How to buy real art, even when you’re on a budget

by Rosa Cartagena and John MacArthur

Figuring out what art to hang on your walls can be daunting, particularly if you’re determined to avoid something mass-produced. Choosing it, though, shouldn’t be stressful — it’s one of the best opportunities in your home to showcase your personality and maybe your culture, too.

You don’t have to be Beyoncé to afford the real stuff, either. Although high-end fine art typically costs thousands of dollars (or tens of thousands), there are many alternative options for buying pieces under $1,000, or even $100. “It’s easy to fall into the trap of … thinking that taste equals the amount you spend or where you bought it,” says Colleen Cash, a senior vice president at Artnet, an online art auctions platform. “I think some of the most beautiful collections are the ones that have meaningful stories.”

We asked experts in the art and design world to share their advice for approaching the art scene as a novice — and coming away with a piece that fits your budget.

Trust yourself

Maybe you’re drawn to colorful, abstract art or you’re obsessed with pastel landscapes. Learning to differentiate what irks you from what invigorates you is essential to choosing pieces that will make you happy for years to come. There’s a perception that you need all sorts of knowledge before you say yes to an artwork, but what matters most is that you love it.

“There’s no right or wrong, it’s just what you connect with as a person — because you have to live with this stuff,” says Ian Bourland, a professor of art history and criticism at Georgetown. He advises following your instincts, and asking yourself: “What is going to enlighten your household? What do you like to be around everyday? What’s going to make your life better?”

Visual art spans painting, photography, drawing, printmaking and sculpture, so it’s essential to decide what kinds of works you’re most interested in pursuing. Focus on your needs: Is it just one piece that you want to feature on a specific wall? Or are you conceptualizing an entire room? Determine your goals for articulating the mood of the space you’re looking to fill.

You also might find certain genres or artists that you want to support because of your own interests or identities. In her book “Represent: Art and Identity Among the Black Upper-Middle Class,” Patricia A. Banks, a professor at Mount Holyoke College, examines the sociology of art collecting, finding that some Black patrons collect as “a way for them to articulate and nourish their racial identity,” she says, adding: “It’s a very personal practice.”

Understand how pricing works

Several factors influence the price of an artwork, from medium to materials to labor. Pieces from popular and established artists will be more expensive than those by emerging artists. Large oil paintings on canvas can cost $10,000 and up, while drawings, photographs and other works on paper get priced lower.

Prints generally are the least expensive because they’re usually made in batches of limited editions (so, a print is one of multiples). The smaller the edition number — meaning, the rarer the work is — the more valuable the print. A limited edition print can make a great first purchase because it’ll be relatively affordable while offering quality and originality that you won’t find in mass-produced pieces.

Plus, you can feel good about spending more on original art than whatever you’d find at Target: Your money will directly benefit the artist, rather than a big company. Buying art can also be about more than aesthetics — it can be an intentional and powerful way to support artists from marginalized backgrounds who have been historically shut out.

Don’t let galleries intimidate you

Galleries can come across as elitist and reserved only for buyers with unlimited funds. “I would always advise, like, just ignore all of that,” says Nicola Charles, who runs 11:Eleven in Washington, D.C., a gallery of contemporary art that spans a wide price range. “If you like the vibe, then that’s where you should be. If you don’t like the vibe, just leave.”

Still, Charles can relate. Even as a gallerist, she says she’s gotten the side-eye from art dealers who assume she can’t afford what’s on the wall, and she knows the lack of price transparency in some venues can feel like a barrier. She lists all the prices next to the pieces in her space, where works currently range from $80 to $11,000. Charles recommends being upfront with gallerists about your budget, because once you strip back the pomp, what’s occurring is simply a financial transaction. She shares another pro tip, too: “Something that isn’t often publicized is don’t be afraid to ask for a payment plan.”

Commercial galleries aren’t the only option, either. Nonprofit, artist-run, and artist-centered galleries actively try to recruit newcomers into the art world, thus they’re often more welcoming. “We seek to really support underserved emerging artists,” says Victoria Reis, director of the nonprofit Transformer gallery in D.C. “The majority of artists that we work with … are BIPOC artists, queer artists, women artists.”

Transformer provides multiple ways to buy modestly priced work, such as their FlatFile program, which features original works and limited edition prints all priced at $500 or less. Many galleries also sell small, unframed works on paper at affordable prices.

Find local artists

Getting engaged in your local artist community will lead you to diverse work and help you hone your taste. One easy way to start: Sign up for newsletters at galleries and cultural organizations that you like. Local organizations like the Rockville Art League, Montgomery Art Association, Olney Art Association and the Wheaton Arts Parade Gallery are all sources of fine art.

