Gift giving is my absolute favourite love language. Art is my passion, and together they make the perfect way for me to show the people around me how much I love them.
For the last two years, I’ve promised myself I would only buy from local and small businesses and a lot of the gifts I’ve given have been art and have been some of my family's favourites. The pandemic has hit local economies hard, and the arts sector is the slowest to recover. Why not spend some money at your local art gallery, buy something truly unique and support the artists in your community!
Art may seem expensive, but not if you choose according to your own budget. Giving original fine art will seem generous no matter how much money you put down. We have a whole list of options under $500 right here!
David Gillanders, You Are Here series, oil on paper, 5.5 x 5.5 in.
On the practical side, fine art is an investment - while you may only spend a few hundred dollars on this work of art, if you buy strategically, in a few years that artist’s work may be worth much more. Here is a list of artists we would highly recommend investing in!
Norman Takeuchi, Equilateral No. 8, Midnight Bloom, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 36 in.
Now that I’ve convinced you to give art as gifts this Christmas, heres some ideas for how to find the right artwork for everyone on your list!
Do they have a favourite artist or style? If they love abstract work, check out painter Alex Sutcliffe
Alex Sutcliffe, Yellow Head, acrylic and UV ink on panel, 24 x 30 in.
Troy Moth, Buffalo 05, pigment print on archival hot press art paper, 36 x 24 in.
If its someone you know well, perhaps you know there’s a wall at their home that could use a beautiful, impactful piece of art. Look no further than the colourful wacky paintings by Natalie Bruvels.
Natalie Bruvels, Telling Mom, oil, acrylic and oil pen on canvas, 18 x 40 in.
What is their decor style at home? Do they tend to decorate with lighter, muted neutrals? Then take a look at Mary-Ann Camps for some edgy black and white photography or printmaker Guillermo Trejo. If they love decorating with big blocks of colours, the paintings of Daniel Sharp are definitely the answer!
Guillermo Trejo, Grid 9, woodcut print on archival paper, 18 x 24 in.
Smaller artworks can make a big impact! And they are more flexible when it comes to finding space at home and it can be shipped anywhere, cheaply too if it's on paper! Laurence Finet has an extensive collection of small prints on paper.
Laurence Finet, Abysses I, etching, soft ground, and aquatint on paper, 8 x 8 in.
If you know that you want to give art but can’t choose the right work - give a gift card and they can pick out exactly what they want!
Still not convinced? I can help! Reach out to me: ginny@studiosixtysix.ca
