When some people think about purchasing artwork, they think you have to visit an art gallery or attend an auction. With the advancement of technology we can use the web to browse different works of art before having to venture to the seller. Online art resources have existed for almost as long as the internet, yet it’s not always the most popular vehicle for purchasing artwork. There are various sites that sell art and provide art education. One of my favorites is Artsy because it’s a platform for education, research and shopping. You can learn about the market, various artists, galleries, art festivals/events and you can purchase artwork directly online and have it shipped. This can be the biggest hassle of buying artwork from a gallery is figuring out how to get the piece from the gallery to your home, especially if the gallery doesn’t organize transportation for you. If you’re interested in a piece of artwork from a specific gallery and would like to view it online before visiting the gallery and purchasing, chances are the gallery has their artwork on Artsy or other sites such as Artnet (another great platform). This way you can preview what you’re looking for and go see the piece in person. Another platform I’ve recently come across is ArtStar and one of my favorite features is the framing options they offer during check out — taking the guess-work out of what will look good. They have a handful of frames with various settings you can pick in check out — depending on the piece of art, artist, etc. In addition, they capture most of the artwork in a home-setting so you can see what it’ll look like ahead of time if you are unable to see it in person.
Just a few tips if you’re on the hunt for your first piece or if adding to an existing collection. It’s good to think outside of the box and not feel limited to the local galleries near you especially if its intimidating for you or if you have something specific in mind.
^^ Blu Jay
