What's on your walls?

A nice Van Gough or Constable would look nice in any of our living rooms, but they're probably a little out of most of our budgets. Framed prints do a reasonable job of giving an impression of the great impressionists, but there's nothing particularly unique about having the same picture on your wall as thousands of other people. So what do you do if you want some one-off art that really makes an impact? Here are a few ideas:

Go local. There are practicing artists all over the UK, displaying and selling their works in galleries, cafés, bars and restaurants up and down the country. Whenever you're out and about, keep your eyes open for some pieces you like - you can find them in the most unlikely places!

Go to a fair. Contemporary art fairs are springing up all over the place and are good places to go to find quality, original art. They can be a little expensive but even if you just go for a look around it'll give you an idea of the sort of thing you like.

Back to school. Art and photography courses in universities and colleges throughout the UK tend to have end of year graduate shows, where students display - and sell - their best work. It might not all be to your taste but you never know, you might find something that's just right for you - and it may be from a future Monet and worth millions in years to come!

Make your own. Ever looked at a piece of modern art and thought, 'I could do that'? Well there's nothing stopping you - buy a canvas or two and some paint and get creative! If you've never tried it before you could be discovering your calling in life. If not, you'll certainly produce some original wall art for your home that you can guarantee no one else will have!

Date: 25/01/2012