How to Purchase Art

Here are a few tips that you should consider before purchasing your first major piece of art work:

• Be sure to do your research:  You wouldn't purchase a car or a house without test driving or going inside the house, would you?  Be sure to do your homework.  Just because you love the art does not mean that it is worth it for your to drop a boocoo of money on it. 
• Get all information that you can on the artist:  Do not just say "yes" after you decide that you love it.  Pick the art dealers brain on information about the artist, the meaning of the painting, the artist's history, awards, other galleries represented, any museums, etc.  Also, be sure to ask about other recent sales of the particular artist.  If the dealer seems to be standoffish, they may be hiding something.  Also, be sure to do your own research outside of the art gallery on the internet.
• Find out how original the art is:  Is this an original piece of work or is it a reproduction?  This makes all the difference in the value of the work.  Do not get excited about "limited edition" -  most are just knockoffs made by a publishing company.
• Documentation:  Before you purchase, be sure that you have all documention on the art.  Proof of purchase, proof of authenticity of the work, conditions of the purchase and be sure there is a clause that you will get a full refund if you find out that the artist was not represented well by the gallery.
• Appraisal:  Have it appraised by a third-party. Before you become an seasoned expert in buying art, it is always a good option to find a third opinion on the purchase.  By reaching out to an art professional for their opinion, you are ensuring your decision.  After you buy, be sure that you do get the art appraised.  You are not ready to sell, but it is a good thing to have incase you want to sell later on down the road or for home owners insurance reasons. 

Overall, you must love what you are buying.  If you do not love it, you will hate it right after you make the purchase and regret your decision.