Where to find inexpensive wall art?

[Goofyzgurl]

I usually go to TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshalls, Kirklands (w/ a 25% off coupon they always have these floating on the net), and surprisingly I went into Hancock fabrics.

 

[Cruise]

When we moved, I couldn't find anything I liked that was just the right feel and would go well with our new furniture. I needed one large piece for over the sofa. So I bought a big canvas and did it myself

I was going for the "modern" look too, so I just painted the entire canvas black for the background then used painter's tape to make some straight edges, lines, and blocks. Used a couple of colors to fill in the taped areas and...there you go. I figure who's gonna know I did it (well, except you guys now ) and it looks like stuff I've seen for sale.

 

[LanaJae]

I did a design with the SÖRLI stick-on circle mirrors from Ikea which were something like $1.99 for a 4-pack during their winter sale, but are $4.99 regular price: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80074011

I've also done a design with the Malma wood-framed mirrors $1.99 each: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90075741

Both looks are very modern and can cover a large area.

 

[shortbun]

I say buy some canvases and throw some paint. You can put them on the floor and just load the brushes then let it fly. Cover the floor of course. Years ago, my friend did her Senior project that way. She received an A+ and we all got great modern pieces. Ya know, like a Pollack.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I bought interesting hand made paper at a store that sells art supplies. It had nice texture with an asian feel to it.

Then I went into Photoshop and came up with a bunch of rectangular shapes in varying ranges of opacity and overlapped some.

Picked up a free asian font online and put an image (the fonts had Willow Tree's, bamboo, storks, pagoda's, etc).

Also at the art supply store, I picked up an ink pen that writes in gold leaf ($7.00) and randomely drew gold lines here and there.

The hand made paper made it through my printer with no problem! It came out very artsy, and probably less then 50 cents!

The images below are from Photoshop prior to being printed on the handmade paper and prior to the gold leaf highlights.

They look really nice, Elaine!

 

[alicenwonder99]

Try art.com

Not as inexpensive as you're looking for, but they do have terrific sales once in awhile.

 

[bellebuzzandpooh]

I was going to suggest etsy.com too.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I bought interesting hand made paper at a store that sells art supplies. It had nice texture with an asian feel to it.

Then I went into Photoshop and came up with a bunch of rectangular shapes in varying ranges of opacity and overlapped some.

Picked up a free asian font online and put an image (the fonts had Willow Tree's, bamboo, storks, pagoda's, etc).

Also at the art supply store, I picked up an ink pen that writes in gold leaf ($7.00) and randomely drew gold lines here and there.

The hand made paper made it through my printer with no problem! It came out very artsy, and probably less then 50 cents!

The images below are from Photoshop prior to being printed on the handmade paper and prior to the gold leaf highlights.

Lovely Job!

 

[IluvKingLouis]

thanks Ocean Annie and NeverEnough

I also love the idea of buying a canvas and doing your own modern art. I've often thought about it but never had the guts.

 

[sarah4770]

I have gone into an art store....one that frames prints, and just bought the prints They were under $10, then I went to walmart and got those big black frames, I cant remember the exact six, maybe 16x20 and the prints fit perfectly in them. The frames were to hold posters, and they were about $10 as well.
Another site I have gone to is a link though the qvc site that lets you pick your print and your frame. I have gotten some good deals there too.

 

[SandraVB79]

We built this house 3 years ago, and really changed our style. Previously, we liked the primitive folk art look, but it just doesn't work in this brand-new, modern house. So we're going more modern: the metal sculptures, etc. We really like it!

But we're having trouble finding things for our walls that we can AFFORD! Even Target seems to be greatly overpriced -- I found a beautiful print that I loved there - -for $149!

We're heading out shopping today. Going to try Kirklands. Anywhere else??

Have you taken a look at Ikea? They have some lovely wall art (and sculptures too, btw!)

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

thanks Ocean Annie and NeverEnough

I also love the idea of buying a canvas and doing your own modern art. I've often thought about it but never had the guts.

Go for it!!! You can do it!
If you want a challenge.....assorted tissue paper is a great medium, I have done a few for a modern house and they were great!

 

[kathianne]

Have you ever thought of thrift stores? I like shopping at our local Salvation Army thrift store, also Goodwill. I've found a lot of nice stuff, people move and can't afford to ship their furniture, so they donate it to thrift stores, they sell it for really cheap prices. I've seen some nice pictures and wall hangings. Its worth a try. I always find nice stuff there, bought a nice end table for $20, solid wood, somewhat scratched up, but we refinished it, looks great!

Also you know you're helping a respected charity.

 

[mickeyville]

Try HomeGoods. If there is more then one store in your area, try all of them. Selection varies in each store!

Good Luck!

 

[MNFootballMommy]

If you want something a bit more 'personal' try personalizationmall.com
They have some pretty interesting stuff--I get a lot of Christmas/Mother's day/Birthday gifts there.

If you have a Marshall's or TJ Maxx, I second them. They have 'interesting' things that you won't find just anywhere.

 

[DawnM]

I really lucked out at a garage sale.

The woman had my taste and had a lot of beautiful artwork that didn't fit in her new house because the new house was more open, less wall space.

I got about 7 huge prints for under $100.

Dawn

 

[kandeebunny]

Have you thought of trying craigslist?

I also suggest Thrift stores you never know what you are going to find!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Oh, I thought about you OP! I was looking at the calendars on sale and ventured to the books on sale. There were some really nice books featuring all kinds of artists. Van Gogh, Georgia O'keeffe, Ansel Adams. There were some large photo books! You could take the pages out and frame them. The books ranged from $5 (for the smaller ones) to $20. Reasonable. The pictures looked very nice. I thought about doing it myself, but I don't really need anything right now. I didn't get any calendars either for the same reason.

But I do love a sale! HTH!

 

[shortbun]

The modern art I have in my home was made by children. Blank canvas and tennis balls on string or taken outside and paint thrown on the canvas. Pick the colors you want and turn them loose. My son also painted a wonderful large black and deep blue picture of sperm when he was three. lol! We had been looking at science books and the preschool teachers thought it hilarious. The painting is quite abstract. I framed it with a beautiful black frame.

 

[branv]

It is hard to find contemporary or modern art at a decent price. I almost wish my tastes ran to frilly or country b/c that's WAY easier to find. I am Ms. Great Deal Hunter, but I admit to buying a 4'x4' large canvas art from a modernish/import style design store that was running a sale. The piece was $149...WAY more than I ever could imagine spending, but I swear I spent a year looking at this piece, and looking for alternatives, finally admitting it was the ONE. Somethings have a value all their own I guess

But if you've got one, Garden Ridge has a huge selection of many diff types of art. You may have to pick through a lot of junk, but I always find something I can use. For my kitchen I got an interesting piece of canvas art, quite large (standard poster size I think), that replicates part of an italian ad for olive oil -- only $19. Similar pieces run way way higher, esp. with the canvas.

There's also World Market Costplus.