I would pay that amount if I loved it, without hesitation. I don't care terribly much about my artwork possibly being by someone's crazy aunt (LOL - hey, that's me!), and for a painting of that size, $425 doesn't seem TOO terribly high if it's done well. The fact that you love it is what speaks the most to me here. I wouldn't hesitate to offer less though. Maybe start around $350-375 and see where it goes from there?

I'm wanting to see it now. Will you share? :-)

I would pay that amount too. If a piece really strikes you and you keep coming back to it then it's worth it.

you can't really attach a price to 'love'!!!

I think that is way to much for someone's hobby painting -- especially at a garage sale. Maybe the seller doesn't want to sell it unless he gets a hefty price for it -- and that's his choice!

Another thought: Consider how much you would have to pay for a mass-produced art piece from Pottery Barn, for example. This piece is not an original anything, but a "hand-embellished" print. It's 4' x 3' and priced at $499. It's nothing special. For an original painting that you love? Yeah, $425 isn't bad at all.

Without actually seeing it, it would be hard to say. The largest part of the equation is what it is worth to you, regardless of the fame of the painter -- how it makes you feel, what it does for a place where you will look at it, whether it is the kind of thing that you will always enjoy or is just something fun for now. I have bought paintings from artists that would be comparable, but I've never bought resold art -- which is even more subjecive.

If you love it and you can afford it....then why not? I paid more for my vintage accessories, than I did for my kitchen remodel. But then, I got free base cabinets and a friend put them in....my point is that you saved money on your sofa. So overall, you have a very inexpensive room, right? :)

Can you submit a bid for a lower price? Who knows, the seller might go for the sure thing and accept your bid.

Can you possibly post a pic? If you want to put the price in perspective, a blank canvas and a frame that size would easily cost $200 or more. As long as it isn't a budget buster I would definitely go see it.

OK, I have made arrangements with the seller to pick it up later this afternoon. I did get it down to $300. You are making me feel better about the price.

So here it is (and yes, I know it is not to everyone's taste, LOL!)

"I did get it down to $300." Attagirl! I can see why you liked the painting -- good colors and fun subject.

She looks like my friend Joan. :-)

I like her very much, and you did very well on that price! Enjoy your lovely new artwork!

I think artwork is very personal, and speaks to it audience. If you love it, then YES, pay that amount for it and let it make you happy. I don’t feel that any art created by an individual hand is worthless, no matter what it looks like. If it speaks to you, that’s all that matters.

If you really like the painting then there is no reason why not. 425 is not outrageous by any means and if it is in your budget then why not?

I like it!

What a whimsical piece! I was going to suggest offering what you feel comfortable paying since it's a yard sale and haggling is the norm. I'm glad it worked out and you were able to rescue her.

Although not my taste, I would take one look at that painting and peg it as unique, definitely not mass-produced and a good use of $$ for the real estate it covers. Its very shape is unusual. It's very special and I hope you enjoy it.

When people ask, I'd stick with the crazy aunt story, too!

In fact, you could say this is the crazy aunt! I totally think you should concoct a story about her. ;-)

Cool painting and you got a great deal. Just the painting without the framing probably would cost a today painter give or take $75 to $100 for supplies then the cost of the frame (can't tell if it's homemade) if not a least $200 for that and maybe around one to three weeks of labor. When not mass producing one doesn't get mass produced discounts on canvas and such.

Even not seeing a close-up of brush strokes it appears nicely done. Around here a deal directly from a good but not well known artist would be around $650 for a "bargain basement" price for the size. An average range for lower end to mid price $800 to $1,100 ish for that size. An artist not well known but getting there would be more than double. Famous or very well known there is no limit.

I think it's hard to find art that speaks to you at any price, so the worth is priceless! $300 was a steal.

I think you got a good deal, and I love the painting. Art is hard to value, but imagine if you painted a picture of this size. The cost of the canvas, the paints, the framing could well be more than what you paid. If you bought this from the artist, even if she was a nobody, she would have to charge much more than $300 (or $425) just to recoup costs and make a pittance on her own labor.

So if you had any remaining reservations about whether the price was justified, put them aside.

Whoo Hoo I am glad you are getting it. Fabulous and if you have the money so worth it! I never worry about resale or worth either. Maybe I should! :) but I think in that price range it is more about the joy.

Oooh, I like that. Great find for $300. Enjoy it!

I just love it when people appreciate original art. Makes my heart happy. :-)

It's a neat painting! I actually like it a lot, but I'm a big Wizard of Oz fan. For some reason, I'm thinking the Wicked Witch showing her love of poppies, which is why she chose them to deliver her 'sleeping potion' in the movie :)

Probably not what the painter intended, but I think that's what is great about it. It makes you think and come up with your own 'story' for it!

I like whimsical art and have several pieces myself. I think you will enjoy and you could have easily paid more for it too.

"A self-portrait by Crazy Aunt Violet!" I love it!! Great find. ;)

Love it! Glad you took the plunge and bought it.

Love it! the colors, the composition, the subject, the style, all if it. Great find for $300.

Looks like a Geisha wearing a kimono. $300 is a steal for that size.

I LOVE it! 300.00 for something you love is a TOTAL bargain of all bargains. Congrats on getting it down to that and congrats on buying in and getting it home where it belongs, with you!

Thank you all! You make me feel much better about spending so much on something "frivolous." She is home now, but it is dark and dreary so I won't try to take any pictures. Definitely an original painted on a piece of hardboard (not canvas) and framed in gold-painted wood, not metal as described (I actually like the wood frame better). It is very well done. In person, it seems less whimsical and more "mid-century" than I expected from the pic (but then again, I was assessing it in horrible lighting -- standing in the rain in a mall parking lot looking at the painting in the back of her van). I will post some pics and closeups once I get it hung. It is signed S. Cerra '59 on the front and on the back under the paper (which ripped while I was loading it in the car) there is a piece of masking tape that says "Sebastian Cerra 1960". I tried a brief googling and came up with nothing....maybe one of the expert sleuthers here can give it a shot! The seller said she bought it along with 3 other paintings out of a very high-end estate sale and doesn't know anything about it other than that the house it came out of was filled with extremely nice art and furniture. (Sadly, I think her new home will be a serious downgrade, LOL!)

Sebastian Cerra is a very romantic name! You could also concoct a wonderful story about him!

If you put "S. Cerra" into Google several paintings come up. Here is one:

http://www.puleogentry.com/Art.html

I think it is well worth what you paid for it. One thing that I regret is that I don't have any original artwork in my house. I do have a print that is signed by the artist who was somewhat known and sold his art through galleries. I bought it at the Goodwill store for $50 because I liked it.

Thanks Lucy! I don't know why those didn't come up for me! I did find several pictures and the signature is the same but none of them look anything like mine....the ones online were mostly landscapes. I guess Sebastian Cerra will have to remain a mystery man!

Thanks again everyone for your help and reassurance -- I love it more every time I look at it (it's propped against the wall waiting for me to find its final resting spot.) Alas, my 11 year old thinks it's super-creepy and hates it but he'll come around, I think.

Well, her face IS just a tiny bit like Endora's! ;-D