I've Sold Over 40 Original Paintings This Year. Here's Who's Buying Art in This Economy.
Spoiler: They're probably a lot more like you than you think.
If you've been paying attention to the headlines lately, you've probably heard some version of the same story: the economy is tough, people are cutting back, and nobody is spending money on things they don't absolutely need.
And yet, here I am, approaching the end of 2026, having sold over 40 original paintings this year.
Not prints. Not mass-produced reproductions. Original, hand-painted works of art.
And the most interesting part? It's not necessarily wealthy people buying them.
It's people with heart. People with values. People who believe that living with beautiful, meaningful things is worth investing in.
I want to tell you a little bit about them.
First, Let's Go Back to 2020.
I graduated with my fine arts degree in 2016 and spent the next four years painting, experimenting, and slowly finding my artistic voice.
When I became a full-time artist in 2020, I had absolutely no idea what to expect.
Looking back at some of those early paintings, I almost cringe. Not because they were bad, but because I can see just how much I was still discovering about myself as an artist.
But something incredible happened.
I would release a painting, and it would sell. Sometimes almost immediately.
Between 2020 and 2023, the world was going through an enormous transformation. People were moving, buying homes, reimagining their spaces, and searching for a little more hope and optimism.
And my artwork, filled with color, light, and expressive landscapes, seemed to meet people right where they were.
There was an eagerness to bring something joyful into the home.
Fast-forward six years, and people are still buying artwork.
But the why behind those purchases has become even more interesting.
So, Who's Actually Buying Original Art Right Now?
I've had the privilege of visiting some pretty spectacular homes over the years.
Beautiful architecture, incredible views, enormous walls just waiting for a painting.
But you know where I've spent even more time?
In perfectly ordinary homes.
Homes with kids running around. Homes with furniture that's been loved for years. Homes where people are figuring out where to hang a painting because they genuinely want to make room for something they love.
And these collectors? They're some of my absolute favorite people.
They're not necessarily sitting on unlimited disposable income.
Some have saved for years. Some have followed my work for months before finally reaching out. Others have been quietly watching my artistic journey since the very beginning.
They don't always buy immediately.
But when they do, they're excited. They're intentional. And they genuinely love what they're bringing into their lives.
They aren't buying art because they have money to spend. They're choosing to spend their money on art because it means something to them.
That's a pretty beautiful distinction.
They're Investing in More Than a Painting.
One of the things I've noticed about my collectors is that they tend to share certain values.
They believe in creativity.
They appreciate craftsmanship.
They care about supporting independent businesses and living artists.
They understand that art isn't just something you put on a wall to fill an empty space.
It's something you live with.
And sometimes, purchasing an original painting is a stretch.
I know that spending several thousand dollars on artwork can create some serious sticker shock!
But I've had collectors come back to me years later and tell me how much their painting still means to them.
They remember when they purchased it. They remember why they chose it. They remember what was happening in their lives at the time.
And now that artwork has become part of their story.
That's something I don't take lightly.
When someone purchases an original painting from me, they're not just supporting my business. They're helping make it possible for me to continue creating, experimenting, and bringing new ideas into the world.
They're participating in the future of art.
And I think that's incredibly special.
In an Increasingly Digital World, We're Craving Something Real.
Here's something I've been thinking about a lot lately.
I don't think we've fully processed how much the world has changed since 2020.
We went through a pandemic that disrupted nearly every aspect of our lives. And before we could even fully catch up, technology accelerated in ways that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago.
Now, as we head into 2027, I think more of us are asking ourselves some pretty important questions.
Who do I actually want to be?
How much technology do I want in my life?
What do I want my home to feel like?
What deserves my attention, my energy, and my resources?
I believe we're entering a season where tangible, handmade, deeply human experiences are going to become even more meaningful.
And original artwork fits beautifully into that conversation.
You can display a beautiful image on a television screen. You can order an inexpensive reproduction online.
But neither experience is quite the same as standing in front of an original painting.
Seeing the texture of the brushstrokes.
Watching metallic embellishments catch the afternoon light.
Noticing how iridescent colors shift as you move through a room.
Knowing that another human being stood in front of that canvas and made thousands of tiny creative decisions to bring it into existence.
There's something wonderfully analog about that.
In a world where almost everything can be reproduced, the irreplaceable becomes even more meaningful.
And I think people are beginning to recognize that.
Favorite Projects This Year
One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been getting to create artwork that's deeply personal to the people who collect it.
This year, I created six individual panels for a couple's hallway.
Each painting represented a destination that held special meaning for their family. Together, the six works became these beautiful little portals into their memories.
Imagine walking down your hallway every day and passing through places that helped shape your life.
I also had the opportunity to create a large commissioned painting for someone who has known me since 2018.
We incorporated beautiful gold embellishments, and seeing that work installed in their home was such a wonderful full-circle moment.
Then there was a collector who fell in love with two abstract paintings featuring unique line work.
Instead of choosing between them, she decided they belonged together.
She purchased both.
These are the moments that remind me why I do what I do.
It's not about convincing someone that they need a painting.
It's about creating something that resonates so deeply that they can already imagine living with it.
Maybe the Art Market Isn't Quite What We Think It Is.
I certainly don't want to dismiss the economic challenges people are facing.
They're real.
And I know that purchasing original artwork isn't accessible to everyone at every stage of life.
But I also think we sometimes underestimate how much people value beauty, creativity, and meaningful experiences.
My experience this year has shown me that people are still saying yes to original artwork.
They're just saying yes thoughtfully.
They're considering what they want their homes to represent.
They're choosing to support artists whose work they believe in.
And they're recognizing that a painting can be so much more than decoration.
It can be a reminder of a place you love.
A celebration of a new chapter.
A source of calm at the end of a long day.
A little burst of optimism every time you walk into the room.
And really, isn't that a wonderful reason to own art?
Here's to 2027.
As I look toward the next year, I feel incredibly optimistic.
Not because I think the economy is suddenly going to become perfect or because everyone will start buying original paintings.
But because I've had the privilege of meeting so many people who genuinely believe in the importance of living with art.
People who value creativity, individuality, and human connection.
People who understand that supporting living artists helps create a world where art can continue to flourish.
And people who are willing to make room in their lives for something beautiful.
To the more than 40 collectors and households that have welcomed my original paintings this year, whether you've been following my journey for six months or six years: thank you.
You've helped make this one of the most meaningful chapters of my artistic career.
And to everyone who's been quietly dreaming about a painting, saving for something special, or wondering whether original artwork belongs in their home:
I hope you know that the art world is for you, too.
You don't need a mansion to live with beautiful art. You just need a space in your life for something that moves you.
Here's to more creativity, more connection, and more beautiful things in 2027.
With gratitude,
Kristine Cooper
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