Love art but don’t know where to start?
As an artist who sells and who also buys work, I’ve been thinking about this topic since my early days of selling paintings via Instagram in 2016. Although if we are to go all the way back, I began hawking Hello Kitty sketches in 4th grade for $3-5 a pop.
I’ve bought ceramics and prints, as well as some artist trades. I’ve met buyers with wide-ranging reasons for buying art and factors affecting their purchases - from price point to sensibility to genre to credibility (like how much I’ve shown at museums, etc).
Here are some thoughts on artist intentions (reasons to buy art) and tips on where to buy art.
A quick & dirty list of where to buy art
Artist websites or social media - see the most up-to-date work, buy directly from the source, support 100% (no commissions, galleries take 50% for marketing etc)
Artist auctions (local organizations), benefits or fairs - great way to discover emerging artists, bid within your range, get to know the constellation of galleries
Regional galleries - go to openings, meet the team, develop a long-term relationship
Artsy, saatchi - I’m on Artsy, and it can be overwhelming, but I curate my feed by starting following artists I like
what people say about what they’re looking for in art
I’ve spoken to dozens of customers in the past few years who have purchased my original artworks.
I also buy local art, art prints, and ceramics from my favorite makers that I’ve met over the years.
In 2018, one customer told me he was building an in-home gallery featuring local artists. Another told me he had lots of “white space” that he needed to fill up. One customer said she admired my causes. Most people just told me they “liked it.”
We spend so much time looking at content that our visual eyes are strong. Most people gravitate towards strong contrasting compositions. They like balances of light and dark. Colors are intuitively resonant. Many people gravitate towards my artworks that have greens and blues in them. They are drawn to gold accents.
Warm colors, like purples, reds and pinks, are less attractive to all my buyers, but when people like a warm palette, they LOVE them.
That changes from year to year, as people I know are influenced by contemporary design trends in color.
How do I approach selling art? Or what do I look for that makes art stand out to me?
The way I sell art and the way I buy are like two sides of the same coin.
I think about my audience the way I think about art that moves me.
Art has the power to transform a space, making it more beautiful, personal, and meaningful. But why do we choose to purchase art in the first place? What motivates us to invest in pieces that speak to us?
I began selling my art in 2016, mainly through art shows and Instagram posts. I sold them for $200-600. People snatched them up. I don’t have much inventory left from those years (maybe less than 3 paintings). Then in 2019, I began painting professionally, selling through shows or partnerships with galleries and organizations.
The upgrade in materials, improvement in skill and technique, and expanded market allowed me to price my work higher. Note: I went from using $3 tubes of paint to $24, $1 brushes to $12, and $5 canvases to $50. And there was a huge difference in quality.
Why does any of this matter? I don’t think of art as just a commodity. It brings meaning and value to our lives. As an artist, I think about how my paintings can uplift people’s moods and give them a boost of joy. People buy art for personal reasons and I relish this soulful connection.
If you are an artist hoping to make works that will bring value to people’s lives, here are some tips I’ve learned.
Art as Self-Expression (Buy From Artist Websites)
One of the main reasons people purchase art is to express themselves and make their home feel more personal. Art can reflect our unique tastes and personalities, and can help us create a space that feels uniquely our own. When we select art for our homes, we’re making a statement about who we are and what we value.
One customer and her husband supported local artists. She wanted her kids to grow up around art (as well as leave something behind for them). She saw herself as a curator and taste-maker.
For me, there’s no better way to do this than to follow the artist’s Instagram, where they post personal and professional content. You’ll get the context (meaning) by which things are made.
Plus, artists post sales, deals, open studios, special events, etc, that unless you are following their newsletter, may never find out about.
Art as Advocacy (Buy at Auctions)
Another reason people purchase art is to celebrate their interests and passions. For example, if you love the ocean, you might purchase a painting or photograph of the beach to bring a sense of the seaside into your home. Or if you’re interested in a particular time period or style, you might invest in pieces that reflect that aesthetic. By incorporating art that speaks to our interests and passions, we create a more meaningful and enjoyable living environment.
I had a customer who enjoyed my explanation of the social and cultural concepts (for example, the critique of immigration laws and the porousness of borders/boundaries). She read through my blog posts and connected with what I had to say (whew!) which helped her request for a commission.
Arts organizations benefits or auctions are great for finding artists aligned with a social mission that you care about. When I was a studio artist at Root Division, we did two major auctions a year that supported the organization’s operational fees and classes for kids (so cute!). Some like the security of working with organizations as they may offer return policies or better purchasing terms.
Art as Aesthetic Amplifier (Buy on Artsy)
Lastly, art can serve as an object that elevates or amplifies the aesthetics of its surroundings. Art can add depth, texture, and color to a space, making it feel more dynamic and visually interesting. It can also help create a focal point or add visual interest to an otherwise plain room. By carefully selecting art that complements our existing decor, we can create a cohesive and visually pleasing space.
Several of my artists have purchased my paintings because they reminded them of the forest or ocean. They wanted to bring the sensation of these natural elements into their space. Others liked my use of color, texture or technique. One customer described my work as “chaos” that offset the structure in his life. Funnily enough, others have described my works as calm or zen.
I really like online marketplaces for aesthetic styling, and their algorithms support finding similar artists or products. Artsy is my go-to for fine art, while Saatchi feels affordable but a little overwhelming. I adore Etsy for prints, especially from commercial illustrators - I think the fees are not too hefty and I find great children’s art that way.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, purchasing art is a personal and meaningful decision. By selecting pieces that speak to our personalities, interests, and aesthetics, we can create a home that feels uniquely our own. Art can have a profound impact on the way we experience our living spaces, and can bring joy, inspiration, and beauty into our lives.