If you’re shopping for someone who loves art, I get why it feels a little intimidating. Will they actually like it? Will it fit their space? Is it “too much” or “not enough”?

So I put together this guide to make it easier. You don’t need to be an art expert to pick something meaningful — you just need a few good options in front of you, and that’s exactly what I’m giving you here.

Whether you’re shopping for a parent who just redid their living room, a friend who’s obsessed with their cat, or someone who lights up every time they talk about their last hiking trip, I’ve got an original piece that fits.

First, a Quick Tip: Original Art Makes a Better Gift Than You’d Think

A lot of people assume original art is out of their price range, or too fancy for a casual gift. But I price my work across every range, on purpose, because I want a gift from me to feel personal, not out of reach. And since I only paint one of each piece, you’ll never run into that “oh, everyone got the same thing this year” moment — the gift you give exists nowhere else.

Under $5: Small, Sweet, and Easy to Wrap

If you want something thoughtful without a big price tag, I’d point you toward my original ACEO art cards (that stands for Art Cards, Editions & Originals — basically a small collector’s format about the size of a trading card). I love this format because it lets me keep things affordable while still handing you something genuinely one-of-a-kind. They’re also easy to slip into a card or stocking.

• For the cat lover: I painted ACEO Original Cat – Portrait of a Dreamer after watching my own cat zone out for way too long — it’s hard not to smile at.
• For the outdoorsy friend: ACEO Original Kayak Among the Trees came from a quiet morning on the water, and it fits anywhere from a desk to a bookshelf.
• For someone who needs a little whimsy: I’d grab the Butterfly Escape card or the Midnight Hummingbird Art Card — both are small bursts of color and movement.

I’ll be honest, these also make great “I didn’t know what to get you, but I saw this and thought of you” gifts. Low-pressure, high-thoughtfulness.

$10–$20: Prints That Make a Statement Without the Splurge

If you (or they) love a particular piece but want something more wall-ready than a card, I’d suggest one of my prints. You get the look of a larger painting, at a fraction of the cost.

• I’d start with Love Beneath the Waves – Original Print — it’s a great pick if the person you’re shopping for loves ocean or nature themes.

This price range works well for a “just because” gift, a hostess gift, or something to pair with a card for a birthday.

$30–$60: A Real Statement Piece, Still Budget-Friendly

This is where my original paintings start to feel like a genuine “wow” gift — something they’ll actually hang up and look at every day, not just unwrap and set aside.

• I painted Tour of Stockholm – Original Acrylic Painting after a trip where I couldn’t stop noticing the color and movement of the city, so it’s perfect for anyone who loves to travel or has a place that means something to them. And if they have a specific city or trip in mind, I take commissions for that too — more on that below.

$100+: For the Person Who Deserves a Showstopper

If you’re shopping for someone who’s serious about collecting, or you want to give a gift that becomes the centerpiece of a room, I’d point you toward one of my full-size original paintings.

• Panda Universe – UV Blacklight Original Acrylic Painting — I mixed UV-reactive pigments into this one, so it’s a vivid painting in daylight and transforms completely under blacklight. Great for a game room, studio, or anyone who likes a little surprise built into their art.
• Love Beneath the Waves – UV Blacklight Original Acrylic Painting — same glow-up effect, with an ocean scene.

(Note: I’m intentionally leaving “The Pink Demogorgon” off this list — see my earlier flag about renaming it before it goes back into active promotion, since it references copyrighted character design.)

Can’t Decide? Let Me Make Something Just for Them

Sometimes the best gift isn’t picking from what I already have — it’s having me make something specifically for the person you’re shopping for. I take custom commissions for:

• Pet portraits — a one-of-a-kind painting of their dog, cat, or other favorite creature
• Landscapes — a place that means something to them, like where they got engaged, grew up, or always wanted to visit
• Custom illustrations — tell me what they love, and I’ll build something around it

Since a commission takes me a little more time than a piece I already have ready, if you’re planning around a specific date — a holiday, birthday, anniversary — I’d reach out a few weeks ahead through my Contact page so I can make sure it’s ready in time.

A Few Quick Tips From Me on Gifting Art

• When in doubt, go smaller. I’d lean toward an ACEO card or print if you’re not 100% sure what will match their space.
• Think about their walls, not just their taste. Someone might love fantasy art but live in a small apartment with no room for a large canvas — a print or ACEO card solves that.
• Tell them why you picked it. “I saw this and thought of your trip to Stockholm” turns a nice gift into a memorable one.
• Every piece I make is original and one-of-a-kind, so once you give it, there’s no chance someone else has the same one.

Don’t see exactly what you’re picturing? Browse my full shop or reach out about a custom commission — I’m always happy to help you find, or make, the right piece.

Internal linking checklist for this post (do this when you publish):

• Link back to this post from each linked product page’s description (“Looking for gift ideas? Check out my Gift Guide for Art Lovers”)
• Link to this post from the homepage or a “Gift Ideas” nav item if you add one
• Add this post’s URL to your next newsletter send

What changed from the original draft, in case you want to apply the same fixes elsewhere:

• Switched from talking about the shop (“there’s an original piece that fits”) to talking as you (“I’ve got an original piece that fits”)
• Replaced passive phrasing (“is part of what makes it feel special”) with active, first-person framing (“I price my work across every range, on purpose”)
• Added transition words throughout — “So,” “Since,” “And,” “But” — which should also help with Yoast’s transition word check on this post if you run it through there too