"Shelf Life", original oil painting on ivorine by Gail  MacArgel

"How much is my art worth?" is one of the most common questions that we are asked. Here are the steps that you can take to research your art.

Correctly identify the artist. This is fairly easy to do if the art is signed. Be sure to look on the back and sides of the art if you do not see a signature on the front. Sometimes, the art has been labeled with the information, then it is important to verify that the label is correct. Remember that there can be several artists, known and unknown with the same name. It's important to compare the signature and style to see if it is compatible with other known works of art by the artist you think it might be. The majority of artists have not reached a point in their career that they gained any recognition which makes it very difficult to locate any information about them. Once you are confident that you have correctly identified the artists, you can proceed to the next step.

Identify the medium.

The medium is what the artist used to create their art. Examples are oil, acrylic, watercolor, bronze, etching, wood cut, lithograph, serigraph, etc. You may need a 10X magnifying glass in order to determine what the medium is. The original work of art is considerably more valuable than a reproductive piece. Leroy Neiman is well known for creating the same scene in different mediums and each medium has a different value range, so it is important to know the medium.

Consider the size, subject matter, & time period Generally speaking, a larger work of art is more valuable than a smaller work in the same medium by the same artist, but a work twice the size of another one does not mean that it is double the value. Some artists are known for certain subject matter, such as dogs, landscapes, flowers, etc. Their typical subject matter is usually more valuable than other topics. Time period refers to when in the artist's career the art work was created. Works of art created at the height of their career are more valuable than other works.

What is the condition.

Has the art been restored or damaged? As with all things, well cared for art maintains or increases in value. Good restoration will increase the value of the art over a damaged or dirty work of art.

Helpful sites

Here are some sites that professionals use for information: Artnet.com, Askart.com, Artprice.com, Findartinfo.com, Artasanasset.com and P4A.com.

When to contact a professional There are times when it is more cost effective for you to hire a professional. Most of these times require a written report by an unbiased appraiser. Insurance coverage is one of the most common. Any reason that the IRS may be involved, such as for a donation or estate, it is imperative to protect yourself with a qualified appraisal report. Bankruptcy, equitable distribution and collateral are also common reasons.

Have fun with your research!

Click Shelf Life for more information about the illustrated art.