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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;verybrad, post: 33445, member: 37&quot;]I think the suggestion about perusing auction catalogs (electronic or otherwise) is an excellent one. I first got really interested in paintings by getting the catalogs from the Toomey Treadway auctions. I was already interested in, collecting, and dealing in arts and crafts period decorative arts so the extension to fine art compatible with the movement was a logical one.&nbsp; I actually attended several of their auctions and bid on several paintings but did not win any.&nbsp; I looked at what I liked and researched the artists and other of their works available or sold. I went to museums and looked at art. I looked at a lot of art on ebay and researched those artists. What I got from all this was the idea that there was some nice art out there by listed artists that was not all that expensive. </p><p><br /></p><p>After spending some time doing this without buying anything, I took $1200.00 and began buying paintings on ebay. I think I bought about 20 over a 4 or 5 month period. The most expensive one was $275.00. Now, some 500 paintings later, I still have some of these first purchases. The others, I turned for a profit and reinvested the money into more works. The key to all this was the research. </p><p><br /></p><p>Today, it is a lot easier to do art research (I actually went out and bought a $400.00 edition of Davenport&#039;s). There are a myriad of sources available on-line.&nbsp; Most are free to some extent, providing some basic content and charging for more extensive content. I find that using a multitude of sources, I can find most of what I need for free. Askart, google, ebay, and liveauctioneers are your friends. These are just a few of the resources out there but are ones that I use continually.</p><p><br /></p><p>While I started buying art on ebay, I now buy from quite a few other sources. I do buy quite a bit of art locally as well. I have learned to pass by the amateur works and concentrate on pieces that I believe I can make some money on as well at the paintings I really like. Fortunately, I live in a community with a very large university with an educated and well-traveled population. There have also been many prominent artists pass through the art department over the years. I am sometimes amazed at what I can find here.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>While I started looking at works compatible with the arts and crafts movement, my tastes have expanded quite a bit. I think this has come about due to more exposure and learning the history behind the art. I also think that taste just naturally evolves over time. I buy different kinds of things than I would have bought in the beginning. I sometimes wonder how I would display it all if I had to since it all is somewhat disparate. This aspect does not bother me so, for some, concentrating on a certain type of collection may not be necessary.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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