The Power of Images

Images are a powerful thing whether it be creating them or looking at them.  Since I am not an artist, and don't feel the passion to create images I can't really talk about how that feels.  But as a collector I can talk about what it feels like to gather and gaze upon the image.  Since ancient times the image has held a special power over individuals.  It was thought that if you were to paint an image of a good hunting season that you would have one.  In biblical times the image was so powerful that sculpting was practically banned lest they become idolized.  You may think that is weird and that we are above that, but are we really?  We hang images up in our homes and why?  To beautify?  Well, sometimes...but I think that is just what we tell ourselves.  Think about when you were a young lad our lass.  Did you not adorn your bedroom walls with the sexiest models and celebrities?  I know that I did!  When you were young you didn't do it for beautification in the design and style sense.  You thought that so-and-so was a fox and wanted to feel that attraction every time you looked at the wall, or that blah-blah-blah was an amazing singer/sportsman and you wanted to honor them and feel their accomplishments each time you looked at the wall.  The point is you felt SOMETHING, and that something made you feel good, and that good feeling is one of our most primal feelings!  Now here is the magic part...

Let's say that you loved...ahem...Jonathan Taylor Thomas when you were 10 years old.  I, I mean you, would ritualistically tear pictures and posters out of TeenBeat magazine, arrange them on the floor, and then carefully adhere them to the wall of your bedroom.  Now, did I, I mean you, really think when I (oh well I guess the jig is up.  It was me) was 10 that the more pictures of Jonathan Taylor Thomas I had up on my walls the more likely I would be to meet him and become his dream girl...well now that I think about it, I did!  He would somehow feel my adolescent attraction and come racing to my door step.  How is that any different from early man painting a good hunting season in hopes that he would have one.  

Okay, as we grow up and our "decorating" tastes evolve we hang different things on the walls that still make us feel something.  But the images still hold the same "magical" power even if we don't know it.  There are a lot of art collectors out there who love Tuscan landscapes who have never been to Tuscany.  They go to Tuscany through the images they collect an hope (whilst staring at said images) that one day they will get to finally go there.  This collector might tell you that they simply think it is pretty!  Other's collect images as a form of nostalgic memorabilia.  Why do we look so lovingly into the past?  Do we think that the more we love what happened there the more we may be able to make it happen again?  Subconsciously we totally do!  So I ask you this...look at something you have on your wall and think about why you 'really' have it.  And does it pull out that oh-so-fantastic good feeling?

Last thing...have you ever not surrounded yourself with an image that made you feel good, or restricted your personal style out of fear.  I have, but that is another blog.  

~Liz

You Know What They Say About Assuming

Okay so I am assuming...that you all have heard what "they" say about assuming.  After being in our new location for the better part of a year now, I have come to realize that people make two assumption about art.  And that is that art is too expensive or impossible to understand.  I would like to clear up these assumptions.  There is art out there to fit every budget.  If you only want to spend $20 to if you want to spend $20,000.  If you cannot find originals that fit your budget, (they are out there trust me) you can look to less costly fine art prints.  Often these pieces are signed and numbered by the artist and are ready for standard framing.  There are tons of places to find the perfect piece of art to make you smile every day.  There are galleries all over the country, art shows, and art festivals, and independent artists.  If you find something you love and still cannot afford the price tag, ask the artist or art consultant about commissioning a smaller work of the same subject, or if fine art prints are available.  Never say never when it comes to art.  Remember, "art is for everyone!"

The other assumption people make is that art is impossible to understand.  What we all have to remember is that art is as complicated as the viewer makes it.  If you like something because of the color or subject, it is as simple as that.  If you feel happy when you look at something that is that!  Are there underlying meaning in art, usually.  But that doesn't mean that is all there is.  We have talked about in other blog posts artist intent and viewer interpretation, and how intent isn't always the most important part.  If you just let go and allow yourself to enjoy something than life will be a much happier place!  Don't think, just look and feel.   Let us know how that works out by posting a comment!

You Call THAT Art!?

"You Call THAT Art!?" is a new workshop that we are introducing to our workshop schedule.  We launched our first one over the Mother's Day weekend and it was a huge success.  This workshop is free to the public and is a great way to learn about art if a fun and relaxed setting.  We have heard people say that they "don't get" art more times that we would like.  The public is often confused by the conundrum of contemporary art.  Our gallery's goal is to show people that art is for everyone.  They can learn how to talk about art (not like those pompous people we all see on T.V.) with out fear of making a mistake or being ridiculed for their opinions.  We encourage the asking of questions, any questions.  If someone would like to know why a painting is considered art we will tell them what we have learned while mastering our degrees in art history.  Does that mean that you have to like it?  No.  But after learning why something is considered important we can begin to build an appreciation for it.  We will discuss all types of art from Cave Art to Contemporary Art.  We will learn about the origins of art.  Snooze-fest?  Unlikely!  With two people as excited about art as we are it is hard to be bored by our "lecture-tainment."  AND we do our workshop as a High Tea, serving English teas and goodies provided by local businesses like Lord Ravenswood Hall.  So, if you have ever been confused in a museum or gallery, want to learn more about art, or just want something to do on the 3rd Saturday of every month come to LoPressionism Gallery for an educational and, more importantly, fun afternoon.  Seating is limited to please RSVP in advance to reserve your seat.  (321) 722-6000 or post a comment.  Click here to be navigated to our website's Workshop Page.