So you’ve decided to collect art. It doesn’t take many museum visits, auctions, or art shows to make you feel like there’s a lot more to collecting than deciding whether you’re into paintings, photography, or sculpture. Artists, past and present, create pieces in a range of styles.
We’ve put together information on 7 art styles every collector should know about to help you find even more enjoyment in your new pastime.
- Abstract Art
- Minimalist
- Nature Art
- Pop Art
- Surrealist
- Modern Art
- Impressionist
1. Abstract Art
Abstract art takes real-world elements and represents them through shapes, colors, and forms that are not photorealistic. You may or may not immediately recognize the object the artist is trying to represent. Instead, you get to explore the artist’s interpretation of reality. Some abstract artists you may recognize include Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, and Jackson Pollock.
2. Minimalist
With minimalism, what you see is what you get, but you get it as simply as possible. Objects are represented simply and recognizably. Fans of minimalism appreciate how the artist leaves out all the non-essentials to get to the essence of the form.
3. Nature Art
Some of us want to surround ourselves with the beauty of nature without having to leave our home or the office. Nature art is often inspirational and expressed through paintings, drawings, and photographs of animals, plants, and landscapes.
4. Pop Art
Pop art “popped up” in the late 1950s and gained ground in the 1960s. This art style represents contemporary, everyday items in fun ways – making them more accessible and less high-brow. Andy Warhol’s imagery starring Marilyn Monroe and cans of Campbell’s soup are some of the day’s most recognizable paintings. Other popular artists from this style include Roy Lichtenstein, James Rosenquist, and Keith Haring.
5. Surrealist
Surrealism might be described as an expression of the subconscious on canvas. If you’ve ever seen the painting of a pipe followed by the words “Ceci n’est pas une pipe” French for “This is not a pipe.”, you’ve seen the work of surrealist Rene Magritte. Salvador Dali’s melting clocks are another example of this hard to put into words art form.
6. Modern Art
Modern art encompasses pieces from a specific time period – the 1860s to the 1970s – that stray from traditional techniques of the time. This style can be very experimental and embrace color, line, and form.
7. Impressionist
Fans of Thomas Kinkade will no doubt appreciate the Impressionist art style. These paintings celebrate the use of light and brushwork to tell a story. You see the artist’s perception of the subject matter instead of a pure photorealistic interpretation.
Shop Painting Collections In Monterey
At the California art galleries of Thomas Kinkade, you’ll find a wide variety of subject matter and styles to fall in love with and collect. We invite you to visit us in Carmel, Placerville, and Monterey to explore and purchase Limited Edition paintings worthy of your art collection.
