Can you get a good deal on an art purchase on ebay?

Yes, but buyer beware!

Look for artist's selling direct from their studio and by all means...avoid China oil paintings. 
The biggest rip off on ebay are sellers that sell oil paintings from China and those in America that import them. They steal images from American artists that are working hard to make a living and pay some poor Chinese person 50 cents a day to copy it on poor materials and the average American gets stuck with a worthless stolen piece of art. 

Do the world a favor, don't support  50 cent a day wages, you wouldn't work for pennies.  Don't buy from these scam artists, buy from the real artist, the quality is better and your buying art that isn't stolen.  Any working artist will tell you they can't buy the canvas and paint for the 19.99 that these oil paintings from China are being sold for.  That should tell you something about the lack of quality of this art, do you really want the oil paint to fall off onto your floors, or the canvas to rip when you frame it?!

Be sure to look for information about the artist on the auction page.   Look at their about me page, it often links to the artist's website where you can learn more about that artist's accomplishments.

How do you know if an artist's work that you like is collectible? 
Here's some quick tips:

Is the artists published? 
If they are in a book (hard bound) then yes this artist is collectible.  And no, magazines and articles don't count and neither do paperbacks.  If an auctions says the artist is published, yet doesn't elaborate on the book...you should run, and run quickly!  There are plenty of artist's selling on ebay that can't back up their claims, don't assume they are telling you the truth.  Ask for an ISBN number!  Get proof of the artist's words in their auctions.

Is the artist listed?  What is listed? 
The most prestigious place an artist can be listed is the Blue Book of North American Artists.  Not just any artist is listed there, their art curators and specialists look in depth at artists for consideration to this Blue Book, only list artists that are and will be collectible and have already established a name in the art world.  So buy from a listed artist, it's a good investment.

Is the artist in membership to art related societies?
The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Artists Guilds, Copyright Protection Leagues
If the artist you are interested in is active in the arts, their membership speaks volumes about how the artist and gallery community perceives them.   Non membership usually mean amateur and not collectible.

Does the size of the art really matter?
Yes and No. 
NO...Originals are one of a kind and any size can be collectible depending on the artist and if they are listed.
Yes...Prints are only collectible if they are at least 14 X 17 or larger.  Galleries won't handle anything smaller because 8 X 10, 9 X 12, 11 X 14 are not worth the paper they are printed on.  Most artist's offering these smaller sizes are printing them on their home printers even though they won't admit that in the auction, now do you really want a home printed piece of paper?!  They call them Giclees, but that is just misleading you the potential buyer.  True Giclees on heavy paper are 14 X 17 or larger.   The only exception to the smaller sizes are the Giclee canvas prints, on real canvas cloth, these can be highly collectible!

Remember, you can purchase wisely and get a great deal on ebay, just remember to buy direct from the artist.  It's really the only way to be sure you are getting what you pay for!

Happy Art Shopping!

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