SoCo Modern Art Gallery offers investment level art & design for the seasoned and curious collector. Our focus is primarily contemporary and modern art, along with an array of important 20th-century design.

The collection is curated by Patrick Jones and Reyne Hirsch, both veteran collectors with an eye for up and coming artists.

Notable artist offerings include Banksy, Andy Warhol, Invader, Arsham, Dicke, and more.


Address: 2900 S Congress Ave #100, Austin, TX 78704

Phone: (512) 409-9943

Website: https://socomodern.com/

Google Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1u9weNRZvsFQtrEercKrqAjvZ_fDDPMdy?usp=drive_open

Twitter: https://twitter.com/socomodern

SMART ABOUT ART

ART COLLECTING TIPS FROM THE OWNER OF SOCO MODERN

By Cindy Brzostowski, Photography by Brad Turner

Originally published here

Are you interested in collecting art? Or are you simply looking to spruce up your home with some nice works but don’t know where to start? Either way, Patrick Jones, the owner of Austin’s SoCo Modern gallery, is happy to share his expert advice.

A collector and dealer of art and antiques since he was 15, Jones opened SoCo Modern in May 2021. The gallery rotates the artworks of local as well as nationally and internationally renowned artists and seeks to leave buyers feeling not only excited but more educated about the art and artists.

We spoke to Jones to learn more about choosing art, assessing a piece’s price and protecting your investment.

SoCo Modern NFT Art Gallery Art Gallery In Austin Tx
SoCo Modern Art Gallery in Austin TX - (512) 409-9943
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ART FOR ART'S SAKE

First things first: What to buy? Luckily, the biggest question when it comes to collecting art has the simplest answer: Buy what you like. Jones encourages people to listen to their gut. “If you love it, it’s money well-spent,” he says. “Art is about passion and enjoyment, so if a piece makes you feel some kind of way when you view it, then mission accomplished.”

To determine what kind of art strikes your fancy, Jones recommends researching different styles. “It helps to spend time viewing different artists to help narrow it down to a few specific names or styles—figural or abstract, colorful or monochromatic works, prints or originals,” he explains.

From there, Jones recommends buying a few books or magazines on the subject, identifying a couple of artists that pique your interest and then finding a trusted resource, such as a gallery that works with those artists, to learn more.

THE BIG PICTURE

While personal enjoyment is a major factor in collecting art, there’s also the financial investment component. Jones says, “I’ve always looked at art from the viewpoint of [being] a more fun and personally enjoyable version of more traditional investments like stocks and bonds.”

He explains that if you find a piece particularly captivating then there’s a good chance that others will too, creating the potential for a secondary market. That secondary market is the driving factor in increasing the value of investment-quality art.

“The works of some artists can appreciate more than the stock market, and even if you end up breaking even from a financial perspective, you’ve had the personal satisfaction of enjoying the art,” Jones elaborates. “That’s hard to do with a framed stock certificate.”

THE PRICE YOU PAY

Speaking of financials, you might be wondering how to get a fair price when purchasing art. Jones says he has had more than one friend buy art while on vacation only to find out later on that they overpaid, diminishing their excitement about the piece. He warns that galleries in resort towns often mark up artwork four to ten times their value. He emphasizes how important it is to buy from a reputable source and to do your own research beforehand.

If you want to get an appraisal for a work, Jones stresses that it should always be done by an independent party of your choosing. “It is less than ethical for galleries to offer an appraisal certificate along with the piece that lists a value at or slightly above the purchase price,” he explains. “Be extremely wary of this tactic, and know that is a big red flag when the person attempting to sell you the work is also the one declaring the market value.”

ART FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ART

Some may think that collecting art is exclusively for the wealthy, but Jones is quick to dispel that idea, referencing the new street/urban art movement as proof.

“These artists are doing more than just painting originals, which typically price in the range of four to five figures,” he says. “While that may be above the budget of most people, smaller, limited print runs priced between $100 and $1,000 make it possible to own the same image as the coveted original but at a more comfortable entry point for a new buyer.”

