Not long ago, someone asked me about pricing… but not for a specific painting. It was more of a general curiosity: something like… “So out of curiosity, how much does your art cost?”
It caught me off guard. I realized in that moment that when I think about art sales, I don’t actually think about numbers first. For me, buying art, whether as an artist or a collector, isn’t really about money at all. It’s about connection, emotion, and yes, it’s a little bit like falling in love.
Why People Buy Art (Beyond the Price Tag)
When someone falls for a painting, it’s rarely because of technical details. It’s not about the size of the canvas, the brush I used, or how many hours it took me. It’s often about how the piece makes them feel.
Art buyers are often motivated by:
Emotional Connection: The piece resonates with something deep inside.
Personal Identity: It reflects who they are or maybe who they want to be.
Atmosphere: It changes the feeling of a room, making it more peaceful, joyful, or alive.
Connection to the Artist: Collectors often want a piece of the artist’s story in their own lives.
Think of it this way: buying art is a lot like buying clothes. You don’t choose a jacket just because of the stitching or fabric weight, you choose it because you feel yourself in it. It makes you stand taller, smile wider, feel at home in your own skin. Art does the same thing for your walls, your home, and your heart.
The Myth of “Investing in Art”
There’s a cultural idea that art should be bought like a stock… You know, something to sit on in hopes it’ll be worth more later. Sure, sometimes artwork does appreciate in value. But to me, the true investment in art is in the daily joy, calm, or spark it gives you every single time you walk past it.
It’s a little like vinyl records. Records have made a big comeback in the last decade, but some people buy them just to collect, leaving the record sealed and on a shelf. The hope is that one day those albums will be worth something. That’s fine, but if you never put the record on the turntable, you’re missing the whole point of the music and experiencing the artist’s soul they are sharing with you through their art.
Music was made to be heard. Art was made to be lived with.
When someone buys a painting purely as a financial bet, they miss the deeper value: the emotion, the story, the energy that moves through the work. Just like a record, the real magic happens when you actually experience it.
Falling in Love With a Piece
Buying art is a lot like falling in love.
Sometimes it’s immediate… love at first sight. You see the colors, the brushstrokes, the movement, and you just know in your heart or in your bones. You can’t stop looking. You can’t stop thinking about it.
Other times, it’s slower, like a friendship that grows into something more. A piece keeps calling you back. You see it again and again, and with each look, it pulls you in a little deeper, until one day you realize, I can’t live without this.
It’s the same feeling as finding the right house or adopting a pet. You just know. Logic steps aside, and heart takes over. In most cases, I’d guess you buy a pet based on seeing that animal and it tugging at your heartstrings. Typically, it isn’t about financial rewards but connection.
Making Art Buying Comfortable
Here’s the truth: you don’t need to be an “art expert” to buy art you love.
Think of it like cooking at home. You don’t have to be a professional chef to make a meal that tastes amazing. You just need to trust your senses, what looks good, smells good, feels good to you… that is what will BE GOOD and an enjoyable experience for you and your family/friends.
Art is no different. Forget about whether it matches the couch. Ask instead:
- Does it match me?
- Does it make me feel something?
- Does it bring me joy when I imagine it on my wall?
If a piece keeps whispering to you, that’s your sign.
If you’d like I wrote another article reviewing the difference between art and wall decor that might be a good read as well if oyu like this topic.
Making Art Buying Comfortable
The art you choose to live with becomes part of your story.
Just like you create music playlists for your moods, memories, and moments, your art collection is a visual playlist. Each piece is like a song… adding rhythm, color, and meaning to the atmosphere of your home or office.
And just like music, art is meant to be enjoyed, experienced, and loved… not kept sealed away unviewed, unexperienced,… unloved.
Closing Invitation
So, why buy art? Not because it might be worth more someday, or because it perfectly matches the drapes. Buy art because it moves you. Buy art because it makes you feel more at home in your own life. Buy art because you’ve fallen in love.
And if one of my paintings makes you pause, smile, or feel deeply… I’d love to hear from you. Because in the end, art is about love and connection, not money.
I should also say…
If you have fallen in love with a piece and you are scared you are unable to afford a piece, it is okay to reach out and tell me that. You might be right in that many pieces may cost more than you can afford right now, but if I understand your goals and budget, and more importantly, what you love… ?I might be able to find solutions to get you a piece that fits your situation.
My goal is not to price things so high that regular people cannot afford my work, but I do price things so I can afford to stay in business. However, there are workarounds sometimes… prints for example. I have not done prints yet, but I am looking into them and also other ways to make the art more accessible if several hundred dollars (or several thousand dollars) is outta reach right now.
My art and my life are about personal connection. I want to connect with my buyers. I want to help buyers find the perfect piece for them or the perfect series for their show or whatever, but that takes back and forth and connection.
If you like my work… let me know.
If you want to buy something… let me know and let’s start the conversation. If now isn’t the right time, that is okay, let’s keep the conversation going.
Thanks for following. Thanks for falling in love with my art and joining me on this journey. Peace, Love, and Respect to you, my friends.
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