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22 BCA A .COM WINTER 2016 Tracey Ayton Photography, Laver Creative Buy for love Jennifer Johnson is a Vancouver-based art dealer, art consultant and career coach for artists, as well as a passionate supporter of the arts. She connects collectors with artists, starting with a simple assessment to note a collector's areas of interest, aesthetic taste and budget requirements. With these parameters in place, Johnson's go-to advice is precise: "Buy what you love," Johnson says. "You are the one who will be living with and looking at the art every day, so ask yourself how you want to feel when you look at the art. Some people want to feel uplifted. For others, for instance, it's to be reminded of a wonderful moment in time." Get in the know Learn about art by becoming a member of local galleries, such as the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, or joining societies such as the Vancouver Art Gallery Associates or the Contemporary Art Society of Vancouver. Subscribe to art magazines and pick up free catalogues and gallery directories. Attend gallery openings and shows, as well as local studio tours and art school grad shows. You can also work with a consultant such as Johnson, or an interior designer or architect. "All of these avenues provide a new collector with access to a whole world of art, and multiple ways to learn about and buy art," says Johnson. "This can be overwhelming, so have patience, be curious and ask a lot of questions." Go big. (above) A large work with pride of place in a room – and no competing clutter – looks stunning. Create a gallery wall. (right) Use a grid pattern or try hanging "salon style," working out from the middle and combining works of different sizes and media.

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