My friend does dog painting that are amazing. Check him out : http://www.glenkessler.com/commissions/

I Know this artists they can send you some pictures if you interested ; also one of them make hancrafted mini motocycles; in case you like it. contact him at soccer-crafs@hotmail.com.
Best Regards
Pat

Agree on estate sales and even auctions. We got a great very large painting for a steal. Often at auctions the antique collectors are bidding on the frame, but if you like the painting, then hello!

I've bought expensive pieces from galleries and also things from auctions, and I get just as many compliments on the auction steals as I do on the others.

Pyramid Atlantic has a store, ArtSpring, in Takoma Park. I've bought watercolors, pastels, photographs, and original prints from them:

http://www.artspringsilverspring.com/Home_Page.html

Artomatic is great.

You can also try contacting local art schools and seeing if they have student exhibitions (I'm betting a lot are up this time of year). If you like a particular student's style, as them to commission something. They will be really jazzed about that, and you'll get something on the cheaper side, and they might get famous!

Some of these are good suggestions. I see art as something one aquires over time not as something cheap to slap on your walls to match your couch. Am I in the minority?

Artomatic. 9 floors of affordable art.

Anonymous wrote:Torpedo Factory?

x2

Sometimes at Art Shows. If you buy something from an outdoor show be sure to check the back of the painting to make sure there is no water damage. When I worked in an art gallery we always checked the work since many artists do outdoor shows. I have also seen some interesting work on One Kings Lane but have not yet bought any. When you buy direct from an artist you can often make a deal. Check out the bio and try to buy from an emerging artist.

Torpedo Factory.
We have several from this artist-- http://www.torpedofactory.org/artists/lopatin_c.htm


Yellow Barn at Glen Echo

http://www.yellowbarnstudio.com/

Hands down, go to Artomatic. It's up until the end of June. There is so much interesting art there in so many different price points. artomatic.org I think there's about 1000 artists this year. Go several times, you'll definitely find something affordable and interesting. Eastern Market is mainly cheesy touristy stuff.

You might want to check out Artomatic - there's a lot to wade through, but some of the artists will have cards by their work, and you can call them afterwards. I also like the farmer's markets and Arts on Foot when it comes to Gallery Place every year.