You would like to have artworks of your own, perhaps start an art collection, or buy a special art gift. How do you start?

First, second and last: look! Go to galleries and museums, (even if at first they seem cold or intimidating, they are there to be seen), art fairs and shows. The Internet has become a great place to explore and buy contemporary art and has its own special advantages: comfortable to see, easy on the gas bill, no pressure, easy to purchase, easy access to information.

Dont buy right away. Take time to develop your eye and know your heart. Come back to the same place or site many times, each time picking your favorite. You will probably see that this changes over time, and that you notice more and more interesting aspects of the artwork. Ultimately, what you like best always includes an element of mystery that cant be totally explained. That makes buying art different from buying anything else. But whether for an investment or purely for pleasure, experience in looking and information about the artwork and artist can inform your decision.

Your opinion is what matters, not that of a salesperson or a critic. Even so, reading about art can sharpen your opinions and accustom you to the special vocabulary of art: tools for enjoying art more.

When youre ready to buy, think why.For a specific place in your home? To capture something beautiful? For the positive emotional experience, spiritual uplift, intellectual stimulation? For an investment? All of these separately or in any combination as well as other reasons are good reasons to acquire an artwork. In doing so, you also contribute to society by supporting artists who access and enhance our culture. Clarifying your goals will help you choose the right artwork at the right time.

Budget and Prices. When you have educated your eye and taken an interest in what you see; when you are ready to find the artwork for you, you must consider how much you want to spend and how works of art are priced. Price is somewhat subjective, as is what you will like. It is difficult for most artists to set a monetary value on an expression from their heart. An artist may ask a lot for a favorite piece, being reluctant to part with it. Another may lower prices because of a need for cash. The price of most works, however, is indeed connected to objective variables:

Medium. The graphic media: sketches and prints are usually less expensive, as is watercolor on paper. You can, therefore usually find good buys of fine art in these media. In general, oils on canvas will be more expensive, as will sculpture. Photography in recent years has been going up in price, but is still a place where beginning collectors can find wonderful art for reasonable prices.

Work involved. The amount of work put into a piece, connected to medium, can be a factormore work being more expensive, but not always. More time spent on a work of art does not necessarily make it better. A sketch that Rembrandt did in minutes can be worth a fortune!

Size. In general, the larger, the more expensive (large works involve more materials, although this is usually a small part of the cost, but they are more difficult and involve more work.) Miniatures are a category of their own, where the artist makes a window to a tiny other world.

The Artist.Younger and less well-known artists will generally charge less. This is the point at which the sharp-eyed buyer who knows what he/she likes loves to buy. Here are opportunities for good long-term investments, as well as encouraging upcoming creative forces.

The Market. Site and gallery managers will guide the artist in determining value by knowing the present market.

Dont forget that in your final decision, what is most important is your own response to a work of art. Without a doubt, art is a whole world waiting to enhance your home and enrich your life. Enjoy the variety of choice and the very unique pleasure of finding your own special artistic creations.

Buying art is different from acquiring other products. When you buy something that you like very much, you will usually find yourself loving it more and more. A complex and mature work of art reveals many layers of meaning and appeal as time goes by. You are enriching your life and shaping your environment. Enjoy!

Elinore Koenigsfeld

Elinore Koenigsfeld is an established artist, art teacher and book illustrator. She has exhibited in several galleries and museums in the US and her works are in numerous private, company and public collections.