Buying Original Art:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sometimes it is a place I have drawn; sometimes it is a few words that stay with me. I return to everyday things—rooms, landscapes, food names, familiar sayings, haiku—and explore what happens when they become less recognisable. A word can turn into a shape, or a drawing of a place can become somewhere I have never been.
Are all your paintings made from words?
Colours can look different across screens and under different lighting. Texture can also appear more or less pronounced depending on the angle of the light. Look through both the full artwork photographs and the close-ups, and contact me if you need more information about a particular colour or surface before deciding.
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Choosing and buying original art
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What kind of art do you make?
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I make original abstract paintings, drawings and mixed media works, often beginning with something familiar: a phrase, a view, an interior or a sketchbook drawing. Through layering, repetition and drawing from earlier drawings, these starting points become imagined landscapes and playful compositions. My work moves between colourful, textured paintings and quieter studies on paper.
Who is the artist behind the work?
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I’m Anastasija Sarajeva, a Latvian-born artist based in London. I studied Technical Arts and Special Effects at University of the Arts London and worked in fabrication and model making before training as a soft tissue therapist. Drawing and making have remained a thread through these changes, alongside questions about belonging—to a place, a body and a moment.
What inspires your abstract art?
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How do you turn observational drawings into abstract paintings?
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What is Microcosm: In Play about?
What materials do you use?
I draw outdoors and in interiors, then return to those drawings in the studio. I draw from the drawings themselves, selecting a line, a space or a relationship between shapes. With each version, some details disappear and others grow. The original place remains a starting point, while the work develops its own arrangement and atmosphere.
Start with the work you keep returning to. Which piece holds your attention when you pass it in the house, the studio or online? Is it a painting whose mark-making feels like a memory you recognise, a drawing whose line asks you to lean in, or a collage whose colour combinations you enjoy living with each day? That recurring pull is your best guide.
Practical checklist to turn that pull into a confident purchase:
Size and scale
Measure the intended wall space first. Consider sightlines and furniture: a large work can anchor a room; a smaller piece needs space to breathe or a carefully chosen grouping.
Proportion rule of thumb: artwork should occupy roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the visible wall above furniture (e.g. above a sofa or sideboard).
Budget
Decide an absolute maximum and a comfortable target. Allow for additional costs: framing, stretching, delivery and insurance.
If budget is limited, consider unframed works, limited editions, or smaller pieces from the same series. Original collage fragments and process works can offer meaningful presence at lower cost.
Placement and environment
Natural light is flattering but avoid direct sunlight on works that include delicate papers or pigments; this can accelerate fading.
Humidity and temperature stability matter, especially for works on paper and mixed-media collages. Avoid bathrooms and kitchens unless specifically treated for those environments.
Framing, mounting and conservation
Works on canvas usually require stretching and can be displayed unframed for a contemporary look.
For collage and mixed media, use conservation-grade backing and spacers to prevent surface adhesion and pressure on layered materials.
Words are one of my most favourite starting points. I write and layer them until letters overlap, break apart and become shapes and landscapes. Some are words of care, such as “enough”, “play” or “here and now”; others are food names or silly phrases. Its not about inventing new language but a sense of play with words, making up new words or even a sense of learning definition of a word. Its about association and interpretation.
No. Letterforms are one part of my practice. Other works begin with observational drawings of landscapes and interiors, or develop through collage and experimenting with materials. Drawing connects these approaches, whether I am following the shape of a letter or returning to a line found in a sketchbook.
Microcosm: In Play is an evolving series of colourful abstract paintings exploring play, creative flow and childlike imagination. It grew from a childhood memory of suddenly no longer knowing how to play with toys. Through repeated words, invented shapes and layers of paint, I return to the pleasure of making something without knowing exactly where it will lead.
My paintings include acrylics, oils, oil sticks and wax, depending on the work. In my drawings and mixed media pieces, I also use graphite, ink, crayons, collage and other materials. I work on canvas, board, paper and wallpaper. Each artwork description lists its particular materials and surface.
What is the difference between stretched and unstretched canvas?
