THREE KINDS OF ART AVAILABLE TO BUY

Decorative Art is known as "furnishing pictures," and is often used for decorating purposes. This classification of art is generally thematic: "nautical," "country," "sporting" look, etc. Little intrinsic value exists in decorative art, and rarely is it painted by a "listed" artist. But distinctive decorative art can be expensive, especially if it’s antique. Decorative art will not increase in value. Therefore, it is not a wise investment choice. If you buy, for example, 100 $200-paintings, you could have $20,000 invested in "garage sale" merchandise. Avoid that mistake. Limit your "training paintings" to ten or fewer. Better yet, buy Investment Art.

Collectable Art suggests that someone else also collects the same artworks. Therefore, a market already exists for your painting, albeit small. Collectable art can either be signed or unsigned, "listed" or "unlisted" (recorded in auction price guides). But generally it is of modest quality, not superior work, and not a good investment choice. For example, Florida Highwaymen Art, painted by itinerant Afro-American artists in the 1960s, is "hot" merchandise in Florida, and many local dealers buy and sell this art for a profit. Its appeal, however, is limited to Florida. Therefore it’s Regional Art, and would not sell well in the art capitals of the world. The quality of this art generally is "student work," not academic or professional. If a Highwaymen painting is accidentally left on a park bench, for example, in Paris, London, or Cincinnati, it probably will still be there three weeks later. Discerning art collectors and investors would not show interest in this art. Don’t hold onto collectable art thinking it will one day grow into "investment art." It won’t! Sell it. Move on. If you like the picture, however, and it’s affordable, fine, keep it for whatever is charming about it. But it will not be a wise long-term investment.

Investment Art will always increase in value. High caliber, well-listed artists generally create investment quality paintings. Sought by collectors, investors, and dealers, investment art appeals to buyers beyond the state or local region, meeting national and international demand. Connoisseurs, experts, and art historians determine the quality standards for investment art. Therefore, if you own investment art, it can easily be sold for a profit. If investment art is ever lost, the finder essentially holds a bearer instrument—the equivalent of cash. A metropolitan radio station once reported a Picasso artwork was lost—accidentally left on a New York City subway. Can you imagine? The radio station asked the finder of the artwork to call the police. Hello. Leaving a painting by Picasso on a New York City train is like leaving a bag with a million dollars cash in it on a park bench. Forget it!

http://aarf.com/jensenws06_files/rondavisws06.html