Anyone who has styled a home knows that wall art is paramount. A painting with the right colors, shapes, and sizes can completely transform a room. The right piece of wall art can tie everything together from the rugs to the lampshades. And finding the perfect pieces can be as easy as a trip to your local big-box retailer. If you walk into almost any national chain, you’ll find hundreds of choices. Every color, size, and theme is often represented. There’s nothing wrong with falling in love with a piece from your local chain!

Now, there are some points worth considering before filling your home with art from the big box chains:  One, many pieces found in national home décor stores are mass-produced. They are created in large quantities overseas and shipped to the United States. The piece you buy in Virginia is also being sold in California. Two, big box wall art tends to have neutral colors and themes. These paintings are meant to blend in and match a variety of hues and home styles. They are not intended to be focal points or draw attention. Three, it can look generic. Although many mass-produced art pieces can be beautiful, they tend to follow similar patterns. For instance, landscapes are common – beaches, mountains, and the ocean are often seen as staples in big box wall art.

When picking wall art, remember your home is yours and you should pick décor items that speak to you and your style. And there is nothing wrong with buying mass-produced art. However, there are several reasons to purchase unique, limited editions directly from the artist:

• Support the artist directly: When you buy directly from the artist, a larger portion of the money goes straight to them. In other words, you will cut out the middleman. This can be a great way to support their career and help them continue creating art.
• Build a connection: Purchasing directly can foster a connection with the artist. You can ask them questions about their work. What was the inspiration? What does this painting mean? Is there a story behind the work? This can make the piece even more meaningful for you. You may also have the opportunity to interact with other fans of the artist via social media. You can show the world how you’ve chosen to style your painting and give inspiration to others.
• Unique opportunities: You might have the chance to commission a piece from the artist, tailored to your specific tastes. They may also have works they haven’t exhibited elsewhere available for purchase.
• Transparency and personalization: There’s often more transparency in pricing when dealing directly with the artist. Many artists are happy to share information about the materials they used and the creative process behind the artwork.

Finally, buying from an emerging artist can be an investment. If their career takes off, the value of the artwork may significantly increase over time. As a patron, you will be a big part of the artist’s journey! And you can watch the artist as they continue their career.