Ten Tips for Buying Art - Getting the Best Bang For your Buck

Buying Art - Investing in art can be personally satisfying and financially rewarding. I have ten tips that will help you get the best of both worlds!

• Get online. Comparison-shopping will guarantee you find the best product for you.
• Avoid buying art without a price. If you have to ask about price, more than likely it's an attempt to gauge your interest and charge you the highest possible price they feel you can personally afford.
• Look for an independent artist. Commercial galleries have their place, but you get far better value buying art directly from an artist, particularly one who is emerging or not-yet-established.
• Find a unique, consistent style. A contemporary work of art that looks just like a Van Gogh or Monet might have appeal, but will not be valuable over time. You want to find an artist who will eventually be identified by his or her style (without looking at the signature).
• Study the artists biography. Knowing some basic information about an artist can help you gauge their potential for growth.
• Look for dedication, not education. When looking for a great lawyer or doctor, academic accreditation matters. When looking for great art it's really not as important. Artists whose work appreciates the fastest exhibit a lifelong dedication to producing great art, along with a strong work ethic.
• Interact directly with the artist. This allows you the opportunity to augment the information provided in an artists biography, and helps ensure a smooth transaction- especially when buying online.
• Negotiate. If you find an artist whose work falls within your budget, the artist may offer a discount price if you buy multiple pieces. Alternately, you could suggest buying art in successive pieces over time for a predetermined amount.
• Frame the work yourself. A frame should enhance your art, and it should compliment the space in which it hangs.
• Promote your artists work after the deal is done. By encouraging others to explore your artists work, you help increase the value of your personal collection.