When most people think about decorating their home with art, they have ideas, but often times jump right to “original art is too expensive” and they quickly move on to decorating with big box store’s mass-produced pieces. Or maybe they didn’t know anything else was possible.
It’s fair to assume that original art is only for wealthy people. I remember the first gallery I ever walked into was in New Orleans filled with amazing original pieces from artists that I actually knew. I remember seeing the prices and being shocked by the amount of zeros on the tag. So, I know that galleries can be intimidating, but this experience was inspiring to me to know that you can buy original art. I guess I had never really thought about it up until that moment. With that being said, I highly encourage you to go into galleries. Get a feel for what styles you like, even if the price tags are outrageous.
For me, especially after this experience, I thought art was only for the wealthy. That is until I found some alternative ways of buying pieces that I love at an affordable price. That’s what this blog is about. It’s about taking you with me to all my favorite, and most successful ways to find art on a budget….like a normal person with a normal budget.
Original art does not have to cost thousands of dollars. Estate sales, art festivals, local galleries, and coffee shops are some of the best places for beginner art collectors to find affordable original art on a budget.
What Counts as Original Art?
I consider original art to be anything made by human hands. For beginner art collectors, understanding the difference between originals, prints, and mass-produced décor can make buying affordable art much less intimidating. Paintings are my favorite pieces. The most common mediums I see are watercolor, oil, and acrylic.
Watercolor, Oil, and Acrylic Paintings
Watercolor is not textured at all and because the paint is water based, it’s thin and the colors spread into each other easily. To me, watercolors look like an original image that had water spilled on it. It’s very flowy and dreamlike.
Oil and acrylic paintings can be hard to distinguish because they both can have thick textures to them, but you are mostly going to see acrylic paintings if they are newer pieces. Acrylic paint is easier to work with, lasts longer, and is cheaper than oil paint.
Charcoal, Drawings, and Mixed Media
Other common categories I see a lot of, and love are charcoals, drawings, and mixed media. One of the first original pieces I was gifted from a friend was a mixed media done with pen, pencil, and some acrylic paint. My friends all took turns working on this piece throughout the course of several weeks. It turned into a conglomeration of style and ideas all on one canvas. It’s dark, spooky, and chaotic. I loved that they decided to gift it to me and they all still ask me about it to this day.
Are Prints Worth Buying?
Some original art is too expensive for me still, so when I find an artist that I love, I look to their prints. Limited edition art prints can be a great option for people interested in affordable wall art or starting an art collection on a budget. Although, not originals, it’s about what you like and what you can afford and still add character and style to your home.
Best Places to Find Affordable Art
Estate Sales
The best deals I have come across are at estate sales, art festivals, coffee shops, and occasionally thrift stores. Estate sales are one of the best places to find affordable original artwork if you are willing to be patient and dig a little. I love using estatesale.net to find estate sales near me. There you can look at pictures first and decide if you want to try and pick something up. I will usually go on the first day and see if the pieces I like fit into my budget and I’ll grab them right then and there. If something I like is out of my budget, I will go on the last day of the sale, see if it’s available still, and negotiate a better price. They will usually do 50% off on the last day.
Thrift Stores
Thrift stores can be hit or miss for beginner art collectors, but occasionally you can uncover unique original artwork for very little money. Honestly, it takes a lot of patience to sort through thrift store art. Most of what you are going to see here are old decorative art prints from big box stores or originals that were done by hobbyists. It’s not my style, but you might enjoy it.
Art Festivals
Art festivals are a great way to support local artists while also building an affordable art collection over time. Sometimes I find affordable original pieces, and sometimes I will snag a print, depending on my budget and how much I love it. I definitely go to festivals with a set budget in mind and stick to it throughout. I have been finding a lot of wood block prints at festivals lately, which is a print, but at the same time, it’s also an original in a way. It’s a nice balance between semi-original and affordability.
Small Galleries, Coffee Shops, and Local Restaurants
Beyond that, small town galleries, coffee shops, and some restaurants will showcase local talent and have their pieces for sale. This is a great way to get a good piece while you are traveling, because you will most likely be strolling their downtown area (a prime spot for small galleries), grabbing a coffee at a local coffee joint, and eating at a restaurant. You can take home a souvenir that you actually love and can enjoy in your home for years to come.
What I Look for Personally
Buy What Speaks to You Emotionally
Whether I am perusing estate sales, browsing a festival, or traveling, I am looking for pieces that speak to me emotionally. Over the course of my art collecting career, I can see my tastes evolving depending on where I am in life at that time. When I was younger, I was looking more at dark, surreal art. Now that I am moving into a new phase of life, I am seeing things differently and trying to add to my collection still based on how it makes me feel, but also incorporating more color and texture. I have been asking myself “will I be happy with this piece, living with it, and looking at it for years from now?”.
Why Framing and Provenance Matter
Something else I look at is the framing. It matters more than you think. The back of the frame can tell you a lot about the piece. When I get pieces framed, I have the framer make a little pocket in the back to keep the receipt, certificate, or any other thing that is associated with the provenance of the piece. This matters a lot if it’s valuable and for resale value. If the piece is from a gallery, there will also be a gallery sticker on the back, which can also indicate value.
Don’t Obsess Over Investment Value at First
This is the most important takeaway from this article. Buy what you love, not necessarily what you think is most valuable. All the places I mentioned buying affordable art above, are great places to start figuring out what style you like the most and develop your taste over time. I think walking an art festival is one of the best ways to help you determine this, even if you don’t end up buying anything. It’s a way of getting to know yourself first and not going by the expectations of others. A lot of people go with what other people like the most, or what the people around you like…but what do YOU like? Discovering that is discovering yourself.
Art is a form of self-discovery for me, and that’s this site’s motto is “found along the way”.
Beginner Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Affordable Art
I am still no expert in collecting art, but I have made some mistakes along the way that I think are important to share.
- Avoid buying mass-produced art. Think big box store décor.
- Set a budget and stick to it.
- Check the frame and back – it can tell you a lot.
- Don’t feel pressured to buy in galleries – you are allowed to just look.
- Don’t buy for trend – buy for what you love.
Final Thoughts on Collecting Affordable Art
Owning original art changes how your space feels. It feels like you actually curated it. It feels like the character of your space is intentional. You can almost feel the presence of the artist radiating off the piece, and it brings the love, time, and energy it took into your home.
Original art does not belong only in million-dollar homes. Sometimes the best pieces are the ones discovered slowly over time, as your tastes become more refined. It becomes found along the way. Affordable art collecting is less about impressing other people and more about building a home that feels personalized for you.
Let me know if you used any of the ideas in the comments below. I would love to see pictures of the pieces you come home with.
