The best type of art to buy is the art that speaks to your soul.

No matter what you decide to hang on your walls, you’re the one who will be seeing it most, so if you’re in the market for a piece of art, cast aside any idea of making a profit in the years to come and trust your instinct.

You don’t need to search too hard to find an explosion of choice right here on Leeside, with truly remarkable pieces available in every price bracket. Better yet, many of these quirky, attention grabbing works of creative genius will also speak to your budget – meaning you can start to build your very own gallery of emerging artists long before you find a spot for them in your forever home.

Here are five Cork-based female artists to add to your collection right now:

1. WAX LYRICAL

Artist: Kady Berry

Kady Berry works in the medium of encaustic, a wax-based paint that is melted down. She paints with an iron, which is what gives her bold and beautiful pieces their wonderful texture. This original painting ‘Connoisseur of the Patch’, is €250 from her Etsy shop.

2. PEN AND INK

Artist: Nadia Rice

Nadia Rice is a Crawford College of Art and Design graduate who works primarily in ink pen and charcoal. Inspired by serene scenes and isolated locations, she uses the circle as a lense to draw the viewer into a secluded moment. This piece, ‘Autumn Tree’ is €100 from her Etsy Shop.

3. EVERYDAY PEOPLE

Artist Chloe Keane

Cork-based artist Chloe Keane’s work explores the way in which we measure value, particularly regarding defective and flawed everyday objects. We love her hand embroidered vintage Wilson tennis racket (€60), hand painted in gold. Check out her incredible embroidered burnt toast too, here.

4. NOT YOUR AVERAGE MUSIC BOX

Artist: Aida Austin

West Cork artist Aida Austin takes old clock cases, small bathroom cabinets and chocolate tins and hand decorates them in Mexican ‘nicho’ style using deconstructed costume and vintage jewellery, sari-fabrics, beads and beaten metal. This  ‘Fantail Birds’ folk art music box is €500.

5. LIFE IN MINIATURE

Artist: Sora Barnett

Dunmanway artist Sora Barnett creates miniature versions of sweet food items from polymer clay. Priced from just €6, her adorable croissants, cookies and cakes look good enough to eat… with none of the associated calories. Order them from her Etsy shop Mini Thingies.

Main image: Kady Berry