When you think of art collections, do you think of well-dressed people at an art auction in an old European mansion making genteel hanky waves to bid on Old Masters? Well, entertaining as that image may be, an art collector could be absolutely anyone, and art could take any number of forms, from an oil painting to lithographic prints or a folk art tile and can be uber expensive or very affordable art. Collecting art is a wonderful hobby for anyone who enjoys beauty in their home.

Art appraisal is handy for insuring your artworks, to determine whether you have a valuable piece, or to determine whether a piece is priced appropriately when you are considering purchase. A good rule of thumb for any art collector is that an original is worth more than a print, and a limited run print is always worth more than a mass produced print. Some artists produce both high-quality lithographic or digital art prints and artwork posters. However, an appraisal or valuation should never be used as the sole determining factor when you purchase art. If a piece is valuable, but you hate it, why buy it as a regular collector? If you would love to see it hanging in your dining room every day but it's practically worthless, why not buy it? This is especially something to consider when looking at the works of new or regional artists; the true value of a piece is your enjoyment.

Affordable art can be found in many places. Beautiful folk-art pieces can often be found at craft shows, local festivals, or even sometimes in "galleries" the artist has set up by the roadside or in his/her front yard. Part of the fun of collecting folk art is going to various festivals or stumbling across some unique piece because you were taking a back road. Uniqueness and creativity are the hallmarks of folk art; often, art pieces may also be a functional item.

Local and regional festivals are also a great place to find more traditional paintings and sculpture, often by local or undiscovered artists, as some of these artists prefer to handle the sale of their art themselves rather than entrusting their works to a gallery. Collecting art that you find in these venues is not likely to be highly valuable, at least not at first. It is possible for a regional artist to become nationally or internationally known, so if you like the work, make sure you display it properly and in such a way that the work is not damaged. A great example of a "regional" artist whose early works later increased in value is Cajun artist George Rodrigue, whose "Blue Dog" paintings are now recognizable nationwide.

Digital art has opened new pathways for artists and the art collector; some artists use a combination of traditional methods and digital techniques to create entrancing images. The main ideas to consider when purchasing digital art are the same as with other media. Is it creative and original? Is it well-executed and on a stable material? Can you afford it and do you have an appropriate place to display it? Depending on the cost of a piece relative to your pocketbook, it may be worth having a piece appraised by a professional, and framing or stabilization should always be done by a reputable professional, as damage will devalue any artwork.

Finally, don't forget that you can often benefit from someone else's years of collecting art. Galleries (either brick-and-mortar or online) can be a wonderful resource, especially if you find one which started because the owner's collection outgrew his or her home. Estate sales and art auctions put whole art collections up for bid. Don't be intimidated by the venue where art is for sale; art lovers also love to talk about art and an estate sale art auction can turn up some very affordable art. As an art collector you should ask questions, trust your instincts, and you'll soon surround yourself with enduring beauty in the form of your own art collections.