How to Talk About the Art You Collect (Even If You're Not an Expert)

You walk into a room, see a painting, and feel it in your chest. You don’t know why—you just do. Maybe the colors speak to you. Maybe it reminds you of something you can’t quite name. Maybe you just can’t stop looking.

And then someone asks:“What do you like about it?”

That question can make even seasoned collectors freeze up. You might feel pressure to explain the artist’s technique, or say something impressive about composition, or throw in an art historical reference.

But here’s the truth: You don’t have to be an expert to talk about the art you love.

In fact, the most meaningful answers are often the simplest and most personal. Here are a few ways to talk about your collection with confidence and authenticity—no jargon required.

The next time someone asks what you love about a painting, just tell them the truth.

1. Start with how it makes you feel

Art is emotional. That’s part of what makes it powerful. You don’t need fancy language to say, “This piece calms me down after a long day,” or “The colors just make me happy.”

Those are valid, honest responses—and they’re often more interesting than technical ones.

2. Share what drew you to it

Was it the color? The texture? The energy? Maybe you stood in front of it longer than you meant to. Maybe it reminded you of a place, or time, or memory.

Try:

“I kept thinking about this piece for days after I saw it.”“There’s something about the movement—it feels alive to me.”

3. Tell the story of how you got it

Collectors often forget that their story is part of the art’s story. Did you discover the artist at a local show? Were you celebrating something when you bought it? Did it take you by surprise?

“I wasn’t planning to buy anything that day, but this one stopped me in my tracks.”“It was a gift to myself when I left my old job.”

4. Don't worry about “sounding right”

You don’t need to analyze brushstrokes or talk about “negative space.” (Though if you want to, go for it.) The important thing is that the art speaks to you. Describing it in your own voice makes the story—and the piece—more memorable.

5. When you talk about art, let the mystery stay mysterious

With abstract art especially, sometimes the magic is in not knowing exactly what it means. You can say that!

“I’m still figuring out what it means to me.”“It feels different every time I look at it.”

Final Thought

Art isn’t a quiz—it’s a conversation. And when you share a piece of your collection with someone else, you’re really just inviting them into that conversation. You don’t need credentials to do that. You just need curiosity, honesty, and a willingness to feel something.

So the next time someone asks what you love about a painting, just tell them the truth. That’s more than enough.