... but I know what I like, and I like it shipped to me over the Internets

October 23, 2008 8:40 PM

Starting to collect (somewhat cheap) art. Can anyone recommend online galleries capable of doing sales so I can see what else is out there?

I'm in Boston and I've purchased a few small pieces from some of the local artists (prints and paintings, mostly). At some point, I'd love to have big bucks to spend on art, but given that I generally like quirky/interesting pieces by younger artists, I've been able to find things I like in my price range. I'd like to be able to keep my eyes out for more.

I'm looking for sites like Concrete Hermit--quasi-curated, just a few artists and works at a time. Etsy is nice, but I find it way too overwhelming to sift through. (Or are there sites that sort through Etsy for you--best of Esty like?)

Can anyone recommend other sites I might like that actually allow you to purchase works?

posted by Admiral Haddock to media & arts (9 comments total)

For prints, Little Paper Planes is good.
posted by extrabox at 8:53 PM on October 23, 2008

giant robot s.f. has an online gallery with many prices this side of reasonable
posted by kickback at 8:54 PM on October 23, 2008

the beholder
reform school
we heart prints
tiny showcase
posted by logic vs love at 9:15 PM on October 23, 2008 [1 favorite]

http://20x200.com/ . from their "our story" page:

"We introduce two new pieces a week: one photo and one work on paper. Each image is available in three sizes. The smallest size is reprinted in the largest batch – an edition of 200 – and sold at the lowest price – $20. Hence the name 20x200. (200x20 just didn't sound as good.) We also offer bigger prints for bolder collectors - medium-sized editions of 20 for $200, and large-sized editions of 2 generally for $2000 (some of the large sized editions will actually be original pieces of art and prices will vary a bit). Every single print is delivered with a certificate of authenticity numbered by the artist."
posted by ewingpatriarch at 9:50 PM on October 23, 2008 [1 favorite]

My SO has used Paintings Direct before and I can attest to the good results we've had. They're constantly getting in new works from their artists... some of the more popular artists' work will sell within an hour of posting it up. Be warned, however, that shipping can take a while. We've never had a package lost, which I attribute to the fact that shipping can cost almost as much as the paintings themselves--however, this is not always the case and depends on the artist's home "base." The guy we like just happens to live in Russia. :)
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 2:18 AM on October 24, 2008

Consider contacting artists directly. I'm a photographer, so I don't know how well this applies to other types of art, but if I were looking for some photography to hang on my wall I'd go to some of my favorite photographers' websites and send an email. And I'd find new photographers to contact by looking through my favorite magazines and putting names in the photo credits into google.
posted by msbrauer at 2:51 AM on October 24, 2008

Ditto on msbrauer's advice. Check out sources like Juxtapoz, if that is your bag and find out what is hot or appeals to you.
posted by JJ86 at 6:03 AM on October 24, 2008

If older/antique, investment quality is of interest at all, the art section of Trocadero.com has a wonderful selection in all price ranges
posted by esunshine at 7:49 AM on October 24, 2008

Thanks--these are all great resources. I really like a bunch of stuff on the sites you've recommended... Hopefully I will not bankrupt myself. Also, to msbrauer and JJ86, I definitely agree. All the art I've bought so far (with the exception of the concrete hermit stuff) has been in person from the artists themselves, and I think it makes a big difference.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:02 AM on October 25, 2008