Art buyers see what they like and buy for interior décor or some other personal interest. Perhaps the art reminds them of a special time or place. Sometimes they want something soothing for a home or office. The art may simply be something that moves them emotionally or it can be a used as a gift.

Art buyers also commission works either from an artist they have discovered online or from an artist acquaintance or relative. This is how portrait commissions are made. The buyer contacts the artist studio or a though a gallery. They may pose in person or send a photo for the artist to use as reference.

I have created thousands of commissioned pieces from photos for everything from publishing to gifts to advertising. Sometimes the backgrounds are created to make the piece more interesting and sometimes the backgrounds have been part of the reference.

Art collectors have a different agenda. Sometimes they buy to invest and hope to resell in the future at a profit if the artist becomes famous. Sometimes they buy because they love what the artist creates and want everything they create.

Some art collectors lend out pieces to museums, libraries and galleries for shows. Collectors enjoy personal relationships with galleries and artists.

There are collectors of memorabilia such as baseball cards, music, antiques, pottery, and stamps, etc. Some collect art. This is their hobby or passion.

I am very happy to have both collectors and buyers of my art. They have kept me as a working artist since I was 11 and I hope they never stop. Above please view the dog I drew in pen & ink when I was eleven for the cover of Briard Magazine.  Thank you all.