KEEPING THINGS PICTURE-PERFECT

Once you’ve invested in a piece of art, you will surely want to keep that investment in good condition. In the case of ‘flat’ art, such as a painting that hangs on your wall, Jones says it’s important to keep it protected from direct sunlight because just a few years of daily sun exposure can do harm.

Additionally, Jones recommends insuring your art with a reputable carrier. He says that most homeowners’ insurance policies cap coverage at $10,000 and that if you plan to own high-value art or several artworks, you’ll need a separate insurance policy.

“Be sure to ask for ‘all peril’ coverage, and have your agent explain the process and eligible claim amounts in the event of a loss,” he notes. “Many collectors are surprised by how inexpensive coverage can be even for high-value works.”


SoCo Modern Art Gallery in Austin TX - (512) 409-9943 Guide KWs

Watch Our Videos To Become A Smarter Art Collector

Investing in art is a great way to renovate your home and increase your savings. The value of art can appreciate with the passage of time while hanging on the wall. Active participation will let you collect good information and knowledge about the world of art. In order to get started, go to SoCoModern.com and get plugged in to our events and art collector tips. Never miss an upload that could help you find that next piece of artwork that makes it all worthwhile .

Start by researching.

Pay a visit to a couple of museums close to your residential place and get familiar with some painters. Market brochures and galleries are very helpful in getting necessary information. Learn the type of arts and determine your area of interest in order to choose suitable artistic work from reliable painters. It would be helpful if you could begin with an investment of around 10,000 to 15,000 pounds. Remember that you are in the market to enjoy the art work, and that doesn't have to be some formula like buying and keeping the piece for a certain amount of time and not for making quick profits. Do not concentrate on buying and selling artistic pieces. Instead, focus your interest on the pleasure a work of art can give and learn the basics of trade while using paintings to decorate your home. We do reveal a few wrinkles to this in our videos, more on that later.

In order to make a good collection, determine the painting style and history, your tastes and preferences. Though the entry level for investment can be around 10,000 pounds, you can start with 1,000 pounds if you develop an eye on finding good deals at affordable prices. Buying paintings from artists who have just started their career is a great way to get good deals and save lot of money.

When the time passes, the value of the painting may increase, but there is no guarantee. If you feel that the value has increased considerably, sell the work for the current market price. Save a portion of your profits and invest the balance in other artistic work.

Look for artists who have a good story. A challenging and fascinating painting story will fetch higher price as the time passes. When it comes to value in work, rarity plays an important role. If the copies of a particular artistic work are rare and less in circulation, its value can increase considerably in no time.

Make sure that you are dealing with an artist who has attained proper training and mentoring. Such an artist will always be held in high esteem by the art world and the art collectors. Get familiar with the financial achievements of the artist. It can be useful to judge an artist's credibility by noting the prices that their work has sold for across the country over a period of time. Beware of galleries that are not independent though, and only allowed to sell the work they are given by the publishers that control them.

The simplest way to ascertain the value of a particular artistic work is to find the price at which others have bought that piece. If you wish to work with a painter with little history, find out the value of his work at trade shows and galleries. Signed prints, and limited editions can be a great way to enter the market, if you are unable to afford original piece of work. The value of such pieces increase with time as they are available in limited quantity and often signed personally by the artist, who may or may not be dead. It is important to pay attention to the work of highly acclaimed and recognized artists, as their work will always have a value far above an unknown artist.

While investing in any kind of art work, make sure to manage your risk effectively. Prepare beforehand whether you choose to invest in original pieces or signed limited edition prints. With time and knowledge, you should be able to earn a profit through art investments.

Stop by the Gallery some time and ask about how Prints are a great way for the novice and seasoned collector to play the game. We will show you the prints we are most proud of, right out of our Print drawer.

