Select Art Imagery With Investment In Mind: Buying, and then reselling at a profit, is possible with art imagery. And, if done knowledgeably and with good judgment, can be as profitable, if not more so, than most other kinds of investment. So, how do you go about selecting art work while having art investment profit in mind? Here are 12 factors to keep in mind before buying:#1 – Differentiate The 3 Kinds Of Art Work: Decoration art: coordinates with a room’s colors and furnishings as decor. It has little, if any, art for investment value. Collectible art: it’s being collected by some, so a small market exists for it. Generally the quality of the work is “student”, not superior. If you like it, and want it, that’s fine. You can possibly sell it sometime, either getting your money back or making a small profit on it, but it wont turn into “investment art”. Investment art: done by top calibre, well-known artists. Bought by collectors, investors and dealers, both nationally and internationally. Connoisseurs, experts, and art historians recognize it as such. Easily sold for art investment profit. This is the category you need to concentrate on when seeking returns on investment.#2 – Be Mindful Of General Preferences In Art Work: Horizontals rather than verticals, of girls rather than boys, landscapes rather than seascapes, domestic rather than wild animals, organic rather than inanimate still lifes, bright rather than heavy tones, 24″ x 36″ rather than medium or small size, cheerful rather than somber subjects.#3 – Buy Only Art Work You Love And Can Afford: You should only buy art for investment that you have a strong personal response to. So, if it goes up in value, you will only gain. If the value doesn’t increase, you still have the enjoyment of looking at it. And stay within your budget and means to obtain it. Remember the adage: ‘much wants more and loses all’!#4 – Buy Only Art Prints Made By The Artist: This is important! Don’t buy prints commercially produced. As each edition of 10 or 20 prints made personally by a recognized artist is bought, the price of ensuing editions may go up.#5 – Buy the Best Art Work Of An Artist: The best work by an artist – whether he/she is great or not-so-great – appreciates in value more than ‘average’ work by the same artist.#6 – Buy Art Work With A Paper Trail: The work of a good artist, when it is accompanied by valid documentation, is worth more and has greater resalability for two reasons: the documentation testifies that the work is authentic and it tells a story about it, which really intrigues people.#7 – Buy Art Work Signed & Dated By The Artist: The artist’s signature and date of original production may not show in an obvious spot but, for resale with art investment profit, it must be somewhere on the work!#8 – Buy Art Work In Fine Condition (And Take Good Care of It!): When it comes time to sell your investment art there can be a huge price spread between something in mint condition and something touched-up or restored. And, as a general rule, a piece of investment art goes up in value when it has been well taken care of.#9 – Buy Moderate, Rather Than Really Large Size Art Work: This is because of displayability. If the work needs a really huge space to show it, it is less sellable.#10 – Buy Typical Art Work Of An Artist: You can buy an example of the work that an artist is best known for or specializes in, or you can buy a piece that is not. For investment art purposes choose the former, not the latter.#11 – Buy Art Work Before The Peak Of Demand: If the artist and his work is on everyone’s tongue at present that means it’s not a good time to buy; the price will be too high. You need to buy before that time comes. And, probably, you should sell when that time comes.#12 – Buy Art Work With A View To Incoming Art Trends: To spot incoming art trends, watch global political and economic shifts for clues. For example, If oil prices are rising dramatically, or major new political developments are happening, these things will affect the sort of artwork that is coming into, or going out of, demand. You need to become sensitive to world shifts and their impact on art sales, so look to the past to see which shifts affected which types of art and how, and use that knowledge to forecast future trends. Let that knowledge guide you in choosing investment art purchases.Recognizing “investment art” takes time and some experience from looking at a considerable number of art works. When you get to the point where you can quickly and accurately spot an example of it, then you’re ready to begin buying and selling art imagery for a profit.