The true colors of bargain art

Original artwork makes a house homey – no matter how little it costs.

I've discovered that a collection of paintings can warm up a home. There's something about original artwork that is lively and immediate, in a way that prints and replicas can never be. So when I began buying secondhand artwork, my home changed entirely.

I'm not an acquisitive person by nature. My logic is that the less I own, the less I have to clean or to transport if I move, so an empty home is a good thing. It seems bigger, and it's easier for me to think in an uncluttered environment.

But I took the hint when people visited and asked, "Do you have stuff in ... storage?"

More straight-forward guests would simply ask, "Where's your stuff?" My minimalist approach seemed to make them uncomfortable.

So I decided that it was time to fill my home with treasures – but how? I drew the line at knickknacks. No shelves full of curios for me.

The walls, however, were a perfectly good place to hang paintings. Paintings wouldn't get in the way as I moved around, and the collection would be easy to dust.

But when I started shopping for original artwork to hang in my home, I gulped. My perfect solution had one major drawback: It was out of reach economically.

There must be a way, I thought. And then I remembered the thrift shop.

Our city has a series of thrift shops, secondhand shops, and flea markets. I visited them all, looking for artwork at a bargain price. To my surprise, there was a large selection.

These pieces aren't the kind that anyone buys as an investment; they'd be more trouble to sell than they're worth, so they get donated to charity resale shops. But the artwork is still original, unique, and cozy.

Thanks to these donations, I now own an $8 large oval of Queen Anne's lace hand-embroidered on a blue background.

I've bought a $12 amateur painting of Mt. Rainier, as viewed from across a river.

I have a $15 portrait of an elderly lady whom I sometimes jokingly pass off as my grandmother.

The list goes on and on – every wall is filled with art. These days, I have to restrain myself from looking for artwork, because there isn't much wall space left.

A friend of mine who is an appraiser assures me that I have absolutely nothing of value. I believe her, and yet I don't believe her. Because now when people come into my home, they ooh and aah and say, "You have so many paintings!"

My collection is valuable, in a way. The warmth and joy that genuine artwork bring to a home are priceless.

You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to The true colors of bargain art
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1001/p18s02-hfes.html
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us