the bank.  One of my first art purchases was three tiny landscapes by David Brazier.  I was too scared to commit to a larger piece and I ended up stacking them in a line on a skinny wall in my home.  It was inexpensive but it packs a punch in my entryway!  It also prompted me to purchase a bigger piece from him years later because those three paintings brought me so much joy. 

A&L:  As your life and home evolves how can your art collection evolve with you? 

AR: Art collecting can become addicting and life happens and our space changes! I find myself moving art around in my home from room to room when I have found a new piece I want to collect.  My daughters’ rooms have also sort of become an eclectic gallery because I will often move art into their rooms when I’m ready to replace it in the main areas of the house! I’ve also been known to take a smaller piece off the wall and use it on a shelf instead.  And don’t forget less obvious places like your closet and kitchen!  As your collection and life evolves you can begin to fill your home with more art or switch out existing pieces. Now, if your art collection starts collecting dust in the attic, maybe that’s a sign to gift it to a friend or family member. Share the love!