How to Become an Art Collector: Seana Freeman
Finding and collecting art takes interest, passion and time, and Seana Freeman, also known as Belly Baila on Instagram, is becoming a master at it. I have been in awe of her growing art collection for some time, so I was thrilled when she and I could talk all about it recently. Seana shared her personal art story and her tips on how to become an art collector.
First, a little bit about Seana. Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, she lived in New York City for 15 years, before moving full time to Charlotte, NC, four years ago. During her time living in Brooklyn in New York, she learned the value and excitement of making hand-me-downs her own and developed her home aesthetic over the years. She bought a new construction house in Charlotte and has been making it her own ever since. Check out her home and all the fabulous, soulful work she has put into it on her Instagram page here.
Q. I love your home and your aesthetic, and what has always struck me about your home is your art collection. How and when did you start collecting art?
A. I used to work for Pepsi, and the head of the legal department was like a mentor to me and he would hold benefits in his house in Greenwich, CT. He and his wife were art collectors and every square inch of their walls was covered in original art, like all the big names.
It was so impactful for me to see that they had turned their home into this gallery. I didn’t know the artists so I didn’t have a full appreciation for how valuable it was. Any major black artist of the last 100 years, they had them, multiple pieces in their home. To see that was an experience. And I said, one day, I want a house like that, that’s like a gallery. The art was the focal point of their home. I loved the feeling of being hugged and immersed by your art.
As time progressed, and frankly, as my walls got filled up, I realized they were all big. I like big things in general. So then I started pushing myself to get more variety in size and subject matter.
Now I don’t have that much space and I have lots of stuff in closets and storage, so I have certain spaces and roles that I want art to play. If I get art now, it’s really going to have to speak to me or serve a certain purpose.
I have not really approached it as an investment, I approached art as I love it. I feel like, where I want to go now, is maybe art as an investment, and think more about the value and who did it. I want to like it and love it too, but it’s a vehicle, something that appreciates over time.
I like to have a house that feels 3D, that feels alive. It feels like a little bubble of my life, and things that I like, and the people I come from.
When I’m out and I see art by black artists or representing the black subject, I would like to support the work, too. I would like to support black artists.
Once you know artists, then you know more about where the art league is, where the art shows are. And Charlotte is a small market, so it’s not so hard to get your arms around it. I would say my life is kind of integrated a bit with the arts, to some extent. I call myself a wannabe.
It’s the mixing of the pieces that tell a story, and give yourself time to let your story unfold. The story of my art in 10 years will be different than the story of my art now.
Take an interest in some of the young up-and-coming artists in your community, build a relationship with them. Just support them, they need the support. You can find people early in their careers.
Thank you, Seana, for sharing your art story with us! And for more on the topic, check out some of my favorite artists here and more top tips from interior designer Meeshie Snyder here.
