top of page
Search

Help, I bought art! – A survival guide for new art owners

  • Writer: Alessanara
    Alessanara
  • Jul 13
  • 5 min read
ree

Congratulations! You’ve just bought an original artwork or an art print. Maybe even from me. Maybe you saw it, fell in love, hesitated, paid – and now you’re sitting there with a sprinkle of brushstroke magic and a quiet panic: What on earth do I do with it now?!


Don’t worry. Here comes your ultimate, satirically honest care guide for your new roommate artwork. Yes, you basically have a very decorative pet now. Only without the food bills. But with style. And unlike a hamster, it won’t pee in the corner – it just expects respect. And a hook on the wall. And light. But not too much.



1. Hang me properly, baby


ree

You’re not dealing with an IKEA poster here. Your artwork is an original. It has feelings. It has character. And it definitely has an opinion about where it wants to hang – even if it doesn’t tell you directly (because, well: art doesn’t talk. Unless you ask it very nicely and offer it coffee first).


✖️ What you should not do:

  • Above the toaster, where it slowly browns like a croissant on speed.

  • Next to the cat scratching post. (Art with claw signatures is generally not part of the artistic concept.)

  • On the balcony. Sun, rain, and pigeon poop are not an artistic evolution. Even if art school in a café might suggest otherwise.


ree

✔️ What you’re allowed to do:

  • Indoors, dry wall, no direct sunlight – your artwork wants to be seen, not roasted.

  • Hang it at eye level – unless you’re trying to give your guests permanent neck cramps.

  • If it’s big: use two hooks. It’s a piece of art, not a gymnast attempting a split.


    Pro tip: A crooked picture doesn’t make you “boho” – it just makes you look like someone who ignored a spirit level. And that’s a stain on the heavens of interior design.



2. Dust Me Gently


Artworks are like eccentric house guests: they crave admiration but don’t want to be handled too roughly. My pieces are sealed with varnish – which means: yes, you can touch me. But please, don’t do it like a caffeine-crazed clumsy giant.


Here’s how:


  • A soft, slightly damp cloth can be used – lovingly, with the tenderness of a romantic gesture in a French movie.

  • Then immediately follow with a dry, lint-free cloth. No toilet paper. No kitchen towel. No sleeve.

  • No aggressive scrubbing or attacking with dish soap – this isn’t a cooking pot; it’s brushstroke poetry with a hint of madness.


And please, no vacuum cleaner with an attachment. I know you have one in the basement. Leave it there.



ree

3. Light is great. UV rays… not so much.


Light makes your artwork shine. It’s like a spotlight for the new superstar painting in your living room. But beware: light is a tricky beast. While it turns your space into a Pinterest board, it can burn the pigments right out of your artwork over time.


Here’s the good news: my paintings are protected with varnish. They basically have SPF 100 sunscreen. But even the best sunscreen only helps so much if you leave your piece in the Sahara spotlight 24/7.


Golden rule:

"Art wants to be seen – but not roasted."

ree

What to do?

  • Avoid direct midday sun, especially with south-facing windows – your painting prefers to chill in the shade.

  • If you love window spots: hang your piece so it gets light, but doesn’t end up on the pyre.

  • Daylight is awesome – as long as you don’t install a tanning bed above it or blast it with a construction spotlight.


    Bonus: Soft lighting makes your living room instantly cozier. And your painting looks even more dramatic at dusk. Win-win. You and your artwork will seem mysterious. You might even get a compliment. Maybe even a marriage proposal. Who knows.



4. Please don’t bend, roll, staple, or wallpaper it


I can’t believe I have to say this, but: Art is not gift wrap. Even if it’s colorful. Even if you think it would make a great door sign for your guest bathroom. No.


ree

If you’re moving:

  • Pack the piece flat in bubble wrap or a soft cloth — treat it like a delicate soul with style.

  • Never lean it against sharp metal parts, corners, or your friend’s backpack in the car — you know, the one who always says, “It’ll be fine.”

  • Tell your friends not to use it as a backrest. Even if it feels practical. It’s not. It’s art, not a folding chair.


    If you’re putting it into storage, keep it dry and flat. No stacking it with canned food, no “I’ll just wedge it under the mattress for a bit” moments. This isn’t yoga — we’re not doing the art “downward dog".



ree

5. Stop feeding me. I’m done.


No, you don’t need to oil, varnish, or touch up your artwork. If you bought it from me, it’s sealed, complete, and ready for a long, decoratively meaningful life.


What you can do:

  • Stare at it for hours with a slightly dreamy look.

  • Love it, loudly or quietly, with or without wine.

  • Show it to your friends and say, “I got it from an amazing artist.” (You can lie and say it was super expensive. It’s totally worth it – emotionally and all.)


What you should NOT do:

  • Stick a collage on top because you think “pink and glitter would look better.”

  • Jot down your shopping list on it with a pencil (“Just quickly!” – NO.)


ree

6. Art ages differently than you do.


Yes, artworks change over time. Maybe a little. Maybe barely. But please: don’t expect anti-aging magic. Art doesn’t age like avocados – it gets better. It gains character. Life. A bit of patina is charisma, not a flaw. A subtle shadow, a shift in the way light plays – all of it tells the story of time.


And that’s what art is. Not the sterile perfection of an LED-lit showroom.


If it ever really suffers damage (e.g., water damage, a fall, a child with a marker,a cat with ambitions):


  • Contact the artist. Maybe I can help. Maybe I can restore it. Or maybe we’ll just cry together into a pillow.



ree

7. Show me, but protect me


If you’re going to display my artwork – at the office, during your IKEA house parties, or in the quiet restroom of your favorite café:


  • Make sure to write the artist’s name (you know, me 👀) – it’s not just polite, it’s classy.

  • Maybe even add a small sign or a QR code to Insta/shop – who knows, someone might fall in love?

  • And please don’t hang it right opposite the door where everyone smacks it with their bag. My artwork isn’t meant to catch luggage. It’s not a bouncer.


If you want to take it traveling – as a conversation starter, icebreaker, or magical shield – just let me know beforehand. I love adventure stories.



ree

Conclusion: Art doesn’t need a cheese dome – but a little attention won’t hurt.


Owning an artwork is like a little relationship. You look at each other. You grow together. Sometimes you ignore each other – but you know it’s there. Something lasting. Something that doesn’t ask if you’ve done the dishes, but simply exists.


Take care of it like a silent pet with personality. Talk to it. Show it off proudly. And if one day you think, “Wow, this just doesn’t fit me anymore”… then do what every mature relationship needs: find it a loving new home.


But please, not on eBay. I’m begging you. 🙏

 
 
 

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating

Alessanara

painter

Data protection

Loyalty program

In Leipzig, an artist roams the night – armed with brushes and an unhealthy obsession with details and cocoa. Realism? Check. Surreal color worlds? Double check. Alessanara blends both with masterful ease. All self-taught – because art doesn’t follow rules.

© 2025 Alessanara

You want art that not only looks cool but also does good? Perfect! With every purchase, you support projects dedicated to protecting nature and wildlife. Whether it’s planting a tree with One Tree Planted or providing extra care for local furry friends through NABU Sachsen – your walls get more beautiful, and the planet breathes a little easier. Win-win!

Thank you for subscribing!

bottom of page