You don’t have to be a connoisseur to purchase art, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money to purchase good art! “Good” art can be whatever inspires you or lights up your room décor! Consider all the stories you’ve heard about collectors who bought what they loved—only to find years later that their collection was museum worthy! Art can add character, color, intrigue and excitement to any room. It can provide warmth, comfort and beauty to your office space or home sanctuary.
Consider these top 10 strategies for finding the art that you love:
- Buy Online! Yes, you can find great art on the internet for next to nothing in price. I decorated my entire house with beautiful pieces I found on ebay and etsy.com. Just be careful to check the size of the piece, direction (vertical or horizontal), and whether or not it is already matted or framed. I have bought artwork that was on rolled canvas without knowing it!
- Peruse art books! I have been known to cut out pages featuring reproductions of gorgeous art. These books often feature high-quality copies of paintings or sketches. And if you purchase a book showcasing a variety of artists, you’ll have a variety of artwork! All you need to do is go to a local arts and crafts store, purchase inexpensive mats and/or frames, and voila!
- Visit a student show. All art colleges host student exhibits at least once a year at which you can purchase work for very little. The work can be exceptional—from paintings and sculpture to ceramics and illustration. Check the websites of art colleges in your area.
- Take some friends and pop in at a craft fair! Not all craft fairs are just for crafts. Many are juried events that include stunning artwork by talented artisans. Fairs are year-round and are listed in the calendar section of any local newspaper or magazine.
- Flea markets and Tag Sales? You bet! I have bought art for as little as $2 at some of these venues. You know what they say…one person’s junk is another person’s treasure! In this case, someone may have just gotten tired of their artwork or it needs to be re-matted and framed, which can be done on the cheap!
- Check out an antique store. Not all antique stores are pricey or filled with stuffy antiques. Take a day and explore some small towns for such shops. Sometimes you can find old mirror frames or architectural remnants (doorway or mantel scrolls) that can serve as wonderful works of art when mounted on the wall or leaned against a book shelf.
- Postcards? Really? Yes! Visit a museum store and pick up a bunch of art postcards or greeting cards. Mat them and add a frame if you’d like. No one will know the difference!
- Visit That Little Gallery in That Little Town. Galleries are popping up everywhere. The creative economy is booming! Most small towns have at least one gallery that features relatively inexpensive art. Go exploring!!
- Take an art class. ANYONE can create art. Many museums, art centers, or continuing education programs offer one-day workshops or a series of classes in making all kinds of art. You will come away with some fabulous pieces and a better understanding of how its done!
- Don’t take an art class! Canvasses are super inexpensive. Create your own work with acrylic paint (dries faster than oil and isn’t as hard to use as watercolor). It doesn’t need to be a landscape or portrait—combine colors in an abstract pattern and you’ll be surprised at the result! And if you don’t like it, acrylic paint is very forgiving…you can keep going until you like the color combination! OR go online and learn how to decoupage. Buy a piece of wood, and create a mixed media piece! YOU CAN DO IT!
