Why do we buy art?

“Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness”

- Anni Albers

I recently asked my followers on Instagram why they buy art. As an artist, I wanted to explore the reasons behind the decision to add a particular print or painting to your cart - does it elegantly compliment your home’s cool colour scheme or do you simply just enjoy looking at it? I happen to fall into the latter category, and I was interested to learn that most of your responses agree with me. 

Phrased a multitude of ways, many of you bought art because of the emotional connection you have with it. A shining sun soaked coastal watercolour painting could transport you back to a happy summer evening from a past vacation with friends. Maybe it’s a bright and punchy abstract print that makes you smile every time you brush past it. Or perhaps it’s a dreamy and tranquil woodland scene that evokes nostalgia for childhood days playing in between the trees while the warm summer light stretched until late hours. 

This is not to say there is anything wrong with buying art purely to fill a giant gaping space on your wall. Many of you that answered found joy in finally discovering that special piece to tie a room together. We love to spend more hours than we should browsing Pinterest in awe of the endless shiny styled interiors that seem to put our own cluttered spaces to shame - and that is great too! I love that art can bring joy in more ways than one because at the end of the day that’s all that matters.  

I think we can all agree a world free of art is a world not worth living in, so whether you’re tearing off the bubble wrap to reveal a glossy new oil painting to compliment your living space or spied a weird and quirky print at a yard sale you simply cannot live without, make sure to explore the world of art this summer - because whether or not it adds to your space, it will add to your life. 

I love seeing my prints and paintings in your homes! If you have a Lauren Taylor print or paint in your home, send it to me on instagram @laurentaylorcreates, I would love to see it!

With love,