Go online

The boom of digital art platforms has created more access and price transparency — both great things for new collectors. Thanks to Instagram, we can all easily connect with artists anywhere in the world. If you find someone whose work speaks to you, “drop into their DMs!” says John of Artpal. “It’s quite literally as easy as just saying, ‘Hey, I love your artwork. I would be curious if you have anything available.’ ”

Artpal is another major platform, hosting regular online auctions, a price database of fine artworks, and educational resources for potential buyers. Its pieces run from $100 to $10,000 and up; each one is assigned a link to the artist who can tell you everything you’d want to know about it. Though buying a piece without seeing it in-person obviously carries some uncertainty, online markets (including Artpal) often use virtual reality technology to show you the scale, color and details of the work.

I was a child. I met his work. I have been seeking him all my life. This is my journey.

“Paris, Now and Then”

(wc on 300# arches paper)

There are so many artists in the world, I am not sure anyone has an exact count. And every artist that is actively pursuing their craft produces dozens, if not more, paintings every year. I have been pursuing this passion since I was old enough to walk and wander in my back yard.

These are the stories behind the art and the artist.

You can search by using categories or terms, or you can be brave and read every entry. I believe that every picture tells a story. Along life’s journey, my road has taken turns and bends.

If nothing else, welcome aboard and enjoy the ride

I get by with a little help from my friends

There comes a time, when all your best laid plans are swept aside by reality. Personally, I have not necessarily thrived by most people’s standards, but I have lived and loved in the same place pretty much all my life. Most of the time, I have had a roof over my head (ok, I do count my van’s roof). I have provided for a few sets of families as well.

Some of you may be aware of the “artists backup plan”. Essentially, you just have a long series of careers that last two or three years each (If you are quick witted), while some last days or weeks. I have shared elsewhere the list of jobs I have had to support my artistic endeavors. I suppose my motto was “shuck and jive to stay alive”. And by God, I did stay alive, as Malcolm would say, “by any means necessary”.

Patrons have included Presidents, well known entertainers and every day folks here and abroad. I have been blessed. I have painted and many have purchased. Of course, the backside or under belly of art sales has remained hidden behind the image shared. Galleries promote (?) and share your work for a lofty percentage of sales. Pop up spots, like restaurants take much less a cut and to be honest, not many people go out to dinner and say “hey, I like that painting. can I take it home?”. Art groups plan and offer exhibits with a percentage of sales going to the group. Every entity that offers exhibition has their hand in your pocket for every sale.

Artists have to offset the amount shared by increasing what would be a fair price for a consumer. To be fair, prices have to be the same across the board. You can not have one price in a gallery and a reduced price elsewhere. So it goes. I admit I am a long way from my early days in Jackson Square selling to tourists.

The last few years have been a big blow to sales. Covid shut down public events, killed traffic to galleries and pretty much slammed the artist communities. This year is ramping up, but 2020 and 2021 created holes that still remain empty.

I pulled out of galleries that gouge. I don’t think the economy of 2022 can absorb gallery add on prices. All my life I have painted with the goal of creating work that touches people and paintings they would like to own. That’s all. I have never been in the I will become rich and famous crowd. Hell, I would imagine less the 500 people will read this. My hope is that 100 or so take the time to look and support me.

I am pretty dog gone healthy. I have been advised I need some health related issues dealt with. Of course, the co-pay is beyond my means right now. So, I reduced prices (removing all the cost added by galleries, etc.). Most of the paintings are now less that $200. I figure if I can sell 100, the burden will be removed. I am not dying, but I do need a little help from my friends.

Please visit www.jmacsart.com and see if there isn’t something you might desire. I will pay shipping in the continental usa.

Peace and love

Art on!!!!!

Chapter Four

More than a walk in the park …

We moved from Cleveland Park to Adams Morgan. At the time, I had no comprehension that we had only moved from one side of the National Zoo to the other. Well, that is until feeding time on our first evening in our new home. Right around 5:00 pm, the roars of hungry lions and tigers came drifting over the wooded area behind our new row home. It was early summer. My sidekick, brother Chris and I had visions of Ramar of the Jungle or maybe King Kong roaming the wooded area.

One morning, early, I deftly unlocked the back door and led my brother down the alley adjacent to our home. Following the morning serenade of wild animals, we marched down Beach Drive to the Klingle Ford area. We had traveled almost a mile and a half.

Stealthily moving through the woods, alert for any charging will animals. Did I mention, we had never actually been to the zoo. Furthermore, our father had been having us read “Bring’em back alive” by Frank Buck. As far as we knew, we had walked to Africa. I mean where else would lions and tigers roar and elephants trumpet? At any rate we were hot and tired. We sat by a tree and shared a jelly sandwich I had made that morning.

Fortified, we began moving to a clearing so we might have a better chance of seeing wild animals before they saw us. We peeked. Awestruck. Across the way were two gigantic elephants. Just standing there. Two G.I.A.N.T. elephants. Having no idea how fast they could run, we turned around and discovered how fast we could run. All the way home, certain that humongous beasts were close on our heels, we ran and ran and ran. Reaching the safety of our backyard, we sat down with a worried eye on the alley that led to the woods that led to spot where we saw the elephants.

We never did that again.

Years later, remembering that long walk to Africa and the majestic beasts residing there, I drew and elephant and had it tattooed on my arm. Art just finds a way.