Read this Wildlife Art Journal article

My own interest in collecting art began, of all places, on a cattle ranch in Montana where my grandfather had built a study we fondly referred to as the little house. The inner sanctum held a vast assemblage of Western art, Native American artifacts and cowboy and cavalry antiquities.
 
More than anything, I recall my grandfather's passion for his pieces, and his zeal for collecting.
 
As I grew older I realized why he collected. It wasn't for prestige or profit, but for the pleasure it afforded him. Arguably this is the most fundamental principle of collecting. Our efforts should reflect our fervor for art, our love of the work itself. Doing so will ensure that our lives are enriched, our horizons broadened, our surroundings beautified.
 
In the art world, focusing on aesthetic value doesn't preclude the possibility of market gain.  Always, though, buy what you love; the fruits of your labor may pay monetary dividends in the future, but to count on it would be foolish.
 
No matter what your motivation, or in what country you reside, there are ways to "successfully" build and enhance an art collection. Whether you are a beginning buyer or a seasoned connoisseur, I suggest you consider eight important points—yes, there are many others—when acquiring and collecting original works of art:
 
1. To Get Smart And Stay Smart, You Need To Constantly Acquire Knowledge. Become an educated buyer by examining and interpreting a vast amount...