7 Reasons to Support Living Artists

This would seem a blog post that is self-serving. Please stay with me. Several weeks ago, I asked a studio visitor to tell me his favorite type of art. He replied that he liked the Impressionists and that he had several reproductions of work by Monet on his walls at home. I was saddened by his answer. Don't get me wrong. I am happy that people have nice things to look at in their homes. I just don't understand why they would have reproductions of long dead artists when they can support those who are alive. I know so many talented artists that have work in a wide range of prices, so price needn't be a sticking point. Maybe we just need to think of the benefits of supporting a living artist. Here are 6 reasons to think about:

1. You are getting a very personal, one-of-a-kind piece. You will not likely go into someone else's home and see the exact same thing. Some artists (me included) sell reproductions of their art, but there is only one original. If you buy a reproduction from the artist, you are still not likely to see the work on your friend's walls. To see my print offerings, check out my print shop here.

Reaching—Burke Lake, 36x24 inches, Pastel, ©Lynn Goldstein, Private Collection

2. You may be able to have something that can transport you to a place you would like to be. This can be the case with representational work or abstract work. You can even commission art that is of a place that you enjoy. To see the process of a commission I completed with the buyer's desires in mind,  take a look here. You may also contact me with a request for a commissioned piece here. 

Commissioned painting, 24x36 inches, Acrylic on Canvas, ©Lynn Goldstein, Private Collection

3. You will have something that you love, and that will move with you when you leave the place where you are presently living, unlike the paint color or  countertops. The artwork will bring back positive memories and evoke feelings in you for years to come.

4. Art heals. This is huge in today's world that seems to be shredding at the seams. In fact, one of my missions is to help people feel peaceful while viewing my work.

5. If you buy from a local artist, you are helping the local economy. As a self-employed small business owner, I pay a boatload of taxes that help fund our libraries, schools, road projects, etc.

6. You are helping an artist continue to do what they love by helping to support them in the thing that they do best. I can't tell you how happy my artist friends and I  are when someone buys our work. They beam and so do I. You can too!

7. Finally, if an artist makes it BIG, you were there at the beginning. How great would it be to tell your friends that you own work by a big 'ole famous artist?

Please let me know if you have more reasons to add to the list. I would love to see them in the comments below!