Looking for ways to embellish your newly decorated home or your freshly refurbished office? Choosing the right wall art is crucial as it has the capability to transform an empty space into a vibrant refreshing environment. It has the power to regulate the ambience of a room and give it the kind of character you want.

Why is the role of artists important?

Artists are a crucial part of society as they keep our ancestors' traditions and scenery alive through the historical, natural and cultural pieces of art they paint. They give us food for thought and make us look into our deepest feelings, allowing us to set our imagination in motion. Conveying harsh truths about the current society and environment we live in, art offers us the time to reflect, and can be considered a global language, seeing that it has no language barriers.

Why buy art?

Why is art a valuable addition to your walls? Whether you're looking for a vibrant colourful piece or a minimalistic black and white painting, art is a creative and innovative part of your home and office decor. It can enrich any space and through the attention to detail, blend of colours and strokes, and medium and style used, it will inspire you and give you much to think about. Deep meanings can even be found in the simplest drawing.

Why buy original art?

Are artists still relevant in this time and age when paintings are mass produced by printing companies? Yes, they are! Innumerable conventional paintings can be found online and in standard furniture and home decor stores. Why then should you opt for original art? You'll have a one of a kind signed and dated painting unique for your space, thus giving it more personality and value. There will be an inspiring story behind every artwork and every artist, which will appeal to you and prompt emotional reactions. Seeing as original art is produced by hand, rather than generated from printing machines, it will have a higher quality and colours would look more vibrant. Additionally, you'll be supporting local renowned and emerging artists, while simultaneously buying an investment for your home or office.

What should you consider when buying art?

There are no specific rules you need to abide by when buying art. In art you're allowed to be as creative and original as possible and the art you choose should reflect your tastes and inner personality. To make a good selection you need to know what you're looking for, how much you're inclined to spend, and the place where the painting will be hung. So how do you select the ones which will hang on your walls?

Attraction to the painting

Choosing a painting which you love is imperative as it will be something you'll be looking at for inspiration multiple times a day. It must speak to you and empower your inner self. Do take your time to look at it before buying, in order to observe and reflect on each small underlying detail. Getting to know the artist will also allow you to understand in more depth the context of the painting.

Room where the painting will be hung

Which painting best suits your home or office? Knowing where the artwork you buy will be placed is crucial as each room would have its own ambience which you'd need to enrich. A painting with relaxing and soothing colours would be suitable for a bedroom, while vibrant art would suit a living room, especially if the living room furniture is of a neutral colour. Office spaces would call for inspiring art with motivational mottos.

Colour & Size of Paintings

When choosing art, don't hesitate in experimenting with colours which don't necessarily match with the rest of the furniture and wall decor. Art should provide you with the possibility to create a dynamic contrast in your living spaces.

When it comes to size, usually the bigger the painting the better, especially in the case of large empty walls. On the other hand, kitchens and bathrooms would require much smaller pieces due to the limited space available to insert art.

Painting Style & Theme

Each artist contributes to art in his own distinctive way. They develop their own style and evolve it throughout the years and while some may experiment with a diversity of styles, others may focus on one specific style. From traditional paintings to more abstract art, portrait and landscape paintings, Impressionist art, caricatures and solemn art, modern art and contemporary art, there are various techniques and mediums which an artist can make use of, depending on what he's trying to portray. Some may focus on scenery, daily life, figure and flower paintings, cartoon illustrations or digital art. Types of art you can opt for include acrylic paint, watercolour and oil paintings, pastels and pencil drawings, and mediums include canvas, wood and paper.

The style and theme you opt for depends on your taste, your requirements and the style of the space. Although there will be a distinctive style which you attach yourself to, don't hesitate in mixing different styles and epochs in the same space.

Art Price

Buying original art is quite expensive, when compared to printed paintings found in decor stores, but they are well worth their money. Pricing will vary according to size, medium used, detail and the artist in question. If you have a tight budget, here are some tips.

Check whether you can pay in monthly instalments, don't be hesitant in buying art from emerging artists whose paintings are not on the expensive side yet, and don't ponder too long, as a good buy would be snatched in no time. If you intend to buy multiple paintings from the same artist, inquire with him as you may be given a discounted deal.

Painting Commissions

If you have a specific theme and style in mind, you may choose to have paintings commissioned. A large number of freelance artists around Malta and Gozo can produce tailored paintings for private and public places, such as churches, offices and hotels. Do ask how much time the artist would need to complete the commissions as each artist works with his own time frame.

Where can you find paintings for sale?

Whether for yourself or as a gift to art appreciators, you can find high quality art at various places. From art galleries, auctions, art exhibitions and fairs, online galleries and private studios, high quality art is easy to find if you know where to search for it. Visiting exhibitions are one of the best ways to discover new emerging artists and discover new portfolios and styles. Click here to find new local artists who are starting to make a name for themselves.

Interested in pursuing art? Discover the vast number of artists offering art classes for kids and adults. Equip yourself with the right supplies and embark on this artistic journey.