More Than Just Buying Art

Before renovating my home, I had a particular space in mind for art: either side of a fireplace. It was the perfect place to treat myself to some cool, original artwork and create an exciting centrepiece for the main living room. I even had lighting installed specifically for this during the renovation.

I know from experience that the difference between something being okay and being great can lie in the small details. I know how to do this with music, appreciate it in the artworks I own, and enjoy learning from experts in their field.

I wanted this to be excellent, so I attended a few exhibitions looking for inspiration. The plan was to find a local artist whose work I liked and whom I could talk to, helping me achieve the outcome I wanted while enjoying a fascinating journey along the way.

I'm the same with musical instruments. I've visited factories, met makers, and learned about the craftsmanship behind the instruments I've bought. When I pick one up now, it's not just a thing; it has a story, a history, and I've been part of its journey.

By the time the renovations were coming to an end, I had seen a few paintings I liked and had been noting the details so I could revisit them once everything was complete. The challenge was that I was hesitant to take up a painter's time if I didn't end up buying their work, and I didn't want to feel obliged.

At this point, I was really lucky. I overheard Jodie talking to someone about what she did. I introduced myself and asked whether she might be able to help me.

That conversation changed everything. I had found the expert I'd been looking for, and the journey became even better.

Jodie took the time to understand not just the room, but what I was trying to achieve. She offered suggestions, such as looking for two companion pieces that would work together and tell a story across the space. She even suggested working with the same artist for both pieces. I liked the idea, and we ran with it.

At Jodie’s pop-up exhibitions, I found a painting I really loved called The Ritual, and Jodie introduced me to the artist. The funny thing is that it was a nude, and if you'd asked me beforehand, I would have said I wouldn't have had the confidence to display a nude painting in my living room. But there was something about it. The figure felt peaceful, relaxed, and serene. The more I looked, the more details I discovered, and the more I realised there was so much more to it. It really drew me in.

I didn't buy it immediately. I wanted to live with the idea for a while. It's one thing to like something on the day; it's another to know you'll want to live with it for years.

Jodie made that decision easier. She brought the painting to my home so I could see it in the space. She hung it on the wall, and it just worked. In fact, she even spotted a plant in my kitchen and suggested moving it into the room because it complemented the artwork.

Suddenly, it wasn't just about the painting. She was helping to create the entire feel of the space I wanted through those expert touches and small details.

Once The Ritual was in place, Jodie took things a step further. She took me to visit the artist in his studio and helped facilitate conversations about a second commissioned piece for the opposite wall.

Together, we explored ideas that meant something to me personally. I've always been drawn to mythology and have a strong connection to water. Eventually, the concept evolved into a painting of three sirens in a river. I've met with the artist several times, talked through ideas, and followed the progression of the work as it has developed.

That's what makes this experience so special. It's a journey, and it's been really cool.

I'm not just buying artwork off a gallery wall. I'm getting to know the artist. I'm involved in the creative process. There's a story unfolding alongside the artwork itself.

I also do a lot of community work, and supporting local artists really matters to me. In a world that often feels increasingly disconnected, there's something meaningful about helping talented people continue doing what they love.

At the end of it all, I'll have two beautiful artworks as a centrepiece in my home, but I'll also have the stories behind them, the relationships that were built, and the satisfaction of supporting local creativity.

What surprised me most was how accessible it all was. I'd always assumed experiences like this were only for wealthy collectors. That's not me. Yet Jodie helped me achieve everything within the budget I'd set. In fact, her guidance didn't cost me anything extra. The artworks had their price, but alongside that came an incredible level of service.

What Jodie does exceptionally well is listen.

She never pushed me towards a decision. She heard what I was saying, expanded on my ideas, offered possibilities I hadn't considered, and checked in with me throughout the process. Every decision felt like mine. There was never any pressure.

Yes, I could have found two pieces of art that I liked and hung them myself, and that would have been an okay outcome. Having someone with expertise and connections help me explore and expand on what I was looking for, while adding those important little details, has turned it into an excellent outcome that I'm genuinely excited about.

It has been a genuinely wonderful experience, and one I'd happily recommend to anyone who's curious about buying art and would appreciate help from an independent expert.

The best part? I've got a beautiful piece of artwork, I've got a story, and I've helped support people who are doing really cool things. It's the whole experience, really.

-Bill. Proud of one, soon to be two oil paintings from artist Mike Southern

Photo: Bill's home with his first painting - "The Ritual"