Collect fine art as an investment? Del-Bourree Bach shakes his head. “Don’t do it. Buy art because you love it,” he says.

Kristen Bach, his wife and partner in the Courtyard Gallery in Mystic, agrees. “That’s right. You have to decorate your walls with something, so you might

as well like it.”

Anyone stepping into the eclectic gallery in Mystic would be hard-pressed to walk out empty-handed. Warm, soft lighting emphasizes the myriad colors and textures of paintings, sculptures, and assemblages that cover the walls and most available surfaces. Everywhere one looks, something different and beautiful catches the eye. “We never know who’ll walk through the door,” says Del, “and everyone likes different things, so over time, we’ve made the gallery into a mix.”

Kristen says, “Different things work together. One of the things we found early-on was a need for a gallery that stressed the diversity of art.”

How do the Bachs choose the art for the gallery? Del is a well-known artist himself, and knows many artists around the country. He chooses artwork that he likes, and pieces that will fit into the gallery. Most of the choices are from established mid-career artists, and many are from well-known artists from the region. Currently, the gallery features 45 artists with several works.

Kristen laughs. “I have to name-drop,” she says. “We’ve had some great artists since we opened. They are absolute stalwarts and have large followings.”

The names are impressive: Christopher Zhang, Sara Stifler Lucas, Domine Vescera Ragosta, Sheila Barbone, Ralph Acosta, Sunil Howlader, Jillian Barber, Kim Muller-Tym, James Magner, and Susan Shaw, to name a few. Artists in other media include sculptors Serena Bates and Susan Van Winkle, and wood-cut artist

David Witbeck.

A unique aspect is that the gallery carries nothing that can be reproduced. The Bachs decided they would only carry one-of-a-kind pieces, and this is an added incentive for collectors. According to Del, investment value is just icing on the cake. “We like to talk about buying from living artists, if possible,” says Del, then he laughs. “The dead guys don’t need the money.”

Collecting art is an art in itself. An artist creates his or her personality, but a collector displays their personality. When someone enters the gallery, especially for the first time, the Bachs always ask what that person likes. That often leads to finding a small, perfect piece that can be the beginning of a collection.

Kristen says, “The most exciting thing is to have someone come in and fall in love with something they just want to live with.”

The Bachs recommend starting a collection with one small thing by an artist you love. Often, that first piece will inspire ideas for other works that will match or complement the collection. As the collection grows, each piece becomes a treasure.

Del adds, “I believe in design in a home. When we arrange a new show, it’s all about keeping the eye interested,” he says. “We choose different things that work together, and it gives the visitor an idea of what one can do with art.”

But again, what about the investment value of collecting? Original art will always appreciate, according to Kristen. “This is the absolute truth. Art has consistently outperformed the stock market for 100 years,” she says. “But you have to live with it, so you have to love it.”

Courtyard Gallery’s friendly, welcoming atmosphere makes browsing a real pleasure. Additionally, the weekly Sunday Salons are a big attraction and have become a Mystic tradition. Artists are often in attendance and visitors are treated to wine and noshes.

A visit to the Courtyard Gallery could very possibly be the beginning of something beautiful.

The Courtyard Gallery is located at 12 Water St, Mystic, CT. Visit courtyardgallerymystic.com or call 860-536-5059 for more information.