Defining Art

Wikipedia defines Art as “the product or process of deliberately arranging items (often with symbolic significance) in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect.”

Ahh, doesn’t that sound so deep?

I think people tend to either embrace art or allow themselves to be intimidated by it and almost build a wall against it. I think it is obvious that I fall into the, “embrace and appreciate everything I see,” category. Would I want everything I see on a day-to-day basis to hang on my wall? No, not necessarily, but I do have to say that I’m deeply captivated by viewing art through the eyes of its owner. When you love it, I love it. I see it through your eyes.

I wish that more people would give art a try, and also realize that just as Wiki. describes it, art can be any type of, “deliberately arranged item that affects your senses.” I realize that is a very broad definition, but I guarantee that if you have a hobby, a favorite color, a favorite vacation spot or even a favorite word or phrase, there is art for you.

To me, my favorite art is anything conversational. I like when people look at my walls and ask questions. The collection of images in my dining room are all done by the artist Carl Warner. He creates landscapes out of food. Yep, you read that correctly, he finds the most perfectly shaped piece of broccoli for trees, uses salmon for seas etc. How many times did you look at broccoli and pretend it was a tree when you were a kid? (cricket sound) Okay, maybe that was just me and my crazy imagination. Regardless, I love his creativity and how elegant the images are. There’s nothing cheesy about them, minus the cheese village… Check out his images here. (http://www.lenswall.com/photographers.php?a=19)
In my living room, you’ll find a collection of famous Mexican art on tiny cards. While I love the recognizable art, it’s the cards that are a story. On my honeymoon, each night we’d get these little art cards w/ the weather forecast on the back for the next day. Being obsessed with art and framing, my sweet husband did his best to articulate in Spanish that to the staff, so that I could collect them all during our visit. Every time I look at that piece, I think of how much fun we had and the look of confusion on the lady as she tried to understand why I would value these tiny cards that most people throw away.

My hallway has two small pieces of glass art. I purchased them from the Salvation Army. I love them because I found them in an unexpected place and also because the image has a tiny antique shop with picture frames hanging up for sale!

I could easily run out of space talking about my art stories. My exaggerated point is that ‘art’ can be anything you enjoy; anything with a story, anything that makes you happy.


~Barbara Ann~