Rethinking Art Prints: A more sustainable way to decorate
Prints. They are the bread and butter of the art industry. Prints are what you get at the home goods store at the mall. They’re even what is offered when you go online for something unique on Etsy or Red Bubble. They’re the mass-produced industry standard and very sought after but as an artist I don’t have any plans to produce prints. Why?!
Prints contribute to consumer waste. Did you know that every year in America alone, 12 million tons of furniture and home decor get thrown in the garbage? That’s not including Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia and other westernized nations. Twelve million! Prints are part of the Fast Furniture epidemic that has joined the likes of Fast Fashion and have become mainstays in our homes. These mass-produced products have a short life-span due to their low-quality materials and therefore cannot last because they weren’t made to. These products follow the current trends that change from season to season and are marketed as the newest “IT” thing for your home. It’s not only confusing to try to keep up with it all, it also promotes massive amounts of overspending. After all, that desk you bought last fall is now showing it’s age and white is now out, and now so is that desk!
Original art holds its value. I don’t know about you, but I dream of having a home filled with heirlooms that my kids and grandkids will actually want one day. Heirlooms have meaning, history and very often represent a beautiful memory or story. Original art has that power! Each piece is imagined from a feeling or an experience, and that is something a print — that may have been made using AI — doesn’t have to power to do. Now, don’t send me angry emails. There are many artists out there that produce amazing, high-quality and often limited edition prints. These type of prints are a different category altogether. Often these type of prints are printed on canvas and are hand-signed by the artist themselves. If you can’t afford the original art, these are a fantastic option and I will never say to not buy one of these. The prints I’m talking about are printed on low quality paper, unsigned and printed en-masse.
Why are originals SO expensive? Is it really worth it? I totally get the sticker shock that comes with seeing an original artwork for sale. It can feel indulgent and unnecessary. So let me briefly explain (I’ll cover this in more detail in another article). Each artwork starts with a vision or inspiration, that gets sketched out and refined to have a composition that is pleasing to the eye. Then a cohesive colour palette is planned and the chosen surface will then be prepped. If it’s a watercolour painting, that means stretching the paper using water and a paper tape so that it stays flat during the painting process. If it’s an acrylic or oil painting, the panel or canvas needs to be stretched, primed and gessoed properly if a pre-stretched canvas isn’t being used. Depending on the size and complexity of the piece, the painting process can range from hours to months of work. Then the art must dry, which in the case of oil paintings may take weeks to months. The piece is then varnished and/or framed. When you purchase an original piece of art, you are also paying for the artist’s expertise. It takes years to hone a craft like this and the professional development that happens over the lifespan of an artist is truly invaluable.
So the next time you’re looking for the perfect art for your home or office, consider buying direct from an artist. We would love to help you find the perfect piece that you will love for a lifetime!
Please reach out, it be my pleasure to provide you with a free consultation or answer any questions you may have.
— Amberly Wouda
