Can purchasing painting from Street Fairs or Art shows be a good thing?

Question

I am a beginner in the art world and found that I have a profound love for paintings, ewspecially oils. Just out of college and just landed my first "Real Job" I am finding that I don't have thousands to pay for artwork by established artist, but find joy in the beauty of the work I see on the streets and at art fairs. However I have a few questions for anyone that would have knowledge as to the following. When I speak to street artist, I am always asked to make an offer. How do I know what is fair? And how do I know if I am paying too much? Also do "Real Artist" need to be registered, and do their paintings need to be registered. Don't get me wrong, I love the peices I have, and feel they're worth every penny I have paid for them....I guess that by this comment alone I may have answered my own question, But I would still like input if anyone can share their expertise. Thanks Lynda

Answer 1

buy what you like - in the long run this will susprisingly return a better value than buying for investment

have fun and haggle a little with market sellers - talk to them about their work and their motives - whats fair is what you think you are prepared to pay and what he/she will accept!

if you find one you particularly like cultivate him/her a little and collect a few pieces from that artist

most of the artists who revolutionised our thinking on art sold very little during there lives so probably would have etched out a living by market trade!!! keep your eyes open and you may find the next van gogh!

Answer 2

Buy what you love, and realize that the money you pay supports the artist and allows them to continue working.

There is no true way to put a price value on art, pay what you can, and what the artist will accept, and try NOT to talk them too far down- very often that painting is their rent

Booths at craft fairs are often expensive, so artist do not always make a good living doing fairs,

When you buy, you support the arts.

Answer 3

The artist should establish the price...you can ask for a discount if you must but each round of negotiation means the artist earns less money. Imagine if in your job, the "purchaser" of your toils ate away at your weekly pay. That said, anything paid less than $10,000 in art is bought for enjoyment, not investment. So, don't even consider the investment aspect if you are buying art -- especially street art -- in the hundreds of dollars range. Oh, and thank you for supporting the aspiring art maker.

Answer 4

I have bought many pieces of artwork from local Art Fairs and would continue to do so. They are original, you can barter, and prices can run the gamut. I don't like to go to stores where everything looks the same. Same old prints and copies. While I don't buy terribly expensive things, I would rather have one really nice piece than 5 not-so-nice. No. They do not have to be registered. Street artists usually have prices on their items.
They do here, anyway.

Answer 5

You should buy what you love and if you think that you like a piece ask the artist and see if the piece is for sale. If it is for sale ask them how long did it take and how much they want for it. lot of artists really like their pieces and it is difficult to let them go so they need some nudging. I think that it is not the price issue as much as letting the pieces go to unknown hands and not knowing what is going to happen to them. If somebody pays to little will they keep it in their garage and not show it, or will they hang it in their house. Also nobody wants their work to be taken for granted. If they ask you to make an offer make one at what you feel it is worth and how much you would be willing to spend.
good luck
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Answer 6

you should always but art work that you truly like. Buying art for an investment or because someone else tells you what is good, defeats the purpose of art.

Buy what you like - the fun thing about buying like you do, is that you can mix different styles with a variety of mediums and such because the money is so much more reasonable.

Id love a Dali though if you wanted to send me one :)

Answer 7

Buy the ones you really love. If you have faith they will become classics then your investment is right ....If you just like them allot. buy them anyway and build your own gallery. Later I'm sure they might become valuable ... one is a shorter term investment the other is a longer term investment
If you can't afford to ... just move in that direction and wait.

Offer the street artist only what you can easily afford and negotiate.

Interesting question .. good luck ... your friend;
Jonnie

Answer 8

Buy what you like. If you are worried you may pay too much go spend time in some art museums and look around.

Answer 9

I would suggest you get a good scaning of your paintings. Then keep track of them. Number the copies. Just in case you get famous. Be sure and sign your painting and number it 001 or something like that.

I would suggest you make your self a slide show of your pictures.