"Why I Appreciate Art!"

The most important things I've learned this semester all mostly revolved around putting myself in the artist's shoes. I can imagine many artists do a bit of reflecting before painting, etching, drawing, sculpting, etc....I think it is important to ask the question "Why" when looking at a piece of art. Why did he choose oil paints over water colors? Why did he paint the sky purple and exclude shadowing? Why are their faces void of all emotions? By asking these questions, we allow ourselves to step out of our little non-artsy speculative boxes and into a world full of wondrous opportunity and deep appreciation and admiration for artists and their masterpieces. I have definitley caught myself staring at paintings much longer than I used to, but more importantly I catch myself looking at the world around me with a whole new set of artsy glasses! I catch myself wondering how an artist would paint my emotions, or what shading and where they would use to incorporate the sunset into a picture of my children while they're playing at the park. I definitley plan on enrolling in a studio art class before the next year is over! I can't wait to get my hands dirty!!