Celebrate the season with art at the December Open House on Saturday, December 20th, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Enjoy a cozy day of last-minute holiday shopping, hand-painted ornaments, Christmas cards, and original art — many gifts under $25. Stop by to browse, visit, and share in the warmth of Yule as we close out another creative year at the Blakely Art Collection.

When a painting sells for millions, who really gets paid — the artist or the market? Many record-breaking sales, like Marlene Dumas’s Miss January at $16.9 million, earn the artist nothing. This post explores the truth behind galleries, auctions, and buying direct — and why supporting living artists makes every purchase more meaningful.

Ever wonder why original art costs more than something from a store shelf? Here’s the real story — what you’re actually paying for, why it matters, and how buying original art is less about status and more about connection. It’s not a $6 million banana — it’s something real.