L.S. Lowry

Everywhere you look, art is all around us. Many people collect artwork as an investment. There are many different kinds of art to collect; paintings, signed prints, limited editions, sculpture and mixed media are just a few of the many offerings for collectors. Some people only collect one type of art (for example, British artwork) while others prefer a broad range in their collections. Whatever you decide, investing in the art world isn't just for the wealthy. Even those with average incomes can become serious collectors, if you know where to look.

It is best to remember when considering which pieces to add to your collection, what will sell the best should you decide to remove a piece? Some of the best-selling paintings are landscapes, abstracts, impressionist paintings and figural studies. It is wise to not purchase anything containing nudity or violence, as these pieces don't appeal to a mass-market and are therefore harder to sell. Portraits also don't tend to sell well, unless the portrait is of someone famous or historically important, as these can appeal to collectors of icon art or history buffs. Steer clear of politically provocative pieces as well; unless you are willing to try and find a niche market, you could be holding on to a piece like this for quite some time.

Visit galleries and shows regularly. Even if a gallery sells pieces that are far out of your price range, you will begin to get an eye for the valuation of different genres, which will help you in making selections that are within your price point. Spending time at museums is also helpful; pick the museum curator's brain for information on certain mediums or artists. The more knowledge you have of the subject, the more able you will be to haggle a price with the artists, gallery owners and potential buyers.

Many cities host "starving artist" sales, usually once or twice a year. These shows showcase local artists who are trying to make a name for themselves. These shows are very helpful to attend; not only do you get the chance to purchase some great work at very conservative prices, you also get to meet the creators of the pieces you are purchasing. The more you know about an artist, the better able you are to buy and sell his or her work later. The artist also may become a friend and give you opportunities to purchase previously undisplayed or new works, before the general public sees them.

In the parks of larger cities, annual art fairs are typically held. This is yet another opportunity to come face to face with local artists and see their works before they become a "name" in the art world. Prices vary greatly at these shows, but the offerings are of many different kinds of art and you can usually find something in your price range that will make a good investment for the future.

If you are truly a fiend for the gallery world, you can try to obtain a job as a "gallery slave". These people work in galleries, helping to display art, soliciting artists' to do shows with them, then putting the shows together for the public. Not only is it exciting and interesting work, but you get the chance to meet up and coming artists and are usually privy to a small discount if you find a piece you feel you can't live without.

When shopping for an investment piece, it is helpful to know as much as you can about the artist and his or her work. What kind of pieces do they typically produce? What did their last three or four works sell for? Are they planning to branch out into a different field of study; for if they are, their current works can jump in value, as there will be a limit on this style. Say an artist has painted landscapes all his career and is well-known for them; suddenly he decides to become an abstract artist. His landscape work will greatly increase in value because there is now a static number of pieces to choose from. It is also wise to try and purchase a few of his early abstracts if they show promise, as they too will likely increase in value due to the name recognition and the newness of the artist's work.

Don't be intimidated by the world of art investing. There is something for everyone in this vast and fascinating world. Get out there and start shopping; you'll be glad that you did.

David Tatham has been working in the world of fine arts for over many years and . His David Shepherd prints and paintings website contains a wealth of information, also hundreds signed, limited edition prints and original works of art by world renowned wildlife artist, David Shepherd .

LSLowry died aged 88 in 1976 just months before a retrospective exhibition of his paintings opened at the Royal Academy. It broke all attendance records for a twentieth century artist. Critical opinion about Lowry remains divided to this day. Salford Museum & Art Gallery began collecting the artist's work in 1936 and gradually built up the collection which is now at the heart of the award-winning building bearing the artist's name. Celebrating his art and transforming the cityscape again. A small quantity of paintings by the artist l.s. lowry were published as signed limited edition prints. Some of the most well known being, 'Going to the match', Man lying on a wall, Huddersfield, Deal, ferry boats, three cats Alstow, Berwick-on-Tweed, peel park, The two brothers, View of a town, Street scene.