As an amateur art collector who has been acquiring anything that strikes my fancy (and within my budget) for the last three years, I’ve recently come to the decision that I need to start focusing my collection on a few themes.  It’s like a right of passage for art collectors and it’s really tough!  For example, one theme is that I’ve been consistently drawn to is contemporary photography that makes it difficult for the viewer to determine whether or not the image is “real” or not.  Very vague, I know, but I’m working on it.

So in order to focus on some of these themes in development, I’ve been tip-toeing into the world of auction consignment– mostly inexpensive pieces that I just picked up on a whim because I was attracted to them at some point or another that I’ve since decided will probably not be a focus of my collection.  One example, Christian retablo art (see above).  I think they’re beautiful and great, but I don’t see them fitting into one of my themes right now.  And selling some artwork gives me funds to buy new, fitting pieces.

So, I’m shamelessly self-promoting the spring 2009 sale of Aspire Auctions, based in Cleveland, Ohio (near my hometown).  I’ve bought from and consigned to them before and have had good experiences.  And because the bidding is all online over about a week’s time, it’s fun to track all the pieces as they gradually increase in price from one day to the next.  So, even if you aren’t in the market for Christian retablos, check it out– this sale includes a wide variety of art and non-art pieces.  Click here for Aspire Auctions’ website.

Also, I’d be thrilled to hear from collectors about their transition from collecting everything in sight to a particular medium, genre, type, etc. of work.

For those art collectors (like myself) who can’t swing the six/seven/eight figure works that we dream of owning, I recommend you check out the fine arts catalogs posted today by Rago auction house for their mid-May sales.  Both the 19th/20th century sale of American and European work as well as the post-war and contemporary sale have some great, interesting work, including pieces by “name” artists, at low price points (relatively speaking).  For example, Sol LeWitt‘s Irregular Grid pictured above has an estimate of $3-5 grand.  Quite a few lots have low-end estimates below a thousand.  You can see the catalogs by clicking here.

I’ve personally had positive experiences both buying from and consigning with Rago– something I’ve learned not to expect from all auction companies.

Happy browsing!