My Favorite Place for Original Art on a Budget

Today we’re talking all about my favorite places to find original art on a budget.

I am a firm believer that the art in your home should make you feel something and tell a story about who you are and what you love.

I am also ASTOUNDED at how expensive art prints can be.

There was a point in my life I thought I had to wait a decade before I could add original art to my home. I needed thousands of dollars and a solid babysitter to watch the kids while I strolled an art gallery.

I was wrong.

You can absolutely fill your home with beautiful original art on a budget.

We moved into a new home a few months ago and I have this vision of small corners filled with character and beautiful paintings in expected places. I want it to feel collected and lived in, like our home is telling a story of who we are and what we love. I imagine a sketch hung in the hallway from a painter we met in Rome – except we haven’t been to Rome together yet. So, until we book those plane tickets and travel the world collecting stories and momentos, I’ve been on the hunt for original pieces that maybe someone else picked up on a trip to Italy 😉 Is this what you’re going for, too? Great – this list is for you!

A Few Tips While You’re Searching for Original Art:

• Find something that YOU love looking at. It doesn’t have to match your walls. It doesn’t even have to match the style of your home. Find something you love.
• The story around the piece of art can add to it. Do you know the artist? Did you pick it up on a special vacation? Did you buy it for an anniversary?
• Find something you love up close and far away. An artist once told me you should love something very close up and love it from far away. I have a painting of my grandfather’s that I love from far away and, after having it hang in my home for years, I still love looking at the florals in the bottom right corner inches from the canvas.

Here are a few of my favorite places to look for/buy original art right now:

Facebook marketplace:

You can’t always tell if things are originals or prints from the listing but you can ask questions on messenger and check when you see it in person. I bought a stunning Ian Ramsay watercolor off of fb marketplace for 1/8 of what his works go for in galleries right now.

Try searching for “oil painting” and “framed art” just to see what comes up. I go in and save all the ones I would be happy to own. If after a few months they are still listed, the seller if often willing to negotiate.

On Facebook Marketplace I’ve also found current artists selling new original works so you might also stumble across a new favorite artists.

Thrift stores:

I haven’t had much luck with original paintings in thrift stores yet but I keep going because I’m sourcing frames for existing pieces. One of these days I’m convinced I’ll find something.

I do recommend looking for thrift stores in wealthier and older neighborhoods.

Antique malls / antique stores:

You won’t find the same prices as a thrift store because people at antique malls usually have a better idea of what things are worth. You can usually find pieces at all price points. I’ve seen originals for $20-$700 at antique stores.

On our big trip back to the East Coast last month I skipped the kitschy museum gift shop purchase for a trip to the local antique mall. My sister and I spent about an hour browsing and I finally found a little framed oil painting of a river (I’m telling myself it was the James river where the Jamestown was settled just miles from where we were staying). It cost less than $100, easily fit in my suitcase, and reminds me of our trip each time I see it in my home.

Yard sales/ estate sales:

Check your local newspaper or online to find local sales. Also be on the lookout for frames, vintage books and decor!

Farmers markets/ craft markets/ fairs:

You can often find local artists selling at booths in farmers’ markets or craft markets in your area.

Instagram!

I’ve found so many talented artists on Instagram. I have a handful tagged in my art highlight @elisabethmknight right now if you want to check them out.

If you are intentional about interacting with artists that you love, the algorithm is good at showing you new accounts of similar artists.

Vintage Resellers on IG:

in addition to finding artists on IG, I love following art resellers who source art from estate sales + more and then resell their vintage finds on this platform. A few of my favorites to follow are: @sugara @reserved_spark @bellecose

Auction websites:

I purchased my first pieces from an estate sale auction site this week (@auctionninja) and we’ll see if they actually arrive in the mail. The bidding process was fun! I’ll keep you posted.

Etsy:

I have only purchased from Etsy stores when I found the artist via Instagram. I do find it difficult to find original works when just searching on Esty itself because so many prints pop up in search results. That said, I’ve bought original paintings off of etsy for under $100 and love that I get to connect with the artist on social media. It feels a little bit like having the work of a friend in my home.