How should I frame an original drawing or work on paper?
All artworks come with a signed certificate detailing: name, size, year of make, materials, and the artist’s name. Please contact me with the artwork title and specify what you would like to see more clearly—for example, texture, edges, or a particular detail.
Delivery, returns and caring for your artwork
Can I return an artwork if it isn’t right for me?
What should I do if my artwork arrives damaged?
For galleries, curators and collectors
Have a question about a particular artwork?
Which payment methods do you accept? Can I use American Express?
Texture builds as I layer old drawings, paint and collage paper; I build surface layer by layer and work over earlier marks. Some areas remain thin, letting traces of previous layers show; others thicken with oil paint, wax and oil sticks. These differences are part of the painting, and close-up photographs reveal what is less visible from a distance.
No. You might be drawn to a colour, a particular mark, or something that reminds you of a place or a feeling. You do not need to identify the original words or recognise what a drawing began with. I share the story behind the work, but there is room for your own associations too.
You can browse available artworks and purchase directly through my website. Each listing includes detailed photographs, dimensions, materials and a concise description of the work to help you assess scale and presence.
If you would like to enquire about a particular painting or drawing before purchasing, please contact me with the title of the work. I can provide additional images, condition details, framing options and advice on shipping and installation. I aim to respond promptly and to support collectors with any information needed to feel confident in their purchase.
All works offered in my shop are original paintings and drawings, not reproductions. Each piece bears its own unique surface, marks and layered gestures made by hand—evidence of process, time and presence. Please read the individual listing for the medium, dimensions and any other details specific to the work you are considering, including framing, edition (if applicable) and condition notes. If you have questions about provenance, shipping or care, or would like additional photographs or measurements, please get in touch and I will be glad to assist.
Check the artwork’s measurements and mark out its size on your wall with paper or low-tack tape suitable for the surface. Look at it from different points in the room, including where you usually sit. Allow extra space for a frame if you plan to add one, and use the listed dimensions when judging scale.
My artworks are sold unframed unless the listing states otherwise. Please also check whether a canvas is stretched or unstretched, as this affects how it can be displayed. Works on paper usually need framing, while an unstretched canvas needs an appropriate mounting or stretching arrangement before hanging.
A stretched canvas is secured to a wooden stretcher or support, providing a firm, ready-to-hang structure. An unstretched canvas is supplied as the painted fabric alone, without that internal frame; it requires preparation — typically stretching and mounting by a professional framer — before it can be displayed.
“Unframed” and “unstretched” are distinct terms:
Unframed: the artwork is not presented within an external decorative or protective frame, but it may still be stretched and ready to hang.
Unstretched: the canvas has not been attached to a stretcher and arrives as loose fabric.
Always check both the framing and stretching details in the artwork listing to ensure you understand what is included and what additional preparation or framing costs may be necessary.
None of my artworks are sold framed at the moment and most sold unstretched as it is easier to transport long distance.
A professional framer can advise on a mount, glazing and materials suited to the particular artwork. Tell them which materials the drawing contains, especially if the surface is textured or has loose pigment. The frame should support and protect the work while leaving enough space around the marks and edges you want to see.
Please contact me with the artwork title and tell me what you would like to see more clearly—for example, the texture, edges or a particular detail. If you would like to view a work in person, ask about the arrangements currently available before making a journey.
At the moment I am not taking any commissions. Thank you for your interest — please check back for updates or join the mailing list for announcements about future availability.
Keep the artwork away from damp conditions, direct heat and prolonged direct sunlight. Avoid touching the painted or drawn surface, and do not apply water or household cleaning products. Different materials need different care, so contact me with the artwork title if you are unsure about handling, framing or cleaning a particular piece.
My About page introduces my background, while the individual series pages explain the ideas and processes behind each body of work. My journal shares more of the journey from observational drawings and written words to finished paintings, including the decisions and changes that happen along the way.
How can galleries and curators enquire about your work?
On the artwork page you will see an option to pay with Klarna in accordance with their rules and regulations.
Where can I learn more about your artistic practice?
Yes, I deliver original artworks within the UK and internationally, including Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
Standard delivery within Greater London is included in the artwork price. Delivery elsewhere is charged at checkout where available or quoted individually before your order is accepted. Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands, nearby islands and remote locations require an individual quote, as do Australia, New Zealand and the Asian destinations listed above.
For international orders, any import duties, local taxes and customs clearance fees are your responsibility unless expressly included.
Please visit my Shipping & Delivery page for full details, estimated delivery times and excluded destinations.
Each artwork is carefully packed using protective paper, cardboard, bubble wrap and a rigid outer layer or backing to help prevent bending and damage during delivery. Packaging varies depending on the artwork’s size, materials and surface. Suitable unstretched canvas paintings may be rolled and sent in a protective tube.
Estimated delivery times, including preparation, are 3–7 working days within Greater London, 4–9 working days for the rest of the UK mainland, and 5–12 working days for remote UK areas and nearby islands. International delivery usually takes 7–20 working days, depending on the destination. Customs or specialist packing may add time.
Please see Shipping & Delivery for full details.
You can cancel your purchase of a ready-made original artwork within 14 days of receiving it. Please email info@anastasijasarajeva.com to arrange the return, then send the artwork back within 14 days of notifying me.
For change-of-mind returns, you are responsible for return delivery costs. Please pack the artwork securely, reuse its original protective packaging where suitable, and follow the packing instructions I provide. Returns must use an appropriate tracked service with loss and damage cover for the artwork’s value.
If the artwork is returned damaged due to handling or inadequate packaging, your refund may be reduced to reflect the loss in value, potentially to zero. This does not affect your rights if the artwork arrived damaged, faulty or not as described.
See my Shipping & Delivery policy for full return instructions and estimated return costs.
Please contact me promptly with your order details and photographs of the artwork and packaging. Keep the packaging while the issue is being assessed, and avoid attempting a repair.
Please use my contact page for exhibition, curatorial or gallery enquiries. Include a little about your gallery or project, the works or series you are considering, and any relevant dates. If you need a portfolio, artist statement, CV or particular artwork details, please mention these in your message.
You can join my mailing list for news of available artworks and developments in the studio. Subscribers receive priority updates on new pieces, exhibition announcements and occasional studio insights — a concise way to stay informed about work as it emerges.
You can also follow my Instagram for sketchbook pages, paintings in progress and the smaller moments that sit between finished pieces. There I share process imagery, material experiments and the everyday fragments that shape larger works, offering a more immediate view of the practice.
Payment, shipping and returns
Card payments are processed securely through Stripe using the payment options shown at checkout. American Express is not accepted. Payment is required in full before your artwork is dispatched, and I do not receive or store your complete card details.
What currency are your artwork prices in?
Which countries do you not ship to?
All artwork prices are shown in pounds sterling (GBP). I am not currently VAT registered, so I do not charge VAT separately. If you pay from another country, your bank or payment provider may apply currency-conversion charges.
Is delivery included when I buy an original artwork?
Where do you ship your paintings and drawings?
Send me its title and whatever you would like to know via contact form on the website or on Instagram via DM.
Standard packaging and delivery within Greater London—the City of London and the 32 London boroughs—are included in the artwork price, subject to confirmation by postcode.
Delivery elsewhere is charged separately, either at checkout or through a quotation agreed before your order is accepted. Urgent, timed or specialist delivery may cost extra, with your agreement.
I offer delivery within the UK and to the following international destinations, subject to a suitable delivery service for the artwork:
EU and EEA countries, Switzerland and selected other European destinations.
The United States and Canada.
Australia and New Zealand.
Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands and islands, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and other remote areas require an individual quotation. Please contact me before ordering if your destination is not available at checkout.
How long will my artwork take to arrive?
Will I receive tracking information?
Estimated arrival times run from order confirmation to the first delivery attempt and include normal preparation and transport:
Destination Estimated arrival
Greater London 3–7 working days
Rest of UK mainland 4–9 working days
Extended UK delivery areas 5–12 working days
Europe 7–17 working days
United States and Canada 7–17 working days
Australia and New Zealand 8–20 working days
Selected Asian destinations8–20 working days
Specialist, flat-packed or crated shipments usually take 10–30 working days, with the timeframe agreed separately. Working days exclude weekends and relevant public holidays. These are estimates; customs, remote locations and specialist handling can add time.
Tracking or delivery updates are provided where the chosen service offers them. Depending on the delivery arrangements, a signature or named recipient may be required. Please provide a secure delivery address and accurate contact details, and arrange for someone to receive the artwork.
Will I need to pay customs charges on an international art order?
How should I unpack a rolled canvas painting?
Open the packaging carefully on a clean, dry, spacious surface, avoiding deep cuts into the tube. Unroll the canvas slowly, keeping its protective interleaf in place until it can lie safely. Do not reverse-roll it or place weights directly on the painted surface.
Arrange professional stretching or framing promptly: the tube protects the painting during transport and is not intended for long-term storage.
Who can I contact about delivery or returns?
Payment, shipping and returns
Can interior designers enquire about artwork for a client?
Can I buy original art for a café, restaurant or boutique hotel?
Which of your paintings might suit a café or restaurant?
Can I choose several artworks that work together?
You are welcome to enquire about a group of available paintings or drawings. Works from the same series may share recurring marks, materials or colours while remaining individual pieces.
Please send the titles you are considering and, if possible, photographs and dimensions of the walls. Each original is unique, so availability needs to be confirmed for the group.
What information should I send when enquiring about art for an interior project?
Can an artwork be delivered before a restaurant opening or project deadline?
What should I consider before displaying original art in a hospitality space?
Can I enquire about a painting that has already sold?
I do not currently ship to Afghanistan, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine or Yemen.
This also includes Crimea and non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, as well as any destination where a suitable lawful, tracked and adequately insured delivery service is unavailable.
These are my business delivery restrictions, reflecting service availability, insurance and other requirements. They may change, so please check the Shipping & Delivery page before ordering.
For deliveries outside the UK, import duties, local taxes, customs-clearance fees and handling charges are your responsibility unless I expressly state otherwise. These are separate from the artwork price and shipping charge.
I declare the artwork’s genuine sale value and cannot mark a purchase as a gift or reduce its declared value.
Email info@anastasijasarajeva.com with the artwork title or order number and your question. Please contact me before sending an artwork back so I can confirm the return address, packaging, delivery service and any customs instructions.
Yes, interior designers are welcome to contact me about original paintings and drawings for residential or commercial projects. Please share the artwork titles you are considering, approximate dimensions, budget, project location and timing. We can discuss availability and delivery arrangements before an order is placed.
Please contact me to discuss your space and the artworks you have in mind. My practice includes colourful abstract paintings, textured works and drawings developed from landscapes and interiors, offering different starting points for a hospitality setting.
For business purchases, we will need to agree the relevant sale and display terms before ordering.
Some paintings in Microcosm: In Play begin with food names and familiar phrases that gradually become shapes and colour. Their starting points can offer a connection to a dining space, even when the original words are no longer readable.
Other works begin with places and observational drawings. The choice depends on the atmosphere you want, the scale of the room and where people will encounter the artwork.
Please include photographs of the space, wall dimensions, your approximate artwork budget, delivery location and any installation deadline. Links to particular paintings or drawings are also helpful.
Let me know whether you are buying for yourself, sourcing work for a client or purchasing for a business, so we can discuss the appropriate arrangements.
Please contact me before ordering if you have a fixed opening date or installation deadline. Delivery depends on the artwork, packaging, destination and availability of a suitable service.
Published delivery times are estimates. A fixed delivery date must be expressly agreed in writing.
Think about where the artwork will sit in relation to sunlight, heat, moisture, food preparation and busy walkways. A textured painting or work on paper may need different protection and framing.
Please describe the proposed location when enquiring. Framing and installation should be assessed by a competent professional for both the artwork and the space.
Yes. Although the original is no longer available, you can contact me with its title and tell me what drew you to it. You can also explore other works from the same series or join my mailing list to hear about new paintings and drawings.