Let's Go Shopping

I've showed you the affordable art that I like; I hope you've liked it too. You've probably noticed that I've included contact information of the artists, which is one way to buy--actually a very inexpensive way to buy. There's no gallery markup, no commission. And you develop a relationship with the artist, which I can tell you, is a nice thing.

Another way to buy inexpensive art is at open studios. Most towns have them. You get to see the work in the artist's studio, and talk directly with the artist about their work. Many towns in Massachusetts sponsor artist open studio days; you can find listings with dates and locations here www.artistlink.org/?q=spacetoolbox/forartists/openstudios.

All during the warm weather, there are art fairs, often held in the town center, on the green, if there is one. I personally find the art exhibited there typically a little academic and predictable, so after a quick look, I wander away to the ice cream stand, which is where my husband really wants to be. But these fairs are worth a look--you never know . . .

Several of the artists I've showcased here have exhibited at the Concord Art Center, which exhibits truly fine work, as opposed to some cooperatives, whose artists' work doesn't seem all that imaginative, challenging, or daring. I want the art I collect to display originality in the subject, technique, point of view, materials, etc. I want to stop every now and then as I pass it in my home and take a good look at it again.

Galleries can be intimidating, not known for warmth and friendliness, which is why I want you to check out 13 Forest Street Gallery (http://www.13forest.com), which isn't on Forest Street, but on Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington, Mass. (That's a photo I took in their Gallery, above. A couple of others are below.) This gallery carries every type of art you could desire, and the owners, Marc Gurton and Meryl Perlson, are knowledgeable, friendly, and very interested in the work they show, and in their artists. And they actually enjoy intereacting with gallery visitors. They have frequent exhibits. and their prices are very reasonable. Contact them at info@13forest.com.