There are a few things in life worth paying extra for: once-in-a-lifetime experiences, gifts for best friends, healthy food.
Art, however, in my opinion, doesn’t fit that bill. Unless you’re a serious collector, there’s no reason to pay up when there’s so much great original art available from lesser-known, and less expensive, artists.
There isn’t a blank wall in my house and everything I have cost less than $100; most less than $50.
Here are nine places you can buy original art from local and independent artists at discount prices.
1. Etsy
Etsy is a marketplace for artists to sell everything from prints to hand-painted canvases to reclaimed art made from fence posts, license plates, or anything else you could imagine.
Artists set their own prices and shipping costs. You can find great deals – many for $50 or less. Customers also rate and review sellers so you can shop with confidence.
My favorite feature on this site is the ability to talk with artists via messaging. Many artists are happy to customize their pieces, so if you see something you like but it isn’t quite perfect, send them a message. I recently asked an artist for a different custom frame and got it for $5 more.
2. Society6
Society6 sells prints, framed prints, and stretched canvases from dozens of artists. The site has a bunch of different categories, but I think they offer some of the best typography prints available. They also have a huge selection of humor prints you won’t find elsewhere. Most prices are based on size. For example:
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Prints – $15 to $30 and up
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Framed prints – $30 to $100 and up
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Stretched canvases –$85 to $150 and up
3. deviantART
DeviantART is primarily a portfolio site. Aspiring artists upload their creations to get feedback or show their art to potential clients, but the site also has a print shop, which has a huge range of art: everything from classic portraits to abstract pieces. Artists are allowed to set their own prices and you can find some great deals. I’ve seen small prints sell for as little as $5, but most fall in the $100-and-under range.
4. RedBubble
RedBubble sells smaller prints, poster-sized prints, and other products like stickers and calendars. For artwork, you have a choice of basic prints, framed prints, canvases, and matted prints. The independent artists on the site sell mostly modern prints like typography or film-inspired designs, but you can find abstract art photography as well.
The artists set their own prices. I’ve seen small prints priced under $50 and many medium and large-sized prints priced under $40.
5. The Working Proof
The Working Proof is part charity, part art store. Every Tuesday the site releases a new print. The artist picks a charity and the site donates 15 percent of each sale. You can also browse and buy prints from previous releases.