20th June 2025

There's something so personal about collecting art to adorn the walls of your home. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming and difficult to know where to start, I have been here many times. Often leaving pictures leaning against walls for months in fear of hanging them in the wrong position or the wrong room. Staring at them for so long I've become confused from overthinking it so much. The truth is, as I've learnt, it doesn't actually matter as you can always move the artwork. It's not the end of the world if you live with it for a few weeks then you decide you'd actually rather have it in the hallway instead of the living room. It's also really good to have a switch around of your artwork. I am looking to do this in our living room currently, it's been 5 years since the pictures went up and now I'm looking for a little refresh - this is in fact what's prompted me to write this blog post. Collecting art doesn't have to be difficult or even hugely expensive. Here are 5 tips that I have written to help you in the process...

Choose Art That Resonates - It Doesn't Necessarily Have to Match...

I'd say forget about trying to match the artwork to your sofa or your cushions. The most interesting collections are built around emotional connection and not colour schemes. Of course, if it's a colour that particularly resonates with you then great, but if something really speaks to you then listen to your instincts. Art should stir something in you - even if you’re not quite sure why. Recently I bought a piece of marbled wrapping paper which was so many different colours, I just fell in love with it! I plan to frame it as I just love looking at it, it's colourful, unique and it had little bits of gold foil in the paper which I was instantly drawn to.

Start Small - Small Art, Big Impact!

Original art doesn’t have to be expensive or big. Works on paper, small canvases, hand-finished prints, even greetings cards or postcards - they all count. The beauty of small pieces is that they invite you to start without feeling overwhelming. You can build a gallery wall over time or display just one special piece from your collection. I've kept my children's artwork, postcards I've bought from exhibitions, old book pages from antiques fairs as well as smaller mini prints from fellow artists. 

Support Independent Artists Over Mass Produced

Look for artists whose work resonates with you, whether it’s their style, their story, or their values. Follow them online, visit local open studios or independent shops, and get to know their work. Often, the joy of collecting comes from knowing the hands and heart behind what you’re buying. Often the pieces will be deeply personal and will be made with much more love than a mass produced print produced in huge quantities.

Choose Interesting Framing

Your collection doesn’t have to be perfect or polished. In fact, the most interesting spaces often include a mix of pieces and it's how they're framed which can bring them to life. I am a fan of collecting antique frames and have built up quite a collection over the years, some of which I used in my most recent launch of work. Choosing an unusual frames adds interest, a pop of colour on the mount for a black and white drawing perhaps or matching a frame to the colour of the artwork. I have an old image of a map where I have matched the blue of the map to the colour of the frame, I painted the frame in Teresa's Green by Farrow & Ball to really accentuate the artwork and I love seeing it every time I pass it. I think mixing your frames adds interests and makes it feel less 'curated', this can be a nice look if you want to go for a slightly eclectic look. I love mixing old with new, this goes for artwork as well as frames!

Let it Evolve

Your taste will change over time but that's OK, it means your collection will have variation and you can tailor it to suit your new tastes. Your art collection should evolve with you. What matters most is that it continues to feel personal and you find enjoyment from it. Don’t be afraid to move things around, reframe pieces, or remove something for a while if it's not working for you. It’s all part of the process. I have pieces that remind me of different times in my life or past places I have lived. 

Start With What You Have

Whether you're just beginning to collect or looking to refresh your space, the most important thing is to surround yourself with artwork that you love. If you're curious to see what I've been working on lately, or you're looking to bring a new piece into your home, you can explore my available work here. And if you're not quite ready yet, feel free to stick around - I'm always sharing inspiration, new work, and glimpses behind the scenes. 

Thanks so much for reading!