Published February 24, 2026 · 17 min read
Collecting original art is one of the most rewarding things you can do with your money. Not because it makes you look sophisticated. Not because it is a guaranteed financial return. But because living with original art — real paintings made by real humans — changes the way you experience your own space. Every room with an original painting feels more alive, more considered, more yours.
This guide is for anyone who has ever looked at a painting and felt something — and then did not know what to do next. It covers how to find artists, how to evaluate work, how to understand pricing, how to commission custom pieces, and how to build a collection that grows in both meaning and value over time.
Before we go further, one principle needs to be established: this guide is about collecting original art. Not prints, not reproductions, not limited editions. The case for originals is comprehensive — originals appreciate while prints depreciate, originals have physical texture and depth that prints cannot replicate, and originals carry the direct mark of the artist’s hand.
The most common misconception in art buying is that originals are prohibitively expensive. They are not. Original paintings by emerging artists — working painters who are actively producing, exhibiting, and building their careers — are available at prices that overlap with "premium" prints. The difference is that the original will gain value over time while the print will lose value. Read the full case for originals-only to understand why this distinction matters so much.
"The best time to buy original art is before the artist becomes famous. The second best time is now."
The traditional art world funnels attention toward a small number of gallery-represented artists. But in 2026, the best art buying opportunities are often outside that system. Emerging artists who sell directly to collectors offer better prices, more accessible relationships, and stronger potential for value appreciation.
When you find an artist whose work you respond to, follow their social media and their website for several months before buying. Watch how their work evolves. See if they produce consistently. Artists who post new work regularly are actively developing — and active development is the single best predictor of career growth and value appreciation.
Abstract art does not depict recognizable subjects, which makes some buyers unsure how to evaluate it. But there are concrete criteria that separate strong abstract work from weak abstract work. You do not need an art degree to apply them.
Does the painting feel balanced? Does your eye move through the piece or get stuck in one spot? Strong abstract composition creates visual flow — the eye enters the painting, travels across it guided by color and form, and finds resting points before moving again. Weak composition feels random or dead.
Do the colors work together? Do they create energy, tension, harmony, or mood? A skilled abstract painter controls color relationships with the same precision a musician controls pitch. The colors should feel intentional, not accidental. Look for evidence of color theory in action: complementary contrasts, temperature shifts, value range.
An original painting should have physical presence. Look for evidence of process: visible brush marks, palette knife texture, layering, depth. The surface of a well-made abstract painting is rich with information. If the surface looks thin, flat, or unworked, the painting may not have the physical substance that makes originals valuable.
Ask the artist what materials they use. Premium materials — artist-grade paints, professional canvases, archival mediums — are a sign of a serious painter who cares about the longevity of their work. Artists who use student-grade materials are not investing in the durability of the work they are selling you.
After all the technical evaluation, the most important criterion is subjective: does the painting make you feel something? Abstract art communicates through color, form, and energy rather than narrative. If a painting arrests your attention, stirs an emotion, or makes you want to keep looking — trust that response. That is the painting doing its job.
Art pricing is not arbitrary, even though it can seem that way. Prices are determined by a combination of factors that, taken together, form a logic that collectors can learn to read.
The highest-value acquisitions in art collecting are original works by emerging artists bought directly from the artist. You get the best price (no gallery markup), the strongest relationship (direct communication), and the best appreciation potential (pre-career-growth pricing). This is exactly how SpunkArt operates — originals only, direct to collector, no middlemen.
In the traditional art world, galleries serve as intermediaries between artists and collectors. They curate, exhibit, promote, and sell. In exchange, they take a commission of 40–60% on every sale. This model has worked for decades, but it also means that when you buy a $2,000 painting from a gallery, $800–$1,200 goes to the gallery and $800–$1,200 goes to the artist.
Buying directly from the artist flips this equation. Your entire payment goes to the person who created the work. The artist earns more per painting, which supports their continued practice. You pay a fair price without the gallery markup. And you build a direct relationship with the maker — a relationship that can include studio visits, first access to new work, and the ability to commission custom pieces.
Galleries are not without merit. They provide curation (filtering thousands of artists down to a curated roster), exhibition space (seeing art in person under proper lighting), and validation (a gallery's reputation endorses the artists they represent). If you prefer a curated experience and do not mind paying the premium, gallery buying is a legitimate path.
But for collectors who want maximum value per dollar and a direct connection to the artist, buying direct is the superior approach in 2026. The internet has eliminated the discovery problem that galleries once solved. You can find, research, and evaluate artists entirely online, then buy directly from their website or through a DM conversation.
Commissioning a painting means working with an artist to create an original piece tailored to your specific space, palette, size, and vision. It is the most personalized way to acquire art, and it results in a painting that was made specifically for you and your walls.
The full commissioning guide covers the process in detail, but here is the overview:
You share your space, preferred colors, desired size, and any visual references or mood you are aiming for. The artist asks questions and establishes whether the project is a good fit.
The artist provides a proposal with size, material specifications, timeline, and price. Commissions are typically priced 10–30% above the artist’s standard pricing for comparable-sized work because the creation is bespoke.
The artist creates the painting. Depending on the arrangement, they may share progress photos at key stages. Abstract commissions typically allow the artist creative freedom within the agreed parameters — you define the boundaries, the artist fills them.
The finished painting is photographed, cured, varnished, and shipped or delivered. Gallery-depth canvases arrive ready to hang with no framing needed.
If you have never bought original art before, the process can feel intimidating. It should not be. Here is the step-by-step path from "I like that painting" to "that painting is on my wall."
Watch out for these signs that something may not be what it seems.
Original paintings require minimal maintenance, but proper care ensures they last generations.
Original art from emerging artists has historically appreciated at 5–10% annually when the artist’s career progresses. But art should never be purchased as a pure financial instrument. The primary return on art is the daily experience of living with something beautiful, meaningful, and singular on your walls. The financial appreciation is a bonus, not the purpose.
That said, buying smart matters. The factors that predict appreciation are:
SpunkArt represents exactly the kind of opportunity this guide describes: an active, producing Chicago-area artist with over 300 original paintings, a commitment to premium materials, a strict originals-only policy, and direct-to-collector sales with no gallery markup.
Every painting is a 1-of-1 original acrylic on professional canvas. No prints. No reproductions. No editions. The work is bold, textured, and built to last with top-grade archival materials. Commissions are available for custom pieces tailored to your space and vision.
Browse SpunkArt’s collection of original abstract paintings. Bold color, raw texture, 1-of-1 originals made with premium materials and built to last. Or commission a custom piece for your space.
Browse the Gallery Commission a PaintingFollow @SpunkArt13 on X for new paintings, behind-the-scenes process, and collection updates. Explore free creative tools at spunk.codes.