Instead of Kinkades, Buy Local Artists [View all]

[MineralMan]

Millions of people paid money for paintings, prints, and reproductions of Kinkade paintings. They like them for some reason, so they bought them. Thousands upon thousands were sold over the years. Most are worth what the frames are worth, basically, and Kinkade's death will not increase the value of a poor quality reproduction.

Still, millions have been made by people who invested in art. Van Gogh had a terrible time selling his work. So did many artists whose work is now worth millions. How did people know to buy it before it was valuable? They didn't. They bought what they liked from local artists who were painting and selling their work. Sometimes they traded other goods for artwork by a starving artist. There are lots of ways art can be acquired.

Today, in towns and cities all across the country, art fairs display the work of local, and sometimes not so local, artists. Spending a pleasant afternoon wandering through one of these art fairs is great fun, and there are lots of people around and lots of artists to talk to. Most of the artists won't become world famous or create art worth huge amounts of money, but from time to time, an artist stands out. Here's how to choose art at art fairs, with an eye toward the future value of the work. Look for:

1. Artists who appear to be very serious about what they are doing.
2. Work that is not like the other work at that art fair. It should stand out or be different from the things you see the most.
3. Art that speaks to you in some way and appeals strongly to your sense of personal aesthetics.
4. Art that shows clear evidence of time spend and care taken by the artist.
5. Art that is neither the least or most expensive at the art fair. Other factors are more important.
6. Original, unique works. Never buy reproductions or prints. Buy one-of-a-kind things.
7. Art you just fall in love with and can afford.

Most of the things you purchase will not grow much in value, but you'll enjoy them. A few things, though, may grow in value. If you are particularly taken with the work of one artist, help that artist to grow by purchasing additional works by the artist over time. Local artists will continue to be local artists. Get to know the artist. When the artist has an open studio, go to it and look around for pieces that stand out from the rest.

If you have a good eye, and avoid buying what is common, you may just be building a collection that will grow in value. But, even if it does not, you will have the art to enjoy, and that's the real reason to buy art.