Buy Art: 5 pieces from Etsy

Also in here: share your feedback, get free art

Hi! You’re reading Buy Art, a side project about buying art from real artists (not Target), coming to you from the messy desk of an artist and mom of 4 in Manhattan Beach, CA.

If you can get really specific in your search, Etsy is the greatest place to buy art from real artists, especially if you don’t have a collector’s budget. One major perk of buying art from Etsy is that it’s often framed and ready to hang immediately. (Anyone besides me find frame hunting a major hurdle?) Vintage frames are like a bonus piece of art, too.

Psst— rumor has it that Buy Art is getting some work done… keep an eye out for cosmetic enhancements next week. 😉

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1. 1800s Still Life by British Painter E. Bales

Oil painting on canvas | $288 | Buy this art

why i picked this piece: it’s in terrific shape for its age, and i think smaller antique paintings of produce bring interest into a modern kitchen, especially when paired with a contemporary piece with similar colors. i’m also a fan of putting beloved works in the garage or laundry room if they don’t “match” the rest of your space.

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2. “Weathervane” by Mary Rutherford

Ink on paper, embossed | $100 | Buy this art

why i picked this piece: it’s hard to find quilt-inspired art that doesn’t feel kitschy unless it’s by mary rutherford or paige angerson. embossed pieces are harder to find now, and i love the subtle but visible texture from the raised paper.

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3. “Toad Singing” by M. Jacques

Etching on paper | $85 | Buy this art

why i picked this piece: artwork that doesn’t take itself too seriously charms my pants off. if you want to get serious about collecting one artist’s work, try to find etchings. they’re 100% original pieces, crafted by etching the image into a thin metal sheet (often copper) and inking the etching onto paper. often produced in batches of 50-100, they’re far less expensive than original paintings.

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4. “Coral Charm Peonies” by Alex Steele

35mm film photo, digital download | $9.99 | Buy this art

why i picked this piece: it’s peony season! i made this photograph on film during covid when everything felt coated in a thick layer of anxiety and spring flowers were one of my only comforts.

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5. Laguna Beach Seascape by Oxana Toz

Oil painting on hardboard | $62 | Buy this art

why i picked this piece: as a proud grad of laguna beach high school (‘08), i am very picky about artwork featuring the precious little gem that is laguna, and this piece just feels spot on. measuring 4” x 4”, it packs a punch, bringing a ton of brightness into a small space in an unforgettable and chill way, just like laguna!

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Your vote is anonymous to other readers and to me.

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✨ giveaway: share your feedback

This is the seventeenth edition of Buy Art, and I would love to hear what you’re liking about it or wishing were better. What would you like to see here? More info about the art? Pieces for specific rooms? Curations by your favorite creators? Anything goes, I really want to help y’all find art to buy! I love you guys!

↪️ Each person who shares a comment or replies to this email with feedback will get a free digital download of their choice from my print shop.

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Thanks for reading! xoxo, a.s.