Getting in touch with your artistic side can be difficult and frustrating. For those of us with little inclination or talent in the area of fine arts, the possibility of actually enjoying art seems remote, at best. On the other hand, taking pleasure and even participating in art can be a very relaxing and fulfilling experience. Creating artwork, like any form of self-expression, tends to be relieving, comparable to talking about issues or to writing in a journal to get things off your chest. Artwork allows a person to express ideas in a different format. People can symbolize what they are going through with an image, and that process can be very therapeutic.
Observing art is the first step to finding the artist within. There are many places to view art. A good way to start is by looking all around you; at posters and architecture, people and graffiti. Art is everywhere. When out and about, we need to open our eyes and look a little deeper. Becoming aware of the artwork of life can help people begin to get in touch with a side of themselves they never knew existed.
To begin to develop a love of art, Esther Ritz, a Dallas modern artist, suggests that people begin “constantly going to galleries and museums and other venues and really taking in what they are seeing. Better to spend 15 minutes with 3 or 4 paintings than the entire gallery. Allow yourself to fully experience the work. Trust your feelings about it.”
Art Galleries and museums are an excellent way to see a variety of local and exotic fine art pieces. There are art museums all around the world, making this viewing experience possible for most people. When a person visits a gallery or museum, it is important for them to look at the things they are drawn to and feel are beautiful. Becoming thoroughly exposed to art will help to inspire and guide people to the art form that works for them.
The next step is to begin to venture out in an artistic area. Traditionally, it has been suggested that drawing with pencil is a precursor to other art types. Typically, beginners start with fruit or other organic shapes. This approach can be helpful and, if someone likes drawing, this is a good method for developing an eye for details. It is important to really look at the object and try to reproduce it exactly.
However, even those who are lacking in eye-hand coordination need not feel excluded since many creative types of art exist in the world today. Visual artistic endeavors include sewing unique creations, jewelry making, painting, sand art, sculptures, chalk art, ripped paper art; the possibilities are endless. It is vital for everyone to represent what they feel passionate about in a way that they can express themselves. Finally, Esther Ritz, a Dallas artist, explains what she considers vital to creating fine art, to finding the artist within: “The key is showing up, consistently!! Art is like any other endeavor--you have to practice constantly.”