More reasons to buy original art are on my blog post
Top Signs You are Buying Original [Piece of Art} , but thought this was interesting, too. In case you are wondering why I copied this article here, it was because I learned the hard way that the Miami Herald yanks their articles off the internet very quickly!!!
Best ideas are highlighted. Remember the local artists that are just waiting to WOW you!
Posted on Sun, Oct. 10, 2010
Go local for affordable works by others
BY JENNIFER FORKER Associated Press
Naked walls and bare tabletops can be intimidating to amateur decorators -- that is, to most of us. But there's bona fide artwork out there -- online, maybe in your hometown -- for every budget. Sleuthing out what suits your space and taste is part of the fun.
``Art is a great investment and it doesn't have to be expensive if you buy it smart,'' says Rachael Liska, senior editor at Fresh Home magazine.
Steven Young Lee, resident artist director of the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, in
Helena, Mont., notes that art can be inspirational and affect viewers on an emotional level. You want to live with the pieces that continue to influence you in some way,'' Lee says. ``You may notice something different every time you look at it. Your perspective changes and the work changes with you.''
That also means you may want to freshen rooms from time to time with different art.
The nonprofit Archie Bray, which supports ceramic artists at its residency studios, sells the work of current and past resident artists through its online gallery, at an annual July auction and during regular exhibition shows.
Lee says places like The Bray are good for novice art buyers. ``We're supporting a lot of up-and- coming artists, so prices are lower,'' he says.
Art aficionados on the prowl for lower prices can also check with art schools and universities. The Rhode Island School of Design, in Providence, sells fine art at its online store,
Risdworks.com.
Local art shows provide a chance to view a wide range of talent and styles. David Bromstad, host of HGTV's Color Splash: Miami, tries to catch Art Basel Miami Beach each year, with its eclectic draw of 2,000 international artists. It runs Dec. 2-5 this year.
``You can find original art for the same price as some prints, and it's made with lots of passion and love,'' Bromstad says.
Back online, there are several Web-based galleries where you can browse, purchase -- even test buy -- original artwork. They include Ugallery, where buyers may try out a piece of art for a week. If it doesn't work out, the return shipping is free.
``There are not a lot of other galleries that allow you to do stuff like that,'' Liska says. ``It really has a diverse collection of styles.''
Etsy and ArtFire sell fine art among scads of crafts, some of it kitschy. Other online sites are limited more to the fine arts, including College Art Online (student, alumni and professor artwork); Gallery Today (signed oil paintings); Original Art Online; and 20x200, which posts a new photograph and work on paper weekly.
Liska singles out
Collectdotgive.org as a source for contemporary photography. The website posts photographers' prints, and the shooters pledge to donate 100 percent of their print-sale profits to a charity of their choice.
``You can go and buy something knowing you're also donating to really cool causes,'' Liska says.
© 2010 Miami Herald Media Company. All Rights Reserved. http://www.miamiherald.com
More sources:
Zazzle,
FineArtAmerica
