Between the two poles of art and popular culture thrives a widespread practice: amateur painting. By creating panel paintings, hobby painters draw on the established codes of high art. Are the amateurs aware of this reference framework, how do they perceive it, and what does it mean for them? This cultural studies investigation explores how and where contemporary amateur painters relate to art. Various connections are highlighted: from techniques and subjects to aspects of mediation, identification offers, and presentation rituals - amateur painting is always oriented towards art. At the same time, it becomes clear that the spheres of art and amateur painting ultimately remain separate. Although the self-understanding of amateurs is shaped by the idea of a fluid boundary to art, amateur painting remains a distinct practice.