Art for art’s sake

/ June 11, 2015

My dear wife Karen and I finally walked the cute little block of Dennisport without Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle and stuck our head into a few shops.

Not so much from the outside.

Not so much from the outside.

I didn’t expect my whole body to be pulled inside Porter & Mags: Home Furnishings and Design Studio behind Karen the way it was, but …

The good, old days.

The good, old days.

… that print on the wall caught my eye from the door. I loved the colors, the form, the theme. Bumper cars and a carnival in 50s dress-up clothes. How interesting. Now that would look good up on the living room wall of the Little Bitty. But in a store like this, I didn’t bother to seek a price.

Besides, it doesn’t fit our decor. And my, it would be hard to haul home to Syracuse from Cape Cod.

They said it.

They said it.

The other side of the shop was filled with hangings of quotes from famous folks. Interesting. I browsed. Karen was looking a goods in the back, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, until she was at my side and finished.

When we got back out on the street I voiced my affection for the art but thought that it likely would come at a high price. You got that right, was my dear wife’s contribution, because she had been looking at cute little throw pillows priced at $99.

Do you enjoy window shopping or do you only go in when you think there’s a buy to be made? What’s the most you’ve spent on art? What’s the most you’ve spent on a pillow?

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49 thoughts on “Art for art’s sake”

  2. Sometimes art is an investment. I have never spent a lot on any one thing. My most expensive shoeS ever were $30. I love garage sales and thrift stores. My brother (Randy) was in state of Delaware and did two fantastic art projects. One was a coral reef with a shark (for a 9 year old) and the other is a beach where you can stand in front of mural and look like you are there on the beach. I have three of his glass pieces, two paintings by him and 3 pieces by youngest daughter. My dad’s lighthouse painting is across from my bed so I can imagine myself there. I have copied art with a few changes and sold for 1/4 cost. I think framing photos of trips is a fantastic and artistic way to decorate, Mark!

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  3. I love browsing, but it’s harder now that I have to use that darn chair. I’m always afraid I’ll knock over the most expensive display in the shop, and they will demand payment for everything there. I don’t think I own enough to hock and get the money to pay for any of that stuff. I stick to book stores now. Most books don’t break.

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  6. Oh my. Well, I like a little window shopping now and again. I think it’s nice to buy something fabulous on trips, like I said about how I love the little shops of interesting things.
    If I really love something, I’ll inquire as to the price. Sometimes I am surprised it’s affordable, but most often, I think, “My, doesn’t this item have a high opinion of itself!”
    The most I’ve paid for a throw pillow is $28. I bought it when we bought the house. I still love it. I certainly expect to love it for years to come. Because $28. lol

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  10. I love window shopping although I always wonder how shops like this stay in business. Many times I get inspired and figure out a way to recreate the piece for much less. I am not a painter so that doesn’t work there at all! LOL! Love all the fun you are having! ❤

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  11. I’m not a shopper so window shopping is fine with me. These days I hang my own art around the house, ceramic tiles and photos. The late 90s I paid $300 for a limited edition print of artwork from the Stones Bridges to Babylon tour signed by the band… it hangs in my office where I see it every day and still love it.

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  12. yes, i love to stop in and see the art and window shop even when i know i can’t take it home with me, sometimes i learn about new artists and see things i never would have seen, if i hadn’t stopped by )

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  13. I used to browse in stores quite often but I’ve come to realize over the years that it’s not as much fun if there’s no chance you would buy anything. Also, I think the salespeople often become annoyed. Love that 50s piece too!! Yes, when I saw $99, I was thinking, that could be reasonable for art…not so much for little throw pillows!!

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  15. 20 years ago, there was an original art store in the lobby of the building where I worked. It featured paintings by local artists, and I fell in love with one. It was rather large (and framed), but I had to have it for my new (and very first) house. I didn’t have a car and had to lug that thing home on the bus during rush hour (standing room only on that bus).

    But it was worth it. I love that painting.

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    • I love that idea, Carrie. MDW Karen and I also have gone to local artists who’ve set up booths at fairs or stores in cities we’ve visited and purchased smaller, inexpensive signed prints directly from them. Unknown folks, but we like them. 🙂

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