BCAA

Tracey Ayton Photography WINTER 2016 BCA A .COM 23 artful living HOME Set a budget You don't have to be wealthy to buy art. But like any investment, it helps to set a budget and then seek out work that fits within it. "Original art does not have to be expensive," says Johnson. "Look hard enough and you will find something you love, in your price range." Established BC painter Tom Carter, who works with Johnson, offers limited-edition prints as a budget-friendly option for some clients but says new collectors would be better off seeking out original works that fit within their budget, such as drawings and smaller-size paintings. Prints will hold their value but likely won't appreciate the way an original work would. "Originals have a soul and real value," he says. Shop local British Columbia is a hotbed of emerging and established artists of world-class calibre. As a collector you'll contribute to art culture directly by seeking out local sources. "There is a plethora of artistic talent in BC and they need our support," says Johnson. For instance? She points to acclaimed local artists such as Vancouver-based photographer and surrealist Dina Goldstein, painters Karen Yurkovich and Pilar Mehlis, gem carver and sculptor Robert Chaplin and painter and mixed-media artist Christian Nicolay. Don't hang too high. (left) Typically, you want art at eye level, 145–150 cm from the floor to the centre of the piece. But you can get creative with placement, too. For instance, try hanging pieces lower next to seating areas. Consider the light. (below) Look for bright, natural, light – but avoid hanging unprotected drawings or paintings in direct sunlight. If you add lighting, go for soft, indirect, light from colour-corrected bulbs.

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