Art has always been a part of my life, but not in the way you might expect. I'm not an artist. I don't paint, sculpt, or sketch. Instead, I frame. And through framing, I've come to understand something fundamental about art-it's not about what others think. It's about what it means to you.

The Problem with the Art World

For years, I've watched gallerists, framers, and critics dictate what people should and shouldn't like. Walk into any high-end gallery, and you'll likely be met with an air of exclusivity, as if art is only for those who can afford to spend thousands on a single piece. I've met people who feel nervous in galleries, afraid to express their own opinions because they don't want to sound uninformed. And that, to me, is the real tragedy.

Art is personal. It's emotional. It's not about price tags or prestige. It's about connection. Yet, so many people are made to feel like their opinions don't matter, simply because they don't align with what the so-called experts say.

One experience in particular solidified this for me. I was on a flight from Barcelona when I met a man who claimed to be an art collector. He spoke at length about his collection, boasting that he never spent less than £5,000 on a piece. Then he told me that every year, he flew to New York just to see Van Gogh's Starry Night. At first, I was impressed. But as he continued, I realized he wasn't talking about the art itself-he was talking about the status it gave him.

So, I decided to test him. I made up an artist, a completely fictitious name, and told him I had found a poster of this artist's work in Barcelona. Without missing a beat, he nodded knowingly and praised the artist's brilliance. For half an hour, we discussed the merits of an artist who didn't even exist. He wasn't interested in the art-he was interested in maintaining the illusion of expertise.

That moment confirmed what I had long suspected: the art world is full of people who care more about appearances than about the art itself.

Reclaiming Art for Everyone

That's why I started my own framing business, The Framing Rabbit. Initially, I focused on framing children's artwork. I've always believed that children's art is undervalued. They pour their hearts into their creations, only for them to end up crumpled in a drawer or stuck to the fridge until they fade. But when a child sees their work framed-treated with the same care and respect as any masterpiece-it changes something in them. It validates their creativity. It tells them that their expression matters.

As my business grew, I realized that adults needed the same validation. People would come into my studio, unsure of their own taste, looking to me for guidance. Instead of telling them what they should like, I gave them options and let them decide. And something incredible happened. When people were given the freedom to choose without judgment, they became excited. They became confident. They trusted their own instincts.

That's what art should be about.

Art isn't about price tags or prestige-it's about connection and personal meaning.

The Future of Art Should Be Inclusive

One of the most rewarding experiences I've had was hosting a small gallery show for five local artists. None of them were well-known. None of them sold their work for thousands. But every single piece sold out. People walked in, found something that spoke to them, and took it home. Not because an expert told them it was valuable, but because it meant something to them.

That's the future I want for art. A world where galleries feel welcoming, not intimidating. Where people trust their own taste instead of deferring to critics. Where art is accessible, not exclusive.

Everyone deserves to experience the joy of owning original art, no matter their budget.

Why Art Should Matter to You

Maybe you've never considered yourself an art person. Maybe you've walked into a gallery and felt out of place. Maybe you've hesitated to buy a piece you loved because you weren't sure if it was good art.

Forget all of that.

Art isn't about what others think. It's about what moves you. It's about what makes you stop and feel something.