Buy Art That Brings You Joy

Have you noticed lately or paid attention to your social media feed? Everyone has a side hustle or new business they're promoting or product they want you to buy? Everyone is an influencer these days.

These things are supposedly there to improve your life, make it quicker, easier and more efficient. If you are anything like me, you feel you’re missing out on something. Guaranteed you already have what they are talking about.

Right about now you are probably thinking “Kelly, but you are trying to sell me something too”. Yes, you’re right I am, but since I don’t like FOMO and scarcity tactics, I will not do that to you. Instead, I’m going to tell you something completely different.
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You should only buy things that are going to bring you joy and love and actual value to your life. You should buy art with this in mind too!

Art adds value to my life. Photographs of my family add value to my life! Photographs of nature add that value to my life! I want that for you too!

This not only applies to objects, but digital materials. It’s so easy to buy anything we want now (because it’s literally at our fingertips) that most of the time we don’t even think about it.
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Next thing you know you have a house full of stuff collecting dust and that you don’t really love. What if before you bought something else like a piece of art you stopped to think about it? Maybe ask yourself these questions.

​1. Am I buying this because I love it?

2. Am I buying it because it’s trendy? Am I buying it for myself because I really love it or because others will think it’s cool?

3. Am I buying this to fill some other void?

Instead, especially with art, find things that really make your jaw drop when you see it. Art should fill your soul, not your ego.

Take your time when choosing art and art doesn’t have to match, have a theme, no matter what you see on Pinterest. You can like both Ansel Adams photographs and Mark Rothko paintings. Also, they can hang in the same room. Again, I know Pinterest will make you feel otherwise.

I like to think of houses as galleries. Paint your walls white so you can collect an eclectic taste in art that makes you happy, no matter the genre.

Fill your home with art that makes you smile and feel something every time you walk by it. Your purchase should not give you buyer’s remorse.

Maybe you don’t know where to find original art like that or you feel it’s too expensive. Here is my advice. Stop taking décor advice on Pinterest. Don’t get me wrong, I love Pinterest, but it’s definitely a platform that can make you feel less than while also begging you to shop.
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In the spirit of minimalism, look local. Go into your local galleries on main street or independent boutiques. They’ll most likely display local artists’ work. You can also use Google to search for artists in your area. Go visit their studios and connect with them. Finding the right art for your home should be an experience. You should have a connection with it.

​Most likely local artists are going to have the same interests as you. The artist might like the area you live in for the same reasons you do. For example, the town of Placerville that I live in has a gallery called Volution Gallery. I have purchased several pieces from them and here’s why:

1. The subjects the artists from this gallery paint are the subjects I like to photograph, such as the local plants and animals.

2. They are affordable. I believe great art shouldn’t be so expensive that someone can’t afford even one piece of your work. A variety of different price points offers something for everyone, especially if you love it, but can’t afford an original.
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3. Their style is unique and draws me in, taking me to another time, and that’s what art should do for you too.

​If you aren’t connecting to the art, you are purchasing on a visceral level than it’s time to reconsider your purchasing habits for art and home décor.

Buy art that brings you joy. Heck, apply this to all that you buy, but especially things that are prominently displayed on your wall.

Some people consider art junk, but I don’t. Art to me is like music. When you see something you really like a deep unnerving, but also comforting feeling happens inside you. That feeling is when you say “Yes, I want that!”
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For those of you who have purchased work from me, I truly hope it has inspired you. I hope that it’ll be on your walls as something you’ll love and cherish! It is my great honor to provide that connection you have with art! Thank you!