If you are too shy to ask questions, stand close and listen to the answers to the questions of others. This sounds silly but it will give you a better understanding of the artists work and rather it is the type of thing you would like to get more involved with. There is usually a lot of extra literature at an opening, more catalogs and other explanation sheets. Pick these up, take them home, and read them to learn as much as possible about the work you like. When you see the work of an artist that you like and you find that he or she is in the area, ask the gallery if it is possible to visit with the artist in his or her studio.
Many artists have regular open calling hours.
Always call ahead to make sure it is all right. Never just drop in on a working artist, unless you have been told to do so by the artist. Going to the studio will give you a much better understanding of the artist and the work that he or she is producing. Many artists have a very close relationship with many of their customers and like it that way. If you have been directed to the artists studio by a gallery, it is probably better to talk to the gallery about the actual purchase of work.