How to Create Modern Art Paintings - Tips and Ideas for Art Painting

If you think you have the talent and enthusiasm to become a pro artist, you should go ahead with it. However, do remember that talent alone won't take you anywhere unless you can imbibe discipline into your routine and pledge to improvise over your flaws. Modern decorative art painting is more about observation and diligence than anything else. However, some educational or technical qualification also helps.

Though you can sign up for some course if you wish, the best form of learning is self-education. Research as much as possible, observe the paintings of artists from all eras and try to experiment with different styles. When you are working on modern wall art paintings, you will produce bad work more often than good work. It is the part and parcel of an artist's life. Don't let your failings curb your enthusiasm; keep on improvising and producing work until you come with perfect art.

Warming up is also essential. Your first few strokes of brush may not produce good results. Allow yourself some time to get into stride and after an hour or so you will feel confident as you slip into the right mood. Contemporary canvas art work also requires a professional to be discreet with his materials.

Since you are aiming to become a professional artist (and not just an amateurish one), you must not work with shoddy materials! Even if you have to invest some extra bucks, make sure that your painting brush, canvas and colors are of professional quality.

Out of the 10 paintings you produce, 7 or 8 (or even 9) may be mediocre stuff. Do not throw them away. Stack them for future reference, but do not market them or show them to a potential employer. Quality should be given precedence over quantity. Display only those works which are your best.

Your hand-painted art paintings will require you to choose from a gamut of media and painting styles. As for painting, you can choose to paint in oil or in acrylics or you may use watercolor. Watercolor is the cheapest but is preferable mostly for landscapes or seascapes. For portraits and decorative art paintings, you better settle for oil painting or acrylic painting.

You must also learn about computer imaging. The modern artworks take assistance from computer tools and software especially for illustration. You can help yourself grow and get better in art by teaching novices or young learners. Also, try to improve your power of discernment, develop your power of judgment, learn to take negative comments in your stride and try to tell a story using your art.

Art Collecting Tips

Just because you have money doesn't mean you have to spend it. In art collecting it can actually be a disadvantage to be flush with cash, at least when you're a beginner. I say this because it's harder to resist the temptation to purchase art when you have money. Even if you're a financially disciplined person, art can play on your emotions and you can find yourself spending more freely than you ever have before. Take the time to learn about the kind of art you want to collect. Unbelievable deals don't come around often, and they rarely come to beginning collectors. There will always be quality art to purchase. The best thing for you to do is take your time and learn, learn, learn about the artists or category of art you want to buy. When you feel that you're ready to take the plunge and buy a piece of art, be sure to learn as much about the artist as you can. Especially examine the artist's auction records if there are any. Auction records are not definitive, but they are very helpful.

Narrow down your collecting interest as much as you possibly can. You can like all kinds of art, but it will serve your best interests to narrow down the scope of your art collecting interests as much as possible. The more you narrow down your collecting interest, the more of an expert you're likely to become in that particular area. One of the greatest joys of collecting art is learning so much about an artist that you feel almost like you know him, or studying the period of history in which the art was developed. The more this is done, the greater your appreciation of your collection will be, and your enthusiasm and knowledge will be evident when you show off your collection.

Yes, you should buy a piece of art because you love it, BUT take the financial aspect into consideration too. It has become a cliché in the art advice business to tell people that the best thing for them to do is buy the art that they love. This is good advice, but somehow hidden in that statement seems to be a subtle message to not take the financial aspect of the piece into consideration. I say buy the art that you love, but also make sure you're not paying too much for it and consider your end game. I wouldn't advise asking, "How much money can I make on this painting? Or How much will it appreciate?" Rather, just be sure that you can recoup your investment. Tragedies can happen, and sadly what people first consider selling to raise money is their art collection.

Buying work by a deceased artist is generally less financially risky than buying art by a contemporary artist. This is because the art market for a contemporary artist has not really been tested. Most deceased artists have some kind of record of sale on the secondary market, whether it be at an auction or a gallery. This record gives you an idea of what is an appropriate price to pay for a work by a certain artist.

