An illustration by Claudia Pearson, as featured on The Things We Make
Over and over, I hear people say, “I love art, but who can afford it?”
Fine original art seems locked away in a tower, reserved only for wealthy collectors. And I understand how art got this rep. Traditionally art has been supported wholly by patrons, dedicated to buying landscapes and commissioned portraits and supporting their favorite artists.
In the last century, art has taken a new and more affordable turn. The internet has kicked its accessibility into high gear, and now art is more affordable than ever.
I know you love art. Everyone loves art. We are built to love art, decoration, symbolism. There does not exist a healthy human adult who doesn’t like objects that strike them as pretty. So why despair that art is beyond your reach?
First, think of art as an investment, and treat it as such. Traditionally, art is collected, with the expectation that one would be able to resell it for a higher value down the road. Now, you can’t buy a piece from an Etsy seller expecting that, but you could view art as a long-term investment for your home. You could bring home a $40 giclee from Target, but it isn’t made of archival materials, its frame will warp, its colors will fade. Instead, look for original art and prints made of high-quality, archival materials. I’ll be the first to tell you: not all artists concern themselves with the longevity of their work, so ask questions. Even if a piece isn’t on acid free paper, it still may be of a loner lasting material than a mass-produced poster canvas. It’s like the difference between buying a cheaply made pair of shoes that will last a year and buying a costlier but higher quality pair that will outlast the cheap pair by years. And they make your feet look nicer.
Sometimes, just finding the art can be daunting. Where do you find art you like at all, let alone pinpoint art that’s affordable?
Blogs can be a great resource. Amy over at Things We Make keeps a roll of pieces she likes, and in 2009 was committed to bringing home a new print every month. She provides an easy entry point to collecting art. I love Amy’s feature of illustrator Claudia Pearson (whose drawing is at the top of this post).
Poke around the internet for other blogs you might like who feature art. When you find someone with tastes similar to yours, who devotes time every day to looking at art to buy, it’s like having your own curator.
20×200 is a direct source for affordable prints. Two new prints come out each week, and every single edition is available in $20, $50, and $200 versions.
Society6 is also a fantastic place for affordable prints. Each artist controls their own offerings, but Society6 handles shipping and printing. I have a few prints available there, and its visual search (and random “Discovery” button) are really fun ways to navigate. Each artist sets their own prices, but it’s hard to find an outrageously priced print.
Finally, check out your local venues! Entry-level galleries, arts events like Craft Saturday and Market Day, even small shows at coffee shops; they’ve all got affordable art, and you might score a cool story or a new buddy out of the buy.
So, where else do you shop art? Etsy? Fine Art America? Share it!
