Let's be real — have you ever looked at a piece of art and thought: "This costs HOW much?" 😳

You're not alone. I've been on both sides — as someone who creates art and as someone who's bought art. And trust me, pricing isn't as simple as it looks.

So today, let's talk about this:

Should art even have a price? And when we buy art, what are we actually paying for?

My first time pricing art 🎨

When I sold my first painting, I remember feeling super awkward. I priced it at $90 — just enough to cover the canvas, paint, and maybe a coffee or two.

But then a friend said:

"You're not just selling the materials, you're selling your time, your story, your emotions."

And that hit me. That piece had taken me three nights of painting, plus months of emotional buildup. I was pouring ME into it. $90 suddenly felt... way too little.

So what are we buying?

When someone buys an artwork, they're not just buying paint on canvas. They're buying:

👉 The hours (or weeks!) it took to create

👉 The years it took to develop the skill

👉 The meaning behind the piece

👉 The feeling it gives them when they look at it

Think about it — we pay for vibes, for connection, for stories. Just like we pay more for a song that moves us or a movie that makes us cry, even if the production cost is low.

But what if it feels too expensive?

Totally fair. Art can be pricey. But here's a thought: it's not just about whether we can afford it — it's about how we value it.

Some people won't blink at spending $200 on a sneaker drop or $5 on a latte every morning. So why does a $200 painting feel "too much"? 🤔

It's all about mindset. The value of art isn't always visible — but it's deeply felt.

Art is personal 💛

I've learned that pricing is part of the process. And as artists, we deserve to be paid for our work — not just for the materials, but for the creativity and care we put in.

And as buyers, we're not just getting something to hang on a wall. We're supporting someone's dream, someone's story, someone's heart.

Let's talk 👇

How do you feel about art pricing? Ever felt confused or conflicted about it?

Drop your thoughts below, or tell me about an artwork you bought (or wanted to buy) and why it spoke to you.

Let's keep the convo real and open — because whether we're creators or collectors, we're all part of the same art world! 💬🎨