Quirky Collections: Paint By Number Art

Paint By Number Art Collection

If you shop at thrift stores and flea markets chances are you may have a quirky collection or two. Since we’ve moved around quite a few times in the last 5 years, I’ve tried hard not to get too crazy with my collections. But, there are a few quirky things I can’t seem to resist. I thought I’d share one of my little collections with you here, my paint by number art collection.

Collecting Criteria:

Collectors have a variety of criteria for their collections. It might be specific like a particular fashion designer, or primitive pottery from the south. Or it might be as broad as anything from the 1960’s. Paint by number collectors often collect by topic,(i.e. dog or cat paintings) or by the artist who designed the original kit like Dan Robbins, or publisher like Craft Master.I started to collect PBN paintings with scenes that reminded me of places we’ve lived. Since I don’t want to spend more than a few dollars for each painting my collection has grown slowly, and that’s ok. It’s fun discovering these little pieces of art at yard sales, thrift stores and flea markets.

If a painting has a signature and date that’s even better.
I’ve made a few exceptions to my collecting criteria – the Garden Scene and the Cowboy’s were too cool to pass up.
If you’re thinking of starting a PBN collection Retro Renovation has a great blog post on the history of paint by numbers and collecting this fun quirky art form.