Aviation Art - Collecting For Fun and Profit

Considering a well-renowned artist with an extensive body of artworks is the key. David Shepherd is an artist whose work a collector should consider for investment.

David Shepherd is an internationally-known wildlife artist who has been working since the 1960's. The themes for his paintings range from animals, landscapes, locomotives, portraits, to aviation and military subjects. But it's his lush, realistic paintings of African endangered species that have captivated many for over 40 decades. His most famous works of art are "Tiger in the Sun", "Tiger Fire" and "Elephant Heaven". The wonderful realism that he manages to capture has amazed art critics and collectors across the globe.

Many of his paintings have been published as signed, limited edition prints. While these prints are usually photo lithographs, there are also other mediums for reproduction using silkscreen and giclee printing.

David Shepherd had originally aspired to become a game warden in Kenya but was rejected. He then returned to the UK and worked as a hotel receptionist for a time. Despite his pressing financial situation, his father insisted that Shepherd polish his skills in painting and should receive formal training. However, his application for the Slade School of Fine Art in London was refused. David eventually found a mentor in Robin Goodwin, a professional artist who trained him for the next three years.

Next, always to buy from someone you know, or a source that is known to be reputable. If you are aware the source could have had direct access to the signatory themselves, all the better. Always deal only with established and reliable people or organisations. Be especially careful buying on the internet.

Try where possible to obtain provenance, and a Certificate of Authenticity -though these are just as easy to forge if the source is disreputable. Watch out for cheap prices, sources that seem to have an endless supply (unless you know the reason why), and avoid private auctions where the seller can't be identified.

Ensure signatures on photographs are genuine and not printed. Many are, and can be difficult to detect from an original. Take special care when buying prints and photos that have been reproduced via a digital process as even under a magnifying glass, forged signatures can look real. Finally, if in doubt, don't buy!

But don't let me put you off collecting famous signatures! There are many well established, reputable people and companies marketing signed prints, photographs, postal covers, programs, and other types of documents all carrying 100% genuine signatures. When you deal with these people, collecting the right signatures is hugely fascinating and often very profitable!

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