Shopping for Art 101 (And My Favorite Artists and Collectives Right Now)
Art by Kristina Akers
I’ve found myself talking a lot about sourcing art and how to find artists lately, and I realized that sometimes you just need a place to START. The art world can feel intimidating and overwhelming if it’s unfamiliar territory, so I’m hoping I can point you in the right direction with some great artists and collectives to follow. Then you can enjoy going down the rabbit hole from there!
Also, know that today I’m specifically focusing on paintings - i.e. the kind of art you hang on the walls. :)
But before we dive into specific artists, let’s talk about a few helpful terms and go over a little art 101 so you can be a little more prepared as you go out to find those pieces of art you want to bring home!
Original art vs. prints
When you hear the term “original art,” it’s typically referring to a unique, one-of-a-kind piece made from materials like acrylics, oils, or watercolors. Prints on the other hand are just like they sound - they’re printed duplicates of an original painting. This distinction gets a little murky given the fact that some artists will sell an original and prints of that original, so if you’re looking for a true one-of-a-kind piece, commissioning an artist to paint something just for you is the way to make that happen.
In terms of cost, originals are more expensive than prints, so that’s something to keep in mind when you’re on the hunt for pieces for your home. Originals are lovely to have (and so special!), but I know we all prioritize how we spend our hard-earned dollars in different ways, so it’s nice to recognize that both options exist!
What’s an “artist collective?”
An art collective is a group of artists brought together by a curator to showcase their work. Those curators release collections of works by individual artists and/or groups of artists either in an in-person show or online. Collectives often have particular goals in mind - be it catering to certain styles, budgets, or locations. Some work with emerging artists and others with long-established ones. They’re a wonderful way to find artists that fit your style and budget.
For artists, collectives can be a great way to reach a wider audience. There’s power in numbers! By partnering together, they can grow individually and support each other along the way.
Finding your art style
If you’ve never shopped for art, sometimes it can be hard to know what you even like. Art is very subjective and it often takes time to figure out your taste and style. Whether it’s abstracts or landscapes, monochromatic or bursting with color, if you love it, make it yours!
If you’re not sure what your style is, take some time to “study” what’s out there before you make any purchases. A great way to do this is to start looking through different sections of websites that carry art. Whenever I can, I like to support individual or independent artists, rather than shopping mass produced pieces that are a dime-a-dozen at large retail stores (you know what I’m talking about!). That being said, there’s a time and a place for those too, and if you love it, bring it home! No judgment here if you choose to go that route.
Some places that I think have done a particularly good job curating original pieces and prints from independent artists are:
They all carry originals, prints, or both in a wide variety of styles and price points, which should help you start to hone in on what you like and don’t like. I’d suggest starting a Pinterest board an pinning pieces to it as you come across ones you like. Once you’ve got a bunch, go back and look at the board to see if you can figure out common themes - that’ll help point you in the right direction as you search for the perfect pieces for your home!
Another one of my very favorite places to find artists I love is on Instagram. There are some really talented folks out there sharing their work on that platform and I’ll be sharing some of my current favorites via their accounts below!
My favorite artists and collectives to follow on Instagram right now
In no particular order…here are some I love! If you’re reading this in your email or on a feed reader you may need to click over to the website to check out the images below!
Well & Wonder Artist Collective
I hope this post helps you find art you love! Let’s fill those empty walls in our homes!
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