Do you support local artists and artisans?

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As many of you know, I like to refinish old wood products. Sometimes it's small old boxes that can be turned into beautiful storage containers with a little sanding and stain. Sometimes it's old guitar sound holes that can be turned into functional coasters. And most often, it's vintage loudspeakers, that can be made to look (and sound) new. I recently visited an "art fair" where a friend of mine displayed her wares. She's a computer tech, but she also paints and takes nice nature photographs. She's been frustrated recently, because people are buying less and less art spontaneously. I bought three of her photographs and intend to frame them and put them on my wall. I bargained her down from $75 to $70 for the three photographs, and used the extra $5 to buy a cool ashtray that someone had made. My "bargaining" with her is a joke--we used to date, and I take her out for Japanese regularly. We're gonna be friends until one of us moves to the great beyond. Do you support local artists and artisans? It made me feel really good to go on a "spending spree" and buy $75 worth of art from local people. In an era of internet sales and big box stores, I like supporting (and being supported by) locals.