You may be mistaken in thinking that buying a piece of abstract art would be a simple thing to do. You just select the work you want … and buy it!

The truth will creep up on you as soon as you look at the first painting “it is not quite the right one, so I will look for another”.

Here is the first realization – and question to ask yourself – why exactly is this piece you are looking at “not quite right”? The answer can be manifold:

1. It includes a colour I do not like 2. I am not sure it will go with another item in the space I would like to place it 3. A slow realization that a certain personal undesirable association is being emitted from the painting 4. It looks great but I am not sure it will fit the space 5. It is just right but the price is a little bit more than I wanted to pay
… and the list goes on.

Although I do not have all the answers I will endeavour to reveal, from my own personal experiences, a few solutions.

So, you see a picture you like but the colour combination is wrong. Put simply the thing to do is to contact the artist and tell them your dilemma. You will find that some of them will either be able to reproduce a similar work in the colours you prefer, or they will be willing to notify you when and if they produce a work that might be nearer to the colours theat you require.

If size is an issue then I would advise the same as above – contact the artist and tell them the problem. I believe you will receive a similar reply to that which I have written above.

Make sure that when you do make a purchase that the artist is offering a return policy. I have a ten day return policy which means that if you buy a painting and hang it in your space – if within ten days of purchasing it you become uncomfortable with it for any reason and you cannot live with it, then you may return the piece and your money will be returned. An important point here worth mentioning is the fact that you have made certain decisions on buying this piece of work, therefore it is worthwhile mentioning it to the artist which will enable them, if they so inclined, to produce a work that has omitted the undesirable entity. This way you may well end up with a work that will be of greater value to you – having communicated your dilemma. » Read more: Buying an Abstract Painting