Many people, who don’t have artistic talent themselves, long to experience the world of art but feel too intimated to do so. They don’t know how to begin and they feel apprehensive at the thought of going to an art gallery. I have been in this situation myself but exploring the world of art is not as daunting as it may initially seem.
First, one must gain a sense of what art is. A painter of Dallas contemporary fine art, Esther Ritz, tries to explain the reality of art: “All art is an abstraction--that is, it is a reduction of reality to another form--even ‘realism type art’. Art is about how the artist uses the materials to create a new reality. It is never a copy. The thing that is difficult with abstract art for the average person is that there is no object to grab onto. They then have to deal with the same issues as the artist: form and composition, color (maybe), balance, texture and depth and most importantly, emotion. They must deal with all these things in pure forms.”
Next one must notice the art all around. We live in one of the most visually appealing and stimulating time periods that ever was. There is art everywhere. From incredible architecture to the graffiti scrolled on the sides of railroad cars, art is a part of this world. Once people begin to open their eyes to the art all around, they will begin to get a taste for the excitement that viewing art can give.
A good way to grow in one’s experience of art, according to Esther Ritz, a Dallas contemporary fine art painter, is by “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 entire gallery. Allow yourself to fully experience the work. Trust your feelings about it.”
There are many art galleries and museums all over the world, making this viewing experience available to most people. Viewing the work of others can inspire and encourage people artistically. People shouldn’t be discouraged if they find that they don’t like popular or expensive works of art but prefer a form or subject that is not considered as trendy or doesn’t carry such a high price tag. Each individual will experience art differently and that is as it should be. As they say, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.
The ultimate way to experience art is to participate in it. A well-established method for teaching art is to have a beginner start with pencil drawings, using fruit or flowers as a subject. This activity will cause a person to really look at the object and obtain more of an artist’s eye. Another idea, which may be more enjoyable, is to gather together some art supplies, such as pencils, markers, crayons, paints, brushes, and blank white paper or a sketch pad, and see which materials inspire you. This method can be fun and it can foster self-development as you get in touch with your creative side.