Actually, I would think the artist is mad for selling those paintings so cheap. Paintings usually command a much higher price tag.
Then I’d compliment your ability to create a flowing theme throughout the house.
The problem with your analogy here is that art for the home (or anywhere outside a museum or gallery) is generally bought to compliment the overall aesthetics of the building, rather than to be enjoyed in isolation.
> Now if i had 17 unique paintings exploring a variety of motifs and styles, each one with a story to tell that would actually be worth talking about.
That’s called “eclectic”, which is basically an artsy way of saying “mismatched”. Some people dig that style. Personally I don’t.