We get a lot of requests for affordable artwork suggestions. Although there are many options - just search our archives to see some - it can be hard to choose unless you set limitations for yourself. Setting a budget for art is a good place to begin. We surfed Etsy to pull together 25 artworks, all of them under $50. Some are prints, some photos, some original pieces...
• Top: Metal Collection Photograph by the Type Junkie, $22
• Pendant Lamp Photograph by Fancy Animals, $15
• Why Are You So Naughty (Red) handprinted tile by Rob Ryan, $40
• Why Are You So Naughty (Green) handprinted tile by Rob Ryan, $40
• Snow Field by Paintbox, $40
• Reading Wolves from Oh My Cavalier, $16
• Fox Tea from Oh My Cavalier, $16
• Stephanie3 mixed media collage by Michelle Caplan, $40
• Ferns Print by Danna Ray, $20
• Flirtation No. 1 Letterpress Print from Green Chair Press, $18
• Avigation, photograph of original artwork by whatnothingpress, $20
• Minty Fresh Print by Maria Janosko, $12
• Pile Up Yellow Painting by Maria Janosko, $35
• Sakura Bird Print from Double Happiness, $12
• Vessel Print by Yellena, $18
• Toro Print by Corduroy, $20
• Group Therapy Print by My Wire Empire, $20
• Swimming Pool Photograph by FriendlyMade, $11
• Pink and Blue Bloom Photograph by FriendlyMade, $11
• Six Lanterns on Blue Print by Rachel Austin, $20
• I Love Your Spoons Print from Studio Mela, $20
• I Love Your Eggbeaters Print from Studio Mela, $20
• Candy Shop Gocco Screenprint by labpartners, $10
• Home in Gold Print by Hillarie Tasche, $14
• Home in Blue Print by Hillarie Tasche, $14
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Ooh I like the ones by Maria Janosko. For cheap artwork, I also like stretched canvases - if you are feeling crafty you can do your own art.
view KetchupFiend's profile
I love this woman's photography, and they're very inexpensive:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=13988
view first5times's profile
Is there a link for the first image? The black and white letters?
I love it and *need* it for our (future!) baby room!
view shel's profile
I buy silk screened rock posters. They look really great and get valuable with time, kind of like a modern piccaso!
www.thebirdmachine.com
www.f2-design.com
www.thesmallstakes.com
www.cricketpress.com
view MFlick's profile
first5times - Thanks for the tip. She has some really nice stuff. The dandelion photo is particularly nice as a natural, yet graphic, print.
And I like the pictures by Oh My Cavalier.
Does anyone else find it difficult to navigate the Etsy site?
view Pteetsa's profile
I agree, it's not easy to find the good stuff on Etsy. A friend gave me a tip: Find a seller whose stuff you like, and then check out their favorites. Works pretty well if you just want to poke around and get ideas. That fern print might be making its way to my door...
view farmhousemoderne's profile
These are great! I've ordered prints from etsy seller Yellena and they are more impressive in person...plus she's so sweet and you get a real personal touch from her...I hope to get my hands on an original in the future
view ZAshtianipour's profile
shel, the link for the first image is just below the jump. Glad you liked it!
view sarah c's profile
Why should artwork be cheap? Most of the time it takes somewhat expensive materials, a decent training, some haul-ass marketing to get your name out... good lord, you're willing to pay 300$ for a pair of shoes that will be out of style next season, pony up for some good work that will last you a lifetime!
Of course, that being said - always support independent artists, especially those creating original works: paintings, drawings, collages, screenprints, etchings, etc. Avoid the lame watercolorist selling "giclee" prints (basically an inkjet print).
view Modfan's profile
Thanks for the tip AT, I just bought the type photo for my husband.
Nothing like a photo of type to say I love you:-).
view hrleise's profile
Modfan - It would be really nice if people would pay $300 for prints on Etsy, but they don't (or they're rare and in the time it takes to sell 1 $300, you could sell 20 $30 ones), so you have to sell 'em for much less.
view alicia's profile
I just bought the "Fox Tea" print! Thanks for the tip, AT! I wanted the Wolves print, too, but they are sold out. Darn.
view Pteetsa's profile
I recently had the opportunity to meet Chicago artist Dolan Geiman at the Gasparilla Art Festival in Tampa, FL. His artwork is fabulous! You can check out his etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=109732. Dolan and his business partner Ali are fun, funky and charming. They will be at the Chicago Bucktown Arts Fest on August 23-24.
I agree that etsy is a tough site to navigate. I feel like I'm missing tons of great stuff. Thanks for the tip farmhousemoderne!
view cc's profile
I've purchased on Etsy a few times. I was delighted twice, mildly disappointed once, and sorely disappointed twice. Be extra extra certain that you know what you're getting and whether the seller as an 'inspection' policy.
view kimg924's profile
Score! I got the Wolves print, too! And thank you, farmhousemoderne - that is good advice!
view Pteetsa's profile
Sweet! The wolves print is frickin' awesome!!!
view ekoshyun's profile
Oh My Cavalier is awesome! Glad to see she's getting some great press lately-- those tiles by Rob Ryan are really neat too. Thanks for posting this!
view meg hunt's profile
How about original art for 99? Sure it's not under $50., but it's a lot easier to navigate than etsy, and they have some great stuff:
http://www.originalartfor99.com
view Colorist's profile
I agree with ZAshtianipour. I also own a print from Yellena, and I love it!
view stephiesandwich's profile
I wish I had $300 to spend on artwork, but I don't. I don't buy $300 shoes either. Or $300 anything. I like that there's something original that I can afford, and it helps the artist get a start.
I like the fern print too, and the one with all the spoons. I haven't checked out Etsy yet, so I think I'll take a look!
view jooly's profile
Congratulations fellow Etsians! Your work looks gorgeous!
:Jennifer
fresh photography for hip homes
www.jennifersquires.ca
www.jennifersquires.etsy.com
view Jennifer Squires's profile