These under-the-radar sources make art shopping feel personal.
I’ve lived in my apartment for two years now, and I’m still not done painting and making tweaks to the space yet. I believe in slow decorating; my “nest” takes time to complete, and I refuse to settle for anything less than perfect. I would rather have empty space, waiting to be filled with the right piece, than something I am lukewarm about. For this reason, the giant wall behind my dining table has been empty for two years while I find the right artwork to hang on there.
I’ve been shopping around for unique pieces that aren't in everyone’s homes (I don’t want a print; ideally, it’s an acrylic on canvas piece) and, along the way, have discovered a lot of cool under-the-radar spots as a design editor. My search took me to art fairs around New York City and also down the internet rabbit hole, where, along the way, my Instagram algorithm sensed my need for art and started bombarding me with “where to buy” suggestions.
I’ve compiled a list of all the art spots that have caught my eye below, along with some details on what makes each place stand out. The group is diverse, from platforms that connect you directly with artists to buy their works to an artist who sells her creations directly on her website to platforms that specialize in sculptures and physical objects (not just prints or paintings).
I haven’t bought my one big piece yet; the hunt is still on, but I have a feeling my next art purchase will be from one of these spots—keep reading to learn what they are.
Artfully Walls
You can find just about any print you want on Artfully Walls, all of which are created by independent artists. I like to use its AI search bar to narrow down the selections and once you decide on a print, you can also have it framed and matted in one fell swoop. You can make an entire gallery wall in minutes with this method, though Artfully Walls also offers lovely pre-arranged gallery walls you can just add directly to your cart.
Arlina Cai
One of the best ways to look for art is to check out your local art fairs and buy directly from the artist. It was at one of these events in NYC that I discovered and met the artist Arlina Cai. She makes the most ethereal, dreamlike paintings and has a few select works available online. Some pieces feel light and peaceful, others feel a bit more moody. This one reminds me of being at home, under a blanket, during a dreary rainy day.
Lostine
I browse this Philly-based home goods brand at least once a month. They have an impeccable selection of furniture and decor, including some amazing vintage artwork that makes your home feel curated, warm, and lived-in. I’m drawn to their still life of florals and charcoal figure sketches. The best part is that all of the art already comes framed, so just unbox and hang it right up!
Tappan Collective
My Instagram algorithm always serves me art from Tappan and I click every single time. The contemporary art gallery-meets-online marketplace sells original paintings, sculptures, mixed media, photography, and everything in between for discerning shoppers with a sizeable budget.
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
For art museum enthusiasts, I recommend checking out the poster selections from this popular modern museum in Denmark. While I highly suggest visiting in person, if travel is not in the cards for you right now, you can still score cool prints from its online store. Featured artists include Yayoi Kusama, Franz Gertsch, Asger Jorn, and Basquiat for under $100. Just note that shipping to the States is about $35, which is a small price to pay for a museum-worthy poster.
Rise Art
Rise Art, founded in London in 2011, connects buyers to both emerging and popular artists worldwide so you can purchase their work. The platform offers a mix of offerings from paintings and prints to photographer and sculptures.
I personally like browsing the photography. The images are a mix of dreamy landscapes in soft pastel hues to the mundane urban, everyday life. There are many images under $200, so it’s an affordable way to build up your photo gallery wall while still making it feel thoughtful and unique.
Magnolia
Joanna Gaines’s brand Magnolia carries a lot of vintage-inspired tapestries and framed pieces that feel like you sourced it from an estate sale. The prices are reasonable and it’s a good way to fill your home with art that feels warm and comforting—the brand mostly sticks to creations featuring beige, brown, white, blue, and gray tones.
MoMA Design Store
Art comes in many forms and if you’re looking for more collectibles to display on your shelves and wall, MoMA has plenty of fun options to choose from. You’ll find neon signs, sculptures from Jeff Koons, and of course all the prints of your favorite modern works of art.
Etsy
Etsy has a wide selection of art to choose from, but this free range also leads to hours of digging through random listings you don’t actually want. I suggest being specific with your search words and knowing the medium you’d like to narrow things down. Instead of typing in a generic phrase like “cool minimalist art,” I will type in “acrylic on canvas” or “original oil painting.” The results are much more manageable to parse through.
PSTR Studio
Based in the Netherlands, PSTR Studio sells art prints, posters, and canvas art that feels fun, playful, and colorful. The best way I can describe it is “dopamine decor” and if you like home brands like Jungalow, you’ll really gravitate towards the art from PSTR. While the pieces skew a bit too cute for me, I love the idea of creating a gallery wall with PSTR prints for a nursery or buying one giant piece like this Folk Horses find for a playroom.
Liz Lidgett
For art curated by an actual gallerist, check out Liz Lidgett. She carries a superb collection of abstract sculptures and acrylic on canvas pieces that bring a maximalist joy to your space, with a focus on supporting BIPOC and women creatives in her curation. No matter what you buy, it’ll feel like you procured the work from a trusted art dealer.
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