We are over materialism.

Or I am anyway. Are you? It’s exhausting.

It sucks for your bank account and it sucks for you. So stressful! No I think we can be done with it. Fast fashion, thanks to the concerted efforts of activists, is going out of vogue. We know by now that if you buy something poorly made, you’re going to buy it again way sooner than you’d like. But we’re still trapped in this trend-mill where we are constantly being told to revamp. Not only does it cost a lot, but it rarely leads to a more fulfilling and enriching life.

In a word, it’s vapid.

I've grown tired of materialism, yet my love for aesthetics and style still runs deep. In my view, adopting an intentional approach to art acquisition serves as a powerful antidote to materialistic pressures. Let me elaborate.

To truly escape the clutches of materialism and infuse meaning into your surroundings, it's not just about buying art; it's about embracing the role of an art collector. Becoming an art collector is a journey marked by intention and responsibility, where you take on the role of a steward for the arts.

This transformative journey doesn't just make your surroundings visually appealing; it turns you into a more intriguing and fulfilled individual. You surround yourself with pieces that transcend mere interior design, guiding you towards a better way of life.

The artworks you choose won't be replaced hastily. Instead, you'll approach your investments with intention, allowing them to reflect the profound essence of who you are. As an art collector, you embark on a path that not only counters materialism but also elevates your living to new heights.

Prioritizing art in your home is the ultimate way to break out of the constant pressure in interior design (and let’s face it, influencer culture too). It keeps you from having to redo your entire home every 5-10 years, speaks to deeper aspects of yourself, and when bought intentionally allows you to truly nurture artists. When you know what you’re doing as an art collector, you will buy a piece and display that piece for your entire lifetime. You can change elements of it to spruce it up—like changing what surrounds it, or the lighting that accentuates it, and sometimes (though maybe only once or twice ever) the frame.

Having art on your walls is never going out of vogue. Art is becoming increasingly important. And when you take the time to figure out what you really like in art, and learn how to use that art as a resource in your life you can benefit from your collection for years.

You become a wildly more interesting, fulfilled person with this approach, and surround yourself with pieces that not only become incredible interior design, but which actually lead you to better living.

I wrote a how-to guide for becoming an art collector that tells you everything you need to know to get started. You can read that here.