I live in Oregon, home to hippies, yuppies, up and coming professionals, many well to do with the resources to support their  impeccable taste, artisans, and yes, many of us regular middle class folks. There is a great cultural scene here. Much diversity from Portland to Eugene and every city in between. Yet with all the different lifestyles here, most of  those folks have at least one thing in common. They appreciate  original artwork and one of a kind objects of desire. And who wouldn’t? You have an original one of a kind item on the one hand and on the other hand a print or copy with a zillion others just like it flooding the market/ Which would you choose if money was not a factor? Most people would prefer the original. But, the biggest reason why many don’t even consider buying original artwork is the  perception that  it is very expensive and out of their reach . Of course some of it is, not many are in a position to buy a Monet.

But I have  a news flash for you, a lot of original art work is more affordable than you imagine, and I’m a gonna  prove my point for you, by doing some some comparison online shopping.

First I’ll examine a print that is already framed from several stores.

Some of these links are not working, please be patient with me as I try to fix them. You can always cut and paste, arghhh.

First up is a framed print of mediocre art  at $179.00 from Target http://www.target.com/At-Sea-Joval-Artwork-Extra/dp/B001DMM0PM/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&keywords=art_artworks&searchSize=30&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&searchPage=1&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-14&qid=1298393124&rh=&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchRank=salesrank&frombrowse=0 The  $179.00 price tag for a nothing special framed print, there’s a lot of original art available at this price.

Target had very limited choices, and although  there were a few awful ones for less as well, there was nothing I personally would want, even if they gave it to me…sorry Target.

Next up Bed Bath and Beyond. Here’s a heron print on stretched canvas frame http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?MC=1&SKU=16923192&RN=2202& . Measures 34″ W x 42″ L. Sells for $99.00 + I assume shipping. Not too bad but still just a print looks cheap because …well it is cheap. Or their high end http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=16696978&RN=2202& for $219.00 + shipping. It’s “painted” on a canvas and not so wonderful for $179.00 with a zillion other ones just like it for sale. Granted there are plenty others many under $100.00, but not so great.

WalMart Up- Here’s their high end an abstract metal sculpture www.walmart.com/ip/All-My-Walls-Abstract-by-Ash-Carl-Metal-Wall-Art-in-Purple-23.5-x-60/15389079$369.99. and cheaper one  www.walmart.com/ip/Pavots-Ondule-II-Framed-Art/10771148 Polystyrene antique gold frame Very very cheap looking. $46.00

Print from AllPoster.com http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Fighting-Blue-Posters_i1627633_.htm the poster is $59.00 framed in a black frame it was $184.00.  Remember this is for a print, look at some original work for about the same price.

These examples of original art work came from Etsy.com. You have to scroll through some pages to find the  look  which fits you’re style, but it’s not too difficult to find tons of really great art.

Check out the art quilts and fiber art as well, they are a bargain in the art world especially, it’s the new up and coming thing, gaining ground and respectability, so prices will be rising, now’s a good time to buy.{You guessed it, I do create fiber art, but that is not just  my opinion, it’s the opinion of many art experts, just so you know!}

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60635126/original-abstract-gold-metallic-textured?ref=v1_other_2 metallic abstract $169.00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45256185/original-12-x-16-acrylic-impressionistic 12 X 16 $100.00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64925641/original-art-abstract-nautical-landscape Abstract painting  $179.00

I had to show my own heron, hand painted on silk  applique art quilt, my high end work  http://www.etsy.com/listing/65048385/heron- $325.00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65842521/jmjartstudio-original-painting-24-x-36 original abstract $199.00 gallery wrapped canvas

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58025761/geometry fiber art $225.00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67659911/original-modern-abstract-palette-knife beautiful painting at $239.00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58001315/orange-sunset-original-abstract-painting $97.00 16 X 16″ on stretcher boards or another beauty by the same artist  www.etsy.com/listing/56611078/it-takes-two-to-tango-original-abstract $235.00 24 X 36 painting

More fiber art this one $245.00 www.etsy.com/listing/68526096/marveles-scatter-joy-art-quilt-orange?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_shopname=AsianArtAndQuilts&ga_search_query=art+quilts&ga_page=8&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

I’m slipping in another of my own works http://www.etsy.com/listing/57617237/art-quilt-ship-next-day-abstract?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_shopname=AsianArtAndQuilts&ga_search_query=art+quilts&ga_page=6&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

$140.00 43 X 15″

Here’s a very nice watercolor www.etsy.com/listing/43178435/field-of-orange-poppies-watercolor for $138.00.  It’s 10 X 14′. You do have to frame it, but still…

http://www.etsy.com/listing/59192903/hypnotic-original-24×24 $110.00 24 X 24″ painting ready to hang

Am I making my point? I could go on and on, but you get the idea; why buy prints for roughly the same price as original works of art? Your choice, but if you can afford to buy an art print at a dept. store,  you can afford  original art for same output of deniro! Original art collector? Yes, you can!