ART is Appreciation, Reason, Timely

Why do I say Art is appreciation, reason, timely? Because it is how it affects me today. What I found to be "art" ten years ago doesn't affect me the same today. It changes with me just as does my desire for style, color, food and just about anything else. Take the marble in the picture to your left. It is called Ketchup and Mustard. I purchased it from an artist on eBay. I love marbles and was so fascinated by the color, the lines and swirls. All I have to do is turn the marble and I have found a new design, new form. Now, with this beauty, I will never tire.

They say, timing is everything and to some extent it is. Where you visit, live, work and travel will influence your exposure to art. The panorama scenes you see while visiting the Grand Canyon may have a tremendous effect on how you approach your next watercolor.

Years ago, my husband took me to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California. It was there that I truly fell in love with art. The paintings, sculptures, glassware were just wonderful. As a kid growing up, I never got to go to any of the larger city where museums were located. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed when I visited the North Simon and others later in life! I was so impressed with color, design, the various media art forms such as glass ware, metal sculpture, textiles, paintings, and furniture to mention a few.

A few years ago, I went to the Getty in Los Angeles. WOW. I still have great flashbacks of the wonderful art I was able to view. Everything from the art within the structure of the Getty building, the grounds was something to marvel at. Just putting this lens together makes me want to get back to the Getty.

You say you don't need a reason to appreciate art. Sometimes reason sets the stage. The reason we may or may not have a clear understanding or appreciation for what the Impressionist painted may have more to due with outside influences. As for myself, until I first walked into the art museum, I had no idea I was missing so much. My husband was my "reason" and I was so glad.

In the 60s, I became intrigued with the artist, Norman Rockwell. So I have several pictures and plates with Rockwell pictures. I recently realized I have somewhat become tired of his work. I was trying to figure out why? I believe it is because there is no "surprise". You can almost tell a Rockwell because the artist was very stylistic in his painting. Outside of an occasional Rockwell imitation, once you have seen several you usually can guess a Rockwell.

Within this lens, I have tried to point out the various ways we see art. It is among us daily. We might see it in the clouds, flowers, dance, a window display, your evening meal, the finger painting your child presented to you, a video you watched, your neighbor's wood carving or your nephew's latest craft project. Come along with me and enjoy ....