Most collectors remember the moment it started. You saw something, and you could not stop thinking about it. You kept imagining where it would hang. That is where a collection begins. Not in a gallery, not with expertise, and not with a large budget.
If you have been curious about buying original art but are not sure where to start, this is for you.
Do I need to know a lot about art before I buy?
No. The most important thing you bring is attention. If a work holds your attention and you keep coming back to it, that is enough to begin.
The more art you see over time, the more confident you become. Visit galleries, attend open studios, browse online. You are not studying for a test. You are simply discovering what resonates with you.
What is the difference between an original and a print?
This is one of the most useful things to understand before you buy.
An original is a one-of-a-kind work made entirely by the artist's hand. It exists once.
A traditional print (lithograph, etching, screen-print, monotype) is made by the artist's hand through a physical process: ink on a plate or stone, transferred to paper. It exists in a limited edition, numbered and signed, and is an original artwork in its own right, even though multiples exist.
A photograph is also an original artwork created directly by the artist. It can be an edition in the same way as a traditional print. The camera is the artist's tool, just as a printing press is the printmaker's tool.
A reproduction is a photographic copy of an artwork that already exists: a painting, a drawing, a print. It is printed on demand, usually in unlimited quantities, and carries no edition number or original status. It is a product, not an artwork.
The key distinction is really about origin: is this thing the artwork itself, or is it a copy of the artwork? A photograph and a traditional print are both the real thing. A reproduction is always once removed from it.
In my own work, I make monotypes — a process that sits firmly in the original category. Even when I work from the same plate twice, the result is never the same. Each piece is unrepeatable by nature.
How are prices decided?
Artists price their work based on size, materials, time, and their exhibition history. As a career develops, prices rise and are expected to hold. Smaller works and works on paper tend to be the most accessible entry point for new collectors.
One thing worth knowing: when you buy directly from an artist's store, more of your money reaches the artist. Gallery commission is typically 50%, so a R10,000 gallery price may leave the artist with far less after costs. Buying directly changes that.
In my store, smaller works on paper are the most accessible starting point. Larger and more complex works reflect the scale, the materials used, and the depth of the process.
How do I know the work is good quality?
For works on paper, the most important thing to check is whether the paper is archival. Acid-free paper will not yellow or deteriorate over time the way cheaper paper does. It is worth asking about this before you buy.
Framing also matters. Art Glass provides UV protection and reduces glare, and archival backing protects the work from behind. A well-framed work on paper is protected from the moment it arrives.
In my studio, all works on paper are made on acid-free paper, and they leave the studio already framed with Art Glass (unless indicated otherwise) and archival backing. There is nothing more you need to do.
For canvas works, quality shows in the construction and finishing. A well-made canvas work should be properly varnished and have finished edges so it can hang without additional framing.
My thread works are sewn entirely by hand on stretched canvas, with each stitch responding to what came before. Canvas works are finished with professional-grade varnish before they leave the studio.
What documentation should I receive?
At minimum, you should always receive:
- A receipt or proof of purchase
- A certificate of authenticity (title, medium, dimensions, date, and confirmation it is an original)
- Care instructions for the specific medium
All works from my store come with a signed certificate of authenticity. Keep it somewhere safe. If you ever insure, lend, or sell the work, this document matters.
How do I care for the work?
The two biggest risks to any artwork are direct sunlight and moisture.
Works on paper are already framed with Art Glass when they leave the studio, so UV protection is built in. Simply avoid hanging them in rooms with high humidity, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
Canvas and thread works should be kept away from direct heat sources and out of direct sunlight. A well-varnished canvas surface can be gently wiped with a barely damp cloth if dust builds up. Never use cleaning products directly on the surface.
Do I need to frame it myself?
Works on paper from my store come ready to hang, already framed with Art Glass and archival backing, as indicated in each listing. There is nothing more you need to do.
Canvas and thread works are designed to hang as they are, with finished edges. If you prefer a framed look for a canvas work, a simple floater frame works well, but it is completely optional.
Should I buy work by an emerging artist, or wait for someone more established?
The collectors who bought early got the best prices and the most meaningful pieces. Buying work while an artist's career is developing means you are part of the story. Many significant collections were built this way — piece by piece, by people who trusted their eye before the market caught up.
If you are looking at work in my gallery: I have an active practice with a consistent body of work across several series. My prices reflect where my career is right now. They will increase over time, as they are expected to. The works here are priced as they are today, not as they will be later.
Can I ask questions before I buy?
Always. I would rather you ask everything and buy with confidence than feel uncertain after the fact.
You can reach me through the contact page on this site. I am happy to tell you more about a specific work, its process, or how it might look in your space.
Buying art is not just a transaction. It is the beginning of a relationship between you, the work, and the person who made it.