Let me tell you about the plaster Monsanto sculpture hanging in my kitchen.
It’s incredible. It’s irreverent. It’s a one-of-one piece created by meme artist, Sundy Nobody as part of his “Corporate Suing Speedrun” series—unauthorized corporate logos rendered in plaster, daring companies to react. And you know what? It’s the first thing every single guest asks about.
That’s the power of real artwork in your space. It doesn’t just fill wall space or match your throw pillows. It tells stories, sparks conversations, and reflects something genuine about who you are.
The Mass-Produced Décor Trap
We’ve all been there. You move into a new place, stare at blank walls, and think, “I should probably put something up there.” So you head to HomeGoods or scroll through Amazon, where you find perfectly acceptable canvas prints of inspiring quotes in trendy fonts, or abstract swirls in on-trend colors, or that same Eiffel Tower photograph that exists in approximately seven million homes worldwide.
There’s nothing wrong with these pieces…they’re affordable, accessible, and they do fill space. But they’re also completely forgettable. They’re the visual equivalent of elevator music: pleasant enough background noise that no one will actually remember.
Original artwork, on the other hand, is the album you can’t stop playing on repeat.
What “Original” Actually Means (And Why It Matters)
Let’s clarify: original artwork doesn’t mean you need to drop thousands of dollars at a gallery opening while sipping champagne and pretending you understand abstract expressionism. Original artwork simply means pieces created by actual artists—whether that’s:
Paintings: Acrylics, oils, watercolors from emerging or established painters
Limited edition photography prints: Like the stunning pieces from Visio Terra Fine Art, where each print is numbered and part of a finite collection
Sculptures and mixed media: Yes, including satirical plaster pieces about agrochemical companies from independent meme artists
Handmade crafts: Ceramics, textiles, woodwork created by artisans
Illustration and digital art: Original prints from graphic artists, illustrators, and yes, meme artists
The common thread isn’t the medium or the price point—it’s that a real human created something unique and intentional, and you’re bringing that creative energy into your home.
The Real Benefits No One Talks About
Sure, original artwork looks better than mass-produced prints. But the benefits run deeper:
You’re Supporting Real Artists: Every purchase directly impacts someone’s ability to keep creating. When I bought that Monsanto piece, I enabled that artist to keep making weird, wonderful commentary art. When you buy photography prints from Visio Terra, you’re helping a photographer keep exploring and capturing the world.
Your Space Becomes Authentically Yours: Anyone can have the same IKEA print. Only you have that specific painting you found at a local art fair, or those photography prints that remind you of places you’ve traveled or dream of visiting.
Conversation Starters Beat Conversation Pieces: Generic décor might be conversation pieces in the blandest sense. Original artwork becomes conversation starters—”Where did you find this?” “What’s the story behind this?” “Who’s the artist?”
You’re Creating a Collection: Even if you don’t think of yourself as a “collector,” each piece of original art you acquire becomes part of your personal collection. Over time, these pieces together tell the story of your evolving taste, experiences, and values.
How to Start (Without Breaking the Bank)
The biggest misconception about original art is that it’s prohibitively expensive. While you certainly can spend a fortune, you absolutely don’t have to.
Start Local: Hit up art walks, open studios, and craft fairs in your area. Emerging local artists often sell original paintings for $100-500, and you might discover someone whose work you love before they hit the gallery circuit.
Photography Prints Are Your Friend: Limited edition photography prints offer an accessible entry point. The Visio Terra collection features museum-quality prints at various price points, meaning you can get genuine fine art photography without the fine art price tag of originals.
Follow Artists on Social Media: Many artists sell directly through Instagram or their websites, cutting out gallery commissions and passing savings to you. Plus, you get to follow their creative journey.
Commission Smaller Pieces: Can’t afford an artist’s large-scale work? Ask about commissioning a smaller piece. Many artists are happy to work with your budget and space.
Mix Price Points: My walls feature everything from $1,000 limited-edition photography prints to $200 original acrylic-on-paper paintings to that incredible Monsanto sculpture. They all coexist beautifully because they all have one thing in common: they’re genuine.
Curating Your Space: A Non-Pretentious Guide
You don’t need an art history degree to curate your walls. Here’s what actually works:
Buy What You Love: This sounds obvious, but it is worth repeating. If a piece makes you feel something…joy, calm, energy, even that “I can’t explain why but I need this” feeling, that’s your answer.
Consider the Conversation: Think about what you want your space to communicate. Are you adventurous? Contemplative? Humorous? Let your art choices reflect that.
Size Matters (Kind of): One large statement piece often works better than several small ones in living spaces. But for hallways, stairs, and smaller rooms, gallery walls of mixed pieces can create an incredible impact.
Lighting is Everything: Even the most beautiful artwork can look mediocre without proper lighting. Picture lights, track lighting, or even strategic placement near windows can transform how a piece is experienced.
Your Walls Are Waiting
Here’s the thing about original artwork: the perfect piece for your space exists. Maybe it’s hanging in a local gallery right now. Maybe it’s in a photographer’s limited edition collection, waiting to be discovered. Maybe it’s being created by a meme artist who doesn’t even know you need a conversation-starting piece yet.
But you won’t find it by settling for the same mass-produced prints everyone else has.
Your walls deserve better than generic. Your space deserves the energy, intention, and story that only original artwork provides. Whether you start with a single photography print, a small painting from a local artist, or, yes, even a satirical sculpture of a controversial agrochemical company, you’re not just decorating.
You’re curating a space that actually reflects who you are.
And that’s something no HomeGoods canvas print will ever accomplish.
Leave a Reply