Art Collector's Notes

Anyone can become a collector of fine museum quality art. You don't have to be rich and famous to own works by some of the most prized artists in history. Prices are affordable for many if you just know where to look. We've shopped the world to find a group of work that will please first time collectors as well as the most discriminating collector.

As any true collector knows, select works you love first. Insure, by research, that they are noted, respected, authentic, and original handmade works of art made by non-reproductive, non-commercial processes. Then, the possible growth of value can easily follow over time.

Prints are one medium which grandly allows for collectibility. Because prints are works of art made on a printing plate in order to produce multiple copies, prices can fit many pocketbooks. Many museum collected originals may not be possibilities for a good number of collectors, however, there are plenty of other museum collected artsists who are still in the price ranges many collectors can afford. Prints are considered intimate, private, and highly desirable works by some of the most collected artists in history.

Here are some of the things to look for when choosing a print for pleasure and investment.

Considerations:

• Understand the type of print the artwork is.
• Is the work hand signed or is it signed on the plate?
• Size of the edition can determine value in some cases. The smaller the edition, the fewer copies there are.
• What is the reputation of the seller? How well known are they for delivering quality and reputable works of art?
• What type of paper is it? Make sure it is a good quality art paper made from organic fibers such as one called "Arches." Many times these types of papers are referred to as "rag" paper, meaning they are made from acid free cotton fibers which reduces disentigration over time.
• Who is the artist and what reputation does his body of work have among other art collectors? If the artist has works in other collections and museums, you know you have made a strong selection. Is the artist known for certain contributions in his field, geographic location or certain stylistic tendencies? What research or written material can you find on the artist?

Types of Prints:

• Etching: A metal plate, such as copper, has been etched or engraved with an image. The grooves in the plate are filled with ink and then transferred to a good quality art paper by passing it through a printing press by hand.
• Lithograph: A drawing is done on a stone or stone "surfaced" plate which can be "treated" with chemicals to aid in the inking and printing process. The drawing is then transferred to the paper by passing it through a press by hand.
• Serigraph or Silkscreen: A stencil process in which parts of the image are placed on individual screens of fiber (silk). Ink is blocked from the non-image portions of the screen and passed through the fiber to the paper. Typically, each color of the print was transferred through it's own screen.
• Limited Edition: A limited edition is just what the name says: an edition that has been limited to a certain, specific number of prints. The certain, specific number of prints to which a specific edition has been limited may vary greatly, from less than a hundred (especially with a hand-pulled edition) to many thousands. Most artists producing limited editions of lithoprints today fall into an edition size-range between 300 and 1000 copies, plus artist proofs. If choosing a limited edition, make sure that the print has been hand pulled by artist's printing processes and not photographically reproduced and printed. In this case, the print is an original, handmade work of art and not a commercial reproduction.
• Woodcut or Linocut: A piece of wood or linoleum has been carved with the artist's image. The parts that remain are rolled with ink and transferred to the paper.

Special Picks:

We've hand picked a group of artists works which will not only give you the pride of ownership but artists who will surely fit your expectatons of investment. You can be assured that the Arts-Technology.com selections will be a great place for you to start shopping. We've hand-picked some of the most collected artists, some of their most collected artworks, and provided plenty of research for you to make an immediate selection that fits any collectors tastes. With our background and experience in building collections for museums, you know you've come to the right place.

We've marked works with "Pick of the Month" for pieces we would select from the group if adding to or starting a collection. And of course, for the budget collector, we have our choice with the "Budget Pick".