Purchasing artwork can be frustrating and more than a little intimidating, especially if someone doesn’t know how to find reliable sources of quality pieces of art. The beautiful city of Dallas, Texas boasts a wealth of established and aspiring artists. Dallas contemporary paintings can be acquired at many reputable galleries throughout the city, as well as directly from local artists.
Where to Buy Original Artwork in Dallas
The very best way to buy fine art is directly from the artist. The art will likely be less expensive than at a gallery where you would be paying the museum as well as the artist. Also, when bought right from the artist, a piece of art becomes even more meaningful because you have met the person who fashioned it. Talking with the artist about what inspired them to create the art can also be a lot of fun. There are several ways to purchase artwork straight from the artist. One way would be to go to an art fair. Artists set up tables there to display their work. Another way to contact artists directly would be via the Internet. Most artists have a website where it is possible to browse their work. Sometimes it is possible to view and purchase artwork at an author’s studio. The Dallas contemporary painter, Esther Ritz, has a studio in the Bishop Arts District, as well as a website where she shows her abstract art paintings.
Another way to buy artwork is at the many galleries in Dallas. Galleries in the Fair Park area include 500X, Angstrom, Public Trust, Road Agent, and Barry Whistler. The Uptown Gallery District features Afterimage, Kristi Stubbs, and David Dike Galleries. The hotspot for art galleries is the Design District. The galleries located on Dragon Street are Craighead-Green, Gerald Peters, Holly Johnson, Pan American Art Projects and PDNB Gallery. In the Bishop Arts District, you will find the galleries Mighty Fine Arts and Decoration. Numerous other galleries that sell quality Dallas contemporary paintings can also be found in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area.
How Much to Pay and What to Buy
When deciding how much to pay for a piece of art, realize that $500 is likely to be the lowest price you will find for an oil painting. Prices go up from there, with $2000 generally considered to be still a very reasonable price for a painting. It is not unusual for paintings to be sold for $5000 or even $40,000. How much to spend needs to be determined by the individual. It is generally recommended that a beginning art buyer avoid the very costly purchases. To make a wise investment in a piece of art, someone needs to be very familiar with art history and with the current market.
Esther Ritz, a Dallas contemporary painter, explains the most important thing about purchasing fine art, “Buy what speaks to you. You are going to look at it a long, long time probably. Really love it. Listen to yourself.” However trendy or inexpensive a painting may be, if you do not like it, it is not the painting for you. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, so when you see something beautiful that is within your price range, you will know what to buy.