By Elliot Lang

(Elliot's an artist/illustrator in Colorado. I bought this at his show at a local coffee house a few years back.)

This post, and the next few, are about the joys--and ease--of collecting original artwork. Living with original art enriches your life, the lives of your friends, and the lives of working artists,

The pieces you see are from my own collection. And I'm going to kill a few myths along the way:

Myth One: You have to be wealthy to afford original art.

Nope. I am far from wealthy.

Most of the art in this blog-post series, while not huge pieces, cost less than dinner and drinks at a restaurant.

Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites are great places to get acquainted with artists and the work that they do. But few of us really examine art on the internet. Scrolling quickly past a variety of images--and liking some of them--is a pleasurable pastime for me, but there's nothing quite like owning original pieces that I really get to know in-depth.

By Bernie Petterson

(Bernie Petterson is an animation artist from California. Got this one via his Etsy store.)

Myth Two: Art has to match your couch/interior/wall color.

Nope. It only has to please you.

My couch is green. Bernie Petterson's cool sketch pleases me very much.

I saw the piano player-piece after discovering the artist on Facebook.

By Justin Gerard

(Justin Gerard is a studio artist and illustrator in Georgia. I bought this fantasy sketch at his booth at Spectrum Live, 2015)

Myth Three: Art on your wall has to be a painting.

Nope. Justin Gerard's sketch is on my wall. Sketches are amazing things in themselves! You get a peek into the artist's thoughts and work process, for one; and two, they are often much more affordable than a full color painting.

What are you waiting for? Go find some some art to own and love--you won't be sorry!

And an added benefit: Your support of working artists allows them to make more art for you see and live with!

Please check out the sites, art, and stores of these featured artists by clicking on their names:

Elliot Lang

Bernie Petterson

Justin Gerard

Thanks for reading, and for supporting living artists!

My piece and Valerie Savarie's art for Monkey Business! The show opens tomorrow night at 6:00 pm and runs through February 21st.

Here's the info direct from Valkarie Gallery:

valkarie
gallery

presents:

Monkey Business: Invitational Group Exhibition

January 27 - February 21, 2016
Opening Reception, Friday, January 28, 6 - 9pm
2016 brings us the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar and to celebrate, our kick off show is an invitational titled "Monkey Business". Each artist was given an 8" square panel to create their interpretation of the theme but need not include an actual monkey. There is sure to be a great variety of art including paintings, photography, drawings, mixed media and digital art.

Artists include: Jared David Paul Anderson, Adrianne Tamar Arachne, Aria ~ She Paints With Blood, Clay Brooks, Hannah Conlisk, Danyl Cook, Kalindi DeFrancis, Dorothy DePaulo, MJ Dowling, Kayla Edgar, Sharon Eisley, Corrina Espinosa, Erin Hagle, Christy Lynne Harris, Rob Jordan, JxRxKx, Doug Kacena, Lisa Luree, Bernadette Lusk, Pat Marek, Frank Martinez, Eric Matelski, Ryan Morse, Ray Muñoz, Robert Newman, Nixi, Penny & Alex Oliver, Hallie Packard, David Perea, Zachary Reece, Sammilo, Tom Sarmo, Valerie Savarie, Heather Sims, Heidi Snyder, Dane "Colfax" Stephenson, Melanie Steinway, Michael Vacchiano, John Van Horn, Jesse Van Horne, Brian Wall, Emily Wilcox and Zaitlin Ziesmer.

Here are more photos of only some of the cool works: