How to Buy Art for Someone Who Loves the Outdoors (Without Guessing Wrong)

Some people come home from a walk with seventeen photographs of the exact same tree.

(If you're an artist like me, those seventeen photos are legitimate "research." Different angles, changing light, a bird shifting poses... there is serious science to one tree, okay?!)

Others know a secret fishing spot they will describe in painstaking detail, right up until you ask where it is on a map—mostly because you're hoping the quiz stops them from talking about fishing, since polite conversation has officially gone off the rails.

If you're buying a gift for someone like that, a landscape painting or fine art print is one of the most personal things you can give. It's a daily piece of the outdoors they get to keep on their wall long after the wrapping paper is in the bin.

The trick? Stop looking at art for five minutes and think about the person first.

1. Figure out their flavor of outdoors

"Loves nature" covers a lot of ground.

Someone who spends every weekend trekking up mountain trails wants a completely different vibe from someone whose ideal afternoon involves a quiet riverbank, a packed pastrami sandwich, and zero elevation gain.

Look for clues in what they constantly return to:

• Water lovers: Rivers, hidden lakes, misty streams, or ocean coastlines.
• Forest wanderers: Deep woodlands, sunlit paths, and canopy shadows.
• Big-sky dreamers: Dramatic ridge lines, glowing sunsets, or bold autumn foliage.
• Detail spotters: Wildflowers, mossy rocks, or birds spotted on early morning walks.

These aren't rigid rules, just useful starting points. Look at the painting's personality, too. Does it match the bright, rich colors they always seem to pick for their home or wardrobe?

(Tip: In Artsy’s guide to gifting art, advisors suggest sneaking a peek at what someone has already chosen for themselves. Notice the pictures they save on their phone, the colors they wear, or the random treasures they've brought back from trips.)

2. It doesn't need to be an exact GPS coordinate

Whenever collectors come up to our gallery pieces, they almost never ask for the exact latitude and longitude. Instead, they stare at a canvas and say, "This reminds me of that river where I used to go fishing with my grandad."

A landscape doesn't have to be a literal photograph of someone's personal hometown to trigger a deeply personal memory. A winding river bend, a particular golden sunset, or a line of pines can instantly bring back that holiday where you took the long way home on purpose.

For instance, Chris painted the original oil canvas for our Fishing with the Angels fine art print based on Diamond Island right here on the Tennessee River. But people who buy the print rarely ask us about the exact river bend. They buy it because it instantly feels like their own favorite fishing spot or early morning on the water.

If a painting brings a shared moment (or a missed loved one) to mind, write it in the card. "This tree line made me think of our weekend trip" means infinitely more than a generic gift card ever could.

3. Original painting vs. fine art print

Both make incredible gifts, but they serve different needs:

• An Original Painting: The actual piece made by hand with layered oil paint and real texture. It's a one-of-a-kind heirloom.
• A Fine Art Print: A high-quality reproduction on heavy paper. It gives you the exact same artwork and vibrant color at a friendly price point, often in sizes that fit smaller gallery walls or existing frames.

4. Avoid a last-minute framing scramble

Learn from my own painful mistake: I once bought a frame for a print without checking whether the label listed the picture size or the outside edge of the frame.

I ended up having to trim my pristine print with scissors five minutes before dashing out the door to a birthday party! #LessonsLearned 😂

Giving an unframed print is actually great because it lets them pick a frame style that fits their own home. To keep it completely stress-free, just keep these quick checks in mind:

• Standard sizing: Check the dimensions first. (We print in standard sizes, so popping one into a ready-made frame from Target, Michael's, or Amazon is a breeze.)
• Presentation: You can wrap the print as-is so they get the fun of custom-framing it, or pop it into a simple frame yourself before heading to the party.
• Shipping buffer: Processing time and postal transit time are two different things, especially for made-to-order prints. Give yourself a little extra breathing room!

5. Let them in on the fun

If you're truly stuck between two pieces, don't stress. The surprise doesn't have to be a total secret.

When I buy Lego sets for Chris, he has so many that I couldn't even pretend to know what he already owns. So I'll pick two or three sets I know he'd love, show him, and let him choose. But if I stumble across one specific set and I'm 100% sure he doesn't have it? Total surprise.

You can do the exact same thing with art! Show them two or three options you picked out and ask: "Which of these would bring you the most joy to look at every morning?" Or tell them you'd love to choose a piece together.

We make original nature-inspired artwork filled with vibrant color, imagination, and our own different ways of seeing the outdoors. If you'd like to explore, grab a cup of coffee and browse our original oil paintings or fine art paper prints.

Happy gift hunting,

Anna & Chris