9 Reasons to Buy a Painting

There’s no doubt that buying prints and posters is fun (and affordable) — but there’s a lot to be said for saving up for a piece of one-of-a-kind art. If you’ve been sticking with framed prints, let these 10 reasons tempt you into your neighborhood gallery to peruse the paintings instead.

1. Buying a painting supports the artist directly. Painters pour their hearts into their work, and it can be difficult to make ends meet in such a labor-intensive and competitive field. Enrich your home and feel good knowing your purchase is helping to support a local artist by shopping at local galleries.

Painting: Australian artist Judith White


2. Paintings are tactile. A print’s surface can never match the luscious textural variations of a painting. Whether done on canvas, wood or mottled watercolor paper, original paintings have a touchable quality that sets them apart.

Painting: René van der Hoofd; sculpture: Marjan Rusticus


3. Paintings are perfect for renters. If you rent, it can be difficult to personalize your space when you’re not allowed to paint the walls or make certain other changes. But hang a painting or two, and the space instantly feels more you. And unlike bulky pieces of furniture, a painting will fit in any home you live in, making it a wiser investment if you move frequently.


4. Paintings are one of a kind. There’s something satisfying about having a piece of unique artwork in your home.


5. Paintings are handmade. Like handmade knits, hand-thrown pottery and handcrafted furniture, paintings show the hand of their maker. This quality brings richness and personality to the home — factory-made furniture and slickly printed posters simply cannot compete.


6. A painting can make the room. A painting begs to be the focal point of a room. Whether your artistic taste runs to the bold and graphic or to vintage landscapes, the painting you choose is bound to have a big impact on your space — I can’t think of another thing that has such an ability to bring that wow factor to a room.


7. Paintings can make a house feel like home. Paintings you’ve owned for a while become like old friends. Simply pulling out your paintings and putting them up can make any space, no matter where you are, feel like home — even more so if you happen to have paintings handed down to you from your parents or grandparents.


8. Paintings inspire. Looking at a painting you love refreshes your spirit. Why not give yourself the gift of daily inspiration by saving up for a small painting you adore?

Paintings: Kim Frohsin


9. Curating your own art gallery is fun! Will you find yourself drawn to pastels, portraits, still lifes or landscapes? Representative art or abstract? Choosing paintings helps hone your personal aesthetic. And let’s face it, being the curator of your own personal art gallery is a really fun job.

Paintings: vintage

More:
Your Guide to Art Costs and Buying
An Art-Buying Guide for Beginners

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