Rules for buying others people's art

For years I had no budget to buy anything, having young children, house mortgage and all the usual overheads of a young family I had to make my own at everything. Sewing curtains, quilts, pillows, painting floor boards and making my own art on a shoe-string.

Twenty years along I don’t seem to have time to make much of the things around the home, having a corporate job, entertaining and all the adult carefree things we get to do post children. I struggle with bare walls, so here in our new home .. I have resorted to buying other peoples art! Now that is a hard task for a DIY penny-saving queen.

I still have a limited budget so most originals are out of my league as are any major works. But with a meagre budget I started buying art which inspires me. So over the years I have gradually collected other people’s art, but I had to develop some purchasing rules which I have placed on myself.

So here are MY rules when buying other’s art; the beauty of having set your own guidelines is you don’t feel bad and can buy the art when you see it and know its the right choice for you.

Rule 1 budget: Stay under $150.

I would dearly love so many wonderful creations I see, so rule one is budget. Maximum of $150 if it meets all the other criteria below! $30 is my average price so this means collecting: prints and poster, or miniatures.

Natures-face fabric patches just $6

Christian Fletcher WA photographer, this is on 12″x 12″ aluminium.

Larry Carlson prints – these two for $100

Larry Carlson prints US digital artist.

Aviva Reed Melbourne artist, $30 print

Rule 2: Must still decorate my house not just for art-sake.

I feel like I need to justify purpose as I don’t have the option for luxury. Basically the art needs to fit into our home, our renovation plans and ultimately have room for it. Whilst I do purchase impromptu, I don’t actually buy anything unless I visualize the location in the house.

Strawberry Kisses – a young artist Gippsland for $180. This is large at 1.2m x 1.2m for the office.

Spinifex seed art on the patio

Carol Jerrems poster in the lounge room – 1960’s Australian photographer

Rule 3: I can’t make it myself.

Being creative and able to paint, draw and sculpt means I really need to ask myself at times, can I do that. As the top two rules stamp out collecting any high-end artist I am generally limited to emerging artists. So I keep an eye out for materials and skills I don’t have and are being well utilized by emerging artists. That way I can still enjoy the material and craftsmanship skill.