1. You ask for too many outside opinions.
When acquiring art, it's best to trust your own intuition. It's good to pay attention to your initial feelings about a piece. Does it give you a "wow" feeling, or do you have to dig for enthusiasm? You shouldn't ask friends, parents, or neighbors for help when choosing a work of art, because then you'd be choosing it for them, not for yourself. If you want a work of art that will still inspire you years from now, trust your own intuition and preferences. You don't need to justify your choice of artwork to friends; if a piece particularly moves you, there's no need to explain it. Be a trendsetter in your art acquisition, rather than a follower.
2. You don't think about the future.
My partner and I once bought a work by Miina Äkkijyrkkä. We had the opportunity to visit her studio, and she personally showed us her available paintings. However, the prices were higher than we had discussed previously.
For this reason, we ended up choosing a less expensive work on paper instead of a canvas painting. Two years later, we still regret saving in the wrong place. The canvas painting would have been more valuable than the monetary difference at the time of purchase. We fondly remember the magnificent canvases that we had the chance to admire, even for a moment. Now we are wondering if we should buy a completely new piece, this time on canvas, as our poorly considered purchase has left us with regrets.
3. You think too much about the future.
You don't need to be a doctor of philosophy with a dissertation in art history to acquire art. You are acquiring a piece for yourself, not for an art museum collection. It's good to consider the potential increase in value of the work, but the most important thing is to remember to look for a piece for yourself, not for potential great-grandchildren. With good care, a work of art will in any case last at least your entire lifetime.
4. You hesitate.
A work of art hits you when it hits you. For me, the desire to acquire art and finding a magnificent piece rarely coincide. When I want to buy a piece, I can't find one that excites me. Then, when I come across a captivating work of art, I hesitate about the acquisition. Of course, in the latter case, the piece is already gone by the time I'm ready to buy it.
5. You try to buy a trendy piece.
It's good to seek inspiration by exploring art websites and even Pinterest. However, be careful not to fall for a temporary art trend, as fashionable art might seem embarrassingly outdated to you in a few years. You can recognize trendy art, for example, by encountering similar works by many different artists on social media. If you cannot intuitively identify a style characteristic of the artist or an engaging quality in the work, it is most likely art prone to trends.