What a treat to read this in an AP newspaper article written by Melisssa Rayworth:  "Interior designers Robert and Cortney Novogratz tell clients  distinctive, original works of art don't have to break their budgets." They have been featuring an artist in every single episode of their HGTV show "Home by Novogratz" and use original works of art to decorate each week, instead of the framed posters and department store paintings that Rayworth said have been the staple of home decorating in the past. 

I know that artists always joke about clients that want a piece of art to "match the sofa", but frankly, if someone likes the style of my painting and it happens to go well with the colors of the room...fine with me. I paint to bring pleasure to the eyes..mine first and then a client's eyes. Buyers should not have to worry about knowing what "good" art is. If they like it and it brings them pleasure, it is good. Whether it would earn national acclaim could be another story, but who doesn't question some of the works that HAVE received such adulation from "art experts". One of the nicest "collector" stories I can tell you is about a gentleman who comes to a gallery I am in to make a monthly payment on a work he loves and is buying. It was a painting by another artist, but it warmed my heart anyway. I told him he was a true "collector" and he said he had another two payments to make and then he can bring it home. Lovely.

Good to read about designers encouraging their clients to explore their own tastes in art, determine the style they like  best, learn how to group smaller paintings together for a big impact, and decide which colors please them the most. No more assembly line paintings, please.