How To Buy Home Art On A Budget
A home always looks better when adorned with art, but as we all know, original art, doesn't come cheap. Finding art that is affordable but still worthy of a spot on your wall often proves to be difficult, but with a perseverance and a dose of ingenuity, you'll be able to find art pieces you love within your budget.
One word of caution though - if you are an art lover on a budget, like most of us, it is important to clearly allocate the amount you want to spend for any art purchases to make sure you don't spend more than you can afford. Once you've determined your budget, then you're good to go hunting for that special art piece!
Here are some of the places that you can look for art, without having to pay the high costs of an art gallery:
Search online
Not everyone can afford oil on canvas or an original watercolor; that is why prints are so great. There are some wonderful online venues that sell cheap but high-quality original art prints. You can also find original artwork online by up-and-coming artists. Who knows, you might even discover the next big thing!
Attend a student art show
Check with a university on the schedule of their student art shows. Young artists will often be thrilled to find anyone to purchase their works. Because students have little to no experience, their art is very inexpensive and you can often find some really nice pieces.
Go to an art fair
Check your local paper for any information in the arts and culture section regarding art shows or fairs. These fairs are a great place to find interesting, quirky and original art pieces of many varieties being sold for considerably less than in a gallery.
Find an estate sale
Look out for estate sales in your area where the owners are letting go of their artwork. As long as you are mindful of the quality and do proper checking before buying, you can bag some fantastic deals.
Travel and Shop For Art
This region is a great place to find art when you travel. If you like art featuring padi fields and ladies in sarongs, Ubud, Bali is a the place to go. Go traditional Indian shopping in Mumbai, but take note that some galleries have "tourist pricing" and "local pricing". So be sure to reduce the buying price by at least half or two-thirds. Or how about heading down to Philippines? From Pasay’s galleries to Makati’s private museums, the art shops in Mandaluyong’s mega-mall to the artist-run spaces around the university belt of Cubao and Quezon City, there is plenty in Manila for the urban art lover. Another noteworthy upcoming event is The Weekend Australian Art Melbourne 2010 which is taking place 22 to 25 April 2010. Visit www.artmelbourne10.com.au.
Alternatively, you might decide to get your hands dirty by making your own art. Other than creating a painting with a brush and paint, these are two other great ways:
Mosaic
You can put together a fun mosaic out of virtually anything. Sometimes the more unexpected the material the more interesting the mosaic is. Use buttons, beads, broken tile or anything else that you can find to fill the space. When you are done grout your work, frame and display.
Fabric Art
There are many beautiful fabrics in this world. Some of them are so amazing that if you framed them they would be art. Well, do exactly that. Find a fabric that you love, and frame it for a focal point in your room. You can find several different complementary fabrics and frame them to hang as a grouping on a wall as well.
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