by Shannon Hilson

Created on: October 02, 2009

If you're like many art lovers new to the world of collecting, then chances are that the art market seems complicated and confusing to you in many ways. You know that you enjoy looking at art, but it's still often very difficult to determine what you should actually be looking for when it comes to making a purchase of your own, especially when one man's idea of what makes a great piece can differ so wildly from another's. Art not only represents a financial investment, but an emotional one as well, so naturally you want to be sure you're making the right choice. Accomplishing just that starts with making sure you consider several key factors before you sign on the dotted line.

Do You Truly Love the Artwork?

If you're only looking to buy art because it's what your friends or family do, or because you're hoping your collection will turn out to be worth a fortune at some point down the line, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. The art market can be unpredictable in many ways, so the fact that a particular artist is hot today is not necessarily a guarantee that their work will be worth millions in 10 or even 50 years. Even very carefully considered purchases in regards to the money factor sometimes turn out not to be as valuable as the buyer would have hoped.

A better way to assess value in a piece of art would be to consider how it makes you feel on a deeper emotional and intellectual level. Does it make you think or evoke a memory of something pleasant? Is it something that will fit into your preference of decor and be a pleasure to see day in and day out? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then you're likely to be unhappy with your purchase no matter how trendy it is or how much it may turn out to be worth.

Art gets a lot of buzz as a commodity that can be very valuable, but it has so much more to offer than that. If part of your wish to become an art collector doesn't actually revolve around a sincere appreciation for art, then it would probably be better and safer to invest in something else.

Know Your Artists

It's always a good idea to start by making sure you really make sure you know your stuff when it comes to which artists are the most worthwhile. The best art does not necessarily come from the best known artists, hang in the most prestigious art galleries, or cost an arm and a leg.

The art world always has its share of up-and-coming but lesser known talent, so it's important not to forget about newer or more obscure artists when

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