I have a wall at home just crying out for a piece of art. Unfortunately, every time I look at my credit card bill …
I’m crying too. Hence this week’s blog … Affordable Art.

For many reasons, not just the lack of funds, a good many people are interested in acquiring affordable art.

For example, there’s nothing cuter than a beautifully decorated nursery or children’s room, but sadly our kids grow all too quickly.

In the blink of an eye they’re all grown and the vintage Benjamin Bunny print your son always loved so much mysteriously disappears one night to be replaced by posters of under fed young bunnies wearing very little (damn their skinny little hides).

If you’re renting you may also be reluctant to spend a fortune on a painting when your next abode may not have the right lighting or space to do it justice. And sometimes it’s just good to have a change and if you’re someone who tires easily of your surroundings then affordable art is the go.

This week I spoke with a number of different suppliers of arts, prints and photographic art to ask for their tips and advice on affordable art.

If both affordable and original art is what you’re looking for, Bluethumb’s online art gallery offers a range of art by Australian artists, for sale online from $200.

Gallery co-owner Anne-Marie Ridgers says being an artist in today’s society certainly doesn’t guarantee success, despite art being widespread and popular.

“Gaining recognition through exhibitions, gallery space and advertising is costly and can end in more misses than hits,” says Anne Marie.

Lola’s Field by Charlotte Wensley
9100mm x 9100mm $1,235

Golden Rocks by Jane Welsh
400mm x 500mm $380

“The financial risks are just too high for many artists to take the plunge into the ‘seriously serious’ art industry.

“Bluethumb came to fruition through acknowledgement of the difficult outlook for many of Australia’s talented artists, so we decided to open up a few doors for those aspirants who would like to earn a bit of appreciation and income for their hard work – their original pieces of artwork.

Full Moon by Braidy Hughes
70mm x 560mm, $200

Very Berry Splash by Irina Bush
860mm x 1010mm, $750

“Not the kind of artworks that are slapped on a million mugs, t-shirts or coasters, just that one, two, or whole garage full of brilliant original pieces that deserve a nook, cranny or mantelpiece to hang proudly. We hope to open doors where they have been shut in the past, and create a forum where an artist’s passion can be transformed into their living.

Herekeke – Green Flax by Melissa Howard
1000mm x 1200mm, $950

Vintage Poppies by Melisa Howard
900 x 1200, $1025

Like a Box of Chocolates by Irina Bush
500mm x 1600mm, $350

“We want the public to browse Bluethumb’s gallery and purchase a piece for the love of the artwork and because of the way it makes them think or feel. We want the site to be welcoming, not intimidating, and for people who have perhaps never taken an interest in art before to buy an artwork for the simple fact that they liked it.

For further information about the artworks above, click here.

Chris Edwards of Add(black) says there are a host of ways to create your own affordable art.

“Buy a series of attractive greeting cards, postcards from museums, wallpaper swatches or even wrapping paper and frame them up with big generous white matts and chunky white or black box frames and there you have it,” Says Chris.

Laney by Cris Bucknall (acrylic)
44cm x 52cm, $200

Australian Natives
(vegetable ink works on recycled paper)
A set of four 64cm x 79cm, $330.

Test Pot by Cris Bucknall (Acrylic)
40cm x 45cm (framed), $200

Entrepreneur by Chris Bucknall
(paper montage)
48cm x 55cm (framed), $320

Red Blossom
44cm x 49cm (framed), $150

Grasslands by Trudy Forrest (acrylic)
82cm x 40cm, $375

The above works are all available online from Add(black). For further information, click here.

Printed canvases have become increasingly popular, providing a simple and affordable way to colour match art with décor.

Pauline Armstrong-Sebbes of Kanvas Interior Art says canvas prints are money well spent as they are affordable and can be colour matched exactly and customized to suit the palette and space of a room.

The company also offers bulk prices for those wishing to decorate several rooms. Pictured above are examples from the company’s range.

“Another alternative to canvas and considerably lower in price is wallpaper and this doesn’t mean you’re restricted to feature walls,” said Pauline.

Kanvas can produce all of its designs on to wallpaper. Prices range from $100 to $200 a square metre. Wallpaper can also be pasted to MDF to create individual headboards, room dividers and even wall panels when finished off with an architrave border.

Kanvas also offer the new crystal finish vinyl which can be applied to windows and glass doors providing privacy and a decorative finish at an affordable price.

For further information about Kanvas Interior Art, click here.

Sharon Hegarty produces a range of original art which can be customized to suit specifications.

Sharon says her canvases can be colour matched or created as per the images on her website.

SH309: 1200mm x 400mm $184

“We can colour match from Dulux or Resene paint charts or colour match from fabric samples,” says Sharon.

“All works are hand painted to order so virtually anything is possible guaranteeing a piece to perfectly complement any space. She’ll also offer special prices on resort or unit packages for several art pieces.” She said.

Above and below is a selection from Sharon’s gallery.

SH199: 1500mm x 500mm $289

SH081: 900mm x 900mm $319

SH289: 900mm x 900mm $319

SH186 1800mm x 600mm $415

SH060: 1200mm x 400mm $184

The above artworks can be customized to client’s size and colour specifications. Prices quoted include GST. For enquiries and further information, click here.

… So back to my original topic of children’s room décor, here are some lovely ideas to create a highly affordable but adorable look.

Gelati Art has recently added this lovely range of vintage inspired prints from the distinguished United States based Sarah Jane Studios.

The range is an irresistible collection of hand illustrated drawings inspired by children’s vintage storybooks and evocative of a more innocent and carefree time.

Designed and printed at the Sarah Jane Studios in the USA, the prints feature a fresh palette of modern colours to suit the most stylish of nurseries and bedrooms.

Gelati Art has added an extensive selection of Sarah Jane designs to its range and is offering unframed and framed versions of each print.

Framed versions are available in a beautiful white box frame that can be hung on a wall or stood on a shelf.

They are affordably priced at $30 for unframed prints and $50-$55 for framed prints.

You can also see Gelati Art’s range at the following Mathilda’s Markets (mathildasmarket.com.au):

• Brisbane 20 February
• Canberra 28 February
• Sydney 6 March
• Melbourne 14 March

For further information on Gelati Art’s range, click here.

Blue Paw Creative has a delightful range of décor prints just for nursery and kid’s rooms, ranging in price from just $89.90 to $99.90.

Each artwork can be ordered in a 360mm x 360mm boxed frame (in white or chocolate) or as a 185mm x 195mm archival print. Artwork scan also be personalised.

Above are just a few of the company’s designs which can be ordered online and shipped to just about anywhere. For further information, click here.

Online shopping website, fionakate.com.au sells a terrific range of storage solutions for kid’s rooms as well as stick on letters.

Fiona says “I always want to remember the things my little ones say. It makes me smile,”

“I love letters and they provide a great way to remember. It may be an inspirational thought … something to keep you on track or some amazing wisdom from our four year old. On the back of the boy’s door they look lovely and feel so personal. It may not be fine art but it’s precious for now.” She says.

For further information and to order Fiona Kate’s stick on letters, click here.

So there you have my offering for the week.

I’d love to hear your ideas or your tips on where to buy affordable art. Is anyone out there???

And if your teenage son is looking for girlie posters … well he won’t need any help from me with that.