The Conversation That Sparked It All
When I asked my friend,
"Why don't you try collecting art pieces?",
this is how he responded:
“Do I need to be good at drawing to be an art collector?
I don't think I'm qualified, as I'm not good at drawing.”
Then he began sketching something in his notebook and showed me the result.
"Do you see how poor my skills are?
How could I even think of getting near a work of art?"
This is the sketch he drew
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Photo by Christine Bae
His name is Raphael, and he is from France. We’re in the same English study group that meets every weekend.
The Common Misconception
What surprised me was that many ordinary people seem to think the same way.
They believe:
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“To be a collector, you must be good at drawing.”
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“You should have graduated from an art college.”
But perhaps what Raphael meant was something deeper:
“I don't have much of an eye for art, so I shouldn't be an art collector.”
To that, I answered:
“Just because you don’t have artistic skills doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be an art collector.
What matters is the fulfillment that comes from loving art and the joy of owning it.”
Why This Question Matters
The topic of our group discussion that day was about what we were good at and what we weren't.
Raphael, being an engineering student studying AI, thought artistic or emotional things were far from his world.
He wasn’t alone — many people think that collecting art is reserved for the elite, the educated, or the gifted.
But the truth is, I used to think the same way.
My First Artwork
To me, paintings were things to see at galleries or museums — not things to buy.
That is, until I bought my first piece of art.
There was a painting I saw in a gallery that seemed to speak to me.
Even after a month, two months, and then a year, I couldn’t forget it.
I finally tracked down the artist, and luckily, it hadn’t been sold yet.
So I brought it home. The framed painting in the center is the artwork.
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Photo by Christine Bae My art studio
Art That Speaks to You
I later realized I wasn’t the only one who felt this way.
There’s even a story about a collector who bought a painting that later turned out to be a masterpiece worth a fortune — but I’ll save that for another post.
That experience changed me.
Since then, I’ve become more interested in collecting art.
Sure, I’d love it if a piece became more valuable someday, but that’s never the goal.
Why I Buy Art
Right now, the paintings I collect are not for investment.
I only collect works by one artist — an unknown 60-year-old woman who may never become famous, but whose works I truly love.
Some may ask:
“Isn't it a waste to spend money on something just because you like it?”
Maybe. But I have my reasons:
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My purchase helps the artist pay her studio rent for a year.
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It validates that someone — even just one person — recognizes the value of her work.
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It helps preserve something that is disappearing.
Art in a Commercialized World
These days, the art world is dominated by cartoon-like imagery — think Yoshitomo Nara, Takashi Murakami, and Yayoi Kusama.
Image credit: © Yoshitomo Nara / Courtesy of MyArtBroker.com
“Knife Behind Back” (2000)
But in these animated surfaces, I can't find the warmth of human touch — no brushstrokes, no fingerprints.
That’s why this artist's work struck me.
Her paintings reflected the kind of emotions I wish I could express.
A Collector vs. A Dealector
So, when people ask,
“Do I have to be good at drawing to become a collector?”
this is my answer:
Being a collector means investing in values you want to protect.
“Drawing” may be a skill, but the true value of art is spiritual.
Too often, people associate collectors with dealectors —
those who buy and sell art purely for profit.
But a painting is a visual expression of thoughts and philosophy.
When I resonate with a piece of art, I’m resonating with the artist’s soul.
Meeting the Artist
I eventually met the artist I collect, and just as I’d guessed —
she loves poetry.
She believes that painting should begin with poetry.
Meeting her filled a void inside me —
a feeling I thought no one else could understand.
What It Means to Be a Collector
Being a collector means surrounding yourself with friends —
not just people, but artworks that speak without words.
Owning a piece of art means owning a part of someone’s spirit.
The more you collect, the more you affirm your identity.
When I tell friends I collect art, their first reaction is:
“You must have a lot of money.”
But no, I’m just middle class — maybe even near the bottom.
The Myth of Money
Many people believe:
“I’m not rich, so I can’t be an art collector.”
But you don’t need to be wealthy.
My favorite artist’s work is cheaper than a Chanel bag.
Art isn’t only for millionaires — it’s for those who care.
The Postal Worker Collectors
There’s a famous story of an art-collecting couple —
postal workers in New York who spent their weekends traveling to other states to buy art.
Despite their modest income, they saved diligently.
Eventually, their small Manhattan studio couldn’t contain their growing collection.
Click here to read the story of Herbert and Dorothy Vogel
Legacy Over Profit
Did they make a fortune from it?
No.
Instead, they donated their collection — all of it — to the National Gallery of Art.
That is the mark of true collectors.
Ask Yourself First
If you want to be a collector, start with this question:
Do you want to be a collector? Or a dealer?
If your answer is “collector,” here’s what you’ll need:
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Pure passion
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An eye for recognizing value
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The courage to act
If you’ve read this far, I believe you’ve already started your own art journey.
What was your first collected piece?
Why did you buy it?
Share your story in the comments below!
Small Gift
If you leave a comment and send me your address by email,
I'll send a free postcard I designed —
limited to the 5 people only.
-> Click the link to see the postcard.
Author: Christine Bae
Who is Christine Bae?
I’ve been working as a full-time artist for seven years now.
As a professional painter with a passion for collecting great artwork, I’m excited to connect with people who share that same appreciation.
I don’t sell originals online, but I do offer art prints as a way to share my work more widely.
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[See My Art Prints]
[Browse Original Works]
[Read the Artist’s Story]
[Support the Artist]
Connect with My Art
Follow me on Instagram: @christine_baeks
Watch more on YouTube: Solo Exhibition Video
Originally published at Christinebae.com
This article was written by Christine Bae.
Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. All copyrights belong to Christine Bae.
Copyright © Christine Bae.
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