Just because a painting is signed "T.C. Steele" doesn't mean T.C. Steele actually signed it or even did the painting. What often happens is that a family member, often a wife or son or sister, signs an artist's paintings after he dies. If this is the case, it decreases the value of the painting. Of course, an "artist signed" painting could also be a forgery. I've seen plenty of paintings that bear the signature of an artist who clearly didn't do the painting. An art appraiser can assist you in determining the authenticity of a signature or painting.

Just because a desirable artist did a painting doesn't mean that the painting is desirable. Every artist had his good days and bad days. Some had more bad than good. Certain periods of an artist's work are also more desirable than other periods. Also, if an artist is known for painting landscapes, a painting that he did of a cat is probably going to be much less desirable. The medium is also important in determining desirability. Overall, oil paintings tend to rank as most desirable; however, there are artists who work in all mediums but whose watercolors or prints are more in demand than their oil paintings.

The New Markets & Adventures For Art Collectors And Artists To Come Together

NFT Art Matters

NFT Art has gone viral. We are getting asked “Is it a bubble? A craze?”

Here’s the current Wikipedia assessment…

Art was an early use case for NFTs, and blockchain in general, because of its ability to provide proof of authenticity and ownership of digital art that has otherwise had to contend with the potential for mass reproduction and unauthorized distribution of art through the internet. In February 2021 a hype started when US-American digital artist beeple’s work “Everydays. The first 5000 days” was the first NFT artwork to be listed in one of the major auctions houses Christie’s. A few days before, the meme animation Nyan Cat had been sold on an internet market place for 600,000 USD.

Later, popular blockchain games like CryptoKitties made use of NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. NFTs are used to represent in-game assets, and are controlled by the user, instead of the game developer. This lets the assets be traded on third-party marketplaces without permission from the game developer.

Frankly, it’s too new to have a Wikipedia history. Dear reader, literally, the NFT Art history is being written as these words are typed.

But Artwork sold at the NiftyGateway.com marketplace (more on them below) is appreciating daily.

This technology needed a killer app (and two proofs of concept to the public at large in the sale of Grime’s Crypto Art and NBA Top Shot hit at the same time). We have been active and successful on the non-blockchain online Art Marketplaces. It may well be the digital peer-to-peer marketplaces that best removed the friction between the buying public and the artist to create and transact digital artwork that is backed by a blockchain like Ethereum have won the day. Austin Artists, take note…

4 Art Buying Tips

The first time art buyer is faced with many decisions. Here are 4 tips to help you get on the road to building your art collection.

1. Define your area of interest. I know it seems fundamental, but this is a critical starting point. Some collectors are interested in a particular theme, such as seascapes or landscapes. Other collectors prefer a specific style of art, such as impressionism or modern art. Take your time and really define what interests you.

2. Seek out sources of artwork for sale. The most logical place is an art gallery. This is a good starting point, but the art can be more expensive.

Another good choice are local art fairs. They provide you with an opportunity to see a lot of art in a short period of time. Art show prices can be very attractive, because there are so many competing artists anxious to make a sale. You may even be able to negotiate downward from the asking price.

Internet sites also offer you access to some very fine art. Whether you search for individual artist's web sites or look on eBay under art, you can find many sources. Like the art fair, you may find that you will get better prices when you buy on line.

3. Be eclectic in your approach to art. Consider all the available media. There are watercolors, acrylics, oils, photography, fiber and sculpture. Each medium provides a different interpretation of a given subject. Your collection will be enhanced if you diversify your collection.

4. Don't buy art just for investment. Too many people hope to make a killing by buying art they believe will increase in value. For the most part, this is only true for artwork that has a significant price tag out of the gate. Of course there are exceptions. In the 1960's, an original Ansel Adams print sold for about $150, today it would cost over $10,000. That's a pretty good return on investment.

Buy art that you really love. Your art will give you untold pleasure everyday you own it. Art will ease the stresses of your day and give you peace. If you ask me, that's an amazing return on investment!