Ah, the age-old question: Why is art so expensive? You stroll into a gallery, admire a canvas with three brushstrokes and a dot in the middle, and then glance at the price tag like, “Wait… is that a typo or did someone add too many zeros after a wine tasting?” 🍷 But here’s the thing: while some art prices do feel like they were calculated by a game of Mad Libs, there’s actually a logical reason, well mostly logical, behind the madness. So let’s unpack it—canvas by canvas—and uncover why art isn’t just paint slapped on paper, but a whole world of value, passion, hustle, and sometimes just a little bit of marketing sorcery.

1. Time Is Monet (yes, that pun was necessary) People love to say, “I could’ve done that in ten minutes.” Sure. But did you? No. The artist did. And it didn’t actually take them ten minutes. It took them years of practice, thousands of hours of mistakes (hahaha, I mean “experimentation”) Artists don’t just wake up one day skilled, it is earned. You’re not just paying for the art that might hang on your wall for decades, you’re paying for the artist’s journey (and their therapist bills).

2. Supplies Are Basically Designer Handbags in Tube Form You think painting is just “some paint and a brush,” right? Artists are not out here finger painting with kindergarten paints and brushes. Welcome to the world of art supplies, where you casually drop $30 easily on a tube of professional-grade paint and that’s just one color. Then add: * Canvases * Brushes (good ones don’t grow on trees), Palette knives and other secret sauce ingredients * Professional-grade paints that sound fancy because they are (hello, Golden and Liquitex!) * Varnishes and gels – protect it like SPF for art * Frames that don’t warp in humidity * Shipping materials, marketing, website fees, coffee (again) Before an artwork even gets to your wall, it’s already racked up a tab longer than your last Target or Whole Foods run.

3. We Wear All the Hats — And I Do Love Me a Cute Hat 👩🏽‍🎨🤠 Being an artist today means also being a marketing team, website designer, customer service rep, shipping department, content creator, and probably part-time therapist (mostly to ourselves but we like tithing we help others be happy). We’re also: * Business owners * Photograph it in good light – Edit it so it doesn’t look like it was taken in a cave * Content creators – Write a compelling story about it * Customer service reps * Social media managers * Self-motivators (on a good day) From photographing our work to answering DMs like “Do you do this in beige? ”It’s a full-time hustle with glitter and mild chaos. So yes, that price includes the labor of love and the labor of running a tiny art empire from your studio room you converted and praying one day for a nice well lit, organized studio you call your own.

4. Art is Original, Darling 💅 You know what is original? A one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-duplicated, made-with-love-and-heart artwork from a living, breathing human artist. When you buy original art, you’re buying something one of a kind. A total unicorn. The anti-IKEA. You’re not just buying “a painting.” You’re investing in: * The artist’s point of view * Their unique voice * Their lived experience * Their creative weirdness (which is the best part, let’s be honest) And let’s not forget—you’re also buying bragging rights. “Oh that piece? It’s an original. No big deal.” (Cue smug sip of coconut milk latte.) You’re not just buying a “thing”—you’re buying an emotion, a story, a moment frozen in color. That’s why it costs more than the mass-produced “Live Laugh Love” print haunting suburban hallways everywhere. Bonus: you’ll never walk into your friend’s house and see the same exact piece. Unless you gifted it to them because you’re just that fabulous.

5. Emotion: Now With a Price Tag 🧠❤️💸 Art makes people feel something. That alone is Priceless. It can remind you of someone you love, a version of yourself you’re trying to reconnect with, or maybe just brighten a wall that looked way too beige for too long. Art has the power to transform a space—and your mood. So when someone says, “Wow, that’s a lot for a painting,” I want to say, “What’s the price of joy, Sharon? Can you put a dollar sign on feeling seen, inspired, or downright delighted?” (But I don’t. I just smile politely and sip my overpriced chai.)

Let’s be real: the art world can be confusing. There are artists selling works for millions and others trying to cover lunch with a print sale. The market can be unpredictable and a little dramatic (just like that one friend who always cries during everything). But generally, as artists grow, gain experience, and build a collector base, their prices rise—just like any other business. It’s not “arbitrary” as much as it is “supply, demand, and a sprinkle of chaos.” Here’s a not-so-fun fact: many galleries take up to 50% commission. So if a piece sells for $10K, the artist might walk away with just $5K (minus materials, taxes, and emotional recovery snacks). Oh—and if that artist gets a little buzz? A show in NYC? A feature in Vogue or a repost by MoMA? Their value skyrockets. Just like how a hoodie costs $900 if it says “Supreme,” even though we all know it’s still just… a hoodie. Let’s not ignore the elephant in the minimalist gallery: sometimes high prices are just part of the mystique. The “if it costs a lot, it must be meaningful” effect. Add a title like “The Fragile Violence of Light” and suddenly we’re all nodding like we get it. Do we? Probably not. But we feel like we do—and that illusion alone is worth something.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Hate, Appreciate The next time you do a double-take at a price tag, remember this: Art isn’t expensive because someone decided to scam you with a doodle. It’s expensive because it’s made with soul, skill, sweat, splurges on varnish, and a sprinkle of madness. Support living artists. Buy art that makes you feel something. Commission pieces that celebrate milestones. Or hey—just scroll Instagram and admire from afar. But always remember: art isn’t about the cost—it’s about the connection.

So, Why Is Art So Expensive? Because it’s valuable. Because it’s hard. Because it’s rare. Because it’s full of soul. Because behind every canvas is a person who dared to say, “This is what I feel—and I think it matters.” And because, at the end of the day, it’s way more than just paint. It’s a story. A moment. A connection. A vibe. And yeah… it’s also the rent. It’s not just a product—it’s a passion project, a career, a risk, and a love letter to creativity. And when you buy original art, you’re not just decorating a wall—you’re supporting a dream, an independent business, and someone who decided to pour their whole heart into color and canvas. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go order more varnish and pretend I’m not worrying over a $40 tube of magenta that I just have to have. It’s my favorite! 🎨💁‍♀️