This may sound a bit odd, but I'v thought about what is the best way to receive artwork, furry or not.
In my opinion, the hierarchy is something like this:

1) Charity Commissions. (This may sound a bit odd, but I'd like to think that artists who offer commissions to charity auction usually tend to be better than those purchased directly from the artist in question. Plus, the funds usually go to a good cause)

2) Gift art, trades and art received as a payment for services rendered. ( I'd like to think this is the second best option to get art for various reasons: First off, if two artists who appreciate each other's styles exchange artwork need not bother to try and figure out the worth of each other's works. Second, this section usually contains a bit more personal touch on the subject. Third, a gift art is an artist's way of saying "I appreciate you and what you do." And finally, I'd like to think that the exchange of services is superior to money exchanging hands. This way, both parties receive the best of skills one has to offer.

3) Commissioned artwork. --I'm not saying I dislike this option. I'm just saying I feel the two other options are a bit more to my liking.


Any thoughts, comments or disagreements with me? Please do reply in a polite way ^^