For 30 years, David Lusk Gallery has been one of the leading contemporary fine art galleries in the southeast. Owner David Lusk had thought he would go into advertising after graduating from Rhodes College with degrees in English and media arts. But after cutbacks at his first company, he found himself handling marketing for art galleries. In 1995, David opened David Lusk Gallery (DLG) in Laurelwood Shopping Center. Since then, he has opened DLG in Nashville and moved the Memphis gallery to Tillman Street. Through the years, he has proven to have an expert eye for art. David sat down with me to share some advice on how to start and expand a personal art collection.
To many first-time collectors, the idea of investing in art can be intimidating. For someone looking to purchase that first piece, David says to, “Look at art as much as you possibly can. Imagine what it would look like in your own environment.” He believes it’s about training your eye to discover what you love. Accordingly, he invites prospective clients to come into the gallery and look around at what’s there.
When you first arrive, David recommends that you view the current exhibition hanging in the front of the gallery before heading back to look at art from the racks. Once you’ve gotten a feel for your taste in art, David suggests identifying a specific need in your home. He explains, “If you need something over your sofa, let’s start there.” After asking a few guiding questions about what you want, he starts pulling pieces, usually about six or seven. He notices most people will have an immediate positive or negative reaction. David then urges you to “look a bit longer than your initial reaction. Just stare at it for a minute and focus on the colors and forms.” This second observation helps him gauge your emotional response to the art. He says, “I like to show as much art as possible until it’s obvious the buyer is over it - or found the piece. The more you see, the better.” If the process becomes overwhelming, take a break, go home and spend time on his website. David says, “97 percent of what’s in the gallery is online, and the website makes it clear what is already sold and what is still available.”
Once David has an idea which pieces speak to you, it’s time to talk budget. He says, “I try not to tell people prices in the beginning. I want to know, ‘Does this piece bring you joy?’” After that, he pulls pieces to work within your budget and fit well stylistically. At this point in the process, you will have narrowed it down to a couple of pieces. David suggests trying these at home for a couple of days to see how the art touches you in place there. This key step in the process is helpful to determine if the size of the piece works well within the flow of your space.
David is very helpful finding a piece that fits within the budget and lasts through a lifetime collection. When asked what someone should prioritize when purchasing fine art, David says “price (budget), scale and longevity.” Typically, for example, a work created on paper is less expensive than a work on canvas, but most of the time, a work on paper should not be hung in direct light to prevent possible damage. Furthermore, as you continue to acquire more art, you will likely want a mix of paper and canvas paintings plus a variety of artists to broaden the scope of your collection. As far as timing goes, David advises to “just jump in and start collecting.” You can always move a piece you bought in your 20s to another location within your home as your taste evolves. He notes, “Buy what you love, and it will work anywhere. Art can feel completely new when you move it around your house. It reacts to light differently, and you walk past it differently.”
Based on your experience level, David and his staff can help you avoid purchasing mistakes. He shares as an example, “A first-time buyer is not likely to want an installation-based piece of art, as it will likely be too far out there.” He also recommends that novice buyers purchase art in inventory, rather than commissioning a piece. There can be some misunderstandings and miscommunications between the buyer and the commissioned artist, so David urges a new art collector to hold off on commissioning until you have a more developed sense of what you like.
David says the door is always open at DLG. He adds, “It’s nice to know if someone is coming in, but if it’s during work hours, we’re always here. And we’re ready to show art, because that’s what we like doing.” To check out Kit Reuther’s work in the April exhibition at DLG, visit 97 Tillman Street or davidluskgallery.com.
Buy what you love, and it will work anywhere. Art can feel completely new when you move it around your house. It reacts to light differently, and you walk past it differently.